A solid eighteen carat yellow gold Vulcain Exactomatic. This is a very rare and high quality reference that is not a commonly found. This watch has the date complication at the three o'clock position, in itself not revolutionary for a watch from the 1950's. However, this is an early "quick set" date complication. The adding of a push button to the two o'clock position allows the rare, all red, date to be jumped through without having to move the time through twenty four hours to reach the date required. This heavy, screw back, automatic watch was a high end and expensive wrist watch from a brand that was very well known for its "Cricket: alarm model. The Exactomatic system, a patented 1946 innovation by Vulcain, was engineered to elevate the precision and dependability of their watches. By ingeniously modifying the Incabloc endstones, a core component of the watch's shock protection mechanism, the Exactomatic equalizes friction on the balance-wheel axis across all positions. As a result, this pioneering system enhances accuracy, optimizes the watch's regulation, and guarantees a more consistent amplitude. In this case the ebauche chosen is an A. Schilds caliber 1476N. From here the engineers at Vulcain adapted the movement to include the Exactomatic components. The case is exceptionally made. The case back is a thick, heavy gauge, solid gold screw back, waterproof backing. The inside of the case back has stunning micro piolage polishing. The type of high level finishing that was only undertaken by the best case makers, and on expensive watches. This can be explained by the fact that the case was made by Swiss case makers; Alcide Guyot & Cie SA. Their maker's mark is the hammer head with number 122. Started by Alcide Guyot in 1934, they worked on cases for a number of watch makers and pocket watches. The high quality and exceptionally difficult coin pocket watches have been made by them, and watches for brands from Eska, Agassiz and even Patek Philippe. The company has subsequently been absorbed by Oreade Manufacture de boîtes SA since 2004. The case appears to be unpolished, with Swiss hallmarks on the side of the case, and the underneath of the lug still present. The model number and case serial numbers on the case back are still as crisp as the day they were stamped. There are some scratches on the case back, and two small dents. The dial is all original and in superb condition with a gorgeous looking patna baked into the finish now. Each of the applied solid gold arrow head hour markers are flanked by the drilled minute track. The original dauphine hands with sweep center mounted second hand are present. This watch is also a non-luminous dial and hand set. The dial is stamped "Swiss Made" at the foot of the dial, as well as "Automatico". This in itself is very rare to be spelled in Spanish. However, this could explain the rare eighteen carat gold case as well. This is very likely to have been made for the South American market in the 1950's. We have not been able to find another example of this watch, making it a very special and unique piece. There is no original box or paperwork presented with the watch. The watch has recently been serviced and is keeping good time.
