Exceedingly Rare - Swiss Made - Listed by Gallet as a Historical "Famous Professional Timepiece"
** REDUCED PRICE **
DESCRIPTION
A piece of Indianapolis 500, auto racing, and watchmaking history. This item is listed on the Gallet website in the gallery titled "Famous Gallet Professional Timepieces" as a mid 20th Century "Swiss made Gallet / Champion dual timer, used by Indy race officials during the middle part of the 20th century." Gallet lists this piece alongside President Truman's watch, the watch worn by 2nd LT. James Richard Hoel during the "Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III, and a Decimal Artillery Timer used on Tank landing Ship #13 during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy.
Unlike the one pictured on the Gallet website, the two stopwatches paired in this authentic and original Indy 500 timer are truly identical. (Look closely at the ones paired in the example pictured on the Gallet website and you can see that while the models are the same the hands are a different style.)
The timer includes two Gallet 3-second stop watches with 2-minute smaller dials, paired in a plastic case marked Champion (the spark plug company). On the back is a paper chart correlating seconds from 50 to 57.9 with speeds from 155.44 to 180.00 mph. Both stopwatches wind and work, though the one on the right stops on it's own the first few times you run it after it's been unused for a while. There is some chipping in the plastic around the hole where one stopwatch's stem passes, but I would describe it more as wear than damage, and I see no cracks or integrity issues. The loop for the original leather lanyard is intact.
Opportunities to acquire this rare piece of automobilia and timekeeping history are very uncommon. To my knowledge, the last one to appear in the marketplace was in lesser condition and valued by Bonhams at up to $6000.
APPEARANCE
SHIPPING
Shipping cost is $40 to the contiguous states (cost will be higher to AK or HI). Local pickup may be arranged.
PAYMENT
PayPal.
MISCELLANEOUS
This listing is restricted to US buyers. Shipping to US addresses only. Please note that items are described in good faith. Please ask all questions before bidding. All sales are final.
Inquiries welcome.