Breguet Transatlantique Type XXI Flyback

This model is a successor to the “Type XX” developed in the 1950s for the French Air Force, which was offered in two versions – Aéronavale and Transatlantique – the main difference between the two models being the absence of a date on the former. All watches in the series had a flyback function – very important for the pilots, who were the primary users of the timepieces. The watch presented today has contemporary case dimensions of 42.5 mm and a height of 15.4 mm – however, due to the bezel design, the watch looks and wears more like a 44-45 mm. Undoubtedly, one of the most attractive things about this watch (besides the fact that it is a Breguet;-) is its dial – made of ruthenium – a material rarely used by other watch manufacturers – it appears brown or even grayish depending on the light and the angle from which you view it. The seconds register is at “9 o’clock”, the chronograph hour counter and the trapezoidal date window are at “6 o’clock”, and the 24-hour indicator is at “3 o’clock”. The chronograph seconds and minutes are displayed in a very different way – via two central hands (one on top of the other), mounted on the central pinion, while the minute scale is printed on the outer ring of the dial. The white Arabic numerals along with the diamond-shaped markers complement the entire combination very well and reinforce the impression of an expensive and perfect instrument. The movement used is the Breguet Calibre 584Q with 25 jewels and a power reserve of over 48 hours, a chronograph with a flyback function – in my personal opinion, the fact that the case back is solid is a drawback, as it does not allow one to enjoy the beautifully decorated movement. This drawback was addressed in the newly released Type XXI from 2016, and this only reinforces the brand's reputation as being oriented towards the desires and preferences of its clients. The version presented today is on a bracelet (which is rarer and consequently more expensive), and it, in turn, is very massive, solid, and “has a substantial feel”.