The Gallet ‘Clamshell’
WWII-era Gallet MultiChron 30 ‘Clamshell’ / Credit: Watch Steez
Gallet is known for their chronographs, creations that the brand has developed since the early 1900s – notably with their MultiChron series from 1914 onwards. One of the reasons for which Gallet is so renowned for their chronographs is that they were mavericks when it came to their development. One of the brand’s earlier achievements being the creation, or adoption, of the Clamshell case.
The Gallet Clamshell case was first patented around 1937 (with models in production since 1936). The Gallet MultiChron 30 ‘Clamshell’ claimed to be the world’s first waterproof chronograph upon its release. It was made to be a military watch but also marketed to sportsmen and engineers. The origins of the Clamshell case go back to a waterproof design made by Schmitz Frères & Cie, a Grenchen-based casemaker, in 1936, whose cases were also used by Mulco and Fortis. Gallet improved upon the Schmitz Frères case and made it their own, producing the Clamshell until 1951.
1939 Esquire Magazine Gallet ‘Clamshell’ ad
The nickname ‘Clamshell’ is presumably derived from the fact that the cases had a screw behind each lug, that ‘sandwiched’ the case together. The Clamshell used a Venus 150 movement; which was a hand-winding column-wheel chronograph with a 44-hour power reserve, 18,000 bph, and 17 jewels. This movement was also the same as those used by competitors like Fortis (meaning that the main differences between the watches were adjustments to the case, perhaps lesser ones to the movement, and, of course; marketing).
The Gallet Clamshell case, although not an invention purely of Gallet’s, has certainly been made famous by the ancient brand. It is one of the many innovations by Gallet that have made it a staple in the world of vintage chronographs. Not only did they break barriers with the Flying Officer, but also with watches like the MultiChron Petite (first miniature wrist chronograph for women), the MultiChron Navigator (first chronograph with an extra GMT hand), and the MultiChron Yachting (first regatta timer) – to name a few.
By: Andres Ibarguen