2022 Airain Type 20 Brown Limited Edition Mechanical
Ref: 421.458
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Airain presentation box and paperwork. The watch comes fitted on its 20mm strap. The watch is from July 2022 and is sold in worn but excellent condition as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 2022 Airain Type 20 which was limited to 134 pieces and is now sold out, a faithful re-edition it has the DNA of both the Type 20 and Type 21 with 39.5mm polished chamfered edges and brushed stainless steel case. The angular profile leads to drilled flat-ended lugs with a lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 14mm giving the watch an impressive wrist presence, down the right side, we have the chronograph pump pushers and a signed crown in the centre. A bidirectional stainless steel bezel has a 12-hour countdown scale engraved into it, and 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 that vintage aesthetic mark the hours. At 3 o’clock a 30-minute register with concentric circular patternation and at 9 o’clock the continuous second's register completes this renowned bicompax, at 12 o’clock 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 made by La Joux-Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland it has a base of the Valjoux 7750 but is heavily modified and true to the original Type 20 specification with a fly-back column wheel. The watch comes fitted on its vintage style 20mm strap and also comes with its Airain presentation box and paperwork.
Personal Note
A true fly-back column wheel chronograph at this price point, that alone is worth looking into more, but pair that with a fantastic design based on a super important vintage watch, and now you have my attention! Finding an original in good condition is tough, so Airain releasing this great watch like they have is great in my opinion, the ability to get all the charm of a vintage watch with all the reliability of a modern watch.
The Brand
Originally conceived by the Dodane family in 1934 Montres Airain became famous for reliable high-quality chronograph and dive watches, they also founded its 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 it was in 1934. The first task was to reintroduce the famous Airain Type 20 chronograph.