Gaining momentum has never been an issue for Breguet, which over the
centuries has uncovered innumerable inventions in the world of luxury watchmaking.
Entering its 250th year of existence following its establishment by Abraham-Louis (A-L.)
Breguet, the Swiss haute horologist has taken Paris and Shanghai as muses for the
To celebrate its 250th anniversary, Breguet presents two new versions of the Type XX
Chronographe 2075 Classique Souscription 2025 and Tradition 7035 edition. To further its festivities, Breguet decisively changes course to New York for the anniversary reiterations of the cherished Type XX, the Type XX Chronographe 2075.
The Big Apple has always held a special place in Breguet’s heart, as it played a pivotal moment in the watchmaker’s history. Breguet Aviation, dubbed as a key player in French military and commercial aviation, was founded by none other than A-L. Breguet’s great grandson, Louis Charles Breguet. It is this exact aviation company that first connected Paris and New York by flight. “Paris had already been linked by air from New York in 1927, but the first plane to fly from Paris to New York was an authentic Breguet, in 1930,” adds the CEO of
Breguet, Gregory Kissling.
Akin to the original model, the Type XX Chronographe 2075 spans up to 38.3 mm
and now boasts a 60-hour power reserve. The manual-wound watch is equipped with
Calibre 7279 or 7278, each of which oscillates at 5 Hz and features a flyback function. The haute horologist captures the epoch-making event on the movement’s gold-sheathed back, where amidst the mid-air gems and silicon hairspring or spiral, the Breguet 19 aircraft can be seen making its way to New York.
Crafted out of 18-carat Breguet gold, each watch is clad with a gear-like bi-directional
rotating bezel that can be used as a secondary time zone reference. Inspired by the 1955 civilian Type XX, the new models offer distinctly different charms that cater to different profiles. The first, an elegant black variation, amalgamates the original timepiece with Louis Breguet’s ingenious use of Duralumin sheet. This very same material once used for his aircraft now serves as the dial of the Type XX Chronographe 2075, which has been anodised to reach the desired depth. Against the minimalist smoky dial, the golden hour appliques and needles glow more vividly. Similar to the original, the timepiece features 15-minute and small seconds counters of different diameters. Breguet finishes the watch off with a sleek black calfskin strap with stitching details at the sides.
Unlike the high contrast black variation, Breguet adds a touch of coolness for the
Type XX Chronographe 2075 in solid silver. Similarly encapsulated in an 18-carat Breguet gold case, this model comes with a blue tachymeter scale that frames the central dial.
The simplified hour appliques make way for the 30-minute counter at the 3 o’clock mark, as
well as the small seconds at the 9 o’clock mark. Limited to 250 pieces, the dapper timepiece
is paired with a calfskin leather strap in a luxurious blue gradation. Side by side, the Type XX Chronographe 2075 in black and solid silver dials are easily each other’s opposites that embody the revered brand’s values and intriguingly rich history.
Just as Breguet Aviation paved a route to New York, it is in Breguet’s blood to uncover new
paths in the world of luxury watchmaking.Standing tall since 1775, Breguet has gained
the favours of the French Air Force, illustrious public figures, and even members of European
royalty. From the aviation-inspired Type XX to the beguiling Reine de Naples, the haute
horologist’s palatable approach to the craft cements its status as a pioneer in the industry.
