A Gallet watch is a Swiss timepiece from a brand founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1826. Gallet became known for chronographs and timing instruments designed for travel, aviation, racing, sailing and exploration. Breitling acquired the brand and relaunched it in 2026; the current collections are distinct from the vintage models that built Gallet’s reputation.
What is Gallet known for?
Gallet’s identity is rooted in practical timing: watches and chronographs intended to help people measure elapsed time, track destinations or read useful information at a glance. Its history spans travel, aviation, motorsport, sailing and other demanding settings. The brand’s own history dates its beginnings to 1826, when Julien Gallet registered the company in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Gallet’s acquisition announcement and its history page both identify that year as its starting point.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
GALLET: The Oldest Name in Time — A Swiss Chronograph Pioneer, and How to Buy One Author: Marco... | $21.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Gallet’s historical story also includes an aviation claim that should be treated as the company’s account: it says its “The Sun” stopwatch timed the Wright brothers’ 1903 Kitty Hawk flight, which the company describes as covering 852 feet in 59 seconds. This is a brand-reported anecdote, not an independently established aviation record in the cited material.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWho owns Gallet watches now?
Breitling acquired Gallet and announced the brand’s relaunch for its 200th anniversary in 2026. Gallet says contemporary watches are manufactured within Breitling’s infrastructure. The relaunch announced four collections: Flying Officer, Multichron Pilot, Multichron Sport and Gallet Classics. The September 3, 2026 announcement describes the new lineup and its specifications.
#1 Best Overall
That relaunch does not make a modern Gallet interchangeable with a vintage one. The new watches draw on historic designs, but their dimensions, movements and functions belong to their own current references. With a vintage example, the specific reference, condition, originality and service history matter; the cited brand materials do not establish market values.
Which historic Gallet models matter most?
Gallet’s iconic-model history gives dates and selected specifications for several important references. Those details apply to the models described there, not necessarily every variant bearing the same name.
| Model and era | What it was designed to do | Details listed by Gallet |
|---|---|---|
| MultiChron Regulator, circa 1935 | Make elapsed-time reading quick and legible. | Central chronograph hand and an upper 12-hour display; the historical listing gives a 34 mm case and Venus 140 movement. |
| MultiChron Clamshell, 1938 | Bring a more rugged construction to a chronograph. | Gallet calls it one of the first water-resistant chronographs and says it was intended to withstand dust, humidity and heavy rain. Its listing gives a 34.5 mm case and Venus 150 movement. |
| Flying Officer, 1939 | Help travelers track time across multiple destinations. | A city ring and rotating bezel supported time-zone tracking during multi-stop journeys. |
| MultiChron Yachting, circa 1960 | Support regatta timing. | A five-minute countdown; the historical listing gives a 37 mm case and Excelsior Park EP40 movement. |
| MultiChron Pilot, circa 1969 | Combine chronograph timing with scales useful in aviation. | A 12-hour rotating bezel, tachymeter and telemeter scales; listed variants use Valjoux 72 or EP40 movements and a 38 mm case. |
| MultiChron Sub / Galco, 1960s | Address interest in diving watches. | Gallet says the model was produced under the Galco name (Gallet & Co); its listing gives a 37 mm case and AS1950/51 movement. |
The Clamshell’s historical water-resistance claim
Gallet’s description of the 1938 Clamshell is a historical claim, not a modern depth rating. It does not establish a safe diving depth or a present-day water-resistance specification for a surviving vintage watch.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Why is the Flying Officer famous?
The Flying Officer is Gallet’s best-known travel chronograph. Introduced in 1939, its rotating bezel and city ring were intended to help users follow time zones while traveling between destinations. The current relaunch preserves the destination-ring idea but uses a revised set of 24 destinations. Gallet’s acquisition announcement reports that Harry S. Truman received a Flying Officer as a Christmas gift inscribed “Col. Truman From Vic Paul,” and quotes him calling it “the most elaborate wristwatch I ever saw.” That account is reported by the brand; the National Watch & Clock Museum’s collection article also recounts Truman’s association with a “Flight Officer.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What are the current Gallet collections?
The specifications below are those stated in Gallet’s 2026 relaunch announcement. Power reserves are approximate, and the movement details distinguish the announced current products from historic references.
| Collection | Purpose and format | Announced details |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Officer | Long-distance travel and world-time context; chronograph and three-hand versions. | 40 mm case and rotating bezel with destination ring. The chronograph uses Gallet 23, based on Sellita SW510, with approximately 65 hours of power reserve. The three-hand version uses Gallet 17, based on Sellita SW200, with approximately 38 hours. |
| Multichron Pilot | Exploration and changing conditions; second-time-zone tracking. | 42 mm case, bi-directional bezel, date at six and telemeter scale. Gallet 23, based on Sellita SW510, with approximately 65 hours of power reserve; two dial colorways were announced. |
| Multichron Sport | Speed and off-road pursuits. | 41 mm case, tachymeter and Gallet 23, based on Sellita SW510, with approximately 65 hours of power reserve. |
| Gallet Classics | Traditional chronographs inspired by historic references. | Three 38 mm hand-wound models using Breitling Caliber B09, with approximately 70 hours of power reserve. |
Straps and bracelets
Gallet describes quick-release straps in leather, rubber, field and fabric, as well as steel bracelets with quick release and micro-adjustment. Check the exact model and lug compatibility before selecting a strap; the collection-level description does not establish that every option fits every watch.
How should you think about a vintage Gallet?
A model name can point to a design lineage, but it does not by itself establish the exact specification or condition of an individual watch. Historical pages give selected case sizes and movements for specific examples; variations may exist. For a vintage purchase or appraisal, identify the reference and assess originality, condition and service history rather than treating a model description as proof of a particular watch’s state or value. The cited sources do not provide pricing, resale data or investment guidance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
