A circa 1916 WW1 era Rotherham & Sons retailed Gallet / Electa 9ct rose gold monopusher chronograph, in the style of the Multi-Chron 30 minute chronograph, with a Valjoux 22 movement. This is a very rare UK imported chronograph from Gallet / Electa, at a time of transition for the UK providers of Gallet / Electa wrist watches. A standout example in 9ct rose gold, this is a one off, not seen before.
 
The leather strap is original and the matching 9ct rose gold buckle dates to 1919/1920, being assayed at Chester assay office, with the Rotherham and Sons sponsors mark. Rotherham and Sons were a major retailer of Electa wrist watches, which were under Gallets ownership.
Many watches during periods of war, particularly those of high value, may have been ordered by retailers, but remained in stock for long periods of time. This would appear to be the case with this watch as there was 2-3 years between the hallmarking on the case, and the hallmarking on the original buckle.
Before WW1, cases of Electa wristwatches carried the JR sponsors mark for Rotherham & Sons, but for the duration of the war, the watches carried Rendell’s sponsor mark. It would seem that Rotherhams gave up importing Electa watches during the war, with the focus being on military issue instruments for the British army. After the war, cases had the R&S mark yet again, with Rotherham and Sons taking over the company in the 1920s.
 
In 1906 it was stated that “Under the Electa name, Gallet produces it’s highest quality timepieces.” This certainly rang true during WW1 when under the Electa name, Gallet produced exceptional early chronographs. One of the most famous and rare was the MultiChron 30. This was a high-quality timer with 2 subsidiary registers and 30 minute recording capability, making it the world’s 1st true wrist-worn chronograph. These watches made use of Valjoux, 12 or 13 ligne chronograph movements in the first series. These watches were commonly used by the Royal Air Force and by the US in WW1. Traditionally these were fitted in sterling silver cases with hinged backs. However, this piece is something of a very rare outlier, potentially being a special order in 9ct rose gold.
 
The dial is a classic enamel dial from the first world war period. It has large Arabic numerals which have the original radium lume paint infilled. These has aged to a pumpkin tone and has developed a puffy patina. There is a railroad track for minutes outside of this, flanked by graduations for the central seconds up to 60, including 1/5s of a second intervals. The sub-second dial is at 6 O’clock, whilst the Gallet 30 minute counter is inset at 3 O’clock.
 
The hour and minute hands are of cathedral style, in a thermally blued finish. They are infilled with Radium lume, which is original and has aged to a pumpkin tone. There has been some discolouration to the hands with age, whilst some parts of the lume infill are missing. The central seconds hand for the chronograph function is an excellent piece of design and is much larger and fancier than any chronograph hand I have seen. This makes this piece stand out. The 30 minute counting hand is original, whilst the sub-second hand is a later replacement with a brighter tone.
 
The crown is original, formed of 9ct rose gold and is of classic onion style, alongside the original 9ct rose gold pusher.
 
The case is formed of 9ct rose gold and is in good condition. The bezel is polished and has light surface scratches consistent with age. It is a classic early wristwatch case with hinged front cover and rear double hinged backs. The lugs are fixed to the main body of the case and are of wire style. There are lips on the case to enable easy opening with a knife.
 
The movement is a Valjoux 22, which was first introduced in 1914. The watch has been recently serviced to an exacting standard. This was a lengthy job with correct screws being fitted for the chronograph mechanism and much fine adjustment. It is keeping time to +8 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 310 degrees and a beat error of 0.9m/s.
 
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The dial is a classic enamel dial from the first world war period. It has large Arabic numerals which have the original radium lume paint infilled. These has aged to a pumpkin tone and has developed a puffy patina. There is a railroad track for minutes outside of this, flanked by graduations for the central seconds up to 60, including 1/5s of a second intervals. The sub-second dial is at 6 O’clock, whilst the 30 minute counter is inset at 3 O’clock. There are 3 chips to the very edge of the dial, 2 at 2 O’clock and 1 at 3 O’clock. Otherwise the dial is in very good condition, with no cracking or hairline fractures.
 
Hands: 
The hour and minute hands are of cathedral style, in a thermally blued finish. They are infilled with Radium lume, which is original and has aged to a pumpkin tone. There has been some discolouration to the hands with age, whilst some parts of the lume infill are missing. The central seconds hand for the chronograph function is an excellent piece of design and is much larger and fancier than any chronograph hand I have seen. This makes this piece stand out. The 30 minute counting hand is original, whilst the sub-second hand is a later replacement with a brighter tone.
 
Glass: 
The glass is a replacement which is in good condition with no noticeable marks.
 
Crown:
The crown is original, formed of 9ct rose gold and is of classic onion style, alongside the original 9ct rose gold pusher.
 
Case:
The case is formed of 9ct rose gold and is in good condition. The bezel is polished and has light surface scratches consistent with age. It is a classic early wristwatch case with hinged front cover and rear double hinged backs. The lugs are fixed to the main body of the case and are of wire style. There are lips on the case to enable easy opening with a knife.
 
Caseback:
The case back is 9ct rose gold and is in good original condition. It has a polished finish which is good, with only light surface scratches. The hinge is good and firm, with back coming to 45 degrees. The inside of the case back is signed with the serial number 800496. It has UK hallmarking, with the London assay office mark for imported gold, the date letter “a” and the 9ct gold denomination. The sponsors mark is AGR for Arthur George Rendell. Inner hinged back: It is signed with the same markings as the outer case back. It has perlage finishing. The hinge is good and firm, with the inner back coming to 45 degrees.
 
Strap:
The watch strap is original. It is dark brown leather possibly pig skin. It has the original Rotherham & Sons 9ct rose gold buckle.
 
Movement:
The watch has been recently serviced to an exacting standard. This was a lengthy job with correct screws being fitted for the chronograph mechanism and much fine adjustment. It is keeping time to +8 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 310 degrees and a beat error of 0.9m/s.
 
Case Dimensions: Case width: 34.5mm Case width with crown: 40mm Case length: 34.5mm Case length lug to lug: 38.5mm Lug width: 12mm Case Depth: 11.75mm