After 200 years of history and much anticipation following its acquisition last year, Gallet is back. The brand returns with four collections and several new models, drawing inspiration from icons like the Flying Officer and Multichron while adding contemporary touches.
A major 20th-century name that didn’t survive into the 21st, Gallet has loomed large in vintage collectors’ minds. Now, joining Universal Geneve under Breitling’s growing House of Brands umbrella, its relaunch falls a nice, round 200 years after its founding in 1826. Its golden age, however, was the 20th century with a considerable presence in the United States and a specialization in chronographs. Also strong in aviation, all these factors dovetail nicely with parent company Breitling’s personality.
Leaning into its history, Gallet’s relaunch is heavy on retro styles and chronographs but also includes some time-only models as an entry point at Rs. 2,74,000 (approx.) (on a strap). Positioned within the group, Gallet occupies the most affordable range, below Breitling with Universal Geneve at the top — a price point pitting it against the likes of Tudor and Longines for your money, as well as some microbrands. Across the three contemporary collections, chronographs are priced the same: Rs. 4,15,000 (approx.) on a strap. All models cost Rs. 18,890 (approx.) more on a bracelet.
Gallet strategically offers reasonably moderate sizes in line with collector trends but also seems aiming for some mass-market appeal. The three contemporary collections are in steel at 40mm, 41mm and 42mm, respectively. They use sourced Sellita automatic movements, the SW510 (“Gallet 23”) for chronographs and SW200 (“Gallet 17”) for time-and-date models. Breaking from the above movement, size and price generalities, however, is the more explicitly heritage-oriented Classics collection with Breitling movements and Rs. 6,33,000 (approx.). But more on each line later.
Sporty tool watches as the focus, you’ll hear from the brand about “adventure” and “wanderlust.” Historically, it claims the timing of the Wright Brothers’ first flight as well as outfitting Amelia Earhart, WWII fighter pilots, and more that’s not only about airplanes. There’s plenty of aviation in the new releases, but also a more general swipe at the sporty outdoor side of the entry-level-luxury segment. A notable feature across models is a quick-change strap system as well as microadjustments for the bracelets.
The upside of Gallet’s unfortunate demise was that it remained mostly remembered for its “golden age.” As always the case when resurrecting brands, Breitling now faces a balancing act in bringing a beloved vintage marque into the 21st century. But, of course, the buck stops with the products themselves. There’s a ton of potential for yet more mining of the brand’s ample archives from dive watches to regulators and more, but here’s a quick breakdown of the Gallet relaunch collections for 2026.
Gallet Flying Officer
The flagship of the renewed Gallet is a reinterpretation of the brand’s most important historic model. Initially introduced in 1938 (or '39), the Flying Officer combines a chronograph with a rotating 12-hour bezel which can be matched up to time zones represented by cities on the dial’s chapter ring. It was an early example of a functional rotating bezel, and an innovative application thereof that remains in use today. It was also famously worn by US president Harry Truman.
Chronograph
Movement: Gallet 23 (Sellita SW510) automatic chronograph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph (up to 30 minutes)
Materials: Steel, sapphire crystal
Diameter: 40mm
Price: Rs. 4,15,000 (approx.) (strap), Rs. 4,34,000 (approx.) (bracelet)
For the relaunch, the brand reinterprets it as both a modern chronograph and a time-only travel watch. The smallest of the new contemporary collections, both share a 40mm case diameter and come in two dial variants each. It’s classic black dial or contemporary light blue for the chronograph and, for the time-only, it’s dark blue or sporty orange. We’ll have a closer look at the Flying Officer Chronograph in the November print issue of WatchTime magazine.
Automatic Movement: Gallet 17 (Sellita SW200) automatic
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, rotating 12-hour bezel
Materials: Steel, sapphire crystal
Diameter: 40mm
Price: Rs. 2,74,007 (approx.) (strap), Rs. 2,92,793 (approx.) (bracelet)
Gallet Multichron
The Multichron is a brand backbone with many offshoots over the years but based on the 1930s Clamshell case said to be one of the first “waterproof” chronographs. With some Heuer Autavia vibes, the Multichron Pilot is one example, hailing originally from 1969. Like the Flying Officer it features a bidirectional rotating 12-hour bezel with chronograph. But it offers a more traditional chrono experience with a three-subdial layout and a telemeter scale rather than city names. A 42mm case makes it the largest of the new releases, and it’s further differentiated by a stamped grain-texture dial and other design details. It comes in two variants of reverse panda (black dial with white subdials) and with blue dial and black subdials.
Multichron Pilot
Movement: Gallet 23 (Sellita SW510) automatic chronograph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 12-hour chronograph, rotating 12-hour bezel
Materials: Steel, sapphire crystal
Diameter: 42mm
Price: Rs. 4,15,000 (approx.) (strap), Rs. 4,35,000 (approx.) (bracelet)
The Multichron Sport name is new for Gallet, and it seems to assert the brand’s presence beyond aviation. It’s the only new model (outside the Classics collection) without the rotating bezel, but presents a sufficiently sporty and contemporary take on the Multichron legacy. What makes it modern in design? We’d point to elements such as the case’s polished bevels and contrasting brushed finishing, as well as the hands' design. It also falls between the other two collections size-wise at 41mm. Just like the Pilot, it comes in two chronograph variants of black dial with white subdials or blue dial with black subdials.
Multichron Sport
Movement: Gallet 23 (Sellita SW510) automatic chronograph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 12-hour chronograph
Materials: Steel, sapphire crystal
Diameter: 41mm
Price: Rs. 4,15,000 (approx.) (strap), Rs. 4,35,000 (approx.) (bracelet)
Gallet Classics
For collectors and vintage fans, there’s the Classics collection. These break from the apparent formula otherwise established by the aforementioned contemporary collections, the brand itself describing them as “more refined and traditional.” Though not faithful reissues and larger than vintage originals, they’re each named with “Tribute to” and take cues from specific vintage models for their dials. Conveniently, they’re identically spec’d with only the dials and elements like hands differing between models. They share the same 38mm case and hand-wound Breitling in-house Caliber B09 chronograph movement.
With a white dial and colorful 3 o’clock subdial, the Tribute to Multichron Yachting Big Eye revisits a 1960s regatta countdown timer. The Tribute to Multichron 45 has a classic look with an all black dial and is based on a line meant for aviation and motorsport featuring both telemeter and tachymeter scales. Clean and almost dressy, doing away with extra scales, the Tribute to Silverlight comes from the Multichron Navigator pilot’s watch with its distinctive numerals.
Gallet Classics Specs
Movement: Breitling Caliber B09 manually wound chronograph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, 30-minute chronograph
Materials: Steel, sapphire crystal
Diameter: 38mm
Price: 6,33,000 (approx.)
This article was first published in WatchTime.com
Images: Courtesy brand
Also Read :
Geneva Watch Days 2026: Alpina Debuts the Startimer Pilot Solarmetre and Two Route du Rhum Watches
|
Geneva Watch Days 2026: Oris brings ProPilot X Gonzo Edition
More In news
Sign up for our newsletters to have the latest stories delivered to your inbox
