Breguet Type 20 Military Chronograph
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
50s
Maker / issuer
BreguetThis Breguet Type 20 is a military-commissioned wristwatch housed in a stainless steel round case measuring 38 mm in diameter. The timepiece features faceted lugs, a rotating bezel, and two round pushers.
The dial is black with luminescent Arabic numerals. Internally, the watch is powered by a hand-winding Calibre Valjoux 222 movement. The watch is fitted with a leather strap. According to the source, the Type 20 specification was established by the French Ministry of Defense for use by its Navy and Air Force beginning in the mid-1950s. The caseback includes a screw-down design with "Fin de Garantie" engravings, which were used by military watchmakers to indicate service intervals.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Size
- 38 mm
- Type
- Military chronograph
- Maker
- Breguet
- Movement
- Valjoux 222
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Reference number
- 7474
- Maker / attribution
- Breguet
- Commissioning entity
- French Ministry of Defense
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch features a 38 mm stainless steel case characterized by faceted lugs and a rotating bezel. The caseback is a screw-back design that bears specific military-related inscriptions. The black dial is configured with luminescent Arabic numerals for visibility. The chronograph pushers are round, positioned on the right side of the case flanking the winding crown. The rotating bezel provides an external timing function, which was a functional requirement for the military specifications defined by the French Ministry of Defense during the mid-1950s.
- Visible features
- • Rotating bezel with a triangle marker • Two-register dial layout • Faceted lugs • Prominent crown and round chronograph pushers
- Movement and Functionality
- The timepiece is powered by a hand-winding movement identified as the Valjoux 222 caliber. This movement supports the chronograph complications required for its designated role as a military tool watch. As specified by the commission, the watch was intended for use by the French Navy and Air Force. The technical specifications were provided to various brands by the French Ministry of Defense, with Breguet being one of the manufacturers selected to fulfill these requirements.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The watch is documented by an extract from the archives provided by Breguet. This official documentation accompanies the timepiece, linking it to the historical series commissioned during the mid-20th century. The caseback bears 'Fin de Garantie' engravings. These were historically added by watchmakers to signal to pilots when the next required service was due, serving as a functional record of the watch's operational maintenance during its period of active military service.
Identification
- Lot number
- 58
- Serial number
- 7474
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The specific service history is not documented beyond the engravings on the caseback
- Research required: The exact production year within the 1950s is not specified