Breguet Pilot 3800ST/92/SW9

Breguet Type XX Aéronavale 3800ST/92/SW9

Released in 1954, the Breguet Type 20 is the French brand’s bond between watchmaking and aviation. Designed as a watch for the French Air Force in the early ’50s, the Type 20 met requirements drawn up by the French Ministry of Defence for a watch that their Air Force could wear. These requirements were quite reasonable with low-light legibility, reliability, accuracy of +/- 8 seconds a day and a steel case all taking precedence over anything else. Breguet, using the vast experience they have gained since their inception in 1775, designed and put forward the Type 20. Following quick approval, the watches were delivered to the French Air Force between 1955 and 1959. They were also delivered to the Flight Test centre between 1956 and 1957 and the Naval Air Force in 1960. The Type 20 was such a massive hit with the aviators that wore them that high demand from the public ensued. Shortly after, the Type 20 was released to the civilian population. The civilian version was renamed as the Type XX and has since seen many iterations of itself be released. Offered here we have the Type XX Aeronavale, which was launched in 1995 as the third generation of the Type XX, with it staying in production until 2018. Boasting gorgeously aged tritium luminous Arabic numerals atop its black dial, this example’s age is no secret, with its 39mm stainless steel coin-edge case remaining in stunning condition, along with its rotating numbered bezel.