26. december 2014

The Lancia watch brand

The Mikrolisk index lists Lancia as a brand from Vulcain et Volta / Ditisheim & Co. Ditisheim & Co. has more than 100 brands and names of models listed in Mikrolisk.

The Vulcain watch brand still exists and they have made this very informative book about the companys history. It was founded in 1858 in La-Chaux-de-Fonds.
Vulcain factory in 1920s
Vulcain's most famous watch is the Cricket model with an alarm. Vulcain became known as "the watch of Presidents" because Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson all wore a Vulcain Cricket at some point. Vulcain was a highly esteemed brand with its own inventions and movements.


But back to Lancia. This was probably a subbrand made by Ditisheim assembled from stock movements and cases.

Lancia watches are very rare. Here some of the few examples I have found, which all seem to date from the late 60s and 70s:


The Lancia watch brand should not be confused with promotional watches from italian car manufacturer Lancia.