Racine Royale Gallet ref. W 1053 alarm watch c.1962
Racine Royale Gallet ref. W 1053 alarm watch c.1962
Vintage Gallet watches have become all the rage in recent years, mainly due to their variations of chronograph models — and as a by-product the related (literally, the Gallet brothers were cousins to Jules Racine) Racine watch company, who sold watches under the Racine or Racine by Gallet name in the States, have also become more prospective to collectors.
A large part of this can be seen in this example: A Racine-dialed watch with a Gallet & Co. signed movement and watch case. These self-described Limited Edition ‘Racine Royale’ variants were marketed as the top of the line for Racine products in the U.S.:
“Custom timepieces of distinction from the makers of the world’s finest chronographs and timers”
Whether you’re a Gallet collector or simply appreciate a beautifully dialed, modestly sized wrist alarm watch, this is a wonderful & seldom seen example from the Gallet-family tree.
Movement: A. Schild 1475, 17 jewels, 18,000 bph
Case: Signed Gallet & Co stainless steel
Powered: Mechanical - Handwind
Case Width: 33.5 mm (33.9mm incl. crowns)
Case Length: 41.1 mm
Lug Width: 18 mm
Thickness: 11.5mm
Crystal: High dome acrylic
Crown: Original dual crowns
Band: New genuine leather field-style band
Boxes: None
Function - This watch is wound manually with the bottom crown. It is recommended to wind the crown 10-15 times to typically give an initial power reserve to last throughout the day. Avoid overwinding the watch once it feels tight. Wind the top crown to supply power for the alarm function. To initialize the alarm, pull out and rotate the top crown counter-clockwise until the alarm hand points at the desired alarm time; *leave* crown pulled out (crown pushed in will turn off alarm function).
[All vintage watches are expected to function as described. However, due to age and generally unknown service history (unless otherwise stated), these watches may not keep time as accurately as new or quartz (battery) watches. This is completely normal and does not indicate that there is a major problem. Like your automobile, all mechanical watches will likely need to be serviced at some point in time. Please keep this in mind, as there is no guarantee regarding when these vintage watches may need standard maintenance. Every watch sold by Buying On Time is done so with the expectation that it is not currently in need of service or repair, unless noted. We guarantee that all watches sold are accurately described and in the stated condition when they leave our hands.]