Gallet Multichron 12H

When a watchmaker has been around since 1466, it’s fair to say they know a thing or two about horology. Gallet is well known to hard-core vintage collectors, but they’ve flown under the radar among enthusiasts in general. Interestingly, the manufacture has long been on the forefront of horological innovation, and they’ve racked up a number of impressive wristwatch “firsts”: including the first waterproof chronograph wristwatch, the first wristwatch with a 28,800 BPH escapement, first wristwatch with rotating bezel and the first chronograph wristwatch with a 24-hour GMT complication. Considering how often we see these features in watches from nearly every significant brand today, one cannot overstate Gallet’s contributions to the watch industry.

Of the many watches produced by Gallet in the 20^th century, the 37mm MultiChron chronographs are some of the most significant and collectible today. Although they are refined and stylish, many were intended as tool watches for military and industrial professionals, featuring decimal, pulsometer and telemeter tracks on the dials.

The MultiChron 12H, so known for its third register and capability of recording up to twelve hours, would likely have found use in aviation, motorsports, or military use, as the easily readable dial, Arabic numerals and coloured outer scales, allow for quick and precise reading. The look of the entire watch, from its sharp steel lines and bevelled edges to its barrel pushers and uncluttered dial, is simply breathtaking, and is absolutely one of our favourite expressions of 1950s chronographs. Internally, the MultiChron 12Hs were fitted with either Valjoux 72 or Excelsior Park 40 (EP40) manufacture movements - win/win options!

This particular example is fitted with the rarer EP40 movement and features the rarer and more desirable dark dial configuration, made famous amongst collectors by racing legend Jim Clark. The dial is a rich, deep black and the gold numerals have acquired a beautiful, even patina.

This is the model that Clark wore to the track the year he won the Indianapolis 500.

The watch is presented in excellent condition for its age, with signs of wear to the case and caseback, commensurate with age and authenticity. It is sold on leather strap.

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