Gallet’s return brings a historically loaded name back into the conversation, and the Tribute to Silverlight is the watch that speaks most directly to chronograph purists.
It’s a compact, manually wound, two-counter chronograph with a silver sunray dial, a 38 mm steel case and a modern Breitling manufacture movement behind the vintage-minded presentation.
Rather than chase instrument-panel complexity, it leans into restraint, which may be exactly why it stands out.
At a glance
- Gallet has returned under Breitling stewardship with the Classics collection, led by the purist-focused Tribute to Silverlight chronograph.
- The watch pairs a 38 mm stainless steel case and clean bi-compax dial with Breitling’s hand-wound Manufacture Calibre B09.
- The model is listed at £5,300 RRP, with multiple quick-release strap options and 100 metres of water resistance.
A historic chronograph name, newly sharpened
Founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1826, Gallet built its identity around purpose-led chronographs for fields where timing mattered, including aviation, motorsport and exploration.
The brand’s vintage references have long had a following among collectors, particularly for their practical layouts and navigation-era character.
Its modern return draws on Breitling’s manufacturing base and technical know-how, which gives the relaunch more substance than a simple name revival.
Within the broader Gallet portfolio, the Classics collection is the most restrained expression, and the Tribute to Silverlight is its clearest nod to mid-century chronograph design.
Silverlight keeps the dial calm
The Tribute to Silverlight takes cues from the historic Multichron Navigator but avoids the busier scales often associated with aviation and motorsport chronographs.
Instead of tachymeter or telemeter tracks, the dial is built around proportion, legibility and symmetry.
The silver-toned sunray surface gives the watch its name and sets a softer tone than a stark white or black tool-watch dial.
Two tone-on-tone snailed subdials sit at 3 and 9 o’clock, creating the classic bi-compax balance that remains one of the most enduring chronograph layouts.
The Arabic numerals have a slightly irregular, retro-modern character, while the fine hands keep the display crisp without making it feel sterile.
A 38 mm case with everyday sense
The stainless steel case measures 38 mm across and 12.50 mm thick, a combination that suits the watch’s old-school chronograph language without feeling overly delicate.
A cambered sapphire crystal protects the dial, with glare-proofing on both sides, while a sapphire display back opens the movement to view.
The 100 metres of water resistance is a practical detail, especially for a watch that otherwise presents as a dress-leaning chronograph.
Gallet has also standardised a 20 mm lug width across its models and fitted an integrated quick-release system, allowing owners to change straps without tools.
The strap programme is broad, with leather, rubber, field canvas and fabric options in several colours, all paired with a pin buckle.
The Breitling B09 gives it modern footing
The key technical decision is the use of Breitling’s Manufacture Calibre B09, a hand-wound mechanical chronograph movement.
That choice matters because it keeps the ownership experience tactile while avoiding the compromises often attached to vintage chronograph ownership.
The B09 runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, and offers an approximate 70-hour power reserve.
It is also chronometer-certified by COSC, whose stated criteria include an average daily rate between -4 and +6 seconds per day.
For enthusiasts, the pairing is the point.
The case and dial do the period-correct work, while the movement supplies the modern precision and resilience expected at this level.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Gallet |
|---|---|
| Model | Tribute to Silverlight |
| Reference | AG0910121G1X1 |
| Collection | Classics |
| Case size | 38 mm diameter, 12.50 mm height |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Crystal | Cambered sapphire crystal with glare-proofing on both sides |
| Caseback | Sapphire exhibition caseback |
| Water resistance | 10 bar, 100 metres |
| Dial | Silver-toned sunray dial with tone-on-tone snailed subdials |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph |
| Movement | Breitling Manufacture Calibre B09, hand-wound |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph, 4 Hz |
| Power reserve | Approximately 70 hours |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Straps | Leather, rubber, field canvas and fabric options with quick-release system and pin buckle |
| Price | £5,300 RRP |
The Tribute to Silverlight should appeal to collectors who want the feel of a vintage navigation chronograph without surrendering to fragility or guesswork.
It’s measured, hands-on and technically credible, which is a strong place for Gallet to restart the conversation.
