Breguet, Ref. 4358, 1950's, specially made
for La Marine Nationale et l'Aéronautique
Navale No. 423 (Type 20 5101/54), returned on
10.6 1968 for repair.
Fine and rare, stainless steel gentleman's
wristwatch, with round button "retour en vol"
chronograph and 15 minute register.
C. polished, screwed back, waterproof, antimagnetic
protecting cap, reeded revolving bezel.
D. black, with radiumed Arabic numerals +
auxiliary seconds and 15 minute register dials. "
Skeleton" radiumed hands. M. 14"' Valjoux,
rhodiumed, 17 jewels, lever escapement,
monometallic balance, self-compensating Breguet
balance-spring. Dial, case and movement signed.
In very good condition.
Diam. 38 mm.
Note: The last model of the Breguet Type 20
wristwatch, and the rarest, were those made for
the CEV (Centre d'Essai en Vol). This centre,
responsible for the testing and homologation of all
new aeroplanes, was supplied with all models of
the Breguet chronograph, both Marine and
Aviation types, differing only in the marks
stamped on the back: CEV followed by a number
below 500 indicating that no more than 500 of
each series was supplied to the service. At the
same time, the CEV also received the most
complicated of all the French Military watches:
the "Three register" Breguet chronograph,
developed from the Navy model, with both 15
minute and 12 hour registers, as well as a
continuous subsidiary seconds. An additional
feature was the adjustable bezel graduated for 12
hours.
The type 20 5101 /54 (signifying the number and
year of the contract) was usually made with a
large hall-shaped crown, enabling the watch to be
wound by a pilot whilst wearing gloves. However,
any advantage gained by making the watch easy
to wind, was generally outweighed by the
problems of the button catching on clothing under
rough conditions, and the majority have been
fitted with a more conventional winding crown.
The title retour en vol, refers to the instantaneous
fly-back feature of the chronograph work. A single
push on the lower chronograph button, zero 's the
chronograph hand whilst still in motion, which
then restarts immediatly. Avoiding the need for a
pilot to break concentration from the controls of
the plane.
