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Gallet MultiChron 12H Chronograph "Jim Clark" W/ Excelsior Park 40-68, 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Gallet MultiChron 12H Chronograph "Jim Clark" W/ Excelsior Park 40-68, 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Gallet (maker)
Date
1960s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
GLTMTCH12JC
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (GLTMTCH12JC)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Gallet MultiChron 12H Chronograph "Jim Clark" W/ Excelsior Park 40-68 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number GLTMTCH12JC), this is a wristwatch by Gallet, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The name Gallet & Co. has been synonymous with horology for 550 years, dating back to the year 1466 when it was founded by Humbertus Gallet. Gallet & Co. introduced some of the most useful wristwatch complications, many of which remain standard today, including the first wrist-worn chronograph, regatta timer, and GMT chronograph. Today, Gallet remains well-respected among vintage collectors alike and appreciated for its fine attention to detail and wonderfully executed wristwatches. The Gallet MultiChron 12H is a celebrated chronograph of the 1960s. Worn famously by the late F1 racing champion and watch enthusiast, Jim Clark, who also won the Indy 500 with his MultiChron 12H on his wrist. Powered by either a Valjoux 72 or Excelsior Park 40 manual-wound movement. This particular MultiChron 12H features the favored Excelsior Park 40-68 movement, which, along with its beautiful condition, makes this example a collector's dream and a truly fun watch to wear. SPECS Stock # GLTMTCH12JC Brand Gallet Style Chronograph Model MultiChron 12H "Jim Clark" Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Black Millimeters 37 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The excellent case retains full and even lugs that exhibit only minor evidence of being previously polished, with minimal signs of use present. The pump pushers and unsigned crown are believed to be original to the watch. The back of the top right lug features the characteristic "H" engraving, which is specific to EP40 variants of this MultiChron 12 model. The screw-down case back is also in excellent condition and exhibits nominal wear and tool marks. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The semi-matte black chronograph dial with lumed Arabic numeral markers has a remarkable aesthetic and is exceptionally well-preserved, exhibiting no damage or notable elements of age. The strontium lume plots have achieved a charming cream patina. Under UV light inspection, only very minimal degradation is present throughout the lume, but it is most notable in the 12 o'clock marker, which exhibits very minor lume loss. The original syringe hands appear to have been previously professionally restored with tritium to match the dial. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, but the service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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