Gallet & Cie has been around for so long that archeologists have probably dug up a fossilized Gallet clock right next to trilobites.
Ok, that’s slightly exaggerated, but when a watchmaker has been around since 1466, it’s fair to say they know a thing or two about horology.
Gallet is well known to hard-core vintage collectors, but they’ve flown under the radar among enthusiasts in general. Interestingly, the manufacture has long been on the forefront of horological innovation, and they’ve racked up a number of impressive wristwatch “firsts”: including the first waterproof chronograph wristwatch, the first wristwatch with a 28,800 BPH escapement, first wristwatch with rotating bezel and the first chronograph wristwatch with a 24-hour GMT complication. Considering how often we see these features in watches from nearly every significant brand today, one cannot overstate Gallet’s contributions to the watch industry.
Of the many watches produced by Gallet in the 20th century, the MultiChron chronographs are some of the most significant and collectible today. Although they are refined and stylish, many were intended as tool watches for military and industrial professionals, featuring decimal, pulsometer and telemeter tracks on the dials.
The MultiChron 12H, so known for its third register and capability of recording up to twelve hours, would likely have found use in aviation, motorsports, or military use, as the easily readable dial, black Arabic numerals and colored outer scales, allow for quick and precise reading. The look of the entire watch, from its sharp steel lines and beveled edges to its barrel pushers and uncluttered dial, is simply breathtaking, and is absolutely one of our favorite expressions of 1950s chronographs. Internally, the MultiChron 12Hs were fitted with either Valjoux 72 or Excelsior Park 40 manufacture movements - win/win options!
This particular example is fitted with the rarer EP40 movement and features the rarer and more desirable dark dial configuration, made famous amongst collectors by racing legend Jim Clark (More information , at GalletWorld). Furthermore, the once black dial has developed an absolutely breathtaking chocolate fade, one of the richest "Tropical" dials we have ever seen, on any make or model!
With tremendous looks, legitimate history, and serious mechanical movements, it is our opinion that Gallet chronographs are well positioned to be one of the "next big things" in vintage watch collecting, and we'll probably regret selling this incredible example in the near future. Don't regret missing out on it!
