Gallet Watch book?

krogerfoot · Nov 4, 2022

As some of you know, I have an absolutely tedious fixation with the Gallet company’s evidence-free crusade to establish a glorious military history for their watches. I am an admirer of Gallet watches—one of them is among my most prized possessions—and if you have an opportunity to acquire an authentic Gallet chronometer, they are beautiful objects that will bring you joy as long as you own them.

That said, I’m curious whether any new information has come to light in connection with a couple of my bugbears:
1. Which Gallet watch models were ever issued by any military anywhere? Where is the evidence for this?
2. Regarding the book Gallet USA has been talking about since circa 2018, featuring histories and photos of their watches, including the items the officers of Gallet USA have sold on eBay over the past four years or so—has this book been published?

pdxleaf · Nov 4, 2022

Gallet has had my watch in for service for over a year, after saying it would take 6 to 8 months. (I accepted this absurdly long estimate because the watch needed a small pusher that Gallet supposedly has in stock.)

Before sending in the watch, I spoke with Gallet and heard about their book. Over the last year, it's been extremely difficult to contact them, but when I am able to get them to respond, i hear the same tired excuses repeated again and again.

I have not seen the book. I think the new Gallet is a company in name only, held together by a couple of individuals who front a fictitious watch company whose main business presence is a website on the internet. I have doubts about receiving back my watch, much less a book. If they do happen to produce a book, it'll be a travesty that the original, highly-regarded Gallet company will be associated with these new shills.

If anyone thinks this a bit harsh, it's actually deeply reserved.

janice&fred · Nov 4, 2022

krogerfoot
Which Gallet watch models were ever issued by any military anywhere? Where is the evidence for this?

I bet Zaf Basha and a few other pals of ours over at MWR would be able to answer this for you. If not, then you're probably beating a dead horse as all the military watch experts are on that site.

pdxleaf · Nov 4, 2022

This is the closest real connection between Gallet and military issued, a photo of my bayonet issued to me during DS on a thread with the word 'Gallet' in the title.

Dan S · Nov 4, 2022

pdxleaf
Gallet has had my watch in for service for over a year, after saying it would take 6 to 8 months. (I accepted this absurdly long estimate because the watch needed a small pusher that Gallet supposedly has in stock.)

Before sending in the watch, I spoke with Gallet and heard about their book. Over the last year, it's been extremely difficult to contact them, but when I am able to get them to respond, i hear the same tired excuses repeated again and again.

I have not seen the book. I think the new Gallet is a company in name only, held together by a couple of individuals who front a fictitious watch company whose main business presence is a website on the internet. I have doubts about receiving back my watch, much less a book. If they do happen to produce a book, it'll be a travesty that the original, highly-regarded Gallet company will be associated with these new shills.

If anyone thinks this a bit harsh, it's actually deeply reserved.

Very similar to my experience 6 years ago. However, I did eventually get my watch back, and they had installed the correct crown (which is why I sent it to them).

Strangely, when they returned the chronograph to me, they also included a "military issued" nylon strap and a leather strap as bonus items. Of course these straps were both totally inappropriate styles for the watch, and the nylon strap was just a generic black strap readily available on eBay.

The company seems to be champions of gaslighting and totally lacks credibility. However, they do appear to have some vintage parts.

pdxleaf · Nov 4, 2022

Dan S
Very similar to my experience 6 years ago. However, I did eventually get my watch back, and they had installed the correct crown (which is why I sent it to them)...

The company seems to be champions of gaslighting and totally lacks credibility. However, they do appear to have some vintage parts.

I remember, you warned me. 🤦

One stupid little pusher cap is all I needed. 🤬

byunjoe · Nov 4, 2022

They seem most active on their Facebook group. However I do get the slightest cult vibes from that place. Regarding Gallet and military connections I was more under the impression that they were pushing the Jim Clark and also aviation connections. They did push those strange Marathon-esque field watches a few years back? But I think most people glossed over it and paid it no mind. Looking further back into history, I know that Excelsior Park whom had a good partnership with Gallet for a while made watches for them and that Excelsior Park made watches for various militaries like the JSDF. Like my Danish Navy issued Excelsior Park for example below. Perhaps Gallet are trying to rewrite history by suggesting they made these EP pieces and secured these contracts for various militaries?

janice&fred · Nov 4, 2022

When we were in the Philippines we ran into plenty of American servicemen on active duty due to the connection of bin laden's groups and the abu sayef local terrorists down in the southern Mindanao region. A few of these guys wore Marathon automatics and we bought a couple from them over the years. We were told their supply guy rounded up the dough and ordered them for the teams but that's a far cry from being military issued.

krogerfoot · Nov 4, 2022

janice&fred
I bet Zaf Basha and a few other pals of ours over at MWR would be able to answer this for you. If not, then you're probably beating a dead horse as all the military watch experts are on that site.

I’m mostly interested in reiterating that except for the first Gulf War-era quartz watches and a few mechanicals that the company supplied to US armed forces, there are no military-issued Gallet watches. I have in fact litigated this issue at MWR and there too no one offered any evidence of this. The consensus in the thread that was started on my behalf there is that the company’s claims are laughable.
I have also asked my question directly to the principals at Gallet USA on their Facebook page. They offered that a handful of stopwatches and pocket watches from WWI were officially issued by the US military but did not mention the Flight/Flying Officer models at all, despite their repeated claims that these watches were variously issued to pilots and officers in Swiss Air Force and American and British militaries. I’m comfortable saying that these claims are false.
As an American, whose culture has a pronounced reverence for its military and those who serve in it, I think it’s dishonest and dishonorable for Gallet to tout these falsehoods. There are “stolen valor” laws on the books in the US that make it a criminal offense to falsely claim to have served in the military, so I’m surprised that Gallet’s active role in promoting these dubious stories is generally greeted with shrugs in the watch world.

janice&fred · Nov 4, 2022

Could be the watch world is small enough that the majority of those in the military and retired don't really come across this kind of watch-related info enough to make a splash.

krogerfoot · Nov 4, 2022

janice&fred
Could be the watch world is small enough that the majority of those in the military and retired don't really come across this kind of watch-related info enough to make a splash.

I know I’m a huge bore on the topic, but my thread from a few years ago documents the claims the company has made and how I have come to think they’re more than innocent exaggerations.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/gallet-made-desert-storm-desert-shield-watches.106806/

TexOmega · Nov 4, 2022

pdxleaf
Gallet has had my watch in for service for over a year, after saying it would take 6 to 8 months. (I accepted this absurdly long estimate because the watch needed a small pusher that Gallet supposedly has in stock.)

Before sending in the watch, I spoke with Gallet and heard about their book. Over the last year, it's been extremely difficult to contact them, but when I am able to get them to respond, i hear the same tired excuses repeated again and again.

I have not seen the book. I think the new Gallet is a company in name only, held together by a couple of individuals who front a fictitious watch company whose main business presence is a website on the internet. I have doubts about receiving back my watch, much less a book. If they do happen to produce a book, it'll be a travesty that the original, highly-regarded Gallet company will be associated with these new shills.

If anyone thinks this a bit harsh, it's actually deeply reserved.

I hate to read stuff like this, hope you get your watch back, repaired as you wished.

Would this be a part a custom part watchmaker could fabricate?

If so, for all future readers, try that route. I can't believe it would take a year! Might cost some $$ but much less psychic wear and tear on ones body and mind!

Keep us updated.

byunjoe · Nov 4, 2022

krogerfoot
I know I’m a huge bore on the topic, but my thread from a few years ago documents the claims the company has made and how I have come to think they’re more than innocent exaggerations.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/gallet-made-desert-storm-desert-shield-watches.106806/

Yeah yours was the thread I recall reading a few years back when I mentioned the "marathon-esque" pieces. I just couldn't recall the details and if it was on this forum or WUS.

janice&fred · Nov 4, 2022

krogerfoot
I know I’m a huge bore on the topic, but my thread from a few years ago documents the claims the company has made and how I have come to think they’re more than innocent exaggerations.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/gallet-made-desert-storm-desert-shield-watches.106806/

Yes my point was I suppose most members of the military both active and retired aren't tuned in to our hobby, let alone reading on the Gallet/Mrathon topic in MRW or here.

krogerfoot · Nov 4, 2022

pdxleaf
I remember, you warned me. 🤦

One stupid little pusher cap is all I needed. 🤬

I hate to see this too, because Gallet watches like yours are beautiful and remarkable. The Duluth office of Gallet really takes advantage of the goodwill extended to them by fans of the brand. I have a hard time reconciling the fact that they seem to do great work with the apparently made-up stories they endlessly promote on Facebook and elsewhere.

Gallet Watch book?

krogerfoot

pdxleaf

janice&fred

pdxleaf

Dan S

pdxleaf

byunjoe

janice&fred

krogerfoot

janice&fred

krogerfoot

TexOmega

byunjoe

janice&fred

krogerfoot

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