Let's turn back the clock to the era of the fifth-generation Louis-Charles Breguet. His development of the "Breguet XIX" achieved numerous feats in long-distance flight. From the Paris-Tokyo flight in 1924, the first South Pacific crossing in 1927, to the aforementioned non-stop Paris-New York flight, and more. Louis-Charles provided humanity with the means to cross borders, continents, and oceans at unprecedented speeds. This, in turn, meant crossing multiple time zones in a short period.

And in 2004, Breguet's pilot'schronographgained the ability to cross time zones, much like Louis-Charles's aircraft. The "Type XXI"—the fifth generation of the "Type XX" series—features a two-time zone function, with a second time zone display at 6 o'clock and a 24-hour sub-dial indicating day or night at 3 o'clock. The newly designed movement, suited for the global era, simultaneously advances the chronograph mechanism. The minute counter is placed centrally for improved legibility and is designed to fly back with the chronograph seconds hand.

Breguet's Innovation Knows No Bounds

Furthermore, in 2010, the "Type XXI" evolved into the sixth-generation "Type XXII." This model is the world's first to feature an ultra-high-speed chronograph movement with 72,000 vibrations per hour (20 vibrations per second). Vibration frequency refers to the number of degrees the balance wheel swings back and forth per unit of time. Just as a spinning top becomes more stable the faster it rotates, a high-frequency oscillating balance wheel is more stable, offers superior shock resistance, and facilitates improved accuracy.

The ultra-high-speed vibrations are made possible by the use of silicon, a new material, for the escapement's pallet fork, escape wheel, and hairspring—the heart of the watch. Silicon is lighter than conventional metals, offers extremely high processing precision, and has a smooth surface with minimal friction. It is precisely because silicon is light and moves smoothly that stable operation can be achieved even at 20 vibrations per second.

Looking back, the founder, Abraham-Louis Breguet, was an expert in new materials, developing various alloys including the "Tralmettal" used in thermometers. Louis-Charles Breguet's renowned aircraft, the "Breguet XVI," utilized duralumin, a groundbreaking material at the time, for its body and structure, achieving lightweight construction that enabled high-speed flight. New material development and high-speed technology are in the DNA of the Breguet family. The "Type XXII" embodies this heritage and ingenuity for the modern era.

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Save the date for “BREGUET IN THE SKY – TYPE XX EXHIBITION”
Breguet in the Sky – Type XX Exhibition

In June, Breguet will host "Breguet in the sky – Type XX Exhibition," an event themed around Breguet's deep connection with French aviation. Against the backdrop of the fifth-generation Louis-Charles Breguet's passion for aircraft development and his ties to the aviation world, the exhibition will showcase Breguet's enduringly popular "Type XX" series, featuring everything from cockpit watches and vintage pieces to the latest models. It is an exhibition that transcends time, conveying its charm to the present day.

Dates: Saturday, June 18, 2011 – Sunday, June 26, 2011
Hours: 13:00 – 19:00 (Closes at 18:00 on June 18 only)
Venue: Cité du Temps Ginza
7-9-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Nicolas G. Hayek Center 14F
Admission: Free

Official Twitter for "Breguet in the sky"
Twitter ID: Breguet_JAPAN

OPENERS NIGHT Event!
We are specially inviting OPENERS readers from 19:00 on the 18th!

A talk show will be held with Tomoyuki Tanaka, also known as FPM, a DJ/producer making remarkable achievements both in Japan and globally, and who is a Breguet enthusiast, and Koichi Yamaguchi, the editor-in-chief of OPENERS.

We will invite 50 groups (100 people). You can also apply as an individual.
If the number of applications exceeds the capacity, a lottery will be held.

Application Period: Until noon on Friday, June 9, 2011. Please refer below for application methods.
Saturday, June 18
18:00 Exhibition Close
19:00 Open
19:30–19:50 or 20:00 Talk Show
Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM) and Editor-in-Chief Koichi Yamaguchi
–20:30 Tomoyuki Tanaka DJ Performance

Applications have closed.
Thank you for your many applications.

Breguet Boutique Ginza Tel. 03-6254-7211