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Gallet MultiChron 45 Gold-Plated Chronograph "Valjoux Cal. 7730", 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Gallet MultiChron 45 Gold-Plated Chronograph "Valjoux Cal. 7730", 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
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
GLTMC45-3
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (GLTMC45-3)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Gallet MultiChron 45 Gold-Plated Chronograph "Valjoux Cal. 7730" (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 GLTMC45-3), 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. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. 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 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 collectors alike and appreciated for its fine attention to detail and wonderfully executed wristwatches. Stock # GLTMC45-3 Brand Gallet Style MultiChron 45 Model N/A Serial N/A Size Men's Material Gold-Plated W/ Stainless Steel Back Dial Silver Millimeters 35 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The gold-plated case is in excellent overall condition, displaying minimal signs of previous wear and only gentle signs of polishing, with long lugs that drastically increase the overall size of the watch on wrist. The case retains its original unsigned crown and gold-plated pump pushers. The stainless steel case back is clean with minimal signs of previous use. The watch comes on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original silver dial features blue and red text for the timing scales that add a sophisticated touch of color. The condition of the dial is exceptionally well-preserved, showing no damage and only nominal elements of age. The tritium lume plots have taken on a contrasting dark patina with nominal degradation present in the 4 and 5 o'clock plots when inspected under UV light. The original gold dauphine hands match the dial and exhibit no degradation. 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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