These days, we’re overly reliant on our devices for daily task alerts. Phones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches all bombard us with frequent beeps and pings to remind us of our next appointment, or when its time to wake up from a mid-afternoon power nap. Sure, they’re convenient. But wouldn’t it be nice to shed our digital alerts for a while and return to a more analog way of doing things? In the past, 'alerts' could come in a vastly more engaging mechanical form, such as a mechanical alarm.

A mechanical alarm complication 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 — variations on this system were subsequently used by numerous brands.

This particular watch from Paul Portinoux exists in the mould of many similar timepieces from the likes of Bulova, Tudor, and Abercrombie & Fitch. Housed in a 34mm stainless steel case with an acrylic crystal and dual crowns, it features a luminous sunburst silver dial with applied indices, a matching handset, and a ‘squiggle’ alarm indicator hand. 

Powered by the A. Schild Calibre 1475 manually-wound movement, this Swiss-made beauty is in excellent shape inside and out. Timepieces such as this one are fun and wonderful, and definitely don't turn up in this condition often.

If you crave a subtle return to simpler times, then this is the accessory to do it with!