Uhrinstinkt Magazine
The alarm complication in the wristwatch looks back on an eventful and exciting history. The history ranges from the highly sophisticated beginnings in the early 20th century to the boom from the 1960s to today’s wide range of watches with an alarm function. Affordable battery-powered smartwatches in luxurious guise are available today, as are elaborate automatic watches with mechanical alarm functions.
Wrist watches with alarm function: short history of wrist alarm clocks
The wrist alarm clock, also known as a wristwatch with alarm function, has a long history dating back to the 19th century. However, at that time it was still mainly pocket watches that were not worn on the wrist. The first development towards the wristwatch with alarm function came later.
Eterna caliber 68 and the Zenith Alarm
The first wristwatch with an alarm function is considered to be the Eterna Caliber 68, presented in 1914, which was a derivative of pocket watch calibers of the time with an alarm complication. Shortly after, Zenith, a renowned Swiss watch brand, presented the Zenith alarm wristwatch in 1920. This model already offered an alarm complication lasting up to 45 seconds. This model also used a mechanical movement based on a pocket watch caliber.
The watches remained niche products for a long time and did not catch on. One reason was the fact that many people stuck to pocket watches and the time was not yet ripe for such innovative wristwatches.
Vulcain Cricket and its successors
Over the years, further advances were made in the development of wristwatch alarm clocks. The Vulcain Cricket model, introduced in 1947, attracted more attention than previous developments. The Cricket was the first wrist alarm clock to produce an alarm sound similar to the chirping of a cricket (hence the name Cricket). This distinctive alarm function brought the model great attention and popularity. The Vulcain Cricket was worn by celebrities and politicians, including US presidents. The iconic model helped establish the wristwatch with alarm complication as an object of style and prestige.
During the 20th century, several iconic alarm clock models were developed that are still known today. One example is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox, which was introduced in 1950. The Memovox Deep Sea variant combined alarm function with high pressure density and was very popular among divers.
The Seiko Bell-Matic was a groundbreaking wristwatch with an alarm function that was launched in 1966. It was one of the first affordable wristwatches with an automatic alarm mechanism. With the comparatively low prices, this model series contributed to the popularization of wrist alarm clocks.
Quartz and Smart
With the advent of quartz watches in the 1970s, wristwatches with alarm complications became even more accurate and reliable. The emerging digital displays allowed users to accurately set the alarm time and use various alarm functions.
Today, there is a wide variety of wristwatch alarm clocks on the market. From classic mechanical models to high-tech smartwatches with multiple functions such as sleep monitoring and personalized alarm tones, there is something for everyone.
Quartz wrist watches with alarm function: battery operated precision
In contrast to its mechanical counterpart, integrating an alarm clock function into a quartz watch is much less technically complex. In addition to the cost-effective implementation, quartz variants convince with high precision.
The Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Alarm is a high-quality wristwatch with alarm function from the renowned Formula 1 collection from the house of Tag Heuer. It features a precise quartz movement and a sporty design inspired by the world of motorsports. The watch is equipped with an alarm function that allows the wearer to be reliably woken up. With its robust stainless steel case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and waterproof design, the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Alarm is suitable for both everyday wear and sporting activities.
Solar powered wrist alarm clock
The precision of a quartz wrist alarm is also found in solar-powered variants. The Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar is an innovative watch with alarm function that combines state-of-the-art technology with stylish design. It is part of the T-Touch model series, with which Tissot presented one of the first touch watches back in 1999, long before smartwatches in the narrower sense existed.
The T-Touch Expert Solar has a movement that is charged by sunlight or artificial light sources to ensure a long-lasting and environmentally friendly power supply. In addition to the alarm function, the T-Touch Expert Solar offers a variety of other useful functions, such as an altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer and chronograph (lap and split stopwatch). The high-quality titanium case and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal make the watch robust and durable. With its technological advancement and versatile range of functions, the Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar is an interesting wristwatch especially for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Smartwatches in elegant guise: more than just alarm clock function
Smartwatch technology does not have to be tied to the typical, usually somewhat clunky design, but can also be implemented in stylish designs.
The Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch Gents Vitality is an elegant men’s wristwatch with alarm complication and a number of other functions. The innovative development combines modern smartwatch technology with the classic design of a dress watch. The watch has a high-precision quartz movement and is equipped with a variety of smart functions, including an alarm function.
Via a smartphone connection, the wearer can set the wristwatch alarm individually and be reliably woken up. In addition, the smartwatch offers functions such as activity and sleep tracking, heart rate measurement and notifications of calls and messages. The elegant stainless steel case and classic dial give the Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch Gents Vitality a timeless and appealing look. Smart functions are digitally applied to the otherwise classic and uncluttered dial. The Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch Ladies Vitality is in no way inferior to the men’s model.
Haute Horlogerie wristwatch: the highest mechanical craftsmanship
Even in the present day, watch lovers can still find classic mechanical wristwatch alarm clocks equipped with a real complication. This craftsmanship has remained as an exquisite niche product and is mainly found in the luxury segment.
The Blancpain Villeret Réveil GMT is an exquisite wristwatch with Weck complication from the prestigious Villeret collection of the traditional watch manufacturer Blancpain. This mechanical watch is a masterpiece of watchmaking art and features a complex movement (caliber 1240H) with a number of functions, including a Weck complication.
The Blancpain Villeret Réveil GMT wristwatch alarm can be precisely set to gently wake the wearer at a specific time. The caliber 1240H is also equipped with a second time zone (GMT), which allows the wearer to keep track of the time in another region or time zone. A GMT alarm is also given with the Blancpain Villeret Réveil GMT. The case made of precious materials and the elegant dial with traditional hands and indices give the Blancpain Villeret Réveil GMT the unmistakable elegance and exclusivity that Blancpain stands for.
