It's been about three or four years since I last saw a Gallet Astronomic for sale.
It was on eBay, and the price reached the limit of 10,000 euros, so I hesitated. My dilemma didn't last long: someone bought it before I could decide. When the opportunity arose again, I was ready!
Last December, I was considering a Gallet Calendar chronograph with a Valjoux 72C movement, listed in catalogs (and on the case back) as number 998. I think my excitement about this watch was obvious. Today, six months later, I still can't get enough of its pristine white dial. It was one of the biggest surprises for me. I love the watch so much that I wear it far more often than my Heuer Autavia or Breitling Avi 765 Lucy Digital, which are much more desirable and sought after than Gallet chronographs. There's something special about the proportions, white space, branding, and color detailing that deeply resonates with me.
Missing Moon Phase Chronograph
After unexpectedly acquiring the Gallet calendar chronograph, which immediately became a staple on my wrist, I realized I wanted the Gallet MultiChron Astronomic with a moon phase complication even more. But two problems needed to be solved for that. The first issue was that the Astronomic costs twice as much as the Gallet ref. 998. The second - it is not produced in quantities like vintage Speedies or Submariners. You can imagine my envy when I saw a friend pick one up from a storage room of some old watchmaker...
Patience is the Only Way
I love collecting watches that can't be bought at any moment. Sometimes you just need a thick enough wallet, and you'll get everything you want. But try to get a Gallet MultiChron Astronomic ref. 999 or its 14-carat gold twin, ref. 1999. To acquire such watches, you need to regularly check all possible sources. Recently, it paid off, and I managed to acquire an amazingly good specimen.
The Mighty Valjoux 88
The Valjoux 72C caliber, found in the Gallet ref. 998, was introduced in 1944. Three years later, in 1947, a moon phase was added, and the caliber was named 88 VZHCL, short for "Valjoux Zähler Heures Calendrier Lune". Like the ref. 998 model, the Gallet Astronomic ref. 999 has two pin-pushers on the left side of the case. Pressing the button at the "8 o'clock" position partially advances only the moon phase. With a full press, the date advances along with the moon.
The Valjoux 88 is undoubtedly a complex masterpiece, made to high-quality standards. If you can't play in the Patek league, this is probably the best you can get if you want a sporty chronograph equipped with a triple calendar and moon complication. And you're not limited to just Gallet, you can find it in a Record, Doxa case, or even more premium Heuer and Breitling watches.
Do We Need Watches with Moon Phases?
The idea that moon phases can influence human behavior has been discussed for centuries. Villagers hunted werewolves during the full moon, artists and writers felt more inspired, and women discussed issues of fertility and childbirth. When I find it hard to sleep, I don't check how much I've had to drink in the evening, but look out the big window and check the moon phase. But do I ever need to check the moon phase on my watch? Honestly, never, but since I landed this complication, doing so has become very amusing.
Some complications are always handy. When I'm making pasta for dinner for the kids, I almost automatically press the chronograph button or align the rotating bezel with the minute hand of my watch. I've learned to use these complications automatically to help me with everything I do. The moon phase indicator is a completely different story. It helps me become more aware of the world around me.
Side by Side
I would like to say that these two watches are identical, but the opposite is true. Of course, the buttons, lugs, and cases feel the same. But for me, the significantly larger 12-hour counter on the ref. 999 disrupts the beautiful proportions that the ref. 998 possesses. I know that comparing them is pointless, but I can't help it since they are both Gallet models. Besides the counter, note the difference in markings. The smaller version, in my opinion, is undeniably more attractive.
Final Thoughts on Gallet MultiChron Astronomic Watches
Although the ref. 998 model remains my favorite watch, the ref. 999 has stolen a part of my heart. These are my first watches with a moon phase. With three watches, I wouldn't feel the need to check the moon phase. But when I wear the Gallet Astronomic, I always notice the little smiling moon on the dial when I check the time. If at that moment I'm not very busy, it makes me recall and think about our Moon. I won't go into the specifics of my thoughts, but they're unusual and pleasant. If you've never had a watch with a moon phase, I advise you to get one - perhaps even a Gallet. Happy hunting.