Swiss watchmaker Breitling has acquired historic timepiece brand Gallet, and will revive the company as part of a move to expand its brand and elevate its position in the industry.
The purchase of the defunct watch brand is the second in two years for Breitling, which bought Universal Genève in 2023. Upon Gallet’s relaunch, Breitling plans to position it as a luxury, entry-level sibling brand to its own timepieces, it said Tuesday.
“This acquisition is a natural next step in Breitling’s expansion,” said Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “We are reviving Gallet under the umbrella of Breitling’s expertise and craftsmanship. Our vision is long term — reviving Gallet as a strong brand in watchmaking, while honoring its legacy of adventure and innovation in chronographs.”
The recent acquisitions are “key moves” in the company’s long-range strategy to become a multi-brand watchmaker, noted its chairman, Alfred Gantner.
Gallet, which Julien Gallet founded in 1826, has historically been known as a watch brand for adventuring and long-distance travel, producing timepieces for racing, aviation and off-road experiences. This heritage aligned with Breitling’s brand, the company explained. Gallet’s stopwatch was used to time the first powered flight the Wright brothers took at Kitty Hawk in 1903. However, the brand closed following the quartz crisis in the 1970s and 1980s.
“With Breitling at the helm, Gallet’s history will not only be preserved, but given a new life,” the company said. “This acquisition continues Breitling’s commitment to shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking while honoring its past.”
Image: The Gallet Multichron Clamshell watches circa 1938. (Breitling)
