Breguet Type XX*** Marine Nationale*** 1950's
BREGUET Vintage Type XX (Type 20) Flyback Chronograph, Marine Nationale Aeronautique Navale, 1950’s
Serial # 164 / 4247
Circa: 1950’s
DESCRIPTION: Breguet vintage Type XX flyback chronograph made for the French military pilots of the Marine Nationale, Circa 1950’s
MOVEMENT: Valjoux 222, Hand-wound mechanical flyback chronograph, 17 jewels
DIAL: Black Dial with Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds counter at 9 o’clock and 15 minute chronograph register at 3 o’clock, Breguet logo printed on the dial.
CASE: 38.5mm, Stainless Steel with rotating bezel, screw-down case-back, acrylic crystal.
BRACELET: Nylon NATO Strap
MANUFACTURER: Breguet
NOTES:
The Type 20 and Type 21 (Roman numeral "Type XX" and "Type XXI") Flyback chronographs were produced in the 50s and 60s by several brands, including Breguet, for French naval airmen and the air force. The technical program prepared by the French Ministry of Defence was categorical: Type 20 chronographs should be equipped with a flyback mechanism. Once the chronograph engaged, the flyback function allows simple, single button pressed until the reset counters and instantly start another timing. This feature is highly appreciated by aviators since it facilitates and makes more accurate calculation of trajectories.
Other features for the Type 20 chronograph mandated by the French Ministry of Defense: a case of at least 38mm diameter and 14mm thick, black dial with luminous hands and indexes, a mechanical self-winding movement with a power reserve of more than 35 hours on, a relative accuracy of + or - 8 seconds per day, and finally, the ability to support more than 300 times during the test periods the start, stop and reset the chronograph.
Types 20 Chronographs were serviced regularly, which explains the accumulation of engravings on the caseback and technical stamps proving their passage through workshops. The markings with the letters "FG" stand for ‘Fin de Garantie’ which translates to end of warranty.
One of the rarer service pieces produced was Type 20 Chronographs made for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) pilots.
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