These days, we’re attached to our devices — phones, computers, smartwatches, etc. Sure, they’re convenient. But wouldn’t it be nice to shed our digital skin for a while and return to a more analog past? One way you can accomplish this is via a watch with a mechanical alarm. A mechanical alarm makes use of an extra mainspring barrel whose energy powers a hammer. At the appointed time, the hammer beats against a small gong, which sounds the alarm. Popularized by the Vulcain Cricket — the watch of many U.S. presidents — this system was subsequently used by numerous brands, Certina among them. This particular alarm watch is a Certina Ref. 681-3750-41 from the 1970s. Housed in a 39.5mm stainless steel cushion case with dual, signed crowns, an acrylic crystal, and a screw-down caseback, it features a sunburst blue Tritium dial with applied indices, a rotating center alarm indicator disc, a matching ‘cigarette’ handset, and a date window at 3 o’clock. Powered by the automatic Certina Calibre 861 (A. Schild Calibre 5008), it comes fitted to one of our blue Analog:Shift leather straps with a steel pin buckle. Watches such as this one are fun and wonderful timepieces, and there's no telling if and when one of these in any condition, let alone excellent condition such as this example, will surface again. If you crave a return to less digital times, then this is the accessory to do it with!
