2013/06/05
VULCAIN the Aviator GMT Pilot
WHEN A MOVEMENT TAKES TO THE AIR
Combining its famous Cricket alarm movement with a 24-hour worldtime display, Vulcain launches the Aviator GMT Pilot model – an invitation to explore wide-open skies in the company of an exceptional wristworn mechanical instrument leaving an unmistakable trail of excellence and freedom.
The story begins in the 1950s, when two flagships of Swiss industry crossed paths as the Swissair airline company decided to equip all its pilots with a Cricket watch by Vulcain. The already legendary alarm calibre circled the globe in all directions as the loyal companions of aircraft captains, reminding them with its inimitable audible signal that it was time to perform certain gestures at critical moments, as well as showing them the local time in their destinations anywhere in the world thanks to the worldtimer function.
Since then, Vulcain has dedicated a full-fledged Aviator collection to these ‘knights of the sky’. This line featuring a blend of style and performance now welcomes a new model capable of appearing in both vintage and contemporary versions. Its name is the Aviator GMT Pilot, and because high standards and performance go hand in hand for these professionals, the Vulcain Cricket V-10 was a natural choice as the movement powering this wristworn flight instrument. This movement exclusive to the brand combines the famous alarm that has punctuated Vulcain’s finest hours since 1947 with a worldtimer function. The latter enables the user to read off on the rotating inner bezel ring the specific time in the cities representing all 24 time zones. This manually-wound twin-barrel movement, equipped with the Exactomatic system ensuring regular amplitude and thus optimal precision, is endowed with a 42-hour power reserve.
The satin-brushed 42 mm-diameter steel case features a cambered glareproofed sapphire crystal and is water-resistant to 100 metres. It is fitted with a triple case-back acting as a resonance chamber and diffusing the sound of the alarm for a full 20 seconds. A pusher at 2 o’clock triggers the alarm, while a screw-lock crown at 4 o’clock serves to adjust the 24-hour worldtimer function.
In its vintage interpretation, the Aviator GMT Pilot comes with a matt black dial bearing generous gold-toned Superluminova-coated numerals, while a distressed brown calfskin strap accentuates the overall retro-chic effect. And when it goes for a trendier look, the Aviator GMT Pilot adopts black luminescent numerals set against an extremely contemporary vertical-brushed ruthenium grey dial, echoed by an elegant black Louisiana alligator leather strap complete with steel folding clasp.
CASE
- Case: satin-brushed 316L steel
- Case-back: triple case-back acting as a resonance chamber
- Dial: matt black with gold-toned Superluminova numerals
- Diameter: 42.00 mm
- Hauteur: 13.40 mm
- Glass: domed shape sapphire crystal
- Water resistance: 100 metres
MANUFACTURE VULCAIN CALIBRE V-10
- Movement : 12-ligne mechanical manually-wound movement, 25 jewels, 157 parts, twin barrel, equipped with Exactomatic system, 48° angle of lift
- Decoration: nickel coating, blued screws
- Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds, alarm, 24-hour worldtimer function adjustable via a screw-lock crown at 4 o’clock
- Frequency: 18,000 vibrations/hour
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Alarm duration: approximately 20 seconds
STRAP
- Strap: dark brown vintage-style calfskin leather
- Dimensions: 22/18 mm
- Buckle: steel pin buckle or steel folding clasp
