THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: CHRONOFIXE
MODEL: TYPE 21
YEAR: c1956
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 38mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: LEATHER
MOVEMENT: MANUAL WIND

In the early 1950s, the French Ministry of Defense required a purpose-built pilot’s watch for its Air Force and Naval Aviation, which led to the creation of the Type 20 and Type 21 chronographs. Much like the British Army’s W10, the Type 20 and 21 are military specifications rather than specific models. These watches were produced by several leading French manufacturers of the time, including Dodane, Airain, Auricoste, Vixa, and Mathey-Tissot. The most famous maker is undoubtedly Breguet, whose Type 20 remains a flagship model today—original examples often fetch tens of thousands.

The present example is a Type 21 by Chronofixe, a military supplier/retailer whose watches were manufactured by Mathey-Tissot. And we must say, this is one of the most beautiful, balanced, and visually pleasing chronographs we’ve ever handled. The 38 mm case is unpolished, proudly showcasing its original bevels and sharp edges. The full radium dial and syringe hands are pristine, with all lume intact and now exhibiting a rich pumpkin patina. The two-register layout is clean, functional, and superbly legible. To complete the package, the watch retains its very rare “navigation” bezel (visible in the final images).

We’ve recently serviced the watch, and it's running perfectly at +4 s/d, 320 amplitude, with a 0.4 ms beat error. Original Type 20s and 21s are incredibly hard to find, and this example is as good as any you’re likely to come across.