|
|
Gallet Chronograph:
Gallet Chronograph 17J (click on pictures to see enlargements):
The information I've been able to gather off the internet is between little and none. A search of "Excelsior Park" got me this: EXCELSIOR PARK (Gallet) Founded at St. Imier in 1866 by Jules-Frederic Jeanneret. Early specialist in chronographs, developing its own chronograph calibers for pocket and wristwatches, and known for them until the firm's liquidation in 1984. Wrist chronographs by Excelsior Park are relatively rare. Despite a good reputation, the firm's name has remained comparatively unknown, which has kept the prices, beginning around $350, relatively stable. Text adapted from "Wrist Watches - A Handbook and Price Guide" - by Brunner & Belli. I purchased my watch through an ad on Watchnet for $375 in August of 1998. I am very pleased with it. Though you can't tell by the scan, the hands have a very nice blued steel finish and I especially like the "hollow" centers - a nice touch not seen too often (at least by me). The case is all stainless and manufactured by Gallet, as noted inside the screwback cover. The movement is marked "Gallet & Co - Swiss" and "JXR" which is the Gallet house identification. The dial has two subdials, one for continuous seconds and the other for 45 minute chronograph timing. The center sweep second hand is activated by the chrono buttons. There are red concentric chronograph rings to measure "units per hour" with markings from 600 down to 15. Around the outside is a blue telemetric scale marked in "miles" in case the need arises to time events based on the speed of sound, such as how far away the lightning is, how far away did that last mortar round hit (not too useful but a nice novelty). My wife doesn't particularly care for the red chronograph rings but I think they are more useful than the typical scale normally seen that goes from 1000 down to 60. What if you want to measure your speed and you are obediently abiding by the 55 mph limit? I rest my case...