In the 1950s, the Aéronautique Militaire issued a standard for pilot’s watches — the Type 20.

Aesthetically, the Type 20 — with its stark black dial, bold Arabic numerals, and 38mm stainless steel case — resembled other military watches of the era. However, the unique requirements posed by the French military meant that the Type 20 had to be a chronograph with a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a seconds counter at 9 o’clock. These requirements were inspired by chronographs made by Tutima and Hanhart for the Luftwaffe in World War II.

But the Type 20 went one step further: the chronograph had to have a flyback function — or, in French, retour en vol — that enabled the pilot to stop, reset and start the chronograph again by depressing the bottom pusher just once.

Although Breguet was not the only manufacture to receive the contract, it’s Breguet’s version of the Type 20 that has become an icon, the template from which all other military chronographs are struck. However, their numbers were low — only 2,000 or so units were delivered to the French Air Force in 1954. Thankfully, civilian versions followed, and today numerous brands — foremost among them Breguet itself — make appealing, luxurious iterations of this famous military watch.

This particular Breguet is a Type XXI dating to the 2020s. Housed in a 42mm 18K rose gold case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, dual barrel pushers, and a rotating timing bezel, it features a sunburst brown dial with ‘Arabic’ and applied, lumed rose gold diamond-shaped indices, a matching, lumed ‘syringe’ handset, a triple-register chronograph display, an outer minute track, and a date window at 6:00.

Powering this impressive piece is the automatic Breguet Calibre 584Q movement with a 45-hour power reserve and 25 jewels. Paired to a signed, brown leather strap with a signed, rose gold deployant clasp, this handsome take on one of the best tool watch designs of the last century is ready to accompany its next owner on all of life’s adventures.

Strap it on and take it for a spin — we know you’ll love it!