• Skip to main content
wwr-logo-black-white-hd

WWR

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Collection of Automatic Alarm Divers (Refs. 211931.201RF & 211931.202BRF)

December 17, 2009

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic alarm diving watch (Refs. 211931.201RF & 211931.202BRF)

Vulcain will soon start selling its new limited-edition Cricket X-Treme Automatic Alarm diver (refs. 211931.201RF & 211931.202BRF) with only six hundred numbered pieces to ever reach the market.

The collection is going to be available in two versions: black-and-white (Ref. 211931.201RF) and an even more appealing to me black-and-blue (Ref. 211931.202BRF) model.

According to the brand, each version will be limited to only 300 pieces.

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic Alarm (angle view)

Both varieties are made of titanium and stainless steel and are even equipped with HEV (helium escape valve) that prevents the expensive sapphire crystal from popping out during decompression, with their water resistance rating of 300 meters, are suitable for casual scuba diving (only when accompanied by an electronic diving computer, of course.)

Although this model reminds me of JLC’s gorgeous Navy Seals Diving Alarm series, I must admit that the Cricket X-Treme Automatic model has a face of its own.

And it certainly looks way more refined (and more expensive, for that matter) than some offerings from the established premium brands. One word of caution though. The case measures just 44 millimeters in diameter, which is at least bearable for an average buyer, but its lugs are relatively long stretching the Cricket X-Treme’s overall length to 54 millimeters and significantly increasing the risk of the gadget looking not really well on a wrist of average width. So, keep this in mind while ordering it online (the Swiss brand has an online store of their own, so you may order a watch from them without the grey(ish) middlemen although, in this case, it will cost you a bit more.)

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic Alarm (dial and hands)

What’s even more important is that, unlike a lot of its competitors, Vulcain uses its own Cricket V-21 automatic caliber, not some industry workhorse from ETA or one of its numerous smaller competitors.

Made of 257 parts, the double-barrel movement features a not-so-common 20-seconds alarm function and date display.

Also, as Vulcain put it in its press release, its proprietary Exactomatic system that was patented in 1946 ensures that the friction on the balance wheel is equal in all positions and thus allows for generating more regular amplitude of the wheel.

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic alarm (Ref. 211931.202BRF, front view)

Of course, the engine still needs to pass the test of time to prove its accuracy and reliability.

Although featuring a double-barrel design, the mechanism has a guaranteed power reserve of only 42 hours. That is because only one barrel supplies power for the main mechanism, while the other is reserved solely for the alarm sub-system.

By the way of speaking of alarm, as you can see on the pictures, the setting crown is moved around 15 degrees in a clockwise direction to make some space for the alarm “on/off” button, which is conveniently placed between 2 and 3 o’clock.

See also: Breitling Navitimer 125th Anniversary Chronograph

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic (211931.202BRF, transparent caseback)

WWR Verdict

Originality 4.5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Alarm (211931.201BRF, front)

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme alarm (side view: alarm button and winding crown)

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic (detailed side view: alarm button and winding crown)

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme alarm (side view: date adjust button)

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme alarm (detailed side view: date adjust button close-up)

Vulcain V-21 movement

Photos: Vulcain

Vulcain Cricket X-Treme Automatic Alarm specification

Price range: $11,150 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber Cricket V-21, 257 parts, 28.0 mm in diameter, 8.3 mm thick, Swiss Made
Winding: Automatic (self-winding)
Jewels: 23
Cadence of balance: 18,000 vph
Functions & Complications: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date, alarm with its own hour hand
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel, titanium
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm (54.00 mm with lugs)
Case height: 17.90
Dial: Black or white
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Black vulcanized rubber with black treated Titanium & steel, folding type with a security pusher
Crystal: Sapphire, domed, antireflective-coated on front; flat sapphire on case-back

Impressions by Evgueni Matoussevitch Filed Under: Swiss Brands Tagged With: 300 m, 44 mm, Diving, Titanium, Vulcain

Pages

  • About WorldWatchReview.com
  • Privacy policy

Copyright © 2022 · WorldWatchReview.com · Log in

Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}