News 
Breitling has announced the acquisition of Gallet, marking the comeback of the historic watch brand founded almost two centuries ago. Following the acquisition of Universal Genève in 2023, this is the second time Breitling has acquired a renowned brand, strengthening its influence in the watchmaking industry.
Gallet was founded by Julien Gallet, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in 1826. Historically, the brand has embodied the spirit of adventure and long-distance travel, producing robust timekeeping instruments for racing, aviation and off-road expeditions.
In 1856, Gallet expanded into the U.S. market, with Jules Racine & Co in 1890 becoming the sole distributor of Gallet watches in North America, the brand’s main market.
Gallet contributed to ushering in the dawn of the aviation age by creating a stopwatch that timed the first powered flight in 1903. Piloted by Wilbur and Orville Wright, the groundbreaking Kitty Hawk Flyer covered 852 feet in just 59 seconds. The timepiece marketed as “The Sun” forever cemented Gallet’s place in aviation history.
In 1907, Gallet acquired the watch manufacturer Société d’Horlogerie Electa, establishing the “Fabrique d’Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co”. The period running of the acquisition until 1926 was all about technical innovation, patents and international recognition that laid the foundation for Gallet’s future as a leading brand in precision timekeeping.
Afterward, Gallet continued to focus on its well-established U.S. market, primarily functioning as an établisseur – designing watches while coordinating their production and assembly in Switzerland.
When the Swiss watch industry was hit by the quartz crisis and a soaring Swiss franc in the 1970s and ’80s, Gallet, like many great names, fell quiet.
Among Gallet’s many renowned timepieces, two standouts became essentials for travel, sport and industry. First, the 1939 Flying Officer was a pioneering waterproof chronograph designed for multi-timezone tracking. This groundbreaking tool became an essential companion for pilots and passengers in the early days of intercontinental flight, when multiple overnight refueling stops were required for journeys that lasted multiple days.
Equally significant was the MultiChron Clamshell, introduced in 1938, one of the first waterproof chronographs, designed to withstand dust, humidity, and heavy rains. With various iterations tailored for motor racing, speed boating, aviation, and other sports, this timepieces series became a cornerstone of Gallet’s legacy.
Now, with Breitling at the helm, Gallet’s history will not only be preserved, but given new life.
April 03, 2025