News: A Breguet classic returns, plus skeleton perfection from Zenith
Two of the most thrilling late-spring releases come courtesy of Swiss stalwarts, Breguet and Zenith. We’re thrilled to see the former’s Type XX pilot’s watch back in the mix. Meanwhile, Zenith has released another fine skeleton model with this sensational Defy, a watch that any fan of the sport-luxe aesthetic would be proud to have in their collection.
Breguet Type XX & Type 20
Breguet has released two new versions of arguably its most recognisable model, the Type XX.
While most people associate the brand with traditional guilloche dials and distinctive ‘pomme’ hands, this iconic pilot’s chronograph with flyback function has been around in some form or other since the 1950s and was famously used by the French military.
Here, Breguet has issued both a civilian and military version, the Type XX and Type 20, respectively.
Both stay close to previous vintage designs but there are some significant differences, with the Type XX featuring three subdials and the Type 20 only two. The Type XX also features cream-hued lume for a more vintage look and a numbered bezel, contrasting with the Type 20’s bright mint-green lume and plain bezel with a fluted edge for that extra Breguet touch.
The latter also features a distinctive conical crown, as well as syringe-shaped hour and minute hands. Both models boast exhibition casebacks revealing slightly different automatic movements powered by a blackened, hollowed-out winding rotor that bears the hallowed Breguet name.
Case | Steel
Dimensions | 42mm
Dial | Black with Arabic numerals
Crystal | Sapphire crystal
Water-resistance | 100m
Movement | Caliber 728 (Type XX), Caliber 7281 (Type 20)
Power Reserve | 60 hours
Frequency | 36,000 VpH
Strap | Calfskin leather or Nato
Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, flyback chronograph
RRP | $18,000
Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton Boutique Edition
Zenith’s latest addition to its much-loved Defy collection draws inspiration from bold cityscapes and skylines, where, according to Zenith, “structures and light are bound in a constantly moving interplay”.
Featuring the octagonal geometry of the early Defy models from the 1960s, the 41mm angular steel case and faceted bezel of the new Defy Skyline Skeleton means it retains the same robustness and durability as its predecessors, while bringing an edgier and more architectural aesthetic—hence its name.
The silver-grey skeletonised dial boasts the classic Zenith four-pointed star and gold-plated faceted hour markers and hands with a SuperLuminova coating, and a 1/10th of a second counter is positioned at 6 o’clock. It comes on a matching silver-grey bracelet, with an additional black rubber strap featuring an apt starry-sky pattern.
Powering this cityscape-inspired Zenith is the Swiss automatic Zenith in-house caliber El Primero 3620SK, with 26 jewels, 36,000 vph and a power reserve of 55 hours.
Case | Steel
Dimensions | 41mm
Dial | Skeleton, silver-grey
Crystal | AR-coated sapphire
Water-resistance | 100m
Movement | El Primero 3620SK, automatic
Power reserve | 55 hours
Frequency | 36,000 vph
Strap | Silver-grey bracelet with additional black rubber strap
Functions | Hours, minutes and 1/10th of a second counter
RRP | $11,000
