The story behind this Vulcain Nautical Seventies
The House of Vulcain occupies a singular place in the great watchmaking heritage thanks to its legendary Cricket mechanical movement. Born to meet the extreme demands of deep-sea diving pioneers, the Vulcain Nautical Seventies watch reference 100159.081 illustrates the absolute technical mastery of an era turned towards the abysses. The original model was created in 1961 in collaboration with mathematician and diving record-holder Hannes Keller. Electronic computers did not yet exist to ensure safe diving. Hannes Keller therefore integrated his own original decompression tables directly into the watch's dial. To alert divers to the crucial moment of returning to the surface, Vulcain developed a revolutionary case back that served as a resonance chamber. This major innovation allowed the shrill sound of the mechanical alarm to pierce the silence and thickness of survival suits.
Case, calibre and bracelet of this Nautical Seventies
The armour of this timepiece comes in the form of an imposing cushion-shaped stainless steel case measuring 42 mm in diameter and 17 mm thick. This highly technical profile is crowned by a thick, highly curved plexiglass crystal that faithfully reproduces the gentle visual distortion of the historic model while withstanding underwater pressure. The intense black dial is brought to life by multiple orange and white rotating rings dedicated to the precise calculation of stop times. Large indexes coated with luminescent material work in harmony with the hands to ensure optimum legibility in the dark. The heart of the watch beats to the rhythm of the hand-wound Cricket V-10 calibre. This complex movement incorporates 157 high-precision components and 17 jewels. It oscillates at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour and guarantees a solid 42-hour power reserve thanks to its double barrel. The back of the watch, pierced with 16 ventilation holes, ensures the acoustic transmission of the alarm while preserving its proven water-resistance to 300 metres. The whole is mounted on a supple black perforated calfskin leather strap, lined in orange, and fastened with a pin buckle.
Why this Vulcain watch
This piece represents a fantastic opportunity on the pre-owned watch market as it is a strictly limited edition of 300 pieces worldwide. It inexorably attracts discerning collectors keen to acquire a genuine mechanical curiosity, combining a rare functional underwater alarm with a powerful design from the 1970s. Its fully embraced vintage aesthetic, coupled with an authentic heritage of underwater exploration, makes it a watch of great character, radically different from the usual divers. The relationship between its exclusivity and its horological ingenuity remains exceptional.
Delivered contents and condition
This luxurious watch is offered with its imposing official box, its protective over-box and its international warranty passport. We would point out that this original booklet is blank and was not stamped at the time of initial purchase. The piece is in an exceptional state of preservation that we would describe as like new. The heavy steel case retains its original delicate sunburst brushing on the upper surface and the bevelled sides are immaculately mirror-polished without a trace of wear. The perforated bracelet shows no signs of twisting or use, guaranteeing its future owner the incomparable thrill of owning a watch in absolute pristine condition.
Guarantee and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this exceptional timepiece. It comes with a full 24-month mechanical warranty. We also offer you the possibility of returning it to us within 10 days according to our conditions. As the leading second-hand retailer in Switzerland and with the largest network of boutiques, we offer online booking for on-site fitting and collection or fully secure international shipping.
* Like new - brand new watch, never worn or in exceptional condition. No visible defects to the naked eye.
