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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military flyback chronograph

Breguet Military Issued Type XX Chronograph

Partially verified

Featured in a Phillips preview for the Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN, Lot 120 is described as an early military-issued Breguet Type XX chronograph delivered to French aviators in 1955. Conforming to French military requirements, the matte black dial is unsigned by the manufacturer. Phillips reports that military specifications required identifying details, such as issue numbers and periodic 'Fin de Garantie' (FG) maintenance dates, to be engraved on the case back. This specific watch reportedly carries service notations spaced roughly two years apart from August 1956 until February 1979, indicating twenty-three years of official military service before decommissioning.

Cropped dial and case view of the Breguet Type XX military chronograph showing unsigned black dial, fluted bezel, and crown
Cropped dial and case view of the Breguet Type XX military chronograph showing unsigned black dial, fluted bezel, and crown — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military flyback chronograph
Maker / attribution
Breguet
Reference
Type XX
Catalogue / lot identifier
120
Source-reported date
1955
Country
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Historical Context and Delivery

This timepiece is identified as an early military-issued Breguet Type XX chronograph, representing one of the initial models provided to the French government.

The watch is dated to 1955, the year of its delivery to French pilots, and carries service markings indicating its use in military service for twenty-three years before decommissioning.

Evidence for this section
  • “this here is one of the first models delivered to French pilots in 1955.”
  • “This particular example bears inscriptions almost every 2 years from 8.56 to 13.2.79 meaning it was in military use for 23 years before it was decommissioned.”

Dial and Exterior Configuration

The matte black dial is unsigned, lacking the manufacturer's name. It features large luminous Arabic numerals, a running seconds counter, and a 30-minute chronograph counter.

The exterior configuration includes a fluted bidirectional rotating bezel with a triangle indicator, a fluted onion winding crown, and cylindrical pump pushers.

Evidence for this section
  • “the dial is without the name of the manufacturer.”
  • “Matte black dial without brand signature or maker text”
  • “Fluted bidirectional rotating bezel with triangle/arrow indicator at 12 o'clock”
  • “Prominent fluted onion winding crown flanked by cylindrical pump pushers”

Maintenance Markings

Military specifications for this model required identifying details, such as issue numbers and 'Fin de Garantie' (FG) service dates, to be engraved on the case back rather than the dial.

Reported service notations on the case back span from August 1956 to February 1979.

Evidence for this section
  • “This kind of information was instead engraved on the back of the case with issue number, and servicing dates.”
  • “The letters FG stand for “Fin de Garantie” (which in French translates to “End of Guarantee”) and were left by the watchmaker responsible for servicing the watch”
  • “This particular example bears inscriptions almost every 2 years from 8.56 to 13.2.79”

Open research questions

  • What specific military issue number is engraved on the case back?
  • Can the specific military unit to which this watch was issued be identified?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet Military Issued Type XX Chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Delivery Date1955“this here is one of the first models delivered to French pilots in 1955.”
Dial SignatureUnsigned“the dial is without the name of the manufacturer.”
Service MarkingsFG inscriptions from 1956 to 1979“This particular example bears inscriptions almost every 2 years from 8.56 to 13.2.79 meaning it was in military use for 23 years before it was decommissioned.”
Auction SessionGeneva Watch Auction: SEVEN“All four Breguet Type XX chrongraphs presented here will be offered during the Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN, taking place on May 12-13”
Auction ProvenanceGeneva Watch Auction: SEVEN“All four Breguet Type XX chrongraphs presented here will be offered during the Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN”

Visible details

  • Matte black dial without brand signature or maker text
  • Luminous Arabic numeral hour markers and outer minute/seconds track
  • Right-hand 30-minute chronograph counter and left-hand running seconds counter visible
  • Fluted bidirectional rotating bezel with triangle/arrow indicator at 12 o'clock
  • Prominent fluted onion winding crown flanked by cylindrical pump pushers
  • Luminous syringe hands and central chronograph seconds hand

Research qualifications

  • Case back bearing the cited FG service dates and military issue number is not visible in the provided image
  • Movement caliber, serial number, and movement imagery are not provided in the source excerpt

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Four Incredibly Rare Breguet Type XX Chronographs

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 7ec8e824c9

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other military flyback chronograph records