The "Breguet XIX Superbidon," which achieved the world's first non-stop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York from September 1st to 2nd, 1930. A special chronograph has been born, adopting the aluminum used in that aircraft for the dial and reviving the gold "Type XX" that actually existed 70 years ago. This is a monumental work where two innovations intersect: a grand homage to aviation history housed in a Breguet gold case, and a pure chronograph experience orchestrated by a manual-winding movement. We delve into this commemorative piece born at the crossroads of watchmaking and aviation technology.

Did you know that the name Breguet, known to all watch enthusiasts, is also deeply etched in aviation history? Louis Charles Breguet (1880-1955), the fifth-generation descendant of founder Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), inherited the lineage of watchmaking but was also an innovator who turned his talents to the skies.

A graduate of the École Supérieure d'Électricité, he founded the Breguet Aviation Company in 1911 and developed innovative aircraft for fifty years. Aircraft such as the legendary Breguet 14 biplane, active in World War I; the Breguet "De Poupon," which contributed to the development of commercial flight; and the Breguet XIX Superbidon "Question Mark," which achieved the historic transatlantic flight in 1930 – these aircraft are proof of the Breguet family's innovative spirit extending from watchmaking to the world of flight.

Following the success of Charles Lindbergh's solo non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927, when asked by reporters, "Is a flight back to Paris from New York possible?", Louis Breguet and the pilot duo Dieudonné Costes (1892-1974) and Maurice Bellonte (1896-1984) chose the symbolic answer: "Question Mark."

This question mark was prominently displayed in large white letters in front of the cockpit of the specially built Breguet XIX Superbidon "Question Mark," which then achieved the feat of the world's first non-stop transatlantic flight from Paris to New York from September 1st to 2nd, 1930.

What is crucial in this historic flight is the fact that 95% of the aircraft's structure at the time was composed of the aluminum alloy "duralumin," and Louis Breguet was a pioneer of this lightweight material. This technological innovation gives profound meaning to the choice of dial material for the new Type XX 2075.

In the early 1950s, the French Air Force was seeking manufacturers capable of producing a pilot's wristwatch chronograph codenamed "Type 20." Among several leading companies, Breguet was also selected to supply watches meeting these technical specifications to the aviation community. From 1952 onwards, the "Type 20" for the Air Force and the "Type XX" for the Naval Aviation Corps were produced for military use, along with civilian "Type XX" models.

What is significant here is the historical fact that while the military models were made of stainless steel, the three civilian models produced in 1955 were made of yellow gold. According to Breguet's archives, the dials of these models, originally satin-finished silver, were later changed to black.

Therefore, the gold model announced this time is not merely a derivative but a revival that inherits the legitimate lineage from 70 years ago. Currently, one of these models is housed in the Breguet Museum, and this new model is said to be a faithful reproduction based on this precious original.

Another noteworthy technological innovation in this model is the "Breguet Gold" used for the case material. This unique alloy is a proprietary blend of 75% gold with silver, copper, and palladium, achieving a blond hue that sets it apart from traditional yellow gold.

This Breguet Gold is a new material first unveiled as part of Breguet's 250th-anniversary "Classique Quantième Perpétuel 7637," symbolizing the Maison's relentless pursuit of technological innovation. The case size of 38.3mm in diameter and 13.2mm in thickness is identical to the historic 1955 model, balancing respect for the original with contemporary wearability.

And the aluminum material used for the black dial model is the element that truly tells the value of this watch. It is a direct homage to the 1930 Breguet XIX Superbidon, and the subtly marked "AL" between 7 and 8 o'clock quietly asserts this special material choice.

Anodization is employed for surface treatment, achieving a deep black and excellent durability. This technique is still used in the aerospace field today, truly embodying the aspiration for the sky. This is the first time Breguet has used aluminum for the dial of a Type XX collection, making its historical significance immeasurable.

Meanwhile, the Sterling Silver 925 dial model, limited to 250 pieces, features a vertically brushed finish that imparts a delicate and refined luster. The discreet "Ag925" engraving between 7 and 8 o'clock indicates this noble material. Furthermore, this model is equipped with a tachymeter scale, combining practicality.

The interchangeable leather straps feature a gradient finish: black for the aluminum dial model and blue for the silver dial model. This color choice is not accidental but a calculated aesthetic to enhance the individuality of each dial. The crown is engraved with Breguet's initial "B," and the bezel numerals are unified in black for the black dial model and blue for the silver dial model.

The caliber 7279/7278 is a new manual-winding derivative based on the high-performance 5Hz movement introduced by Breguet in 2023. Being the first manual-winding caliber in the 728 series, it offers a purer chronograph experience.

The flyback function is particularly noteworthy. This function, which allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted simultaneously with a single press of the pusher at 4 o'clock, originated from requests by aviation authorities in the 1930s and 1940s, where reducing measurement time was literally a matter of life and death for pilots.

On the bridges on the caseback side (the mainplate supporting the gear shafts), hand-finished engraving unfolds, all meticulously crafted by hand in the Maison's workshops. Depicted are the Breguet XIX crossing the Atlantic, the precise flight path of 1930, and the coastlines of Europe and North America. The coastal areas are treated with a frosted finish, expressing even the textural difference between land and sea. Is it not romantic to eternally engrave the historic flight of September 1st to 2nd, 1930, within the miniature universe of a watch?

Both models come with a 250th-anniversary special edition box in red leather, inspired by the Morocco leather cases used by Breguet at the time. The silver dial model is limited to 250 pieces, with the limited serial number (from 1/250 to 250/250) engraved on the sapphire crystal caseback.

The "Breguet Type XX 2075" is a monumental work that brilliantly fuses respect for the historic model of 70 years ago, a grand homage to aviation history, and contemporary technological innovation. For watch enthusiasts, it offers value as a legitimate collection piece inheriting Breguet's historical lineage, and for those interested in aviation history, it provides a special timepiece that eternally commemorates the feat of 1930.

To possess this watch is to adorn one's wrist with a work of art that embodies the history of human endeavor and innovation, and the pinnacle of watchmaking technology.