Breitling has acquired Gallet, bringing back from relative obscurity the historic watch brand founded nearly two centuries ago, in 1826.
Breitling acquires Gallet, reviving the legacy of the Swiss watchmaker – Breitling
The move comes 15 months after Breitling acquired Universal Genève in late 2023, reinforcing Breitling’s drive to become a major player and influence in luxury watchmaking.
Known for its precision timekeeping, which is prized by frequent travelers, explorers, and adventurers, Gallet is now positioned as Breitling’s new entry-level luxury watch brand, the company said in a release.
The terms of the acquisition were not revealed.
The brand Gallet actually dates back to 1466, when founder Humbertus Gallet began his eponymous clockmaking business, making it arguably the world’s oldest timekeeping marque.
“This acquisition is a logical step in the development of our company,” explained Breitling CEO Georges Kern.
“We are breathing new life into Gallet by drawing on Breitling’s expertise and know-how. Our ambition is clear: to revive Gallet as a leading watch brand while preserving its spirit of adventure and innovation in chronographs,” added Kern.
Founded in 1884, Breitling is a leading luxury watchmaker based in Grenchen, Switzerland. In 2017, the Partners Group bought an 80% stake in Breitling for $870 million before acquiring the remaining 20% the following year.
“We have full confidence in Breitling, which is well placed to increase its market share in the luxury watch sector,” says Alfred Gantner, co-founder of Partners Group and president of Breitling. “The acquisition of Gallet is the second key step in strengthening our long-term strategy.”
Gallet helped usher in the age of aviation by creating the chronograph that measured the first powered flight in 1903. Piloted by Wilbur and Orville Wright, the Kitty Hawk Flyer covered 259 meters in just 59 seconds. With its timepiece marketed under the name “The Sun,” Gallet made a lasting mark on aviation history.
In 1907, Gallet acquired Société d’Horlogerie Electa and founded Fabrique d’Horlogerie Electa, Gallet & Co. The following years were marked by technical innovations, patents, and international recognition, enabling Gallet to establish itself as a benchmark in precision timekeeping.
Thereafter, Gallet continued to focus on the American market, operating mainly as an établisseur—designing watches while supervising their manufacture and assembly in Switzerland.
In the 1970s and 1980s, when the Swiss watch industry was hit by the quartz crisis and the soaring Swiss franc, Gallet, like many other great names, lost some of its splendor.
Now, under the leadership of Breitling, Gallet is poised to embark on a long-awaited renaissance.
