Jim McElreath Gallet Champion Watch

[watchguy]

Hello Everyone, I am a new member and I have just acquired a Gallet watch. I received the watch from the estate of Indy race car driver, Jim McElreath. I was told he was awarded this watch for being rookie of the year at the Indy 500 in 1962. The watch has the Champion logo. I believe these watches were given out to the winners of the Indy 500. Could anyone here shed some light on this watch? Thanks! Mike

[lotuspoweredbyford]

Hello, it's possible it was given as a Rookie of the Year award that year, but also possible (since it has the Champion logo on it) that it was a gift for being in the Champion 100 Mile an hour club.

Unless it specifically says 1962 on it or has some 1962 engraving on it, it's possible it was given to him in 1964 (for his 1963 finish).

The first time you got into the club you got the famous jacket, after that they gave the drivers who qualified for a second time (or third, or so on) various other prizes, I've seen travel alarm clocks, travel shaving kits, things like that, it's possible that was the prize. Or it's possible it was a prize given for the Rookie of the Year and just happens to have the Champion logo on it.

Since he didn't win the 500 it's unlikely to have anything to do with winning the 500.

That was a nice item at the auction.

[watchguy]

I found this on a Gallet Watch site. It appears Gallet and Champion had a partnership and awarded these watches to the winners of the Indy 500 starting in 1962. The logo is different than the one I have.

[lotuspoweredbyford]

Well again since McElreath never won the 500 that rules that out. I can see if that was an actual prize given to the winner (it would be on the prize list) or if they are mistaken.