Airain Type 20 “70 Ans”: Celebrating 70 Years of the French Flyback Chronograph with a Timeless Tribute

Born in the mid-1950s for the French Ministry of Defence, the Type 20 Chronograph made waves in the horology world with its black dial, flyback function, rotating bezel, and robust design meant to endure aviation challenges. It quickly stood out among watches from fellow suppliers like Breguet, Mathey-Tissot, and Auricoste. With its compact case, crisp bi-compax layout, and sharp flyback action the Airain’s Type 20 has earned its place in the annals of iconic field chronographs.

Resurrected in 2020, Airain breathed new life into its Type 20 legacy with meticulously revised and modernly reimagined editions. From the Vert Militaire, a period-appropriate aesthetic variation, to the stealthy Type 20 Furtivité with DLC case and contemporary palette, these new iterations aimed to capture the past while embracing the future.

This special 70th-anniversary edition marries the past with the present, maintaining the original steel casing proportions (39mm), bidirectional 12-hour bezel, and clear bi-compax dial. The new Horizon Blue dial colour is a nod to French aeronautical history, reminiscent of early-20th-century French uniforms and design, while the beige Grade X1 lume upholds cockpit legibility. The AMT’s AM2- visible through a display back, underpins the vintage and modern appeal of this watch, as it is a hand-wound, column-wheel flyback calibre.

Set to launch in limited batches initially, the “70 Ans” is priced at EUR 3,850 and set to be made available for pre-orders from October 21. The first-round deliveries are expected to start in early April 2026. To join in the celebration of 70 years of French horology innovation with the Airain Type 20, visit Airain’s website to learn more or place an order.