« The Luxury Class of Alarm Wristwatches »
Moon phases, chronographs, calendars – there is no shortage of visual complications. Acoustic functions, by comparison, are far rarer, and in the affordable price range they leave only one choice: the alarm wristwatch. Based on a conventional striking mechanism, watches with an alarm function appear in the collections of several current brands and win people over with a character that is as unusual as it is lively. We present the finest models in every price range.
Hammer and Resonator Create the Sound
First introduced by Eterna in 1914 with its Caliber 68, the alarm function only made its breakthrough with the launch of the Swiss Vulcain Cricket in 1947. Thanks to its loud sound, produced by a double resonating caseback, it earned the nickname "Cricket" and achieved worldwide fame on the wrists of U.S. Presidents Truman and Johnson. The Cricket set off a genuine craze for alarm wristwatches that several manufacturers followed at the same time. Junghans, for instance, unveiled its Caliber J89, known as the "Minivox," in 1949, while Jaeger-LeCoultre launched the "Memovox" in 1950 – a watch still produced today.
Every alarm wristwatch is based on the principle of an ordinary alarm clock: once the preset alarm time is reached, a hammer strikes a resonator, producing the characteristic sound.
The volume depends not only on the type of resonator (caseback or gong) but also on the available space. The greater the volume, the more powerful the sound. A central challenge in the design, then, is combining the slimmest possible case with good acoustics.
Functional Classics from Oris
The Oris Artelier Alarm (Ref. 01 908 7607 4051) masters both requirements with flying colors. The elegance of its sectored dial is matched by a 42.5 mm case – by no means oversized – which features a separate crown for setting the central alarm hand.
Complemented by a date display at six o'clock, this automatic alarm watch impresses with first-rate legibility and is powered by Caliber 908. Its base is the legendary AS 5008, with the abbreviation standing for "Adolph Schild," an ébauche manufacturer from Grenchen that closed in 1983. In the early 1970s, the company introduced this innovative movement with an alarm function, but it ran into financial difficulties due to the quartz crisis and ultimately sold the movement to any brand that would take it, just to get rid of it.
Besides the Artelier Alarm, the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Alarm Limited Edition (Ref. 01 910 7745 4084) also benefits from this movement base. Limited to 200 pieces, it combines the commanding presence of Hölstein's 44 mm pilot's watches with a melodious additional function. Compared with the Artelier, it comes across as considerably sportier, boasts 100 instead of 30 meters of water resistance, and replaces the regular date window with a novel circular date.
Here, the date is indicated not by the brand's signature pointer hand but by a yellow marker on a rotating disc. Perfect for anyone who wants to combine rarity with mechanical ingenuity. The manufacturer's prices are €5,350 for the Artelier Alarm and €4,600 for the Big Crown.
The Extreme: Hublot Big Bang Alarm Repeater
Mechanical ingenuity is also the operative term for the Hublot Big Bang Alarm Repeater: available in both rose gold and titanium, this powerhouse's 45 mm case has unbeatable wrist presence and – even more importantly – plenty of room for good acoustics.
On the dial, we find not only a practical on/off indicator for the alarm function but also a second time zone and parts of the hand-wound Caliber HUB5003. The latter consists of 356 components and delivers a 72-hour power reserve.
The highlight is the visible striking hammer at seven o'clock, whose luminous coating lets you follow the musical action even in the dark. The titanium and rose gold versions are each limited to 250 pieces.
Sporty and Affordable: Tag Heuer Formula 1 Quartz Alarm
If you can do without the immense luxury of the Hublot and are looking for an attractive entry into the world of alarm watches, TAG Heuer is exactly the right place.
Unlike the models covered so far, the Formula 1 Quartz Alarm (Ref. WAZ111A.BA0875) relies on an electric movement, paired with 200 meters of water resistance and a moderate 41 mm diameter. We like not only the big date but also the way the alarm is set via a subdial at nine o'clock.
A pusher near four o'clock takes care of this. Robustness, legibility, and quality are at the usual convincing level. If you want to call this Swiss alarm wristwatch, complete with rotating bezel and solid stainless steel bracelet, your own, you'll need to send €1,300 to La Chaux-de-Fonds, according to the manufacturer.
Preselection up to 31 Days Ahead: Glashütte Original Senator Terminkalender
The Glashütte Original Senator Terminkalender in a 42 mm stainless steel case (Ref. 100-13-02-02-04) cuts a far more elegant figure. Powered by the in-house Caliber 100-13 with a 55-hour power reserve, it features – like the TAG Heuer – a subdial for setting the alarm time, though here it displays the day of the month.
Together with the time selection at six o'clock, this lets you program alarms up to 31 days in advance.
A traditional big date rounds off the overall look of this Saxon giant, which has four pushers in total and offers a view of its inner workings through a generous exhibition caseback. Although the model is no longer part of Glashütte Original's current collection, numerous as-new examples are available on the market in the range of €12,000 to €18,000.
The Pinnacle of Watchmaking: Breguet Le Réveil du Tsar 5707
True to the motto "save the best for last," Breguet's Le Réveil du Tsar 5707 (Ref. 5707BA/12/9V6) completes our list of alarm wristwatches. If you send €37,180 to L'Abbaye, you'll receive a true dress watch of superlatives:
The hand-guilloché gold dial accommodates not only small seconds, a date, and a second time zone but also a power reserve indicator, a subdial for setting the alarm, and a corresponding on/off indicator. Add to that a perfect 39 mm diameter for the 18-karat white or yellow gold case, the finest craftsmanship in the in-house automatic Caliber 519F, and an elegance that inevitably captivates wearer and onlooker alike. With it, Breguet demonstrates the impressive range of alarm wristwatches: available in every price range, they add exciting variety to any watch collection and – incidentally – are also quite practical in everyday life.
