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Gallet MultiChron 45, 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Gallet MultiChron 45, 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
Dimensions
Case 35.5 mm
Stock no.
GLTMC45
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (GLTMC45)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Gallet MultiChron 45 (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 GLTMC45), 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. Recorded dimensions: Case 35.5 mm. 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

Gallet & Co. has been synonymous with horology for 550 years dating back to the year 1466 when founded by Humbertus Gallet. Gallet & Co. introduced some of the most useful wristwatch complications of today including the first wrist-worn chronograph, regatta timer, and GMT chronograph. Gallet today remains well respected among vintage enthusiasts alike and appreciated for its fine attention to detail and wonderfully executed wristwatches. The MultiChron line of watches designed by Gallet are the most popular and revered by collectors because of their usually larger case sizes and tool watch applications. The MultiChrons were always designed with an intended purpose in mind and their highly legible dials make for perfect daily wearing. This Multichron 45 is as versatile as it gets. Sporting the robust Landeron-149 chronograph movement housed in the 35.5mm case size, which wears much larger due to its large black dial format. Stylistically this watch is sporty but can also play the roll of a dress watch due to its modest size and simple dial layout. The black dial is pretty uncommon for these Multichron 45's, as they're mostly seen with white dials with blue and or red print, giving this watch a good unique factor for anyone looking for an interesting chronograph daily driver. Stock # GLTMC45 Brand Gallet Style Chronograph Model MultiChron 45 Serial N/A Size Men's Material SS Dial Glossy Black Millimeters 35.5mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The lightly polished case slightly retains its original factory chamfers with full and thick lugs, and almost no signs of use. The case retains its original unsigned crown and pushers. The case back displays all factory engraving perfectly with some light watchmaker tool marks. DIAL & HANDS The glossy black dial with white printing is both beautiful and in excellent condition. The tritium markers have achieved a lovely yellow patina, exhibiting no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands match the dial nicely and show no lume loss or degradation under U.V. light inspection. ACCESSORIES

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

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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.

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