While the Breguet family is renowned for its contributions to horology, a lesser-known branch made history in aviation. A century ago, Louis Breguet led French aerospace innovation, founding a company that built the aircraft for the first transatlantic flight from Paris to New York in 1930.
Marking its 250th anniversary, Breguet pays tribute to this heritage with the reissue of the Type XX pilot’s chronograph. The new model, the Type XX 2075BH, mirrors the solid gold prototype submitted to the French Air Force in 1952—a pivotal year when Breguet secured a military contract for pilot’s watches. The brand produced two versions: the Type 20 for military use and the Type XX for civilians.
A Military Design in Luxurious Form
The Type XX 2075BH embodies a striking paradox—a tool watch born from 1950s military specifications, crafted in precious metals with meticulous precision. Its 38mm case, bezel, hands, and movement are fashioned from an exclusive 18-karat Breguet gold alloy, blending rose gold with silver, copper, and palladium for enhanced durability and a distinctive satin-brushed luster.
At just 13mm thick, the watch houses a manual-wound Breguet caliber 7279 movement, visible through an exhibition caseback adorned with hand-engraved bridges. The movement features a column wheel, fly-back chronograph, and a high-frequency 36,000 vph beat rate—faithful to mid-century chronograph engineering. Notably, the “big-eye” 15-minute subdial at 3 o’clock remains unchanged from the original design, despite its unconventional brevity.
Limited Edition Unveils Modern Upgrades
Alongside the gold reissue, Breguet introduces a limited-edition Type XX with a 30-minute chronograph counter and a tachymeter scale. This variant features a brushed 925 silver dial, gold-plated indices, and redesigned hands, powered by the automatic caliber 7278.
Both models reflect Breguet’s mastery of blending historical reverence with haute horlogerie. Eschewing ostentatious embellishments, the collection celebrates functional elegance—a testament to the brand’s enduring legacy in aviation and watchmaking.
