2022 Airain Type 20 Brown Chronograph Limited Edition 39.5mm

Here we have a 2022 Airain Type 20 Brown Chronograph Limited Edition, number 001 of 134 pieces. A faithful re-edition, it has the DNA of both the Type 20 and Type 21, featuring a 39.5mm polished chamfered edges and a brushed stainless steel case. The angular profile leads to drilled flat-ended lugs with a lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm and a case thickness of 14.5mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side are the chronograph pushers, and the signed crown is in the centre. A bidirectional stainless steel bezel features a 12-hour countdown scale. The domed Hesalite crystal, AR-coated, sits above a rich, dark chocolate-brown, grainy-textured dial. An outer minute track is precisely printed with small Arabic numerals, larger numerals coated in beige SuperLumiNova for a vintage aesthetic, marking the hours. At 3 o’clock, a 30-minute register with concentric circular patternation and at 9 o’clock, the continuous seconds register completes this renowned bicompax. At noon, we have the Airain motif “Type 20” and at 6 o’clock, 24 Rubis Incabloc. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the number out of 134 engraved into it. Inside a manually wound Airain AM1 column wheel chronograph movement. Developed and manufactured by La Joux-Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, it is based on the Valjoux 7750 but is heavily modified. The watch comes paired with its vintage-style 20mm Airain strap and pin buckle. Includes the Airain presentation box and paperwork. 

This watch is sold with its original Airain presentation box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its 20mm Airain vintage-style strap and pin buckle. The watch is from August 2022 and is sold in worn but overall it is in very fair condition, as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.

It feels quite rare to see brown used on a dial for a watch, yet whenever it is used and executed well, it is probably one of my favourite colours on a watch. This Airain Type 20 Chronograph features a striking brown dial and is limited to just 134 total, this being number 001. Powered by the manually wound Airain calibre AM1, this vintage-inspired limited edition chronograph offers a surprising amount of value for money. I would not hesitate to snap this up today!

Reference : 421.458
Movement : Manually Wound Airain Cal. AM1
Age : August 2022
Year : 2022
Case Size : 39.5mm
Case Thickness : 14.5mm
Lug to Lug : 46.5mm
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

Originally conceived by the Dodane family in 1934, Montres Airain became famous for reliable, high-quality chronograph and dive watches. They also founded their sister brand Lebois & Co. Creating the first watch factory on the Swiss border of France in 1897. Today, Dodane is still making watches. Airain was selected by the French Air Force during the 1950s and 1960s to create an accurate timepiece; other brands were also tasked with the same, such as Breguet, Tissot, Dodane, Auricoste, and Vixa. As a result of this influx of design and development, the Type 20 and Type 21 Chronograph with its “fly-back” function was born. The Airain Type 20 was used by French Army Helicopter pilots and civilians. After such success, the contract with the military ceased and the quartz revolution began sadly the brand disappeared by the 1990s that was until Tom van Wijlick a Dutch entrepreneur and avid watch collector, and his wife revived the sister brand Lebois & Co in 2014 always wishing to bring together the two brands once more this was achieved in 2020 when they acquired the rights for Airain after talking with the French owners family. Now the two brands live under Compagnie des Montres Lebois & Cie just as they were in 1934. The first task was to reintroduce the famous Airain Type 20 chronograph.