Julien Gallet ornate pocket watch

[Dr. Jon]

Prichard's Book Swiss Timepiece makers 1750 to 1950 has a long article on Gallet & cie founded by Julien Gallet in 1826. It also shows an ad for Lady Racine watches. The firm was renamed Leon Gallet after Julien's death but no date is given. By makers mark it would have to be no later than 1860's but the style looks to be later.

This book references a Lady Racine ad for 1888 so that too is possible date. My overall estimate is 1875 to 1890.

[Dr. Jon]

I doubt it would be economicly worth restoring. It is not a high grade watch. From what I can see from the pix it looks like a cylinder movement. These are usually lower grade but have been obsolete so long they require specialist attention.

There is no possible way a watch will fail to run by overwinding. It stops and the last one to try to get it going winds it as far as it will go.

There are lots of reaons why it is not running which will range from simple cleaning to parts replacement, which can get expensive.

You mentioned a family connnection which gives it historic value. That is another matter and your have to listen to your heart on this.

You have several problems including finding someone who can do the work. Perhaps someone reading this thread can advise you of a repairer if you can give a geographic location.

We don't do values on this board but I will risk writing that it will likely cost more to repair it than you are likely to get in sale.

I'd suggest that you find what the repairs would cost and decide. It is a decent piece, not high grade but well above junk level.

The glass replacement should not be expensive. It also needs a replacement bow, a ring that goes arounf the winding crown, also not expensive.

The repair requires someone who knows what they are doing. That part should make it uneconomic to sell it, thus keeping it in the family.

[Jim Krauss]

We have a Lady Racine that I bought for my wife. It was quite expensive to have it restored but since it was a gift for my wife I paid it. If you are in South Jersey send me an e-mail and I will send you the address and telephone number of the watchmaker that I use. As Dr. Jon said you have to decide if the restoration is worth it to you. For me, since it was a special gift for my wife, it was worth it.

[Timebuilder]

I guess you just won't take our word for it. I told you this days ago. One thing for sure, it is great to see that other members concure that it is not worth the cost of restoration.

I advised that he place the watch into a glass dome and display it.