Wrist Alarms Back to Which Watch?
Mechanical
alarms strapped to you wrist are awesome. The mechanical alarm uses an
impact method to create a noise. In fact the technique is almost exactly the
same as a wind up alarm clock, where a hammer strikes a bell. This is all done
within the mechanism or the watch movement. These watches usually have a
separate winding button to wind an alarm spring. A setting hand selects the
desired time, and the buzzing gives you the fright of your life, as the watch
can also vibrate with the alarm bell.
The noise of a mechanical alarm is a refreshing change from the mass of electronic beeps and other indefinable and highly irritating noises - such are generated by quartz driven alarms in cheap watches, mobile cellular phones, radios, television, microwave ovens, car alarms and video games.
Wrist alarms were made popular in the 1940's ad 1950's by the American firm Vulcain. The watch was called the "Cricket". The Vulcain Cricket has a strong collectors market with models from as little as US $60. The Cricket has a loud clicking alarm reminiscent of the insect of the same name. It has often been proclaimed that the cricket was the best designed and sounding wrist alarm ever produced. It is also so loud that it could wake the dead.
The graphic above shows the IWC GST Automatic Wrist Alarm. These are available brand new from IWC dealers. IWC are manufacturers of one of the highest quality watches available today. There are many less expensive wrist alarms available such as those produced by the famed Russian manufacturer, Poljot. These Poljot alarms are sturdy, reliable and very affordable, as are other watches produced by this company, and other Russian companies. This is because the manufacturer has production methods and capabilities of satisfying a huge Russian market.
The deep resonating buzz of the mechanical alarm is an absolute pleasure to listen too. You will find yourself winding the alarm and setting it off just to hear it once more.