99th Auction
2019/5/11
Lot 503
Breguet "Type XX (première génération)", Case No. 3536, Cal. Valjoux 72/Flyback Calibre 225, 38 mm, circa 1959
An aviator's legendary vintage chronograph with flyback mechanism and rare "tropical dial" - sold on March 1st 1960 to Monsieur Georges for 450 new franc (NF). With Breguet certificate no. 4540
Case: steel, screw back, reeded bi-directional rotating bezel, anti-magnetic protection cap. Dial: faded black iridescent in coffee colour, luminous numerals, luminous hands.
This timepiece is one of the most complicated French military watches available: the Breguet-chronograph with three subsidiary dials was developed from the marine model. It has 15-minute and 12-hour counters and a small second. An additional special feature is the revolving bezel with 12-hour division. The central second hand is very long and pointed; the 15-minute sub-register has very broad divitions and a large, sage leaf pointer.
The aviator’s chronograph was originally designed for military use but was soon requested by civil aviation pilots too. Breguet started producing the type 20 models for the civilian market while he was still working on the military version. Circa 2,000 examples were sold from 1953 to 1970.
Time and outside influences have changed the dial of this aviator’s chronograph from black to an extremely attractive coffee colour.
An aviator's legendary vintage chronograph with flyback mechanism and rare "tropical dial" - sold on March 1st 1960 to Monsieur Georges for 450 new franc (NF). With Breguet certificate no. 4540
Case: steel, screw back, reeded bi-directional rotating bezel, anti-magnetic protection cap. Dial: faded black iridescent in coffee colour, luminous numerals, luminous hands.
This timepiece is one of the most complicated French military watches available: the Breguet-chronograph with three subsidiary dials was developed from the marine model. It has 15-minute and 12-hour counters and a small second. An additional special feature is the revolving bezel with 12-hour division. The central second hand is very long and pointed; the 15-minute sub-register has very broad divitions and a large, sage leaf pointer.
The aviator’s chronograph was originally designed for military use but was soon requested by civil aviation pilots too. Breguet started producing the type 20 models for the civilian market while he was still working on the military version. Circa 2,000 examples were sold from 1953 to 1970.
Time and outside influences have changed the dial of this aviator’s chronograph from black to an extremely attractive coffee colour.
Sold
estimated
22.000—30.000 €
Price realized
20.000 €