Swiss watchmaker Gallet returns with Breitling backing
Swiss watchmaker Gallet returns after nearly two centuries in the industry, officially relaunching with Breitling's backing and four new collections for modern explorers. All pieces will be manufactured by Breitling, priced from $2,900 to $6,700, and sold online plus in select Breitling boutiques.
Key Takeaways
- Gallet, founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1826, has relaunched after fading in the early 1990s.
- Breitling, which acquired Gallet in late 2024, will manufacture every watch.
- Four steel collections and three 200th-anniversary Tribute chronographs headline the comeback.
- Core prices run $2,900–$4,600; Tribute pieces are $6,700.
- Watches sell online and via safari-inspired corners in select Breitling boutiques.
Why does the Swiss watchmaker Gallet return matter now?
Gallet clocked nearly two centuries before slipping into obscurity in the early 1990s. Its relaunch restores a maison known for rugged tool watches used in aviation, racing, and sailing.
A Gallet stopwatch timed the Wright brothers' first successful manned and powered flights at Kitty Hawk in 1903. Breitling CEO Georges Kern said the brand was born in an age of exploration and that Breitling is proud to bring Gallet back for a new generation.
The move also fits Breitling's house-of-brands strategy under Kern, who has led the company since 2017. After acquiring Universal Genève in 2023, Breitling snapped up Gallet in late 2024 to grow sales, volume, and reach—news that will interest readers of luxury lifestyle coverage as much as watch collectors.
What collections mark the Gallet relaunch?
According to Robb Report, the relaunch centers on four collections aimed at modern explorers. Movements are Gallet's in-house Sellita-based calibers or Breitling movements.
The Flying Officer line targets travelers with a chronograph and a straight automatic. Both measure 40 mm, with a rotating bezel and an outer city ring showing 24 destinations, in two colorways each. They draw on the 1939 Flying Officer once worn by former U.S. President Harry S. Truman.
The Multichron family offers two chronographs: a 42 mm Multichron Pilot-inspired model with a bi-directional bezel, telemeter scale, and date window, plus the Multichron Sport in a 41 mm case. All four steel watches include interchangeable quick-release straps in leather, rubber, field, fabric, or stainless-steel bracelets.
Three special-edition Tribute chronographs celebrate 200 years of Gallet. Each uses a compact 38 mm case and Breitling's hand-wound Caliber B09 with a 70-hour power reserve.
Where can you buy the new Gallet watches?
Gallet watches will be sold online and in-store. Dedicated safari-inspired Gallet corners now appear in select Breitling boutiques.
Managing director Erwan Rossignol said manufacturing every watch within Breitling's infrastructure lets the brand honor its heritage while meeting modern Swiss standards for quality, reliability, and service. Core collection pricing spans $2,900 to $4,600, with Tribute pieces at $6,700.