Breguet Type XX*** Flyback Chronograph*** 1970's

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Breguet Type XX (Type 20) Flyback Chronograph, Civilian, 1970’s
Serial: B21583
Circa: 1970’s
Reference:

DIAL: Black Dial with Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds counter at 9 o’clock and 15 minute chronograph register at 3 o’clock, Breguet logo printed on the dial.

CASE: 40mm, Stainless Steel compressor style case with black rotating bezel, screw-down case-back, acrylic crystal.

MOVEMENT: Valjoux 235, Hand-wound mechanical flyback chronograph, 17 jewels

BRACELET: Leather

CONDITION REPORT: Overall excellent condition. The dial and hands are mint with original tritium luminous material. The case is good condition with only one slight ding on the bottom right lug and may have been lightly polished once.
The movement was serviced in October 2021.

NOTES:
The Type 20 and Type 21 (Roman numeral "Type XX" and "Type XXI") Flyback chronographs were produced in the 50s and 60s by several brands, including Breguet, for French naval airmen and the air force. The technical program prepared by the French Ministry of Defence was categorical: Type 20 chronographs should be equipped with a flyback mechanism. Once the chronograph engaged, the flyback function allows simple, single button pressed until the reset counters and instantly start another timing. This feature is highly appreciated by aviators since it facilitates and makes more accurate calculation of trajectories.
Other features for the Type 20 chronograph mandated by the French Ministry of Defense: a case of at least 38mm diameter and 14mm thick, black dial with luminous hands and indexes, a mechanical self-winding movement with a power reserve of more than 35 hours on, a relative accuracy of + or - 8 seconds per day, and finally, the ability to support more than 300 times during the test periods the start, stop and reset the chronograph.
Breguet released this larger case size after Chaumet had taken over in 1970. The Type 20 got this larger 40 mm compressor style case and a black rotating bezel. It was released in both two-register (Valjoux 235) and three-register (Valjoux 725) layouts that were base Valjoux 23 and Valjoux 72 movements, but with the additional flyback function. These were only delivered as civilian versions because the French military had decided these were too expensive for service watches at the time.

SOLD