If I would say Breguet, what kind of watch would you think of? Typically, there are two styles they are known for, which are very far apart. On the one hand they made name for themselves among the aristocrats, with their distinguished and highly finished or decorated timepieces. But on the other hand, they’ve excelled in providing purpose-build chronographs for the military. The latter will be what todays watch is all about.

In 1954, the French Air Force ordered some 1100 Type 20, featuring a Valjoux 222 movement with 30 minute counter. Following up on a batch of 3 watches that successfully passed government tests 2 years earlier. It was subcontracted by Breguet, under order number 5101/54, and the case was made and assembled by Mathey-Tissot. The dials are unsigned and referred to as "Sterile". Yet, the austerity is enchanting. Especially due to the different color and circular finishing in the sub-dials and the closed minute track with Arabic numerals at 5 unit intervals. The characteristic pear-shaped crown is also installed. The last batch was delivered at the end of the decade.

The case comes in around 38mm in diameter. Initially pilot wristwatches had been quite small, but this was inconvenient for the legibility. The “Beobachtungsuhren” for the Luftwaffe on the other hand, were rather big to wear on the wrist; measuring over 50mm. These time-only watches, made by Laco & A. Lange & Sohne (among others), were followed up by German military chronographs, which have many characteristics on which the French Type 20 is based. Just like the Hanhart from Deutschland, this steel case is approximately 14mm thick.

Reliability and accuracy are key requirements. It should run within 8 seconds deviation per day. Also, the manual winding movement needs to have a power reserve of at least 35 hours. The chronograph complication -with flyback function- is at the heart of this project and should have the ability to operate successfully for at least 300 times. In French this mechanical feature is called “Retour en vol” and it allows the pilot to stop, reset and restart the chronograph with just one push of the lower button.

Breguet still pays homage to this important period and multiple varieties have been introduced in more recent years. Obviously, none of them giving you such a special feeling like the original ones that were actually used in combat. On the leaseback we can find the proof of this; with the contract number under which it was delivered by the government and the year or the division it was made for. This is further confirmed by Breguets document. Also a date alongside FG, which is the abbreviation for “Fin de Garantie”. The servicing of the movement, just like all maintenance of military equipment, was quite regular and was done via official government routes.

This aesthetically pleasing but robust toolwatch is drenched in history. This is your chance to make new memories with it.