The Type XX gets it right
By Rafael Ortiz, Mexico City ยท
The pusher, first. On a flyback chronograph it's everything, and Breguet's Type XX comes from the French naval aviation brief of the 1950s where a pilot needed to reset and restart a timer instantly. The 2057 keeps that idea alive with the 728 caliber: flyback, 60 hours of reserve, and you can see it through the open caseback.
The case is 42 mm by 14.1 mm with 21 mm lugs, which is a slightly odd lug width (good luck finding aftermarket straps in a hurry in Lima). The black dial is very clean and the numerals are big and honest. It's the kind of face I can read with half a glance, which is the whole point of a pilot's chrono.
Water resistance of 100 meters is a relief after the Air Command. The rotating bezel is useful for a second elapsed time.
Price is 17,000 to 18,500 dollars, and that's where I hesitate. It's a lot for a steel chronograph on leather. But compared to the Blancpain it's a better daily watch, and compared to the Royal Oak it's a better tool. If I were spending that kind of money on a pilot's chronograph, this would be top of my list.