BLANCPAIN, Air Force Command
The Air Command collection is inspired by a pilot’s watch from the 1950s and features a chronograph equipped with a Flyback function as well as a bidirectional countdown rotating bezel with a blue ceramic insert.
The bezel is graduated from 60 to 0, indicating the time remaining until the destination is reached. The 42.5 mm diameter device is made of grade 23 titanium and displays a tachymetric tachymeter scale as well as a 30-minute counter with three markers of varying lengths indicating each three-minute slot. These components, visible through the “glass case”, are displayed on the slightly glossy blue dial and contrast with hands and hour markers coated with luminescent material for optimal visibility. This precise and durable model houses a manufacture movement equipped with a 50-hour power reserve, an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring and a meticulously machined gold oscillating weight with Screw finish. Its sporty design is enhanced by a blue leather strap with white stitching.
BREGUET, Type XX
Breguet’s Type XX is the iconic pilot’s watch that appeared on the wrists of pilots in the 1950s.
At that time, the French Minister of War turned to watchmaker Maisons and issued an invitation to tender for the development of an instrument that could be restarted and restarted simultaneously to perform key calculations. body. In 1954, Breguet responded with the Type XX, equipped with a flyback function. A few years later, this watch entered the public collection, bringing the greatest joy to the first collectors. Jean Lassaussois reveals this 39 mm steel chronograph available at Breguet’s vintage boutique. It is water-resistant up to 100 meters and displays a black dial with a matching leather strap, contrasted by white hour markers coated with luminescent material.
HANHART, 417 ES Flyback Panda Inverted
The 39 mm 417 ES, originally designed for the German Air Force, is equipped with a special self-winding movement (Sellita) equipped with a flyback function, integrated column wheel and power reserve. amount in 58 hours. Its classic design is enhanced by a black dial and white counters, or “reverse panda” design in watchmaking jargon. Visible contrast is enhanced by hands and indexes coated with luminescent material for optimal visibility in all circumstances. On the back, the screw-in caseback displays the historic logo of the German Maison.
As for anecdotes, this iconic model by Hanhart Maison was worn by famous actor Steve McQueen in his 1962 film The War Lover. He was especially attached to this watch, which shared the spotlight with two co-stars: a Heuer Monaco and a Rolex Submariner…
STOPPER DISPLAY
RICHARD MILLE, RM 011 Felipe Massa
In 2007, Richard Mille, the Maison watchmaker (famous) for its pioneering instruments of atypical design, launched the RM 011 Felipe Massa.
This titanium watch was designed in collaboration with the famous Formula 1 pilot, featuring a recognizable tonneau-shaped case (50 mm x 40 mm). It was designed for motorcycle racing with a slick tire-like crown surrounding spoked wheel rims and aerodynamic thrusters with anti-slip ribs. This classic model also features a skeletonized dial revealing the precise, high-performance, automatic movement with flyback function. The movement has a power reserve of 80 hours, supports a large date display at 12 o’clock, an annual calendar, and a countdown.