Partly due to military requirements, the late 1930's and early 1940's were an important period for the development of technically advanced chronographs. As a mid-sized watch manufacturer Gallet & Co. was a specialist, focusing on creating chronographs of superior quality. Her Majesty put Britain's timing needs during World War I into the hands of the company's wristwatches, selecting them as its first chronograph supplier in 1916.

Building on the success of their wartime timepieces, the Swiss firm grew into a significant supplier to the world's armed forces.

The cool midsized Gallet "Regulator chronograph featured here is a wonderful and classic original vintage example of one of the company's civilian chronographs made for the U.S. market.

It is patterned after a regulator clock, a precision pendulum clock that served as the timekeeping standard for adjusting watch's and other clocks.

It features the hour and minute telling portion of the watch in a small off-center dial at the top of the face, while the large outer seconds track with is reserved exclusively for the chronograph. With its 1/5 second markings around the periphery of the face, this watch was designed for the extremely precise timing needed by men in demanding technical, sporting, and professional uses. While medical uses didn't require measuring to 1/5 of a second, this watch would have made taking someone's pulse easier than most other watches of the era.

It is midsized for a chronograph, measuring only just under 34mm in diameter without the crown. Unlike many similar chronographs it is all steel rather than chrome with only a steel back.

Its two-tone dial is truly fantastic. Not only does the tone strongly shift as the angle of light changes, the subdials are a great tonneau shape, rather than round.

It is all-original down to the dial, all hands, pushers, and even the winding crown. It is a very honest original watch.

Its case presents beautifully, in excellent condition with only light wear. It does not appear to have ever been polished.

Its distinctive dial is original and untouched in excellent condition with only light aging. Out of all the examples of these that we have sold, this one has the nicest dial we've ever had. And its movement is clean. Photos of the inside available upon request.

One of our Master Watchmakers, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).

The chronograph works perfectly and crisply resets to exact zero. It is running extremely strong and true, keeping time on par with a new chronograph in our testing recording position.

For the finishing touch, we have pair it with a brand new vintage distressed style leather strap making it ready for immediate enjoyment. If you'd like a different strap please inquire.

Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function, a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.

Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.

Manufacturer: Gallet
Country of origin: Switzerland
Year built: c. 1940's
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Regulator Chronograph, Subsidiary Seconds
Model: Ref. 580
Designed for: Men
Case material: Stainless steel
Case condition: Presents beautifully, in excellent condition with only light wear. It does not appear to have ever been polished.
Dimensions: 34mm wide (excluding crowns), 38mm long lug tip-to-tip
Dial: Silver, signed Gallet, black painted Arabic indices, 1/5 graduations on outer edge, tonneau subdials for the hours and minutes and the elapsed chronograph graph minutes up to 30, original and untouched, excellent condition with only light aging
Hands: Original, blue steel "epees" and lozenges with counterweighted sweep hand, excellent condition
Movement type: Gallet caliber, 15 jewels, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, small balance wheel, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator
Movement markings: Gallet & Co. Swiss, 15 Jewels
Jewels: 15 rubies
Band: Leather, remborde, vintage distressed style, brand new and unworn. We also stock lizard and a variety of other straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you're interested.
Crystal:  Acrylic, excellent condition
Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers, has fully serviced the watch which consists of fully disassembling the movement, carefully inspecting each part, reassembling and lubricating the movement, and extensive timing testing and regulation (a $995 value).
Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. It is running extremely strong and true, keeping time on par with a new chronograph in our testing recording position.
Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email concierge@cotwatches.com for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. If you are in any way unsatisfied with the watch we will fully refund the purchase price anytime within 7 days after the watch has been received. Our goal is to exceed our client's expectations throughout the buying experience.

All watches are packaged carefully and mailed double boxed in specially constructed, reinforced shipping boxes designed for high value items. All watches are sent fully insured with signature required. Most of our domestic shipping is done through FedEx. At times we will also use USPS Express Mail, and we can accommodate most requests for your preferred carrier. International shipments are sent USPS International Express Mail or FedEx.

The purchase price will be the declared value of the merchandise on any required customs forms. The payment of all customs duties, tariffs, and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Also note that water resistance of vintage watches can no longer be guaranteed and is not covered under the watch's warranty. We do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet, even one that was originally designed to be waterproof.

To get an idea of how this watch will look on the wrist, please use the Watch Sizing Guide

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