V-40 Movement

V-40 Movement
EVOLUTION OF THE ICONIC CRICKET CALIBRE
V-40 – EVOLUTION OF THE ICONIC CRICKET CALIBRE
The Manufacture des Montres Vulcain holds a place of its own in the world of Fine Watchmaking. Building on over
150 years of a rich and varied history, the brand from Le Locle has managed to establish itself firmly among its peers,
not only by offering timepieces with a classic and refined style, but above all through the development of its Cricket
alarm movement.
Right from its launch in 1947, this calibre asserted itself as a major watchmaking technological breakthrough,
making it worthy to grace the wrists of the world’s most eminent personalities. Ever since, Vulcain has consistently
developed the essence of the brand’s enduring DNA.
On the occasion of Baselworld 2016, new models in the 50s Presidents’ Watch collection were presented. They
perfectly matched the brand’s graphic design codes, subtly combining understatement and elegance. The distinctive
design of the two offset hands quickly drew the attention of discerning eyes. Given that alarm models to date had all
featured four central hands (hours, minutes, seconds and alarm), how was this new layout accomplished? The heart
of these timepieces clearly had to be modified and its famous Cricket calibre improved!
Two offset hands, a 2016 novelty
Le Locle, May 23, 2016
www.vulcain-watches.ch
V-40 – EVOLUTION OF THE ICONIC CRICKET CALIBRE
MODIFICATIONS RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENT
So what stages were involved in modifying this calibre,
enabling it not only to provide an original display of the
seconds and the alarm, but also to achieve a technical
improvement?
Offsetting the seconds and alarm hands
The seconds wheel and pinion and the striking mechanism setting-wheel were modified so as to enable the
fitting of two offset hands. Achieving this involved raising the height of the pivot, changing the bearing jewel
of the fourth wheel and modifying the wheel pivoting.
Setting of the new fourth wheel
Following the elimination of the central sweep-seconds
hand, the jewelling of the gear-train bridge was modified, the central hand-bearing wheel pipes were discarded and the existing cannon-pinion was replaced by
one with a blind hole.
Finally, the height of the alarm-activating wheel was
lowered so as to avoid it knocking against the dial.
The new and the old fourth wheel: raising
the height of the pivot
Replacement of the existing cannon-pinion
by one with a blind hole
Modification of the striking mechanism
setting-wheel
www.vulcain-watches.ch
V-40 – EVOLUTION OF THE ICONIC CRICKET CALIBRE
A longer power reserve
For Vulcain, extending the power reserve was a vital
feature to be able to offer its partners. The length of the
movement mainspring was thus increased and the diameter of the barrel-arbor was reduced. This improvement served to increase the power reserve by 10 hours,
meaning owners will have to wait 52 hours before having the pleasure of rewinding their Cricket watch.
Driven by a concern for quality and the efficiency of
its after-sales service, Vulcain also modified the jewel
setting of the pallet-wheel bridge, switching from a
combined setting to KIF-Duofix bushings.
This enhanced version of the iconic Cricket V-10 calibre
demonstrates the dynamic determination of this watch
brand. But watch this space, since the latter has plenty
more surprises in store!
New pallet-wheel bridge Kif-Duo
Technical specifications
Movement: 12-lignes mechanical hand-wound alarm
calibre, 24 jewels, 162 components, double barrel,
equipped with the Exactomatic system, lift angle 48°
Decoration: nickel coating, blued screws, skeleton
ratchets
Functions: center hour and minute, alarm at 4 o’clock,
second at 8 o’clock
Frequency: 18,000 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: 52 hours
Alarm duration: circa 20 seconds
Vulcain Cricket Calibre V-40
Images and content:
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PRESS CONTACT
VULCAIN: Florie Maugeon
[email protected] / +41(0)32 930 80 14
www.vulcain-watches.ch