The Vulcain Cricket I Would Make

Okay, Vulcain currently seems to be intent on making a zillion versions of the same models, just in different colors... meaning...

Lots of SKUs and several "highly collectible limited editions" are still unsold despite fairly modest limited edition numbers....

And I love my two Crickets, the Paajanen / Ditisheim -

And my date model -

But as I am doing the final edits on the Vulcain Cricket / US Presidents volume 2 edition, I am reminded of what President Johnson, and (at the time) Vice President Nixon mentioned about their Vulcain Crickets - that they depended upon them to act as their alarm clock around the world.

So rather than taking the same base model and slapping a new dial on it with a dubious limited edition claim to fame (next time, maybe reach out to the families before naming a model after their relative?) maybe try something a little bit different?

Now there is something in the not-too-distant past, the Cricket Aviator -

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

And for my money, this would be one to re-heat. But I might propose a crown + pusher as opposed to the two crown + pusher format. This was done quite nicely by both Girard-Perregaux and Baume Mercier.

Shamelessly borrowed from the worldwide infoweb

At any rate, that is what I would do. But then again, nobody in Le Locle has asked for my opinion on the matter ; )

A New World Timer - It's Official!



Courtesy of Baume & Mercier

This is the latest from Baume & Mercier - the Capeland World Timer!

A Christmas Wish...

Okay, Christmas is the time for giving to others - but in a completely selfish moment I can say, this is my Christmas Wish -

Courtesy of  a Reader

This is the Baume Mercier GMT Alarm.  Many years ago, I was working nights and weekends at Tourneau in San Francisco.  We carried Baume et Mercier - and a customer came in wearing this one.  At the time, I was obsessed with the Girard-Perregaux Traveller II.  But then I laid eyes on this and it took a rather unhealthy hold of my attention.  The idea of working in a watch retail environment is to SELL watches, not to try to buy them from customers who come in!  This made for an awkward moment with my boss, but in the end I managed to sell the customer a gold Baume et Mercier for his more formal duties in the board room, and he very kindly came in every few weeks to let me look at his watch!

I realize that this is a model no longer in production - I know that alarms are not every one's cup of tea.  I understand that the window has closed...

But Santa - if you're really up there in Northern Finland - I feel that overall I would fall into the "NICE" category this year...

Could you hook a guy up?


Happy Holidays everyone!

Where to Shop on Cyber Monday

I am not sure if it is the same in other parts of the world, but here in the US it is Cyber Monday.  This is the day that historically sees the most online holiday shopping - the theory being people are back in their offices after Thanksgiving and have already suffered "Black Friday".

So for those of you out there still looking for that great watch but not too anxious to do it "in person" - here are some options for you:

Baume et Mercier -

Courtesy of Baume et Mercier

This is the Hampton from Baume et Mercier.  A beautiful tank style watch with wonderful blue hands to offset a tastefully subtle dial.  45 x 32.3 mm, self-winding.

Available direct from Baume et Mercier - 

www.baume-et-mercier.com


But maybe you are looking for something a little different in design?  Something that NOT everyone has?

Courtesy of Savoy

This is the Savoy Icon Light from their ladies collection.  A 35 mm stainless steel case, purple mother of pearl style dial.

www.savoycollections.com 


Or you want something rugged and sporty?

Courtesy of Aquadive

As the picture says - this is Aquadive's Bathyscaphe 300.  This is a DIVE MACHINE!
47 mm of Swiss dive watch goodness!

www.aquadive.com

Something Classic

Yes, complications are fun - be they chronographs, GMTs or alarms, but sometimes you just want the basics - hours, minutes, seconds.  By the same token, you want it to look at least a little bit special.  To that end, I present you Baume et Mercier's Classima 8791.

Courtesy of Baume et Mercier

The dial has depth, and I particularly appreciate the blue hands!  Now if it were mine, I would possibly go for a blue strap - but that's me.

Here are the details -

Case
Size: 39 mm
Shape: round
Material: steel
Finishes: polished
Crystal: sapphire
Case back: sapphire crystal window
Thickness: 9.5 mm


Movement
Movement: automatic
Functions: date


Dial
Features: Opaline silver-colored, line guilloché decor, Roman numerals
Hands: blued steel  


Bracelet
Material: alligator
Color: dark brown
Clasp: adjustable triple folding buckle   



www.baume-et-mercier.com