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The wrist-chronograph
Type XX, in reality Type 20, which is the direct descendant from the first wrist-chronograph
produced since 1935 on, won the official approval of the French Technical
Services in 1950. In 1954, the Type XX was commissioned by the Government to
be supplied it to the French Air Force and the Naval Air Arm.
This watch, which has been produced in several versions (with different types
of dial, rotating bezel and winding-crown), is invariably equipped with the
fly-back function (or Taylor or "retour en vol") (see the
"glossary" page).
The first generation (the original), only for military use, which has
been produced from the 1950s to the 60s, may be recognized by its 38 mm
brushed steel case, its slightly curved lugs and its hand-wound movement
based on the Lemania cal. (chronographic system with the most sophisticated
method "with columns wheel") of 14 lignes, 18,000 a/h and with 17
jewels.
In the 1958, the French Naval Air Arm, ordered to the Breguet 500 units.
Those, generally, remained a property of the same Navy and on the case-back
were engraved, after every revision, the date of the end of the warranty, ex.
FG xxxx19xx.
I generation. The dial
The case-back with the date of the end of the warranty engraved, FG
The hand-wound movement, Lemania cal., view from the case-back
The second generation (the first re-edition), which has been produced
from the 1970s to the 80s, has a somewhat heavier, polished steel case with
square lugs.
II generation. The dial
The third generation (the second and last re-edition), launched in 1995
is characterized by its case with fluted caseband,
and unlike its two predecessors, is equipped with a self-winding movement. It
is now available in two versions (Aéronavale and Transatlantique with the
data display at six o’clock).
The 39 mm case is now available in different metals, besides steel,
likewise the dial is now available in different colours, besides
black. Now the watch has three counters instead of two, the
chronograph seconds handle is not at leaf but at little stick, also
the winding crown and the bezel different are. The strap
available, first in leather and then in alligator, in different colours
besides the black and the bracelet in the same metal as the case.
Finally, the watch is guaranteed until 100 m in depth and has a new
automatic movement (chronographic system with the less sophisticated
method "by shuttles") Breguet cal. 582 (Q) of 13 3/4 lignes, 28,800
a/h and 25 jewels (based on the Lemania cal. 1352 (1357, Q) + the fly-back
function). The glass is in sapphire, the case back is screwed
and in some models it is also transparent.
From the year 2000, the alligator strap in place of the leather strap has
been introduced.
In the year 2001 have been introduced the new versions of the Transatlantique
model with the new dials (blue, ivory, slate and white) and the new versions
of the Transatlantique model for lady, steel and jewelery, with the reduced
diameter of 32 mm (Ref. 4820ST/D2/S76, steel and Ref.
4821ST/S2/S76D000-4821ST/R2/S76D000-4821ST/59/S76D000, jewelery).
In the year 2010, has been launched the special edition issued in 1,000 units
of the Aeronavale steel model, realized for its 100th Anniversary.
III generation. Aeronavale model. The dial
III generation. Transatlantique model. The dial
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