Vintage Watch Pictures

  Vulcain is a historic Swiss watch brand best known for inventing the first mechanical alarm wristwatch , the Cricket , famously worn by U.S. Presidents. Its legacy blends innovation with tradition, making it a cult favorite among collectors. Founding and Early Years (1858–1920s) Founded in 1858 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland , by Maurice Ditisheim , under the original company name Manufacture Ditisheim . The name “ Vulcain ” (after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and craftsmanship) was adopted later to represent the brand's commitment to innovation and high-quality manufacturing. Early Vulcain watches focused on fine pocket watches and complicated mechanical movements , gaining a reputation for precision and quality.

 

 

 Victorinox is a Swiss company best known for its Swiss Army knives , but it also has a respected history in watchmaking. Origins of Victorinox (Pre-Watch Era) Founded: 1884 by Karl Elsener in Ibach, Switzerland. Core Business: Originally a cutlery workshop, Victorinox became renowned for producing the original Swiss Army Knife in 1891. Name Origin: The name Victorinox is a blend of Victoria (Elsener’s mother’s name) and "Inox" , short for stainless steel (acier inoxydable in French). Entry into Watchmaking First Watches Launched: 1989 (in the United States). Victorinox initially marketed its watches under the "Swiss Army" brand. These early models focused on being rugged, functional, and military-inspired . By the mid-1990s, Victorinox watches became available globally.

 

  Breitling Navitimer Ref. 806 – 1950s Overview Reference : 806 Introduced : 1954 Nickname : “The Pilot’s Tool Watch” Movement : Initially Venus 178 , later Valjoux 7736 (but not in the '50s) Diameter : ~40mm (large for the era) Bezel : Bidirectional slide rule bezel (used for navigation calculations) Crystal : Acrylic Lug width : 22mm Case back : Snap-back stainless steel Movement – Venus 178 Manual-wind column wheel chronograph 17 jewels Highly respected and reliable movement Used from the inception of the 806 until 1973 Historical Significance Developed in collaboration with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Early models featured the AOPA wing logo on the dial — without the "Breitling" text in many cases. The slide rule bezel allowed pilots to calculate fuel consumption, airspeed, distance, and more. Became the definitive pilot’s watch of its time — a true "wrist instrument." Key ...