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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military flyback chronograph

Breguet Type 20 Ref. 5101/54 flyback chronograph wristwatch

Partially verified

According to the auctioneer, this Breguet Type 20 is a stainless steel military flyback chronograph wristwatch dating to circa 1954. The 38mm brushed round case features a screw-down back stamped FG15367 and numbered 3958, a bi-directional rotating bezel, a winding crown, and two round pushers. The source states it houses a jewelled manual wind Valjoux caliber 222 movement numbered 3351. The black dial displays luminous Arabic numeral hour markers, twin subsidiary dials for continuous seconds and 30-minute recording, and an outer 1/5th second division track. Bonhams notes that the dial is refinished and several components are later replacements.

Front three-quarter view of the Breguet Type 20 chronograph on a brown leather strap
Front three-quarter view of the Breguet Type 20 chronograph on a brown leather strap — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military flyback chronograph
Maker / attribution
Breguet
Reference
5101/54
Catalogue / lot identifier
227
Source-reported date
Circa 1954
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
3958

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

Case Construction and Exterior Markings

Visual inspection confirms a brushed round stainless steel case fitted with a fluted bi-directional rotating bezel that bears a triangular marker at 12 o'clock, alongside a large winding crown flanked by two round chronograph pushers. The cataloguer notes a case size of 38mm.

According to the source description, the screw-down case back is stamped 'FG15367' and numbered '3958'. These case back markings are not visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brushed stainless steel case with large winding crown flanked by two round chronograph pushers”
  • “Fluted bi-directional rotating bezel with triangular marker at 12 o'clock”
  • “Size: 38mm”
  • “screw down back stamped 'FG15367'”
  • “No.3958”

Dial Display and Movement Details

The black dial features luminous Arabic numeral hour markers, twin sunken subsidiary dials at 3 and 9 o'clock for continuous seconds and 30-minute recording, and pointed luminous baton hands with a slender central chronograph hand. White outer 1/5th second divisions are also recorded in the lot description.

The cataloguer states the watch is powered by a jewelled Valjoux Cal. 222 manual wind movement, numbered 3351, with flyback chronograph functions. The movement is not visible in the photograph, but Bonhams notes it ran when wound during cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black dial with luminous Arabic numerals and dual sunken sub-dials at 3 and 9 o'clock”
  • “Pointed luminous baton hands with a slender central chronograph hand”
  • “Dial: Black, luminous Arabic numeral hour markers, white outer 1/5th second divisions, subsidiary dials at 3 and 9 for seconds and 30 minute recording, white pointed baton hands with luminous inserts, centre chronograph hand”
  • “Movement: Jewelled Valjoux Cal.222 manual wind, No.3351”
  • “Movement: Runs when wound, flyback chronograph functions”

Condition Report and Replaced Components

Bonhams' condition report notes that the dial has been refinished, displaying discolouration to the luminous markers, marks to the outer 1/5th second divisions near 1 o'clock, and light surface debris. The case is described as refurbished, showing light nicks, surface scratches, and paint loss to the bezel triangle.

The auctioneer further reports that the hands, glass crystal, brown leather strap, and signed folding clasp are later replacements, with a small mark noted on the centre chronograph hand and light scratches on the glass and clasp.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: Refinished, discolouration to luminous markers, marks to outer 1/5th second divisions by 1, further light marks and surface debris in places”
  • “Case: Refurbished, light nicks and surface scratches in places, loss of paint to bezel triangle”
  • “Hands: Later, small mark to centre chronograph hand”
  • “Glass: Later, light surface scratches visible under a loupe”
  • “Strap/Bracelet: Later, lightly used”
  • “Buckle/Clasp: Later, light surface scratches”

Open research questions

  • What specific repair work and part replacements are itemized in the included 2006 service receipt?
  • Does inspection of the case back reveal any additional 'FG' (fin de garantie) service stamps beyond FG15367?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet Type 20 Ref. 5101/54 flyback chronograph wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelType 20“Model: Type 20”
Reference5101/54“Reference: 5101/54”
MovementJewelled Valjoux Cal.222 manual wind, No.3351“Movement: Jewelled Valjoux Cal.222 manual wind, No.3351”
Case Size38mm“Size: 38mm”
Case NumberNo.3958“No.3958”
Case Back StampFG15367“screw down back stamped 'FG15367'”
AccompanimentsBreguet pouch, service receipt dated 2006, spare brown Breguet leather strap“Accompaniments: Breguet pouch, service receipt dated 2006, spare brown Breguet leather strap”
SignedCase & dial“Signed: Case & dial”
DateCirca 1954“Date: Circa 1954”

Visible details

  • Black dial with luminous Arabic numerals and dual sunken sub-dials at 3 and 9 o'clock
  • Fluted bi-directional rotating bezel with triangular marker at 12 o'clock
  • Pointed luminous baton hands with a slender central chronograph hand
  • Brushed stainless steel case with large winding crown flanked by two round chronograph pushers
  • Fitted to a stitched brown leather strap

Research qualifications

  • The condition report notes the dial is refinished, and the hands, glass, strap, and clasp are later replacements
  • The movement and case back markings are not visible in the supplied photograph

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Breguet. A rare stainless steel manual wind flyback chronograph military wristwatch Type 20, Ref: 5101/54, Circa 1954

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d0d8e6e509

Terms in this record

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

Other military flyback chronograph records