Breguet, the grande dame of haute horlogerie, is celebrating its 250th anniversary with, among other things, a tribute to the pioneer of aviation, Louis Breguet, and to its own history. After Paris (Classique Souscription 2025) and Shanghai (Tradition 7035), the iconic house landed in New York for the presentation of the Type XX 2075 chronograph: two exceptional models that bring together the spirit of adventure, innovation and elegance. Inspired by the emblematic 1955 model, this creation is a reminder that aviation and watchmaking have been closely linked at Breguet for over a century.
"The Type XX became a beloved instrument for professionals and enthusiasts worldwide."
BACK TO THE SPIRIT OF THE 1950S
Breguet's Type XX collection, an icon in aviation chronography since the 1950s, is making a powerful comeback. In 2023, the House launched a new generation with two versions: one military-inspired (chronograph Type 20 2057) and one civilian (chronograph Type XX 2067), both with a completely new calibre. These watches combine historical precision with contemporary technology and design. Originally developed for French Air Force and Navy pilots, the Type XX became a beloved instrument for professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. With its robust character, flyback function and recognisable aesthetics, the Type XX remains a timeless symbol of innovation, adventure and mechanical perfection.
FROM TIMEPIECES TO AVIATION — THE LEGACY OF LOUIS BREGUET
The name Breguet evokes not only refined watchmaking, but also the birth of aviation itself. Louis Breguet (1880–1955), great-grandson of legendary watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, was a visionary engineer who founded his own airline. He designed groundbreaking aircraft such as the Breguet 19 “Super Bidon”, famous for its transatlantic flight from Paris to New York in 1930 — an adventure with a white question mark painted on the fuselage, a playful response to the press who questioned whether the return flight was possible.
Louis Breguet was a man of firsts: in 1907, he built one of the first helicopters to take off with a passenger, and during the First World War, his company produced thousands of aircraft that gave the French Air Force a decisive advantage. His name lives on in every rotor, wing and now — with the new Type XX — in every tick of a timepiece inspired by aviation.
"Aviation and watchmaking at Breguet have been closely linked for over a century.
THE POWER OF BLACK ALUMINIUM
The first new Type XX 2075 chronograph honours the past with a contemporary twist. The black aluminium dial, made from Duralumin — an alloy pioneered by Louis Breguet in his aeroplanes — is a technological first for the collection. Anodisation gives the surface its deep black hue, a process that not only protects against corrosion but also adds a modern sheen.
Inside, the calibre 7279, a hand-wound movement with flyback function, allows the wearer to restart the watch at the touch of a button. The 15-minute counter at 3 o'clock and the small seconds at 9 o'clock give the watch its typical pilot's look. The case in Breguet gold — a unique alloy with blonde accents — has a diameter of 38.3 mm and remains faithful to the 1955 model. A black leather strap with a subtle colour gradient completes the look.
SILVER WITH SOUL
The second model, limited to just 250 pieces, reinterprets the original silver-coloured dial of the civilian Type XX. This solid silver dial (Ag925) with a vertical brushed finish reflects light with a discreet, refined sheen. Inside, the calibre 7278 ticks away, also hand-wound, but equipped with a 30-minute counter and a tachymeter scale — a subtle nod to speed and precision. The blue colour gradient of the leather strap and the blue numerals on the bezel reinforce the noble character of this unique masterpiece.
TECHNICAL PERFECTION AND TIMELESS ELEGANCE
With these two new Type XX models, Breguet is celebrating not only its 250th anniversary, but also its unbreakable bond with innovation, technology and adventure. Just as the Breguet 19 “Super Bidon” once crossed the Atlantic Ocean, the Type XX 2075 pushes the boundaries with technical perfection and timeless elegance.
The Type 20 2057 chronograph and Type XX 2067 chronograph models are currently available at Bouverne in steel with a leather or NATO strap.
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