1) General Information
1a) Brand name Kelek {Chronometrie Breitling}
1b) Logo(s)
1c) Founded 1896
1d) Founded in Switzerland
1e) Founded by {fill out the name of the initial founder(s) or name of the company who started this Watchbrand)
1f) Now owned by Breitling
2) History
In addition to finishing and modifying Breitling's ETA/Valjoux/other base movements to high standards, Kelek develops in-house modules for them. There are reports indicating that Kelek has now been fully integrated with Breitling and its new name is Chronometrie Breitling.
http://www.horlogerie-suisse.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=9352
I discovered this brand at its centenary in 1996 BASEL
Although we are seeing on the leaflets and advertisements date from 1896, Although we are seeing on the leaflets and advertisements to the date of 1896,
Kelek society was created in 1960: Kelek SA or Société Jean-Raoul-Gorgerat Kelek SA. Kelek society was created in 1960: Kelek SA or Société Jean-Raoul-Gorgerat Kelek SA.
the brand is also represented by the symbol of an hourglass schematized the brand is also represented by the symbol of an hourglass schematized
History teaches us that watch the beginnings of the company dates back to 1896 - La Chaux-de-fonds and the Founder Ernest Gorgerat. History teaches us that watch the beginnings of the company dates back to 1896 - La Chaux-de-fonds and the Founder Ernest Gorgerat.
E. E. Gorgerat moves quickly to foreign Gorgerat moves quickly to foreign
LONDON 1st client and significant relationship with Japan and a house known HATTORI (SEIKOSHA and later SEIKO). LONDON 1st client and significant relationship with Japan and a house known HATTORI (SEIKO SEIKOSHA and later).
Raoul's son falls in the company in 1905 and will make some courses in England and Germany before the Great War. Raoul's son falls in the company in 1905 and will make some races in England and Germany before the Great War.
Jean-Raoul who will take the company in 1953, says that between 1914 and 1918, the watch company of his grandfather and his father build a thousand movements and watches per month, including a significant number of complications ( repetition: watches for disabled war veterans etc …) Jean-Raoul who will take the company in 1953, says that between 1914 and 1918, the watch company of his grandfather and his father build a thousand movements and watches per month, including a significant number of complications (repetition: watches for disabled war veterans etc …)
1975 Chronograph - Valjoux Caliber 7734 1975 Chronograph - Valjoux 7734 Caliber
The company will adapt to all the upheaval of watchmaking in Switzerland between the two wars (the arrival of the wristwatch, chronographs, the decline in watch exports in 1921, the creation of a Trust drafts and approval in 1927, the creation in 1931 of the General Society ASUAG watchmaking Switzerland). The company will adapt to all the upheaval of watchmaking in Switzerland between the two wars (the arrival of the wristwatch, chronograph, watch the decline in exports in 1921, the creation of a Trust drafts and approval in 1927, the creation in 1931 of the General Society ASUAG watchmaking Switzerland).
1939-1945 can be seen that the arms race somewhat favor the continuation of business with the needs of the belligerents. 1939-1945 can be seen that the arms race somewhat favor the continuation of business with the needs of the belligerents.
Gorgerat the company will continue to work with its Japanese customers. Gorgerat the company will continue to work with its Japanese customers.
After 1945, the conversion chain. After 1945, the conversion chain.
Jean-Raoul Gorgerat degree in economics and business, takes the reins of the company in 1953 Jean-Raoul Gorgerat degree in economics and business, takes the reins of the company in 1953
1959 - despite the reluctance of its technicians, a string of winding for the manufacture of movements is installed, with the collaboration of the manufacture of blanks Fontaimelon. 1959 - despite the reluctance of its technicians, a string of winding for the manufacture of movements is installed, with the collaboration of the manufacture of blanks Fontaimelon.
creation in 1960 of Kelek creation in 1960 of Kelek
JR Gorgerat will lead a "dissident" against the control of prices charged by the agents of FIDHOR / FH, and create a joint production under the name SAGIT. JR Gorgerat will lead a "dissident" against the control of prices charged by the agents of FIDHOR / FH, and create a joint production under the name SAGIT.
compound word the first letter of the seven following names: compound word the first letter of the seven following names:
Etos andoz S A G orgerat I nvicta ska T E R echnos teen Andoz SAG orgerat Etos nvicta ITE echnos ska R ado
opposed to statehood / FH and price dams to bring competitive prices and truly industrial. opposed to statehood / FH dams and price to bring competitive prices and truly industrial.
70 years 70 years
Chrono Chrono Sandoz Sandoz Kelek Kelek
Kelek reading direct (digital) 70 years Kelek automatic direct reading (digital) automatic 70 years
In 1970, the company is entrusted to Gabriel Feuvrier back in 1969. In 1970, the company is entrusted to Gabriel Feuvrier back in 1969.
This man: Patron Watchmaker, Clockmaker This man Patron: Patron Watchmaker, Clockmaker Patron
It will work immediately with the DUBOIS-Depraz. It will work immediately with the DUBOIS-Depraz.
This will allow for significant developments in complicated mechanisms This will allow for significant developments in complicated mechanisms
Caliber Caliber 12 SD 12 SD
in 90 years Kelek is one of the largest manufacturers of Swiss automatic mechanical chronographs. Kelek in 90 years is one of the largest manufacturers of Swiss automatic mechanical chronographs.
Some references Some references to templates templates
VX Cal 88 - Cal 88 VX —
000 Cal 10 - Cal 10371 - 10520 - 10310 000 Cal 10 - Cal 10371 - 10520 - 10310
Cal U DK 75 - 76 - 78 - 79 - 81 - 87 Cal U DK 75 - 76 - 78 - 79 - 81 - 87
Cal 2700 - 5100 - 5200 - 5300 - 5500 - 5600 Cal 2700 - 5100 - 5200 - 5300 - 5500 - 5600
Cal 7750 - 7758 Cal 7750 - 7758
Cal 130 - 150 - 151 153 Cal 130 - 150 - 151 153
Shows caliber 2892-2 automatic repetition repetition Show automatic caliber 2892-2
of 1995 1995
And many more … And many more …
2152 24 Caliber, 1989 Caliber 2152 24 1989
Automatic wristwatch, perpetual calendar, automatic wristwatch, perpetual calendar,
date days, 52 weeks, month, year, year, season, time 24 hours week, 52 weeks, month, year, year, season, 24 hours
lunar phases, 6 markers, 18 carat gold. lunar phases, 6 markers, 18 carat gold.
this history is drawn in part from a book by Roland CARRERA, Journalist and Historian Horology in this history is drawn in part from a book by Roland CARRERA, Journalist and Historian in Horology
Note the little word is a Palindrome Kelek Note the little word: Kelek is a Palindrome
ie that the word reads in both directions ie that the word reads in both directions
Chrono Tonneau mechanical caliber 2000 - 2000 Chrono Tonneau mechanical caliber 2000 - 2000
A watch normally includes about 95 parts A watch normally includes about 95 pieces
Much Complication Kelek Bracelet: 920 pieces Much Complication Kelek Bracelet: 920 pieces
A Grande Complication Pocket: 1340 parts A Grande Complication Pocket: 1340 shares
13 functions and displays 13 functions and displays
But one of my favorites, for its dial But one of my favorites, for its dial
1973 Kelek TDBK 1376 and 1973 and TDBK Kelek 1376
- Presentation in Basle in 1973 - Presentation in Basel in 1973
- Self made by Brac - Self made by Brac
- Part time conducted by Dubois Dépraz for Kelek - Part time conducted by Dubois Dépraz for Kelek
- Modular - Modular design
- The smallest self time to time - the smallest self time to time
- Marketing & Tenor and Dorly Kelek. - Marketing & Tenor and Dorly Kelek. In fact it will be rapidly extended to other brands such as Minerva (yes …), Précimax or Whaltam (Swiss who had become at that time). In fact it will be rapidly extended to other brands such as Minerva (yes …), Précimax or Whaltam (Swiss who had become at that time).
- 2 versions: with digital display 1376, display 1369 Classic - 2 versions: 1376 with digital display, 1369 display classic
- 23000 size products, so it's not quite frankly a rarity - 23000 calibers products, this is frankly not a rarity
- Poor reliability due to self very average. - Poor reliability due to self very average.
anecdote, anecdote,
I found an Indian in a time of mono-pusher years 60/70, after thinking I had not bought this watch. I found an Indian in a time of mono-pusher years 60/70, after thinking I had not bought this watch. (genus Chrono Omega-STOP) (genus Chrono Omega-STOP)
Two days later I am back on the market, but I have found the shop. Two days later I am back on the market, but I have found the shop.
Damage and regretssss … Too bad … and regretssss
Regards Regards
Kelek 1996, the Centennial Kelek Show 1996, Centenary Show
3) Further information
3a) Watch collection (like Speedmaster Seamaster etc)
3b) Pictures of watches
3c) Calibers
3d) Pictures of calibers
3e) Boxes and watch stands
3f) Bracelets and straps
3g) Other watch items
3h) Patents
3i) Archive - with links to more contributions in the Watchipedia and illustrations
4) Literature
4a) Watch books
4b) Advertisements
4c) Brand catalogs
4d) Booklets and manuals
4e) Watch books
4f) Other paper related items
5) Address {fill out the address}
Kelek (Chronometrie Breitling)
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