Two challenges had to be overcome: fitting the complication into a 34mm stainless steel case (it requires two barrels – one to store the energy for the movement and the other for the alarm) and finding a way to make the sound audible (an extra case back with perforations creates the room for sound to resonate).
The Cricket name was chosen because the alarm was reminiscent of a singing insect. Fully wound, the alarm could chirp for around 30 seconds. Famously, it was a favourite with a number of US presidents including Nixon, Eisenhower and Truman.
Many dealers and collectors would have loved to own a 1950s example offered on June 12 by Sutton Hill Country Auctions (17.5% buyer’s premium) of Broughton Astley, Leicester, at something close to the £30-40 estimate. Bidding reached £850.
Take to the air
Longines Air Ministry Military issue – £1600 at Tennants.
A rare Air Ministry Military issue pilot’s wristwatch by Longines, c.1939, sold on thesaleroom.com for £1600 at Tennants (20% buyer’s premium) in Leyburn on June 27. These watches include the Second Setting system invented by Philip Van Horn Weems (1889-1979).
By adding a rotating 60-seconds bezel which could be locked in place, Weems created a simple way of allowing troops to align their watches’ seconds hands with each other and thus co-ordinate separate military actions to the second.
