Gallet & Co

Gallet & Co was a maker of complicated watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland from 1825 through the present day. The company traces its roots to 1466 with the birth of Humbertus Gallet in Geneva. However, the formal establishment of Gallet & Co. occurred in 1825 by Julien Gallet (1806–1849).

Foundations and Family Legacy

The Gallet family traces its roots to Humbertus Gallet, who became a "bourgeois de Genève" (or citizen) on April 18, 1466. The family's involvement in gold, jewelry, and watch production is documented in 1702 as Philippe Gallet (1679–1739), son of Jacques Gallet (1649–1700) and Marie Bouvier Gallet, is listed in the Geneva Registry of Jewelers and Watchmakers. In 1742 his son Pierre Gallet (1719-1768) marries noblewoman Jeanne Renée de Rabours and is noted to be a master goldsmith like his father. This suggests that the family was involved in the trade perhaps even before the 18th century. Jacques Gallet (1744/5-1806) continues the family's trade, as does his son Jean-Louis Gallet (1774-1809), who becomes a French citizen after Napoleon annexes Geneva. The premature death of Jean-Louis Gallet interrupts the family's father-to-son tradition and severs the ties to Geneva, as his son, then just 3 years old, moves to La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Julien Gallet (1806-1849) set up a jewelry and watch assembly workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1826 known as Julien Gallet & Cie. This was quite early in the watchmaking city's ascendency, and suggests that he moved to the city to help establish the trade there and was perhaps not included in the Gallet family's Geneva operation. His widow Louise Gallet (1808–1865) and sons, Léon L. Gallet (1832–1899) and Lucien F. Gallet (1834–1879), continued the company after Julien's untimely death.

American and Asian Expansion

Julien Gallet's sons were just 16 and 14 years old when he died, but his widow Louise proved capable to continue his legacy. She helped to prepare her sons Léon and Lucien to take over management when they were ready. Léon L. Gallet was especially adept at building the relationships he would need to produce and sell watches worldwide.

In 1856 Léon L. Gallet established a relationship with a Mr. Kupfer to distribute Gallet watches in the United States. When Kupfer died in 1864, Léon personally traveled to America to take over. Thus an American branch of the company was established in New York, taking over Kupfer's business.

Léon L. Gallet worked tirelessly to build the family firm's reputation, capitalizing on the capabilities of Swiss craftsmen to produce and assemble high-end watches in the etablisseur tradition. He avoided the bulk watchmaking business which was disastrously impacted by American industrial manufacturing in the 1870s.

When Léon L. Gallet retired in 1883 he turned over the firm to his eldest son Julien. The company was re-registered as Julien Gallet & Cie as of January 1, 1883 and would continue to use this name until younger brother George became a full partner in 1900. The company was located at Rue du Parc 27 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Julien Gallet saw the opportunity in selling high-end complicated watches in America and established a partnership with his cousin Jules Racine. Racine was originally from Tramelan and was said to be "the nephew of the founder", presumably Léon L. Gallet. The American arm of this importing business, called Julien Gallet & Co of New York had offices at 25 John St. The company later moved to 1 Maiden Lane, home to many watch importation businesses, and in 1884 established a Chicago office. The market for fine and complicated watches in America was quite successful, and the branch there separated on October 24, 1890, becoming known simply as Jules Racine & Co. Racine partnered with Charles Perret, relocating to 180 Broadway and, later in the decade, back to 37 Maiden Lane. The brand introduced diverse watch lines tailored to American preferences, and demand for Gallet watches continued to expand for decades.

As American watchmaking industrialized, prominent watchmaking firms in the Swiss Jura joined forces as the Societe Intercantonale des Industries du Jura in 1876. In addition to Gallet this group included Courvoisier Frères, Longines, and Girard-Perregaux. The group focused on distribution, marketing, and sales in Europe, especially England. Léon's 20 year old daughter Henriette would marry Emile Courvoisier in 1880 to cement the relationship: It is claimed that this was 55 year old Louis Courvoisier but records show that she married his 22 year old son Emile.

Gallet established the Lyre mark for watch cases and movements in 1881 as brands and trademarks became more important.

Julien's younger brother, Georges-Léon Gallet, became a manager of Julien Gallet & Cie in 1889. He joined the board with his brother in 1891 but was not a full partner in the business until 1900, when the firm was renamed Gallet & Co. Léon L. Gallet frequently traveled to America even after he retired in 1883 and it was there that he died in 1899 at Jules Racine's home in New York. Just one month later Georges Gallet's wife gave birth to a son, which the couple named Léon-Louis after his famous and successful grandfather. Young Léon would be instrumental in reorganizing the family firm after its 1924 bankruptcy and would lead the company through World War II.

Jules Racine & Co. remained the Gallet representative in America even after partner Charles Perret died in 1916. The company expanded, operating a large showroom at 37-39 Maiden Lane but in 1919 distribution of Gallet watches was turned over to a new firm. Efrus and Harry C. Cohen formed a new company, Lorraine Watch Co., Inc. at 206 Broadway to import fine Swiss watches. They gained exclusive rights to distribute Gallet and Electa watches, including ladies bracelet watches, chronographs, and horse timers.

Fabrique Electa

It is claimed that Léon Gallet acquired the Grumbach & Co watch factory in 1855 but there is little evidence of this. Instead, it appears that the Grumbach family became involved when Gallet purchased the Electa factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1907. Gallet appears to have used Electa ebauches in complicated watches for a few years by then, and this purchase was an opportunistic way to enter manufacturing. Electa was an evolution of American businessman Prosper Nordmann's Société d'Horlogerie de Genève, which produced ultra-thin and chronograph movements for the Waltham Watch company based on the designs of Henry-Alfred Lugrin and Prosper Nordmann. The company moved to La Chaux-de-Fonds, establishing the Fabrique du Ravin at Rue du Ravin 17 in 1904. Gallet was an enthusiastic buyer of Electa's movements and purchased the company when it went bankrupt and renamed the firm Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa in January 1907.

Starting in 1912, one of the Gallet sons traveled through India, China, and Japan, seeking to expand trade in Asia. This lead to connections with the Hattori family in Japan who would create Seiko.

Gallet became a public company in 1912, offering shares as Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co SA. This provided the funding to build a new factory, known as Fabrique Electa, which was completed in 1913. This factory was located on the opposite side of the railroad line, a new area just being developed, at Rue Jacob Brandt 61. Although not as large as depicted in advertising, the factory gave Gallet a modern manufacturing capability and the firm produced thin and complicated watch movements in-house, reducing the need to source these from other suppliers like long-time partners the Jeanneret family of Saint-Imier.

World War I prompted Gallet to shift its focus to the production of military watches, including hand and cockpit timers for the British Royal Air Force. But the post-war bust hit Gallet hard. The Electa faced bankruptcy in 1924. The factory was closed and would later be used by Schwarz-Etienne and Eugène Meylan. After the failure of the Electa factory, Gallet returned to the Jeanneret family factory (now known as Excelsior Park) for complicated watches.

Partnership with Excelsior Park

Gallet began working with the Jeanneret family of Saint-Imier in the 1880s, giving the company access to stopwatch and chronograph mechanisms. This would continue for many decades, with Albert Jeanneret & Frères becoming Jeanneret-Brehm and later Excelsior Park. It seems that Gallet was the largest customer of Excelsior Park for the first half of the 20th century, and many Gallet chronographs were manufactured by them in Saint-Imier.

It is said that Gallet supplied the funds to enable Henri Jeanneret-Brehm to purchase the Magnenat-LeCoultre factory in Le Sentier and that the company's strong English and American market caused the Jeannerets to use the name "Excelsior Park". But this is unproven, and seems doubtful since Gallet merged with Electa in 1907 to build their own manufacturing capability, went public and built the Fabrique Electa in 1912, the same year Jeanneret-Brehm purchased Magnenat-LeCoultre. Gallet would no longer need to source complicated movements from Jeanneret-Brehm since they had their own factory until its 1924 bankruptcy. As for the Excelsior Park brand name, this was adopted that same year by Jeanneret-Brehm (who had previously just used "Excelsior") and aligns with Gallet's brands National Park and Jerome Park, so perhaps Gallet had an influence there.

Regardless of the situation during the Electa years, it is obvious that Gallet and Jeanneret-Brehm/Excelsior Park had a long relationship. The Saint-Imier firm solidified Gallet's position as a premier watchmaker, as it gave the firm access to high-end chronograph movements. The collaboration led to the production of railroad pocket watches and chronograph movements. Gallet's involvement in providing timepieces for the military during World War I further showcased its adaptability and commitment to precision.

The partnership between Gallet and Excelsior Park was critical for both firms. For Gallet, the burgeoning demand for stopwatches and chronographs for military, scientific, and sport gave the company a new market through World War II and beyond. It also separated the company from the consolidation that was happening at this time, which mainly focused on mainstream watches with simple movements. The Excelsior Park factory in Saint-Imier gained access to Gallet's vast international markets and a reliable customer for their complicated watch movements. Although they also supplied others (notably Zenith and Girard-Perregaux in the post-war period), Excelsior Park was reliant on Gallet for much of its sales.

Léon Gallet

As the Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co SA proceeded with bankruptcy in 1924 the next generation of the Gallet family rose to the rescue. Léon-Louis Gallet, son of George Gallet, registered a new company in his own name at Rue Léopold-Robert 66 in La Chaux-de-Fonds on May 10. This became a corporation, L. Gallet et Co, on September 1, with Léon Gallet as director with Madeline Montandon née Gallet as limited partner and Ernest Augsburger as manager. This new company took over the Gallet name as soon as it was released by the bankrupt predecessor in 1925 and began re-establishing Gallet in the market. It was renamed Gallet & Co in 1928, re-claiming the heritage of Léon's grandfather and namesake.

The company continued to innovate, introducing the Flight Officer Chronograph in 1938, featuring a rotating 12-hour bezel for longitude calculations. The MultiChron Petite, designed exclusively for women engaged in technical and scientific roles during World War II, showcased Gallet's commitment to diversity and functionality.

World War II witnessed Gallet's contributions to military and industrial clients, surpassing 100,000 units in annual sales. The "MultiChron Navigator" GMT Chronograph, with its 45-minute recording capability and separate 24-hour GMT hand, exemplified Gallet's technological prowess.

Post-War Era and Resilience

On March 20, 1944, the limited partnership Gallet & Co SA was replaced by a new public company of the same name. The firm bought was directed by Léon Gallet (who received a significant cash windfall) who was named president with Ernest-Gérald Augsburger as secretary. Georges-Ernest Augsburger was appointed director. The office remained at Rue Léopold-Robert 66 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

In the post-war era, Gallet faced economic challenges as the watch industry experienced a downturn. The company decided to refocus on its core strength—manufacturing high-quality professional timepieces. The introduction of waterproof cases in the late 1940s and continued collaboration with Excelsior Park marked this period.

Léon's sons Pierre-Auguste and Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet joined the firm in 1951 and 1954, respectively, and the two would take over on December 29, 1966.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of innovative models like the "Excel-O-Graph," featuring a rotating bezel with an integrated slide rule for navigation and scientific calculation. Introduced in 1959, the Excel-O-Graph used Excelsior Park's Cal. 40.68 with a Glucydur balance wheel for accuracy but was extremely large for the time, measuring 43 mm in diameter. Gallet weathered the crisis of the 1970s by maintaining its commitment to mechanical watches for military and professional use.

Rebirths

On September 8 1977 Gallet was merged with Guinand Watch Co SA of Les Brenets. The new company, called Gallet & Guinand SA, was run by Jean Guinand, president, Hélène-Lucienne Gallet (daughter of Bernard), secretary, Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet, and Michel Guinand. But the combination was ill-timed and faced bankruptcy almost immediately. On April 24, 1982, the board voted to liquidate the firm, a process that was completed on October 25, 1985.

Still, the Gallet family was prepared to re-start once again. They had already formed a new Société Anonyme called Gallet SA on December 20, 1980, and this company was able to purchase watchmaking supplies and the Gallet brands that same year at a 50% discount on their value. The company was run by Bernard Gallet, with Hélène Gallet as vice-president, and Laurent Gallet as secretary. This firm officially registered the Gallet brand once again in 1984.

This iteration of Gallet sought military timekeeping contracts and developed a range of such watches. The company introduced a Ship's Chronometer in 1981 with a quartz movement.

In 1991 Gallet merged with New Trends of Switzerland and moved into a new office at Rue du Nord 176 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This firm produced Swiss Army branded watches and knives. New Trends was founded in 1987 by Jean-C. Vrolixs and his son Michael after extensive travel in Asia and understanding of that market. The new Gallet SA included Bernard Gallet and Hélène Gallet on the board along with Rose-Marie Chapuis, Jean-Claude and Michael Vrolixs, and Jean-Bernard Horisberger.

By 1992 Gallet SA produced a range of quartz watches, some in ceramic and gold. The company's logo included "Genève 1826". Another model featured a mechanical counter from 0 to 99 at the center of the dial with a small time display at 6. The company promised a resurgence based on mechanical watches exported to European countries and the United States. The company also produced specialized timers, including 8-day clocks for aviation and marine use.

But the combination of Swiss Army and Gallet was an odd one and it was not successful. It faced bankruptcy soon after and on June 7 1993 the Civil Court of the District of La Chaux-de-Fonds decided to dissolve the firm. This bankruptcy hit the Gallet family especially hard, with Hélène Gallet forced to sell her villa in Hauts-Geneveys to raise funds. The company was officially liquidated and deleted on January 5, 1996.

Gallet in Zollikon

In the 1990s, Gallet underwent changes in leadership and relocation. In 1996, shortly after the former company was liquidated, Walter Hediger assumed control of the brand. He renamed the existing firm of B. Neresheimer AG of Zollikon as Gallet AG and sought to re-start production again. The company relocated to Grandson, Vaud, on Lake Neuchâtel in 2002. Gallet continued its focus on mechanical watches for professional applications. It is said that Bernard Gallet remained involved in the company until his death in 2006.

By 2001 Gallet was offering chronographs using the ETA 7751 movement. The logo of the company at this time included "Genève 1742". The company raised successive rounds of funding in 2000, 2001, 2006, and 2019.

The brand's association with the National Watch and Clock Museum and its participation in exhibitions underscore Gallet's commitment to preserving horological heritage. The 2016 celebration of Gallet's 550th anniversary highlighted the brand's resilience and ongoing relevance in the watchmaking industry.

Important Models

• Gallet MultiChron 30M (1912-) - Monopusher chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, Valjoux 22 GHT or Minerva 13.20 movement
• Gallet MultiChron "Regulator" (1929-1945) - Offset-dial chronograph with 30 minute counter at 6 and timekeeping dial at 12, Venus Cal. 140
• Gallet MultiChron 30M (1936-) - Waterproof chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, Valjoux or Venus 150 movement
• Gallet Flight Officer "Truman" (1939-1945) - Chronograph with rotating 12-hour bezel and fixed world time markings around the dial (which could be swapped out for other locations); based on the Gallet MultiChron 30M Clamshell waterproof watch, Venus Cal. 150
• Gallet Commander (1938-1948) - Chronograph with oval Excelsior Park Cal. 42 movement, 45 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9
• Gallet MultiChron 12 (1939-present) - Chronograph with 30 minute (at 3) and 12 hour (at 6) registers and telemeter/tachymeter scale on the dial, Universal/Martel Cal. 281, Valjoux Cal. 71 or 72, Venus Cal. 152, Excelsior Park Cal. 40, Valjoux 7750
• Gallet MultiChron Petit (1936-1969) - Small chronograph in 26.3 mm case, 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Valjoux Cal. 69
• Gallet MultiChron Officer (1939-1951) - Square case chronograph, 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Valjoux Cal. 69
• Gallet MultiChron Pilot (1939-1951) - Pilot's chronograph with tachymeter and telemeter scale and rotating 12 hour bezel, 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Venus Cal. 150
• Gallet MultiChron Decimal (1942-1975) - Chronograph with tenth-of-a-minute scale for industrial use, 45 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Excelsior Park Cal. 40 movement
• Gallet MultiChron Pilot Petit (1942-1948) - Small pilot's chronograph in 28 mm case with tachymeter scale and rotating triangle bezel, 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Valjoux Cal. 69
• Gallet MultiChron Medigraph (1943-1952) - Doctor's chronograph with pulsation scale, 45 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Excelsior Park Cal. 4
• Gallet MultiChron Navigator GMT (1943-) - Chronograph with small 24 hour hand for navigation, 45 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Excelsior Park Cal. 4
• Gallet Flight Officer Military (1944-1952) - Chronograph in 34.5 mm case with rotating 12-hour bezel and fixed world time markings around the dial (which could be swapped out for other locations), Venus Cal. 150
• Gallet MultiChron Duo-Timer (1945-1955) - Rattrapante (split seconds) chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Venus Cal. 179
• Gallet MultiChron Yachting (1945-1950s) - Yachting chronograph with 15-10-5 countdown markings on the 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, clear 60 minute outer scale, Excelsior Park Cal. 4
• Gallet MultiChron 45M (1945-1960s) - Waterproof chronograph with 45 minute counter at 3, Excelsior Park Cal. 4
• Gallet MultiChron Calendar (1946-1974) - Chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, 12 hour counter at 6, seconds at 9, day and date windows at 12, date by pointer, Valjoux Cal. 72C
• Gallet MultiChron 30M Up-Down (1948-1953) - Waterproof chronograph with 30 minute counter at 12, Venus Cal. 170
• Gallet MultiChron Yachting Stopwatch (1950s) - Stopwatch for yacht racing with no timekeeping, 5 minute counter at 3, 60 second scale, Excelsior Park movement
• Gallet Flight Officer Military (1953-1955) - Chronograph in 37 mm case with rotating 12-hour bezel and fixed world time markings around the dial (which could be swapped out for other locations), Venus Cal. 150
• Gallet MultiChron 24HR (1953-1983) - Chronograph with 24 hour dial and 30 minute counter at 3, Excelsior Park Cal. 4.68, Venus Cal. 188, Valjoux Cal. 7730
• Gallet MultiChron 30M (1955-1965) - Waterproof chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, Venus 188 movement
• Gallet MultiChron Astronomic Chronograph (1955-1974) - Chronograph with 30 minute counter at 3, 12 hour and moon phase at 6, day and month windows at 12, date by pointer, Valjoux Cal. 88
• Gallet Excel-O-Graph (1959-1978) - Chronograph with 30 minute (at 3) and 12 hour (at 6) registers and slide rule bezel, Excelsior Park Cal. 40.68
• Gallet MultiChron Diver (1960-1974) - Dive chronograph with tachymeter scale and rotating 60 bezel, 30 minute counter at 3, seconds at 9, Landeron 149/51 or Valjoux 7733
• Gallet MultiChron Pilot (1962-1985) - Pilot's chronograph with tachymeter and telemeter scales and rotating 12 hour bezel, 30 minute counter at 3, 12 hour counter at 6, seconds at 9, Valjoux Cal. 72/726/7736
• Gallet MultiChron 45M (1962-) - Waterproof chronograph with 45 minute counter at 3, Landeron Cal. 149
• Gallet MultiChron Diver Military (1967-1979) - Dive chronograph with tachymeter scale and rotating 60 bezel, 30 minute counter at 3, 12 hour counter at 6, seconds at 9, Excelsior Park Cal. 40
• Gallet MultiChron Yachting (1968-1976) - Yachting chronograph with countdown markings on the counter at 3, seconds at 9, clear 60 minute outer scale, Valjoux 7730/7733
• Gallet Flight Officer Swiss Military (1969-1974) - Chronograph in 36.3 mm case with rotating 12-hour bezel and fixed world time markings around the dial (which could be swapped out for other locations), Landeron Cal. 149
• Gallet MultiChron Pilot USAF (1972-1978) - Pilot's chronograph with tachymeter and telemeter scales and rotating 12 hour bezel, 30 minute counter at 3, 12 hour counter at 6, seconds at 9, Excelsior Park Cal. 40.68
• Gallet Flying Officer Swiss Military (1975-1979) - Chronograph in 36.3 mm case with rotating 12-hour bezel and fixed world time markings around the dial (which could be swapped out for other locations), Landeron Cal. 149 or Valjoux 7735
• Gallet MultiChron Astronomic 250 Anniversary (1992) - Chronograph with moon phase at 3, 12 hour at 6, 30 minute counter at 12, date by pointer, ETA 7750
• Gallet MultiChron Diver (1994-present) - Dive chronograph with tachymeter scale and rotating 60 bezel, day and date windows at 3, 12 hour counter at 6, seconds at 9, 30 minute counter at 12, ETA 7750

Gallet Timeline

Julien Gallet

• 1774 - Jean-Louis Gallet, father of Julien Gallet, is born
• 1806 - Julien Gallet is born; Jean-Louis Gallet works as a goldsmith in Geneva
• 1808 - Louise Gallet is born
• 1809 - Jean-Louis Gallet dies; the Gallet family moves to La Chaux-de-Fonds
• 1826 - Julien Gallet sets up a jewelry and watch assembly workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds
• 1832, December 31 - Léon L. Gallet is born
• 1837, November - Adèle Nicolet is born
• 1858 (about) - Emile Courvoisier is born
• 1858 - Julien, son of Léon L. Gallet, is born
• 1865 - Louise Gallet, wife of Julien Gallet and mother of Léon L. Gallet, dies
• 1865, March 14 - Georges, son of Léon L. Gallet, is born
• 1880 (about) - Henriette, daughter of Léon L. Gallet, marries Emile Courvoisier, son of prominent La Chaux-de-Fonds businessman Louis Courvoisier of Courvoisier Frères

Julien Gallet & Cie

• 1883, January 1 - Julien Louis Gallet (from Geneva, of La Chaux-de-Fonds) and Jules Racine (from Tramelan, of New York) form Julien Gallet & Cie in La Chaux-de-Fonds to produce, handle, and sell horology at Rue du Parc 27. The firm confers procuration on Léon L. Gallet (from Geneva, of Chaux-de-Fonds)
• 1886 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Bridgeport Watch Co and Harlem Watch Co brands
• 1887 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Bradford Watch Co brand
• 1888 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers The Patriot and Lady Racine brands
• 1889 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Commodore, The Chief, The Warrior, Burlington Watch Co, Enterprise, and Seeland brands
• 1889, May 3 - Julien Gallet & Cie confers production on Georges-Léon Gallet (from Geneva, of La Chaux-de-Fonds)
• 1889 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Park National Watch Co, The Duchess, Passwang, and Fairy brands
• 1889, July - Léon L. Gallet officially moves to La Chaux-de-Fonds along with his sons Julien Gallet-Rieckel, his wife Louise, and his brother George Gallet-Courvoisier; Julien had already established his business there in 1883 but he and his family had remained residents of Geneva
• 1893 - George Gallet, son of Léon L. Gallet, marries Berthe Courvoisier, daughter of Louis Courvoisier and sister of Henriette's husband Emile
• 1891, January 7 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers The Lily, Epsom Timer, Success, Jerome Park, and The Rival brands
• 1891, January 1 - Georges-Léon Gallet is made a partner in the firm of Julien Gallet & Cie in La Chaux-de-Fonds
• 1891, November 7 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers Continental, Jerome Park, Lady Racine, Governor, National Park, Epsom-Timer, Union Square, Enterprise, Passing, Commodore, Warrior, Eureka, Patriot, Lily, Chief, and Fairy brands
• 1892 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Select and The Tyndall brands
• 1895 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Defender brand
• 1896 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers a bird in a circle and butterfly fan logos
• 1897 - Julien Gallet & Cie registers the Trotter and Majesty brands
• 1897, March 5 - Julien Gallet is treasurer of the new Société des Fabricants d'Horlogerie de La Chaux-de-Fonds
• 1897, November 4 - Albert Mossimann replaces Gallet as treasurer of the Société des Fabricants d'Horlogerie de La Chaux-de-Fonds
• 1898, July 4 - Louis Courvoisier (from Le Locle, of La Chaux-de-Fonds) is given procuration of Julien Gallet & Cie
• 1899, May 9 - Léon L. Gallet dies in New York at the apartment of Jules Racine
• 1899, June 19-22 - A son is born to George and Berthe Gallet-Courvoisier named Léon-Louis like is recently-deceased grandfather

Gallet & Co

• 1900, January 1 - A new general partnership, Gallet & Co, is created to replace Julien Gallet & Cie with Julien-Louis Gallet and Georges-Léon Gallet as directors; the company is focused on fabrication of watches with an office at Rue du Parc 27 in La Chaux-de-Fonds; Louis Courvoisier is given procuration. Julien Gallet & Cie is deleted and the procuration to Léon L. Gallet and Louis Courvoisier is removed.
• 1900 - The following brands are transferred from Julien Gallet & Cie to Gallet & Co: Lady Racine, Commodore, The Chief, The Warrior, Success, The Rival, Jerome-Park, Governor, National Park, Enterprise, Eureka, Fairy, Select, The Chancellor, The Ruler, Security, Defender, and Trotter; Gallet & Co registers the Continental Time Keeper brand
• 1900, March 8 - The Electa brand is registered by Société d'Horlogerie de Genève
• 1902, July 12 - A new Société Anonyme, Société d'Horlogerie Electa, former Société d'Horlogerie de Genève, is created in La Chaux-de-Fonds to produce and sell horology; the company has 240,000 francs share capital; Jules Grumbach (from Morteau, of La Chaux-de-Fonds) is administrator; the office is Rue du Ravin 17 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
• 1902, November 6 - Société d'Horlogerie Electa registers the Aurea brand
• 1902, December 31 - The general partnership Gallet & Co is dissolved and replaced by a limited partnership also called Gallet & Co starting on January 1, 1903; Georges-Léon Gallet is the indefinitely responsible partner while Julien-Louis Gallet becomes a limited partner at 1,000 francs; The office is Rue du Parc 27; Julien-Louis Gallet and Louis Courvoisier are given power of attorney.
• 1904, December 8 - William Favre-Bulle transfers his patent CH26945 to Société d'Horlogerie Electa
• 1905, December 8 - Louis Courvoisier is removed from management of Gallet & Co.
• 1906, December 31 - The administrators of Electa (Jules Grumbach, Georges Bernheim, and Maurice Grumbach) declare that the company is to be dissolved and liquidated.

Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa

• 1907, January 14 - Gallet & Co modifies their name to become Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa.
• 1907, January 27 - The liquidation of Société d'Horlogerie Electa is completed
• 1907, February 21 - Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa receives the design registrations of Société d'Horlogerie Electa.
• 1907, February 23 - Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa receives the Electa and Aurea brands from Société d'Horlogerie Electa.
• 1907, December 28 - Georges Bernheim (from Neuilly s. Seine, of La Chaux-de-Fonds) joins management of Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa
• 1908, November 24 - Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa registers the Elbico brand
• 1910, June 3 - Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa registers the Interocean brand
• 1912, December 10 - The company Gallet et Co. Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa is dissolved and will be liquidated by Georges-Léon Gallet; Emile-Julien Courvoisier and Georges Bernheim are removed from procuration.

Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co SA

• 1912, December 12 - A new Société Anonyme, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co SA, is created in La Chaux-de-Fonds; it acquires the assets of the former Gallet et Co. Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, and will fabricate watches and related products; the capital is set at 155,000 francs; the directors are Georges Gallet, Emile-Julien Courvoisier, and Georges Bernheim; the company is located at Rue Jacob Brandt 61 in La Chaux-de-Fonds
• 1913, January 16 - Julien Gallet (from La Chaux-de-Fonds, of Bex) is given procuration at Electa, Gallet & Co SA.
• 1913 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co registers the Hiclass and Ben Nevis brands
• 1913, April 26 - The following brands are transferred from Gallet & Co, Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa to Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co: Lady Racine, Commodore, The Chief, Success, The Rival, Eureka, Select, The Chancellor, The Ruler, Security, Defender, Continental Time Keeper, Electa, Aurea, Interocean
• 1914, May 4 - The liquidation of the former Gallet et Co. Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, is completed
• 1916 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co registers the Galco brand
• 1919 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co renews the Electa and Galco brands
• 1920, March 2 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co registers the Gallet brand
• 1921, January 9 - Electa, Gallet & Co. increases share capital to 1,600,000 francs.
• 1921 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co registers the Delecta brand and cancels the Aurea brand
• 1923, November 28 - Electa, Gallet & Co. reduces share capital from 1,600,000 francs to 586,250 francs.
• 1924, January 3 - Georges Bernheim retires from the board and the company.
• 1924, March - Electa is facing bankruptcy proceedings
• 1924, April 1 - Emile Courvoisier is removed from Electa management

Léon L. Gallet

• 1924, May 10 - A new watchmaking company, Léon L. Gallet, is created by Léon-Louis Gallet at Rue Léopold-Robert 66 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
• 1924, September 1 - A new corporation, L. Gallet et Co, is created, absorbing the recently-created Léon L. Gallet firm; the company was founded by Léon-Louis Gallet (from and of La Chaux-de-Fonds) with Madeline Montandon née Gallet (from La Brévine, of Geneva) a partner limited to 10,000 francs; the company remains at Rue Léopold-Robert 66; Ernest Augsburger (from and of La Chaux-de-Fonds) is given procuration.
• 1925, March 14 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa Gallet & Co cancels the Galco and Gallet brands
• 1925, January 5 - Léon Gallet marries Paulette Jeanneret-Grosjean
• 1926, February 23 - Adèle Nicolet, wife of Léon L. Gallet and mother of Julien, Henriette, Georges, Amélie, and Louis Gallet, dies
• 1926, August 10 - Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa Gallet & Co transfers the Eureka and Electa brands to Rotherham and Sons, Overseas Limited of London
• 1926, November 5-6 - Pierre-Auguste, son of Léon and Paulette Gallet-Jeanneret, is born
• 1928, May 19 - The corporation L. Gallet et Co is renamed Gallet & Co.
• 1929, December 18 - The liquidation of Fabrique d'Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co SA is completed and the company is terminated.
• 1930 - Bernard Gallet, son of Léon, is born
• 1934, February 20 - Julien Gallet-Rieckel dies
• 1937, November 1 - Emile Courvoisier, husband of Henriette Courvoisier-Gallet, dies
• 1940, September 3 - Madeline Montandon née Gallet has died and is removed from management of Gallet et Co; Paulette Gallet née Jeanneret (of and from La Chaux-de-Fonds), spouse of Léon-Louis Gallet, is made a director with 10,000 francs capital; Georges Augsburger (from La Chaux-de-Fonds and of Corcelles) is given procuration.

Gallet et Co Société Anonyme

• 1944, March 20 - The limited partnership Gallet & Co SA is dissolved, replaced by a new public company also called Gallet et Co Société Anonyme; the new firm continues to focus on the manufacture and trade of watchmaking and everything related to this industry; it took over the liabilities of the limited partnership "Gallet et Co" including 391,312 francs in assets and 221,312 francs in liabilities for a net of 170,000 francs, which was the takeover price paid to Léon-Louis Gallet plus a remainder of 30,000 francs for other creditors; the new company had 200,000 francs of share capital, fully paid up; the board of directors consisted of Léon-Louis Gallet, president, and Ernest-Gérald Augsburger, (from La Chaux-de-Fonds, of Peseux), secretary; Georges-Ernest Augsburger was appointed director; the office remained at Rue Léopold-Robert 66 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
• 1945, February - Gallet & Co SA receives the Gallet, Select, Security, Lady Racine, and Success trademarks from the former entity.
• 1946, June 11 - George Gallet-Courvoisier, son of Léon L. and father of Léon Gallet, dies
• 1949, December 7 - Georges-Ernest Augsburger is appointed director with individual signature.
• 1951, February 9 - Pierre-Auguste Gallet (from and of La Chaux-de-Fonds) is appointed proxy.
• 1954, February 20 - Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet (from and of La Chaux-de-Fonds) is appointed proxy agent.
• 1955, March 11 - Gérald-Ernest Augsburger, secretary of the board of directors, has died and is replaced by Georges-Ernest Augsburger.
• 1958, February 13 - The board of directors is composed of Léon-Louis Gallet, president, Georges-Ernest Augsburger, secretary, Pierre-Auguste Gallet, and Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet.
• 1959, December 9 - Gallet et Co registers the Jarco brand name.
• 1960, March 16 - Gallet et Co registers the Racine Royale brand and logo.
• 1961, March 4 - It is noted that Léon-Louis Gallet has moved to Geneva.
• 1964, December 7 - Gallet & Co renews the Gallet and Galco trademarks.
• 1965, October 29 - Gallet & Co renews the Lady Racine, Success, Select, and Security trademarks.
• 1966, December 29 - Léon-Louis Gallet, is replaced as president by Pierre-Auguste Gallet, with Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet becoming vice-president.
• 1968, May 9 - Gallet & Co registers a new Gallet logo with a clock face in the "G" as well as the Flying Officer brand.
• 1971, January 22 - Board secretary Georges-Ernest Augsburger resigns as Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet becomes president and Pierre-Auguste Gallet becomes a director.
• 1971, June 2 - Pierre-Auguste Gallet resigns, leaving Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet as sole remaining director.

Gallet & Guinand

• 1977, September 8 - The merger of Gallet and Co SA with Guinand Watch Co SA of Les Brenets, with Guinand paying 362,476 francs to the shareholders of Gallet; share capital of the combine firm increases from 150,000 to 275,000 francs; the company is now called Gallet & Guinand SA; the board of directors is composed of Jean Guinand, president, Hélène-Lucienne Gallet, secretary, Bernard-Georges-Léon Gallet, and Michel Guinand; Charles-Henri Aubert resigned; the new company is located at Rue Pierre-Seitz 1 in Les Brenets.
• 1979, August 20 - The merger of Gallet and Guinand is complete and Gallet & Co SA is deleted from the commercial register.
• 1980, December 20 - A new Société Anonyme called Gallet SA is created to re-start the brand once again; 100,000 francs share capital is raised and the firm takes on 190,000 francs of watchmaking supplies and 5 brands for 10,000 francs at a nearly 50% discount; Bernard Gallet is named president, Hélène Gallet is vice-president, and Laurent Gallet is secretary.
• 1982, April 14 - The board of Gallet & Guinand SA decides to liquidate the company.
• 1982, September 1 - The Council of State of the Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel decrees that Gallet & Guinand SA can be dissolved.
• 1982, December 19 - Liquidation of Gallet & Guinand SA begins.
• 1984, November 30 - Gallet SA registers the Gallet brand once again.
• 1985, January 7 - Gallet SA registers the Galco brand once again.
• 1985, October 25 - Liquidation of Gallet & Guinand SA is complete and the company is deleted from the commercial register.
• 1991, June 5 - Management of Gallet SA is renewed with Rose-Marie Chapuis (from Bonfol, of Lausanne), Jean-Claude Vrolixs (from France, of La Chaux-de-Fonds), Michael Vrolixs (from and of La Chaux-de-Fonds), and Jean-Bernard Horisberger (from Auswil, of La Chaux-de-Fonds) joining Bernard Gallet and Hélène Gallet (currently living in the Hauts-Geneveys) on the board.
• 1993, June 7 - The Civil Court of the District of La Chaux-de-Fonds decides to dissolve Gallet SA as a result of bankruptcy.
• 1995, May 18 - Hélène Gallet is forced to sell her villa in Hauts-Geneveys due to the bankruptcy.
• 1996, January 5 - The liquidation of Gallet SA is complete and the company is deleted from the commercial register.

Gallet AG

• 1996, May 8 - The existing firm of B. Neresheimer AG of Zollikon is renamed Gallet AG; the firm is to develop, produce, and trade in watches and electronic devices, luxury goods, precious metals, and precious stones, as well as patents, trademarks, know-how, and other intellectual property rights; it has 500,000 francs of share capital; Fritz Neresheimer and Hermann Neresheimer are removed while Walter Hediger takes over.
• 1998, February 19 - Robert Ochsner retires from Gallet AG and is replaced by Kurt H. Widmayer.
• 1999, March 26 - Kurt H. Widmayer retires from Gallet AG.
• 2000, October 26 - 100,000 francs is raised with a new share issue in Gallet AG.
• 2001, March 6 - 200,000 francs is raised with a new share issue in Gallet AG.
• 2006, February 9 - Gallet Group AG of Zollikon raises 250,000 francs in a share offer (it previously had 1 million francs capital)
• 2006, November 25 - Bernard Gallet, son of Léon, dies in Fontainemelon
• 2007, June 2 - Pierre-Auguste Gallet, son of Léon, dies
• 2019, April 17 - Palmer Invest AG of Zollikon is reorganized as Gallet Watches AG with 100,000 francs share capital

Gallet Family

Note: Owners and managers of Gallet & Co in bold

• Julien Gallet (1806-1849) married Louise Gallet (1808–1865)
  • Léon-Louis "Léon L." Gallet (December 31 1832–May 9 1899) married Adèle Nicolet (about November 1837-February 23, 1926) - arrived in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1889
    • Julien-Louis "Julien" Gallet-Rieckel (1858-February 20, 1934) married Louise Rieckel (about 1861-September 26, 1946) - lived in La Chaux-de-Fonds, retired to Bex
    • Henriette Courvoisier-Gallet (-after 1937) married before 1889 Emile-Julien "Emile" Courvoisier (about 1858-November 1, 1937) - lived in St-Légier and La Chaux-de-Fonds
      • Children Emile Courvoisier-Ferrou, ? Detmers-Courvoisier
    • Georges-Léon "George" Gallet-Courvoisier (March 14, 1865-June 11, 1946) married 1893 August-September 1891 Berthe-Julie "Berthe" Courvoisier (1868-April 7, 1936) - lived in La Chaux-de-Fonds
      • Georges-Emile Gallet (born February 14-15, 1895)
      • Julien-Jacques "Jacques" Gallet-Robert (March 8, 1898-?) married before 1926 ? Robert - lived in Paris
        • Daughters Jacqueline and Claudine - lived in Paris
      • Léon-Louis "Léon" Gallet-Jeanneret (June 19-22, 1899-?) married January 5, 1925 Jeanne-Paulette "Paulette" Jeanneret-Grosjean - (called Léon-Albert in one announcement)
        • Pierre-Auguste Gallet (November 5-6, 1926-June 2, 2007) married June 8, 1950 Anne-Marie-Marthe Perret
        • Bernard-Georges-Léon "Bernard" Gallet (1930-November 25, 2006) married June 8, 1954 Hélène Gallet-Stehlin - lived in Fontainemelon
          • Hélène-Lucienne Gallet
        • Francine Gallet (February 20, 1934-died after 2006)
      • Florence Montandon-Gallet married before 1926 Jules Montanton - lived in Geneva - could be Madeline Montandon née Gallet (died in Rome on April 22, 1937)
      • Jean-Pierre "J. P." Gallet married after 1926 ? - lived in Cernier and Rovray
        • Children Rémy, Pierrette, Olivier, Eric
    • Amélie-Adèle "Amélie" Pettavel-Gallet (about 1870-December 12, 1952) married 1894 Pastor Paul-Albert "Paul" Pettavel (about 1861-July 9, 1934) - lived in La Chaux-de-Fonds
      • Daughter Paulette Pettavel
    • Louis-Jacques "Louis" Gallet-Golay married 1909 Louise-Elisa Golay - sculptor, lived in Geneva
      • Jean-Jacques Gallet - lived in Geneva
  • Lucien F. Gallet (1834–1879) or (1830-1891)
  • Amanda Gallet married Jules Racine