Breguet | The Legendary Chronograph

Breguet

The Legendary Chronograph

Breguethas announced the release of the Type XXII (Twenty-Two), commemorating the 100th anniversary of the French Naval Aviation and the 50th anniversary of the first delivery of the Type XX (Twenty) to the unit.

Text by Dai Matsuo

The World's First Mechanical Chronograph with a 10Hz Frequency

In the 1940s, aviationchronographswere introduced to the world. Due to their high level of perfection, the Breguet Type XX, a masterpiece delivered to the French Naval Aviation in 1960 at their request, was created. This Type XX was one of the first to feature a flyback function. By pressing the reset button during operation, the hands would immediately return to the zero position and resume timing, which was said to be extremely convenient for continuous time measurement during flight.

Then, in the 1990s, the Type XX Aeronavale and Type XX Transatlantique were released. In 2004, the Type XXI (Twenty-One) was announced with some modifications to the functions of the subdials.

Now, the Type XXII, a renewal of the chronograph that holds a special resonance for Breguet, has been launched with a more contemporary design and the latest technology.

Housed in a 44mm stainless steel case, it features a chronograph movement, a silicon escapement, and a silicon hairspring that has been enhanced to a frequency of 10Hz (72,000 vibrations per hour), providing superior regulation capabilities to the movement. The chronograph seconds hand completes one revolution in 30 seconds. This new technology doubles the accuracy of the measurement start function and the measured values. The use of silicon material has greatly contributed to this, achieving lighter moving parts while also resolving lubrication issues caused by high vibrations.

The chrono-cumulative hand in the center adds in 30-second increments to measure minutes. Furthermore, the minute ring (red and white) with broken lines on the flange and the second ring with the same color combination for the numbers indicate the chronograph's seconds hand in its first 30-second revolution (red section) and second 30-second revolution (white section).

Of course, this Type XXII also features the traditional flyback function, allowing the total display to be reset and a new measurement to begin with a single action. Additionally, the dial includes a second time zone display and a date window. Using the crown, which can be fixed in two positions, the hour hand can be moved without affecting the minute hand to reset the second time zone display. When the crown is in this position, the date window displays according to the time zone shown in the center.

Furthermore, the 24-hour day/night indicator at 3 o'clock shows whether the second time zone region is in daytime (upper part) or nighttime (lower part). At 9 o'clock, a sub-dial completes one revolution in 30 seconds.

Breguet Type XXII 3880 ST

Movement: Self-winding, chronograph with flyback function and second time zone, engraved with serial number and Breguet secret signature, Caliber 589F, 13¼ lignes (29.89mm) movement diameter, 28 jewels, approximately 45-hour power reserve, high-frequency silicon escapement, balance with regulating screws, silicon hairspring, 10Hz (72,000 vibrations), adjusted in 5 positions.

Case: 44mm diameter, stainless steel round case with coin-edge decoration, rounded lugs, bidirectional rotating bezel with 60-minute counter, screw-down crown, sapphire case back, 10 bar (100m) water resistance.

Dial: Black oxidized finish, engraved with Breguet secret signature, luminous hands and hour markers,
Arabic numeral indexes, central red chronograph seconds hand completing one revolution in 30 seconds and a 30-second counter, 24-hour display (at 3 o'clock), luminous Arabic numeral second time zone indicator (at 6 o'clock), small seconds completing one revolution in 30 seconds (at 9 o'clock), date display (at 6 o'clock).

Price: ¥1,995,000
*Also available with a bracelet (Ref. 3880ST/H2/SX0)
*Expected to arrive late Spring 2011

Breguet Boutique Ginza
Tel. 03-6254-7211