I got this interesting Gallet commander. It’s in need of a service as it randomly keeps stopping.
The Excelsior Park 42 is the worlds first and only oval chronograph movement.
I remove the hands and dial.
I start taking the movement apart.
The movement is a little discoloured, but no broken parts.
An unusual feature is how the forth wheel and chronograph driving wheel are one part.
Here you can see the gear train layout.
All the parts have been cleaned and the movement is ready to be put back together.
I see that the balance moves freely.
Base movement back together.
Movement starts running straight away as the balance is put in place.
Nothing wrong with the performance.
I take the case apart for cleaning. Note the paint on the chapter ring is very sensitive.
I decide to fit the movement in it’s case, while fitting the chronograph layer.
All the parts back in place looking good and working like they should.
Here you can see the winding/setting mechanism back in place.
The dial and hands back in place. The dial has been restored at one point a long time ago, but is unique in it’s own way and looks very nice.
I fit the chapter ring, I have filled in the damaged paint and varnished it to stabilise the old paint.
I’m happy with that!
Great looking chronograph!
3 Responses to Service Gallet: Excelior Park calibre 42.
It’s a great looking watch but I don’t see why they made the movement oval shape? Is there any advantage in doing this?
It was to accommodate the movement into a smaller case, back then it was considered a finer time pice when movements where smaller.
LOL!!! Oval shape! I thought it’s been dropped down the stairs.
Great job with the chapter ring!