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) in 1466. The family's involvement in gold, jewelry, and watch production is documented in 1742 as Pierre Gallet (1719-) marries 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.

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. 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. Léon's acquisition of the Grumbach & Co watch factory in 1855 expanded Gallet's manufacturing capabilities, consolidating watchmakers from the Jura region to meet the growing European demand for watches.

The company would begin production of its own ebauches in 1906, leveraging the Grumbach factory. This would become known as Fabrique Electa and was one of the landmark La Chaux-de-Fonds watch factories after the turn of the century. The company would become known as The Electa Gallet & Co watch manufactory after this, reflecting the importance of manufacturing.

American and Asian Expansion and Partnerships

Léon Gallet settled in America in 1866, seeking to establish distribution and trade in the country. This effort was quite successful, and demand for Gallet watches continued to expand for decades.

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.

The collaboration of Gallet with Jules Racine played a crucial role in the company's entry into the American market. The brand introduced diverse watch lines tailored to American preferences, catering to a broad audience.

Another notable partnership was with Albert Jeanneret & Frères of Saint-Imier, later called Excelsior Park. This 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.

World Wars and Innovations

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. The post-war crisis forced the firm to sell the Electa factory in 1924, with Gallet focusing on production of watches, chronographs, and stopwatches for military and sporting use.

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

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.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of innovative models like the "Excel-O-Graph," featuring a rotating bezel with an integrated slide rule for navigation. Gallet weathered the crisis of the 1970s by maintaining its commitment to mechanical watches for military and professional use.

Gallet Today

In the 1990s, Gallet underwent changes in leadership and relocation. Walter Hediger assumed control, and the company moved to Grandson, Vaud, Switzerland. Gallet continued its focus on mechanical watches for professional applications, and under Hediger's leadership, the company survived the challenges posed by the quartz revolution.

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.