The history of mechanical alarm watches

The first alarm wrist watch was first introduced in 1947 by Vulcain. The Cricket watch was also nicknamed “The Presidents’ Watch”, since Eisenhower, Nixon and Johnson were all loyal customers and eminent ambassadors for the Cricket.

In 1959, 1st Moscow Watch Factory developed the first Soviet Wrist alarm clock “signal” 2612 (“Flight”). It was almost a copy of the A.Schild 1475. I can’t find much information on the AS and Poljot link.

Photos of the AS 1475 can be found at Ranfft Watches.

In 1978, the 2612 was slightly tweaked, thus the caliber code was changed to 2612.1.

A comparison between the 2612 and 2612.1.

1st Moscow Watch Factory 2612

- serial number on the barrel bridge
- the 1MWF logo on the wheel bridge
- no “2612″ or “SU” markings.

Poljot 2612.1

- “2612.1″ on the barrel bridge
- no serial numbers marking
- SU on the wheel bridge

How it works
The top crown at 2 o’clock is for alarm adjustment and winding.
The bottom crown at 4 o’clock is for the time adjustment and winding.

1. Stud attached to caseback
2. Alarm hammer
3. Ratchet Wheel for alarm

Once fully wound, when the alarm is triggered, the spring will rotate the gears to vibrate the alarm hammer.

From the diagram, you can visualise the hammer going left to the watch movement and going right to the stud when the case back is screwed in.

A video of the alarm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnHub25JnX0

The alarms that I own now and my grail

A “Made in Russia” to pair with my first “Made in USSR” alarm

A NOS Полет, СДЕЛАНО B CCCP

With the box and papers, dated: 120891. Is it 12th Aug 1991 or 8th Dec 1991 ?

8th of Dec 1991 is a significant date for the Soviet Union where the leaders of the Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian republics met in Belavezhskaya Pushcha and signed the Belavezha Accords declaring the Soviet Union dissolved and replacing it with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). (Source: Wikipedia)

Poljot, Russia

Sekonda, USSR

Poljot, Made in USSR, Tank case

Poljot Gold, Made in USSR

Полет Gold, СДЕЛАНО B CCCP

A group shot

A early Poljot 2612 alarm with the 2612 movement.

The same model found in a 1972 catalog. Numbered 4, 2612/473124.

My grail for the 2612 is 1 of the early versions of сигнал with the Signal dial.

I will be posting a series of horology milestones of the Soviet Union which I wrote for BDWF Russian forum.

I have to thank Kevin for inspiring me to write my first milestone on the Poljot Signal, Полет Сигнал, a mechanical watch with alarm features after I posted my collection of the alarms, which is 1 of my favorite Soviet caliber.

My first Soviet Union mechanical watch is the Poljot Alarm 2612.1.

and my alarm collection grew..

Well, I will leave the milestone for the next post..

Here’s my collection by theme..

Dive

Space/Aviation

I have officially launch my new blog/shop, titled Vintage for life. I will be selling some of my Soviet mechanical watches for my collection and other pre-owned accessories.

Do visit the site and show your support

Finally, I got myself a pocket watch. A Молния / Molnija 3602.

Model: Pocket Watch
Movement: Molnija 3602 manual wind
Jewels: 18
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds

It has a sub dial second hand.

Movement shot

If you look at the movement shot, right on the top, there’s an inscription “85 2″. It means that this movement is produced during the 2nd quarter of 1985.

Inscription: “Made in USSR”

The 2nd generation of Boctok Amphiabia, probably dated between 1970s – 1980s.

Model: Boctok Amphibian – 2nd Generation
Movement: Boctok 2209 manual wind
Jewels: 18
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds

It’s a Diver watch, up to 20ATM/200M with screwed in crown and the inscription below “Сделано в СССР” = “Made in USSR”.

A wrist shot

Ah, when I saw this, it’s looks beautiful.

Movement: Poljot 2612.1 manual wind
Jewels: 18
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, alarm

It using an actuator alarm, (it really sounds like a cricket) and it’s Made in USSR.

A shot of the movement