Movement is running and winding, however, chronograph pusher action has stiff detent, setting hands is also stiff. Full service is recommended. Case has sharp case edges throughout, minimal signs of wear.

Founded in 1826 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by Julien Gallet, Gallet positioned itself as a tool-watch maker from the start—practical first, ornamental second. Early on, the company leaned heavily into the U.S. market; by the late 19th century, New York’s Jules Racine & Co. had become its sole North American distributor, reinforcing an identity tied to real-world use: aviation, motorsport, and long-distance travel. This “instrument mindset” became foundational to the brand—legibility, function, and reliability mattered more than flash.

Into the mid-century, this function-first identity crystallized in the rugged chronographs the brand is best known for, particularly the MultiChron line and the Flying Officer, purpose-built pieces aimed at professionals who lived by the stopwatch and the timetable. Like many Swiss names, Gallet was later battered by the quartz era and faded from the mainstream, but its legacy has stayed alive amongst collectors—and it’s poised for a comeback. In early 2025, Breitling acquired Gallet with plans to revive the brand to its former glory, with an official re-launch planned for 2026.