Vulcain was founded in 1858 in La Chaux-de-Fond.
Vulcain gained brand recognition from the early 1950s for their invention of the alarm watch – the Vulcain Cricket, which was presented at a Swiss Watch Fair in 1947.
In 1953, the White House Press Photographer's Association presented Harry S. Truman with a 14k gold version of the watch on the eve of his leaving presidential office.Following from this, nearly every President has been given one to commemorate their leaving office.
This oversize Vulcain, from the late 1930s, has all the typical stylistic lines of the period, finding strong inspiration from the very famous Patek 96, also from those years and which set , from the very beginning, new standards of fashion and elegance.
The "Calatrava" name in watch collecting has come to epitomise what a dress watch should be. Simple, slim, and elegant. So strong is this identity that collectors often refer to simple time-only dress watches from other brands as Calatravas.
This 36mm "Calatrava" precisely, has the typical coin case, in solid 18kt gold. The special lug work creates a geometric light play with much symmetry.
Stylized hour markers are applied on a white background.
The chapter ring is closed and the subdial at six o'clock lends elegance with the same graphic.
The inscription "chronometre" that stands out below the logo tells of a precision of the caliber ( just full serviced) that was exemplary for the time,as well as the swan-neck adjustment, worthy of great manufactures.