Breguet, a name synonymous with the deep and long heritage of watchmaking, has had a strong association with the world of aviation. This started with Louis Charles Breguet, the great-great-grandson of Abraham-Louis Breguet (1880–1955), who was one of the pioneers of French aviation. He attained that reputation by developing the gyroplane which would become the basis for the modern helicopter, as well as designing many innovative aircrafts, including a number of biplanes, seaplanes, fighter jets, and civilian transport aircraft.
From 1918 onwards, Breguet would then provide several timepieces for the American Air Force. However, it was in 1935 that the company would design its first wrist-worn chronographs. In the 1950s, the French Armed Forces would commission an order that led to Breguet producing its legendary watch, the Type XX chronograph. These would be used by the French Air Force and Naval Aviation until the early 1980s.
Today, Breguet adds to its remarkable collection with a new, decidedly sporty and modern model, the Type XXI 3815 chronograph.
Type XXI 3815 Chronograph
The newly-released Type XXI 3815 chronograph complements the the previous vintage-style edition, the Type XXI 3817, unveiled in 2016.
This new model features a 42 mm case made of titanium, a metal known for its anti-corrosive properties and lightness on the wrist. A finely-fluted caseband enhances grip, and is reinforced by a water resistance to 100 meters, a screw-down crown, and a finish that alternates polished and satin-finished surfaces.
The bidirectional bezel, also made of titanium, is fitted with a contrasting black-lacquered 60-minute scale, enhancing the contemporary look of this edition.
The Type XXI 3815 chronograph comes with a deep-black dial, and is available with green or orange numerals, markers and hands, all luminescent. A 24-hour indicator and small seconds displays are positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock, respectively. The minutes totaliser and the seconds totaliser of the chronograph are placed in the middle of the dial. A new precision minute track and a date at 6 o’clock complete this contemporary display.
Inside, the mechanical self-winding movement comes equipped with a flyback function, incorporating the latest technologies implemented by the House of Breguet, such as the silicon escapement and balance spring. The sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the movement in all its details, as well as a gold rotor with a specific finish for this edition.
Featuring a calfskin-leather strap with stitching that echoes the color of the markers and hands on the dial, rounded off with a new triple folding buckle for comfort and security on the wrist, the Type XXI 3815 chronograph is produced in a limited edition of 250 pieces per colour.
