by Kyle Stults on September 14, 2010
As a huge fan of the Breguet Type XX, XXI and Type XII watches (ann’d earlier this year), this new limited edition Breguet Type XX Aéronavale watch is quite exciting to me. The watch pays tribute to the original reason for the Breguet Type XX — the French Fleet Air Arm aka Aéronavale (the equivalent of the U.S. Naval air fleet), first ordered the Breguet Type XX chronograph in 1958 in a series of 500 numbered from 1 to 500. The now collectible Type XX’s were equipped with the “flyback” function (as all the Type XX watches), and identifiable by the characteristic caseback engraving “BREGUET MARINE NATIONALE AERONAUTIQUE NAVALE ”.
In 2010, Aéronavale is celebrating its hundredth anniversary. To honour the 100th anniversary of the Aéronavale Breguet is issuing this special Type XX in a limited, numbered edition of 1,000. Limited, numbered series such as this are a rarity for Breguet – so as you might have guessed there is a special kinship between Breguet and Aéronavale that makes this watch possible. Indeed, brand namesake A.-L. Breguet himself was appointed official watchamker to the French Royal Navy way back in 1815. And I also surmise that the late Nicolas Hayek himself was behind this project at some point.
Breguet Type XX Aéronavale 2010 (Ref. 3803)
Limited, Numbered Edition of 1,000 – Price: $9,200 (surprisingly reasonable)
39mm steel case, black lacquered rotating bezel with raised numerals, automatic flyback chronograph movement Breguet caliber 581, calfskin leather strap, special presentation box
specially marked caseback
However, under no circumstances would I buy this watch. This is simply because, as an American, the tribute to French Naval forces has absolutely no sentimental meaning to me. Enjoy it, France!
Related posts:
