Breguet Type XX Chronograph, 'Civilian' Model

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

Parisian manufacturer Breguet, named after its founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet, was founded in 1775 and is one of the most stored and historically significant manufacturers in the world of horology. With a number of firsts, including *ahem* what many consider to be the first known wristwatch, Breguet is primarily known today for its stunning silver 'guilloche' dials, innovations in complications, and outstanding build quality. Prior to it's transfer of ownership and production location change to Switzerland in the late 1970s into the 1980s, it is estimated that only a few hundred pieces were every produced. So, the piece that we have here you might say, is something very, very special indeed and perhaps not what immediately comes to mind when you hear "Breguet." Dating to circa 1955, this chronograph was designed and produced as a civilian variant of the military-issued Type XX built to conform to the standards of the French Aéronautique Militaire. It utilizes a similarly-sized case coming in at 38mm in diameter, also with attractive lug chamfers, a screw-down caseback, and 'pump' pushers. The dial has a bit of added elegance in the form of "Breguet" script as well as an additional register at the 6 o'clock position, and a slightly different handset. The steel bezel still rotates, but this time can be used to track an additional time-zone with paint-filled its 12-hr engravings. The movement within is also a manually-wound Valjoux unit, this time a Cal. 720. The overall condition of this piece is excellent, showing normal wear throughout the case with an honest dial within. This Type XX has everything going for it... Manually-wound, objectively rare, historically significant, excellent overall condition, and from one of the most storied brands in existence.