Details | ||
Stock # | SKU21033 | |
Stock # | 21033 | |
Model Name | Type 20 P | |
Brand | Breguet | |
Model Ref # | 7518 | |
Condition | Mint+ | |
Gender | Mens | |
Movement | Manual | |
Case | Stainless Steel | |
Case Shape | Round | |
Case Size | 38mm | |
Crystal | ||
Band / Strap | Strap | |
Dial | Black | |
Caseback | Solid | |
Complications |
Chronograph |
|
Year | ca. 1958 | |
Additional Information | w/ Valjoux 222 flyback chronograph w/ column wheel movement | |
Sold | ||
Description
There is a mystique to military watches that does not exist with other vintage watches. Who wore the watch? Were they in battle? What has the watch been a witness to?
The Breguet Type 20 (before it came to be named the Type XX) is one of the first pilot’s chronographs and certainly the most desirable. It was introduced after World War II by the French Ministry of Defense, who also gave it the “Type 20” name, which was the ministry’s code for a “pilot’s wristwatch”. These watches were inspired by the pilot’s watches made for the German pilot’s in WW2 by Tutima and Hanhart.
The Ministry had a number of criteria that needed to be satisfied, for a watch to be issued. For example, the watch must have a flyback chronograph, black dial, must be able to be used 300 times without needing service or repair, be accurate to within 8 seconds per day, and be between 37mm-39mm. Interestingly, the Type 20 chronographs were sold by Breguet to the Ministry, but none of the watches were made by Breguet.
This watch is 38mm in diameter with fluted, turning bezel with triangle marker for timing, domed acrylic crystal and screw down case back. The case back of this watch documents that the watch was issued in 1958 and also documents the watch’s service history during the time it was in service to the French military. The ‘P’ after ‘TYPE 20’ denotes that this watch was serviced at the Pechoin repair center in Paris during its time in service.
Dial is to Ministry specifications, matte black, with no maker’s logo, two subdials, luminous and arabic numerals.
Movement is the Valjoux 222 with flyback function, 17 jewels and with column wheel construction. Movement is pristine and running.
Strap is modern Breguet with light wear and a steel Breguet deployment clasp.
The Breguet Type 20 (before it came to be named the Type XX) is one of the first pilot’s chronographs and certainly the most desirable. It was introduced after World War II by the French Ministry of Defense, who also gave it the “Type 20” name, which was the ministry’s code for a “pilot’s wristwatch”. These watches were inspired by the pilot’s watches made for the German pilot’s in WW2 by Tutima and Hanhart.
The Ministry had a number of criteria that needed to be satisfied, for a watch to be issued. For example, the watch must have a flyback chronograph, black dial, must be able to be used 300 times without needing service or repair, be accurate to within 8 seconds per day, and be between 37mm-39mm. Interestingly, the Type 20 chronographs were sold by Breguet to the Ministry, but none of the watches were made by Breguet.
This watch is 38mm in diameter with fluted, turning bezel with triangle marker for timing, domed acrylic crystal and screw down case back. The case back of this watch documents that the watch was issued in 1958 and also documents the watch’s service history during the time it was in service to the French military. The ‘P’ after ‘TYPE 20’ denotes that this watch was serviced at the Pechoin repair center in Paris during its time in service.
Dial is to Ministry specifications, matte black, with no maker’s logo, two subdials, luminous and arabic numerals.
Movement is the Valjoux 222 with flyback function, 17 jewels and with column wheel construction. Movement is pristine and running.
Strap is modern Breguet with light wear and a steel Breguet deployment clasp.
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