Breguet Type 20 "Flyback" FG5-56
Description
BREGUET TYPE 20 – MILITARY FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH – 1956
Rooted in the history of French military aviation, the 1956 Breguet Type 20 embodies the fusion of technical precision and functional rigor. This chronograph was developed according to strict specifications issued by the French Ministry of Defense, with the aim of equipping Air Force pilots with a flight instrument as robust as it was legible.
The present example, authenticated by its military engraving FG 5-56, belongs to the first generation delivered to French Government Forces. It showcases all the hallmark features collectors seek: a 38 mm stainless steel case, bidirectional notched bezel, distinctive “onion” crown, and a matte black dial with luminous Arabic numerals beautifully aged by time.
What truly sets it apart, however, is its manually wound mechanical movement—a Valjoux 222 specially modified by Breguet. It incorporates the essential flyback function, enabling pilots to reset and restart the chronograph instantly without the need to stop it first—an invaluable feature for aerial navigation.
On the wrist, this Type 20 impresses with its raw authenticity, balanced proportions, and undiminished military spirit. Every detail—from the rounded pushers to the aged hands—bears witness to an era when a watch was not just a timekeeper, but a true aviation instrument.
