These features made it possible to calculate changes in the time as an aviator flew across lines of longitude. Flying Officer) had a rotating 12-hour bezel and the names of 23 major world cities printed on the periphery of the dial (face). Truman in 1939 for pilots of the United States Army Air Forces, the Flight Officer (a.k.a. Ī Gallet timepiece of particular renown was the Flight Officer time zone chronograph.
Produced primarily for military, industrial, auto racing, and other professional applications, Gallet's MultiChron watches often incorporated a number of advanced timekeeping innovations. Gallet is best known during the 20th century to the present day for its line of MultiChron chronograph wristwatches. Prior to this date, operations commenced under the name of each of the Gallet family patriarchs. The Gallet & Cie (Gallet & Company) name was officially registered by Julien Gallet (1806–1849) in 1826, who moved the family business from Geneva to La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Gallet is the world's oldest watch and clock making house with history dating back to Humbertus Gallet, a clock maker who became a citizen of Geneva in 1466. Gallet (ˈgæl.eɪ) is a historic Swiss manufacturer of high-end timepieces for professional, military, sports, racing, and aviation use. It does not store any personal data.Wristwatches, stopwatches, and industrial timers for professional application The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Includes our highly prized quality Italian leather watch pouch, a $55.00 value. Fitted with your choice of distressed or other sporty leather strap. Just fully serviced and offered with our 1 year warranty of accurate time keeping and operation. Lesson for all check those dresser and nightstand drawers at your local yard sales and storage units! It rapidly changed hands before soon there after arriving on our doorstep. However, we do know, that the watch was purchased at a yard sale, from the owner’s widow after being found in a dresser drawer.
As for provenance, sadly we have very little information about the original owner. If there is a Gallet museum, no question this piece would qualify.
While this is not a large watch, it is most certainly an important watch given it’s extraordinary condition. With all original pushers, crown, dial, all 5 hands, radium lume, and very little worn beefy lug unpolished case.
This model was produced to provide the means for military pilots to easily track time zones across countries during flight. With outer ring designating world cities in a double row of black and red printing, and inner red snail-style tachymeter. Case measuring 34.5 x 42mm with clam shell caseback secured by 4 screws and rotating 12 hours bi-directional bezel.įeaturing a pristine condition, flawless original very technical matte silver dial signed Gallet and Brevet + Dep, and also signed SWISS.
Powered by modified Venus 150 17 jewel manual wind movement with registers for constant seconds and 30 minutes. Extraordinary museum quality condition 1st generation USAAF (US Army Air Force) version Gallet Flying Officer chronograph circa 1940 with mint unpolished clam shell case, pristine original radium lume dial and early kite shaped luminous hands.