Breguet type xx aeronavale

The Breguet Type XX Aeronavale is a classic pilot's chronograph created for the French naval aviation, combining historical heritage and technical precision.

About this subject

The Breguet Type XX Aeronavale was developed in the 1950s to meet the requirements of the Marine Nationale, the French Navy, specifically for its naval aviation units. Breguet, founded in 1775 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, was already renowned for precision timepieces and inventions like the tourbillon. This model marks its entry into the military chronograph segment. The flyback movement allowed restarting the timing with a single push, essential for aerial navigation and elapsed time calculations.

Technical features: the original watch had a 38.5 mm steel case, black dial with white Arabic numerals and luminous hands. The bidirectional rotating bezel was marked with beads for elapsed time calculations. The automatic movement Caliber 584, based on the Valjoux 23, was adapted by Breguet for shock and magnetic resistance. The current version maintains the classic design, with flyback chronograph, date, and COSC-certified movement.

Historical significance: about 1,000 units were produced for the Aeronavale until the late 1950s. Today, vintage examples are extremely rare and highly collectible, fetching high prices at auctions. In 1995, Breguet relaunched the Type XX as a civilian model, with modern updates preserving the original aesthetic. The name 'Type XX' refers to the French military designation for pilot's chronographs, also used by other brands such as Dodane and Auricoste.

Trivia: unlike other pilot watches like the Rolex GMT-Master, focused on time zones, the Type XX prioritized chronograph functions for speed and distance calculations. The current collection includes variations in gold and titanium, but the most authentic and coveted reference is the steel version with a black dial, which directly recalls the original Aeronavale models. The Breguet Type XX Aeronavale is an icon of military and sports watchmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Breguet Type XX and Type XXI?

The Type XX is a simple chronograph without date, while the Type XXI has a date and an additional 12-hour totalizer on the dial.

Why is the watch called Aeronavale?

Aeronavale is French for naval aviation. The watch was commissioned by the French Navy for its naval pilots, hence the name.

What does flyback mean in a chronograph?

Flyback allows the chronograph to be reset instantly with a single push of the reset button, without stopping and zeroing separately. This is useful for rapid successive timing.