Two centuries after its founding in 1826, Swiss watchmaker Gallet is having a renaissance courtesy of Breitling.
This move marks Breitling’s second major acquisition following its purchase of Universal Genève in 2023, further solidifying its drive to become a multi-brand watchmaker in the luxury space.
Known for its pioneering chronographs and precision timekeeping amongst horological historians, Gallet will serve as Breitling’s luxury entry-level sibling brand.
Breitling CEO Georges Kern emphasized the long-term vision behind the acquisition: “We are reviving Gallet under Breitling’s expertise and craftsmanship while honoring its legacy of adventure and innovation.”
Launching in 1826 in La Chaux-de-Fonds by eponymous founder Julien Gallet, Gallet has a storied history in aviation, motorsport, and exploration. It was instrumental in early long-distance travel, with one of its timepieces used to time the Wright brothers’ first powered flight in 1903. The brand also pioneered waterproof chronographs with the introduction of the MultiChron Clamshell in 1938.
Two standout models in the brand’s archives are the 1939 Flying Officer, designed for multi-timezone tracking, and the MultiChron Regulator, an icon in motorsport timing. These timepieces became essential tools for pilots and racers, earning admiration from figures like US President Harry S. Truman and racing legend Rex Mays.
After fading to obscurity during the quartz crisis of the 1970s and 1980s, Gallet’s second coming underscores Breitling’s commitment to preserving watchmaking heritage, though we’ll have to wait a little longer to see any product newness, with the official relaunch scheduled for 2026.