Celebrating a Legacy: Gallet's Two-Century Journey in Timekeeping

Gallet's Resurgence: A Blend of Heritage and Modernity for its 200th Year

In 2026, precisely two centuries after its establishment in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Gallet is making a prominent return to the watch industry. This storied Swiss brand re-emerges under the wing of Breitling, which will manage the manufacturing and logistical support for the new collections. The relaunch is structured around four primary lines: Flying Officer, Multichron Pilot, Multichron Sport, and Gallet Classics. These collections thoughtfully draw inspiration from the brand's extensive history, encompassing aviation, global exploration, motorsports, sailing, and various expeditions. The new timepieces are designed to integrate historical aesthetic elements with advanced contemporary movements and construction techniques.

A Rich Tapestry of Time: Gallet's Historical Inspirations

Gallet's archives offer a wealth of inspiration for its contemporary revival. Since its founding in 1826, the company has been a pioneer in creating timing devices for critical fields such as aviation, competitive racing, marine navigation, and exploration. The brand's chronographs were notably present during landmark events, including the pioneering flights of the Wright brothers and the early days of intercontinental air travel. These historical connections serve as the cornerstone for the new collections, guiding their design rather than introducing entirely novel aesthetic concepts.

The Quadrant of Time: Exploring Gallet's Four New Collections

Gallet's refreshed product range is categorized into four unique collections. The Flying Officer line is dedicated to international travel and features world-time capabilities, while the Multichron Pilot is inspired by the spirit of exploration and aviation. The Multichron Sport collection draws from the demanding world of motorsports and performance timing, and the Gallet Classics revisit and honor several of the brand's historically significant chronographs.

Versatility and Innovation: Strap and Movement Details Across Collections

The Flying Officer, Multichron Pilot, and Multichron Sport collections feature an innovative quick-release system for straps and bracelets, enabling effortless customization without the need for specialized tools. Owners can choose from an array of leather, rubber, field, and fabric straps in various colors. The stainless steel bracelets incorporate the same system, enhanced with integrated micro-adjustment for superior comfort and fit. In contrast, the Gallet Classics collection offers a unique approach, presenting three 38mm hand-wound chronographs that pay homage to iconic historical Gallet watches. Each of these classic pieces is powered by Breitling's manually wound B09 caliber, delivering approximately 70 hours of power reserve.

The Return of a World Traveler: The Flying Officer Collection

The Flying Officer collection serves as a direct link between the revitalized brand and its heritage. First introduced in 1939, as international air travel began to flourish, this model was designed to help pilots track time in various global locations, particularly for refueling stops. The modern 40mm Flying Officer chronograph refines this original concept with a rotating bezel that displays 24 contemporary global destinations. Gallet has thoughtfully included both major international hubs and more secluded locations, reflecting the expansive nature of contemporary travel. This collection is available in two versions: a chronograph model that closely mirrors the original's instrumental character and an automatic version that offers the world-travel functionality without the chronograph display.

Precision and Style: Flying Officer Chronograph and Automatic Specifications

The Flying Officer chronograph is offered in striking light blue or classic black dials, both featuring tone-on-tone sub-dials. It is powered by the Gallet 23 chronograph caliber, which is based on the robust Sellita SW510, providing an approximate power reserve of 65 hours. The automatic model is available in vibrant orange or deep dark blue, housing the Gallet 17 caliber, derived from the Sellita SW200, with a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. The orange automatic version's color scheme is a direct nod to the aged patina found on historical Flying Officer timepieces, establishing the brand's signature orange-and-green palette for its revived identity.

The Spirit of Exploration: The Multichron Pilot Collection

Originating in 1969, the Multichron Pilot was initially conceived for extended timing and tracking a second-time zone, with an emphasis on clarity and readability in challenging environments. Gallet has now reinterpreted this concept into a 42mm chronograph, specifically tailored for modern exploration. This watch shares the Gallet 23 chronograph caliber with the Flying Officer, operating at the same frequency and offering a 65-hour power reserve. It features a bidirectional 12-hour bezel encircling the dial and a date window positioned at 6 o'clock. The Multichron Pilot is available in a black dial with white sub-dials or a blue dial with black sub-dials. A telemeter scale is integrated to allow wearers to estimate distances based on the time difference between light and sound, while luminescent hands and indexes ensure optimal legibility in varying light conditions. Its textured dial and dual-time functionality imbue the watch with a distinct instrumental character, placing it between the travel-focused Flying Officer and the motorsport-inspired Multichron Sport.

From Race Tracks to Open Roads: The Multichron Sport Collection

Gallet's strong ties to motorsports form the bedrock of the Multichron Sport collection. Historically, models like the Multichron 12 Scientific were pivotal in establishing the brand's reputation for technical timing in the 1960s, later becoming synonymous with high-speed racing. The new Multichron Sport features a 41mm case and is powered by the same Gallet 23 movement found in the Flying Officer and Multichron Pilot chronographs. This iteration, however, incorporates a tachymeter scale, perfect for calculating average speeds over known distances. Available in two dial configurations—dark blue with black sub-dials or black with white sub-dials—both versions include a date window at 6 o'clock and bright orange chronograph hands for clear distinction of timing functions. The Multichron Sport also boasts quick-release pins on its straps and bracelets, allowing for swift changes without tools, enhancing its versatility for various adventures.

Honoring Milestones: The Gallet Classics Collection

To commemorate its bicentennial, Gallet introduces the Gallet Classics collection, featuring three watches that directly honor specific historical timepieces revered by collectors and historians. These three models all come in a 38mm case and are equipped with Breitling's hand-wound B09 chronograph caliber, a COSC-certified chronometer movement offering approximately 70 hours of power reserve. Unlike the core collections, the Classics are exclusively paired with 20mm straps, utilizing the same quick-release system for easy interchangeability. The collection includes the Tribute to Yachting Big Eye, inspired by a 1960s regatta chronograph, now featuring a white dial with a large regatta register in dark blue and red. The Tribute to Multichron 45, drawing from an aviation and racing interval timer, sports a black dial with tone-on-tone sub-dials and luminous elements for both day and night visibility. Lastly, the Tribute to Silverlight pays homage to the historic Multichron Navigator, with a silver-toned dial, stylized numerals, and a vintage layout. Each watch in the Gallet Classics collection is consistently priced, reflecting their unique heritage and craftsmanship.

A Symbiotic Partnership: Gallet and Breitling Collaboration

Gallet's revival is deeply integrated with Breitling's established manufacturing and distribution networks. Breitling will oversee the production of every Gallet watch and manage after-sales services and global distribution. Selected Breitling boutiques will also feature dedicated Gallet displays. This partnership provides Gallet with access to a robust Swiss manufacturing operation while preserving its unique historical identity. The choice of movements further highlights this collaboration: the core chronographs use calibers based on Sellita's SW510, while the automatic models feature a caliber based on the SW200. The three anniversary Classics, however, are powered by Breitling's in-house B09 manufacture chronograph, making the technical synergy evident. This positions Gallet's new collections distinctively within the Breitling family, offering unique historical references and design language while benefiting from a larger, modern watchmaker's infrastructure.

Embracing Modern Adventure: The New Generation of Gallet Explorers

The relaunch extends beyond the watches themselves to include a curated group of contemporary adventurers. These individuals, comprising conservationists, photographers, filmmakers, and other professionals operating in diverse environments, will be featured in Gallet's "Field Notes" video series. Early participants include Donal Boyd, Benjamin Kellett, Dhir Jakharia, Benjamin Hardman, and L. Renee, whose work spans elephant conservation, Himalayan paragliding, Arctic sailing, wildlife documentation in Kenya, and exploration of the Northern California coastline. This initiative aims to connect Gallet's historical association with pilots, racers, and explorers to current forms of adventure, showcasing how the new watches are designed for individuals actively engaging in these demanding environments today, rather than solely relying on past figures.

Initial Impressions: A Thoughtful Reintroduction

Gallet's re-entry into the market is strongly rooted in its extensive archives. Each of the four collections reinterprets a recognizable historical model or application for a modern audience. The Flying Officer series underscores global travel, while the two Multichron collections uphold the brand's reputation for technical timing. The Gallet Classics delve deeper into heritage by replicating the essence of three specific historical chronographs, distinguished by their smaller 38mm cases and manually wound movements, setting them apart from the more contemporary core models. The strategic use of Breitling's manufacturing capabilities provides a solid technical foundation for the relaunch. Simultaneously, Gallet maintains distinct collections, movements, and design elements to differentiate its offerings from its sibling brand. A key feature of the new lineup is the emphasis on strap interchangeability. All core collections share a 20mm lug spacing and a quick-release system, allowing owners to easily switch between leather, rubber, fabric, and field straps. This enhances the watches' practicality, making them ideal companions for various travel and environmental conditions. Two centuries after its inception, Gallet is making a comeback with a collection that respects its past while embracing contemporary production methods, offering distinct interpretations of its history, from the original world-traveling Flying Officer to the three anniversary chronographs in the Gallet Classics line. For a comprehensive view of all available configurations for these new watches, please visit the official Gallet website.