1990 Gallet Navigator (manual) Short Review

[mellons]

I have liked the "marathon navigator" shape for some time and have been interested in getting a manual version- rare enough. When one came up for sale recently I jumped at the chance-

 

Just arrived from a Gallet navigator collector. 

 

The "story" from the previous owner- He bought this watch years ago from a Swiss watchmaker who bought it from the owner of (original) Gallet Watch Company, along with more watches from him. The previous owner had a collection of about 20 "steel navigators" and was told that this watch should be a some kind of prototype with mechanical movement. Maybe that the movements was put to the surplus of Gallet cases- this is conjecture and the previous owner can't confirm it. 

 

The watch is an unusual 1990 Gallet Navigator manual wind. Caseback is press-on with section for easy access to regulate movement. The movement is a the Swiss Made FHF96 and has just been serviced and regulated by previous owner. When 'hatch" is opened balance wheel is now visible! As far as I am aware there are only a few mechanical hand wound movements and casebacks are the same for mechanical and quartz. The watch now can be regulated (the running of the watch to plus or minus) by opening the hatch (no need to open whole caseback).

 

Watch is in great condition slight marking to underside of one lug (caseback) and fixed lug-bars are straight (not distorted). Despite branding watch was never "on tour" and looks like a bit of history on the wrist.

 

Watch has been regulated to +/- 20 secs per day currently with a total power reserve of over 45 hours.

 

Lug is 19mm (20mm strap will fit) and are fixed. It wasn't tested for water resistance and it's not recommended to swim with it.  

Dimensions are lug/lug 44mm, overall length 48mm, width incl crown 44mm, height 13mm. Lugs are fixed. pronounced crystal is very attractive and bezel is firm and bi-directional. 

 

I haven't weighed this with strap but is light enough to wear 24/7 and forget it's on.

 

As I am used to larger watches I dont know if this will get much wrist time, but as a dress watch with a story it's great.

 

Here are a few images: