↑5.6%eBay asking prices. Condition and box/papers status not filtered.
Up 6% over the past 90 days
Based on eBay sales, last 12 months
Condition affects price
Pre-owned watches trade across a wide condition spectrum. These ranges are typical for the secondary market.
New Old Stock
Unworn example retaining original packaging, tags, and warranty documentation.
$4,550–$5,250
+30–50% vs median
Unpolished
Worn but the case has never been polished; original brushed and polished surfaces are intact.
$4,025–$4,375
+15–25% vs median
Polished
Case has been professionally or amateur polished at some point; edge definition is softened.
$2,975–$3,325
-15 to -5% vs median
Recently Serviced
Movement has been recently serviced with documented service records; case condition varies.
$3,500
At median
Movement tier: unclassified · caliber Vulcain Cal. 120 -- manual-wind alarm, 18,000bph, 42h PR (time) + 20h PR (alarm); alarm powered by independent second mainspring; vibrating hammer strikes caseback; original architecture from 1947; worn by Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Johnson
Medium-large: suits wrists 6.5 in+ (16.5 cm+)
42 mm case. Wears confidently on average to larger wrists. May overhang on slender builds.
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The Vulcain Cricket 50s Presidents Watch is the modern version of the alarm watch worn by US Presidents from Truman to Nixon. Its authentication centers on the mechanical alarm function, which is the defining characteristic of the Cricket movement architecture.
Known issues in the market
The mechanical alarm must function; a Cricket that does not alarm is either faulty or has a non-Cricket movement.
The crown has two positions: the lower position winds the main timekeeping movement, and the upper position sets the alarm hand and also winds the alarm mainspring. A crown with only one functional position is wrong.
The alarm tone is a distinctive buzzing vibration produced by a hammer striking the caseback from inside; it is audible in a quiet room and felt on the wrist.
Area
What to check
What is correct
Red flag
crown
Two-position crown for time and alarm
Crown has a lower position for winding the main movement and setting the time, and an upper position for setting the alarm hand and winding the alarm mainspring; both positions engage and disengage cleanly
Crown with only one functional position; no distinct click or engagement difference between positions; crown that screws down (wrong for this mechanical alarm reference)
movement
Alarm function -- audible buzz
When the alarm hand is set to the current time and the alarm is armed, the watch produces an audible buzzing alarm that lasts approximately 20-25 seconds; the vibration is also felt on the wrist
Authentication guide
Last reviewed June 2026
The Cricket is Vulcain's defining piece: the first wristwatch alarm, introduced in 1947. Two mainspring barrels are visible through the caseback. The alarm must vibrate the caseback; an alarm that only sounds but does not vibrate is not functioning correctly.
Known reproduction risks
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MEDIUM
Single-barrel movement in a Cricket-style case, or non-functional alarm
Through the caseback, only one barrel is visible rather than two
Only one crown on the case
Alarm produces sound but no caseback vibration
Second crown present but the alarm does not engage
The two-barrel architecture is the definitive Cricket signature. If the caseback view shows only one barrel, the movement is not a Cricket caliber.
No alarm function; alarm that produces a single click rather than a sustained buzz; alarm that runs shorter than 15 seconds (depleted alarm mainspring)
movement
Dual mainspring architecture visible through caseback
Cal. 120 has two mainspring barrels visible through the caseback: one for the timekeeping train and one for the alarm mechanism; both barrels should be present
Only one mainspring barrel visible; movement architecture inconsistent with a dual-barrel design
dial
Alarm hand and dial text
Separate alarm-set hand (typically a triangle or pointed indicator); "VULCAIN" and "CRICKET" text on dial; hour markers and proportions consistent with the 50s Presidents reference
Missing alarm hand; incorrect or absent brand text; dial proportions inconsistent with known references
case
Case proportions and material
42mm case diameter with appropriate thickness for the dual-barrel movement; steel or gold case with correct hallmarks for declared material
Case dimensions inconsistent with 42mm specification; missing hallmarks; case thickness inconsistent with the dual-barrel Cal. 120 height requirement
Common legitimate replacements
Strap and bracelet replacements are common.
Crystal replacement after impact is common; confirm correct Vulcain specification.
Expert resources: Vulcain authorized dealers can authenticate via serial number. The Vulcain collector community at WatchUSeek has members with extensive Cricket experience. For vintage Cricket references, the National Watch and Clock Museum archives contain Presidential presentation records useful for provenance.
42mm case styled after the original 1950s Cricket. Two crowns: one for time, one for alarm.
Two crowns on the case: one at 3 o'clock for time, one at 2 o'clock for alarm
Dial styled after the 1950s reference; hour markers and typography consistent with the era-tribute specification
"Presidents' Watch" branding may appear on dial or documentation
Service part flags
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Alarm mechanism (two barrels)
Original: Two separate mainspring barrels visible through the caseback: one for timekeeping, one for the alarm.
Replacement tells
Only one barrel visible through the caseback (not a Cricket movement)
Single crown only on the case (the alarm requires its own crown)
Alarm that sounds but does not vibrate the caseback against the wrist
Crowns
Original: Two crowns: separate positions and sizes for time-setting and alarm-setting.
Replacement tells
Single crown with a push-in or rotating function trying to simulate two functions
Second crown present but non-functional
Case back markings
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All Cricket 50s Presidents' production
Vulcain markings on caseback
Cricket caliber designation
Serial number
"Presidents' Watch" may appear on caseback or accompanying documentation
Movement tells
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Through the caseback, two separate barrels are visible side by side. This is the defining feature of the Cricket movement and the most immediate visual check.
The alarm crown has a distinct second position (pull to set the alarm time). This is separate from the time-setting crown.
Activate the alarm: it must vibrate the caseback against the wrist. The vibration is felt as a distinct buzz, not just an audible sound. An alarm with no caseback vibration indicates a non-functioning or non-original alarm mechanism.
Beat rate is 18,000 vph for the timekeeping train.
