Breitling recently announced the acquisition of Gallet, a historic watchmaking brand founded in 1826.
This strategic move by Breitling marks a crucial moment that lays the foundations for the relaunch of the historic Gallet brand, exactly two centuries after its foundation in 1826. This is the second significant acquisition for Breitling, after Universal Genève in 2023.
Under the leadership of Breitling, Gallet will position itself as an entry-level luxury brand parallel to the House of Grenchen. Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, called this acquisition 'a natural step in Breitling's expansion', highlighting the company's long-term vision in relaunching Gallet as a leading watchmaking brand.
Founded by Julien Gallet in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1826, the brand embodied the spirit of adventure and long-distance travel. Its expansion into the US market in 1856 marked the beginning of a global presence, with Jules Racine & Co. becoming its exclusive distributor for North America in 1890.
Gallet played a key role at the dawn of aviation, creating the chronometer that measured the duration of the Wright brothers' first powered flight in 1903. This timepiece, nicknamed 'The Sun', secured Gallet a permanent place in aviation history.
Gallet: Iconic models that made history
These include the Flying Officer, the companion of intercontinental travellers.
The Flying Officer of 1939 represents one of Gallet's masterpieces: an avant-garde waterproof chronograph designed to take different time zones into account. This instrument became essential for pilots and passengers on the first intercontinental flights. Even US President Harry S. Truman owned a Gallet Flying Officer, now among the most sought-after vintage timepieces by collectors.
The MultiChron Clamshell, for its part, presented in 1938, was one of the first waterproof chronographs on the market, designed to withstand dust, moisture and heavy rain. The MultiChron series, with its different variants dedicated to motor racing, motorboating and aviation, has become a milestone in Gallet's production. These include the MultiChron Regulator, which Rex Mays received as a prize in 1940 after winning the Springfield Mile, a famous flat track car championship.
With Breitling at the helm, Gallet's history will not only be preserved but also given new life. The relaunch planned for 2026 underlines Breitling's commitment to watchmaking heritage, quality craftsmanship and the spirit of adventure that has always characterised both brands. Alfred Gantner, co-founder of Partners Group and president of Breitling, confirmed his solid confidence in Breitling's positioning to expand its share of the luxury watch industry, calling the acquisition of Gallet "the second key move that underlines the company's long-term strategy".
