Vulcain: VULCANOGRAPHE-Chronograph Series

by Timepiece Atelier on Aug 27th, 2021

While Vulcain does not have a long and diverse history with pilot watches, the chronograph series of Vulcain has been one of the most successful brand’s lineups. Therefore, Vulcain is revisiting one of the most iconic historic complications, the chronograph.

To stay pertinent in the mid-20th century, manufacturers of Vulcain had scrambled across the watch industry and the globe to innovate new colors and designs to highlight technical advancements of the brand and attract a new generation of buyers. Hence, to give the timepiece’s complex mechanism a more contemporary touch, the manufacture Vulcain has chosen it to combine with GMT function and a large date.

The 43mm 18k pink gold steel case of the Vulcanographe follows the modern watch profile, with clean lines around the dial and the bezel is mirror polished, giving the watch a sleek appearance. With a wrist-friendly diameter, the watch houses a self-winding Calibre V-50, a mechanical column-wheel chronograph mechanism that is a classic signature feature of Haute Horlogerie watches. The timepiece features hour, minute, small second at 9.00 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 60-second chronograph function by a central hand, large twin-aperture date display at 6 o’clock and last by not least, a 24-hour GMT function by a central pointer.

The case back reveals the manually wound Calibre V-50 movement, which is an absolute work of art in how it is constructed. The watch comprises a whopping 252 components that gives a solid performance with 28’800 vibrations per hour and a 42-hour power reserve. The crown of the watch is also grooved to allow firmer grip from the wearer.

Following up, the watch only has a water resistance of 50m and all variants of the Vulcanograph are fitted with a glossy black alligator leather strap that feels absolutely comfortable on the wrist and has a prominent red stitching on it to give an edgy and stylish look. The texture is enough to give a masculine worn-in feel, without detracting from the clean, contemporary overall aesthetic.

Vulcain has taken a huge step towards refining its chronograph watch and I think they did a great job in revising the old vintage chronograph to a contemporary one. The Vulcanographe is rare and difficult to acquire as Vulcain only produces limited watches annually. Timepiece Atelier is now retailing this stunning timepiece at a discounted price of S$7,968.00. (S$13,280.00 Regular price)

Vulcain Calibre V-50

Movement: Automatic column wheel chronograph, 225 components, 28’800 vibrations per hour, 42-hour power reserve.

Functions: hour, minute, small second at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 60-second chronograph function by a central hand, large twin-aperture date display at 6 o’clock, a 24 hour GMT function by a central pointer.

Case: 29k pink gold, steel, 42mm diameter

Water resistance: 50 metres/160 feet

Strap: Alligator leather