Two Interesting New Additions - Nivada Grenchen & Gallet

Somehow every time I put myself in time-out, something comes up that I just can't resist, and I end up with multiple purchases in a short timeframe. Last week was a perfect example. On Wednesday, a small auction house on the east coast had a Gallet Multi-Chron in their catalog and I decided to throw in a low-ish bid and see what happened. Sure enough, it ended up with me. Then, not three hours later, I got a text from a good friend of mine (also a dealer) who had landed a watch that I'd been casually hunting for the past two years - a Nivada Grenchen Datomaster.

Both of these are new brands for me - the first I've owned of each. But after sitting on the sidelines for a while with both, I feel pretty great about the quality of the examples that ended up breaking me in! The Multi-Chron features the Excelsior Park 40 chrono caliber, which I've heard rave reviews about but have never actually handled in the flesh. Unfortunately due to the melted gasket, I'm not even going to mess with it until the spa has a chance to fix it up, but I can admire the hell out of its aesthetics in the meantime. Nice to look at something other than a Valjoux 72 once in a while.

The Nivada Grenchen Datomaster is one of the best examples that I've ever seen surface (I can only name one other that's in superior condition), and was a no-brainer for me for me to snatch up. I think the picture below with the Heuer Dato chrono is a great visual contrast - the essential design is identical (date at twelve, applied metal markers, two sub-dials), but the execution of the two makes them wildly different. The Heuer looks incredibly restrained in contrast to the orange dashes of color on the Datomaster, as well as the beautiful grey-blue shade of the matte dial. The Datomaster also features 20mm lugs, which gives it a bit more heft relative to the Heuer's 18mm angled lugs.

Anyways, don't see these often on OF, so wanted to post them. Cheers, all.

I can't wait to send it off / get it back from servicing so I can experience this "buttery smooth" action that I keep reading out!

Very cool Nivada. First time I've seen that model. 👍

Wow congrats. How much is a low bid, if you don't mind sharing. Haha

that Datomaster is beautiful! congrats!

The dial on that multichron is in pretty top condition especially considering how grenaded the back half of the watch and movement is. I'm thinking this watch may have been worn a few times when first purchased and then put away somewhere for 55 or 60 years. But, it also looks like the movement has been disassembled at some point. (((Confusing)))

Did you put a new lens or did it come that way? Please, please don't polish that case - it looks really good!

Also - do you have a picture of the caseback itself? Thanks!

The ep40-68 is one of the best chrono movements of the era and perhaps ever.

Here's how that movement will look when she gets a little spit shine...

Truth be told, I prefer the aesthetic of the multichron 45 over just about any other chrono including the 12h.

These watches were very popular with geologists and wildcatters because gallet did a good job of marketing to that group and the watches were available in the western party of the US, Canada and Me-he-co.

The price point(s) were reasonable compared to some other brands.

Wow that datomaster! Stunning and especially in that colour scheme... 😲

The Datomaster is amazing...Geez man.