Vintage 1970s Gallet Solar Divers Chronograph withBrown Dial, Runs FOR PARTS/REPAIR

FOR PARTS/REPAIR - Although the Valjoux 7733 manual wind movement runs strong and keeps accurate time over an approximate 37 hour power reserve period the chronograph functions do not work. At a minimum a complete overhaul is required. Please note that pictures 1 through 9 were taken on flash, pictures 10 through 12 were taken in direct sunlight and pictures 13 through 24 were taken in overcast, natural indoor lighting conditions.

This seldom seen vintage Solar two-register chronograph is a product of the now defunct Eaton's, once considered Canada's largest department store chain. Founded in Toronto in 1869, Eaton's had a watch line that was branded "SOLAR" and they would commission watch houses such as Gallet, Omega and Rolex to produce private label watches for them under this brand. In this case I believe that New York based "Palmer Sales Corp, " which is stamped on the inside of the case back and on the Valjoux 7733 movement, was the regional assembler/distributor given their close proximity to Toronto. It takes a bit of sleuthing to piece together the story of this watch but by understanding the history of Gallet, most notably their history of producing private label watches for established jewelry retailers such as Eaton's, and Palmer Sales Corp's history as a regional distributor of various brands i.

Jacques Monnat, the picture becomes more clear. The "T SWISS MADE T" signed dial was originally born black, turning naturally over the past several decades to a lovely dark chocolate brown color with hints of milk chocolate around the markers. Taking pictures of dark chocolate dials is challenging as the true color is difficult to successfully capture through pictures.

The original tritium on the dial and hands, which remains fully intact and emits a quick burst glow after being exposed to bright light, has aged to a warm buttermilk hue. The black bezel, which shows wear and rotates smoothly bidirectionally, presents nicely with the marbled inverted lume triangle complementing the dial and patina beautifully.

The all stainless steel case shows honest wear with no visible signs of oxidation. The outside of the case back is stamped "ALL STEEL" followed by "20 ATU, ""SWISS MADE" and 314 12. " The inside of the case back is stamped "PALMER SALES" followed by "CORP SWISS. The crystal needs to be replaced.

The 17 jewels unadjusted "PALMER SALES CORP" stamped Valjoux 7733 manual wind movement runs strong and keeps accurate time. However, the chronograph functions do not work. After recently winding the sharply threaded, screwdown crown 40 full revolutions the movement had an approximate 37 hour power reserve period. This watch measures approximately 37 mm excluding the crown, approximately 42 mm including the crown and approximately 19 mm between the lugs.

Case thickness, measured from the bottom of the case back to the top of the bezel, is approximately 10.5 mm. Including the crystal thickness measures approximately 13 mm.

The lug to lug distance measures approximately 48 mm. As such there are no warranties, express or implied, attached with the sale of this watch.

Vintage means old and while my personal belief is that old-school means better quality and workmanship, things can and do go wrong from time to time. For this watch that time is now.

Any servicing costs going forward are your responsibility. And please study the 24 high magnification pictures carefully, which were taken in natural light and from various angles, as they are part of the description and serve as an accurate representation of the condition of this watch.

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