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.
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1st Moscow Watch Factory 2612
– serial number on the barrel bridge
– the 1MWF logo on the wheel bridge
– no “2612” or “SU” markings.
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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.
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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
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A “Made in Russia” to pair with my first “Made in USSR” alarm
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A NOS Полет, СДЕЛÐÐО B CCCP
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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)
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Poljot, Russia
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Sekonda, USSR
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Poljot, Made in USSR, Tank case
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Poljot Gold, Made in USSR
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Полет Gold, СДЕЛÐÐО B CCCP
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A group shot
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A early Poljot 2612 alarm with the 2612 movement.
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The same model found in a 1972 catalog. Numbered 4, 2612/473124.
My grail for the 2612 is 1 of the early versions of Ñигнал with the Signal dial.