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Gallet Multichron Pilot Chronograph, mid 1980s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Gallet (maker)
Date
mid 1980s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
Product 1057384641
Credit line
Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (product 1057384641)
Catalogue title (original)
Gallet Multichron Pilot Chronograph (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number Product 1057384641), this is a wristwatch by Gallet, made in Switzerland, dated mid 1980s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) 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 — Analog/Shift

If you've never heard of Gallet, pay attention. One of the oldest manufactures in Switzerland, Gallet has been around since 1466, and has a colorful and diverse history of watchmaking tradition. From one-off handmade pocket watches for kings to some of the first mass produced wristwatches in history, there is little road in the timekeeping industry on which Gallet hasn't tread in their 500+ year history. Gallet timepieces have been worn by individuals from every walk of life, including presidents , racing drivers , soldiers and pilots . From the dawn of the 20th century onward, Gallet has been manufacturing high-grade chronographs such as this one for sports timing and aviation usage. The brand has an outstanding portfolio of innovations and world firsts, including the first wrist-worn chronograph, the first waterproof chronograph, the first regatta timer, the first chronograph with GMT hand, and the first chronograph with built-in worldtimer...just to name a few. This particular piece, called a Multichron Pilot, features the legendary Valjoux 72 manually-wound chronograph movement and dates from the mid 1980s. Pairing textured white triple subsidiary registers with a silver sunburst dial, polished markers, and a bidirectional outer timing bezel, this piece has great vintage looks and wearable functionality. Original down to its slightly yellowed crystal, this Multichron has been treated to a full mechanical service and is ready to wear. For more information on the Gallet brand and their fantastic chronographs, check out GalletWorld, HERE .

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

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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