Vulcain is best known for its Cricket calibre-equipped watches, which have an alarm complication that chimes like the namesake insect’s call. The brand earned its moniker “the watch for presidents” years after the Cricket calibre was introduced, when its alarm watches became popular with some US presidents, starting with Harry Truman. This reputation as “the watch for presidents” continues today – every new US president is still gifted with a Vulcain watch.

Two lesser known collections from the brand are aviation-themed watches. The Aviator collection features the abovementioned Cricket calibre, with either the GMT or worldtimer complication to track multiple time zones when travelling. The other, the Aviator Instrument collection, is a series of pilot’s chronographs, with the latest, the Aviator Instrument Chronograph DLC, shown here.

The Aviator Instrument Chronograph DLC is identical to the Aviator Instrument Chronograph unveiled at BaselWorld this year, save for the black DLC coating on its case. The watch clocks in at a larger 44.6mm diameter, with a case thickness of 15.4mm. It has no alarm function, but measures elapsed time with the Calibre V-59 movement, which is based on the Valjoux 7753. This movement is largely similar to the Valjoux 7750, save for the sub-dial arrangement and the presence of a quick date adjustment at 10 o’clock. The usual 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph totalizers are placed at three and six o’clock, with the date window superimposed over the latter. In lieu of a usual small seconds sub-dial at nine o’clock, Vulcain has used two cut outs showing black and white stripes akin to the design used in altimeters to warn of low altitude.

To support this collection, Vulcain created a visual campaign featuring a restored Grumman TBM3-Avenger plane, a torpedo bomber that first saw action in the Battle of Midway. The plane was modified after World War 2, and saw continued use in various capacities before retiring in the 1960s. This particular Avenger is owned by two Swiss pilots, Christophe Moduli and Laurent Calame, and continues to take part in air shows around Europe.

The Aviator Instrument Chronograph DLC is limited to just 100 pieces worldwide.