Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Gallet Regulator Chronograph "Venus 140", 1940s
- Maker / attribution
- Gallet (maker)
- Date
- 1940s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- GLTMCREG
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (GLTMCREG)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1940s Gallet Regulator Chronograph "Venus 140" (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number GLTMCREG), this is a wristwatch by Gallet, made in Switzerland, dated 1940s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) 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 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 and appreciated for its fine attention to detail and wonderfully executed wristwatches. The MultiChron Regulator was introduced by Gallet in 1929 as a mono-pusher chronograph with a dial format that prioritizes the watch's ability to record events through the chronograph function while the actual timekeeping portion of the watch is secondary. This unique design eventually evolved to employ a modern two-button chronograph system and quickly became a favorite timepiece among professionals. The MultiChron Regulator was even the official wristwatch of the Indianapolis 500. SPECS Stock # GLTMCREG Brand Gallet Style MultiChron Regulator Model Chronograph "Venus 140" Serial 57XXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial White Millimeters 34 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The case is in incredibly well-preserved and original condition, showing no notable evidence of previous polishing and the orignial finishing remains crisp throughout while minimal signs of honest use are present. The case retains its original flat pushers, and the crown also appears to be original to the watch. The case back exhibits very gentle wear which is expected for the age of the watch. DIAL & HANDS The impressive and original white dial with black text features excellent contrast and exhibits minimal imperfections for the age of the watch. The original blued hands also remain in excellent condition and enhance the aesthetics by adding a sleek touch of color, completing the watch for an overall beautiful presentation. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time perfectly, previous service history is unknown.
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The wristwatch overtook the pocket watch. Military use in the First World War, aviation, water-resistant cases (1926), automatic winding (1923–31), rectangular Art Deco designs and early chronographs and calendars defined the period.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
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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