{"product_id":"breguet-type-20-sterile-dial-chronograph-as02872","title":"Breguet Type 20 Sterile Dial Chronograph","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAmongst collectors of military watches, the Type 20 is perhaps the most sought after. And of all those out there on the market, those made by Breguet command the most respect. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWith a spartan, function-first design including a highly legible \u003ci\u003esterile\u003c\/i\u003e black dial with luminous Arabic indices, rotating bezel with coin edge grip, and an oversized onion-style crown for easy winding, its hard to beat in the minimalist department. Barrel pushers operate the Valjoux 222 column-wheel chronograph movement with 60-minute counter and subsidiary seconds. Large luminous hands - including a lovely chronograph seconds hand - tie the package together just right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis particular example was originally issued to the French Military for use in aviation units in a batch of 2000 unites in 1954, and saw continuous service through 1982, as evidenced by the numerous FG (Fin de Garantie) engravings etched onto the case back with each contract servicing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eProvenance incroyable à coup sûr!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Type 20 was designed according to a standard—Type 20—that the \u003ci\u003eAéronautique Militaire\u003c\/i\u003e issued in the 1950s. Aesthetically, the Type 20—with its stark black dial, bold Arabic numerals, and 38mm stainless steel case—resembled other military chronographs of the era. But the Type 20 had to have a flyback function—or, in French, \u003ci\u003eretour en vol\u003c\/i\u003e—that enabled the pilot to stop, reset and start the chronograph again by depressing the bottom pusher just once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSeveral manufactures produced the Type 20, including Dodane, Vixa, Auricoste, and Airain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBut the Breguet versions are without a question the most desirable amongst collectors, if for no other reason than the \u003cem\u003emaison\u003c\/em\u003e responsible for many of the greatest innovations in \u003cem\u003ehaute horology\u003c\/em\u003e dipped their toes into the world of spartan, robust field watches destined for military use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Breguet","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":12725611364439,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/products\/BREGUET_TYPE_XX_STERILE__AS02872__5.jpg?v=1559849144","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/breguet-type-20-sterile-dial-chronograph-as02872","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}