Tag: AIRAIN WATCHES

AIRAIN WATCHES – Models with Technical Specifications, Price, Brand Details, History, News and Archives

Airain Type 20 Re-Edition: Furtivité and Black Versions

MasterHorologerLeave a comment

After the successful reintroduction of Vert Militaire Limited Edition last year, Airain presents two new interpretations of the iconic aviation watch, the Type 20.

Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition

The new offering includes a permanent Type 20 black dial model, and a stealth grey Limited ‘Furtivité’ edition. Both variants are now available for pre-order.

Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition

The Airain Type 20 Re-Edition faithfully matches in every detail the design and specifications of the original 1950’s Type 20, including a hand-wound column wheel chronograph with flyback function and countdown bezel.

Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition

Its dial, protected by a domed sapphire crystal, has the same Arabic numerals as the original 1950’s Type 20, with two registers at 3 and 9 o’clock that can count to 30 minutes.

Airain Type 20 Re-Edition (with black dial)
Airain Type 20 Re-Edition (with black dial)

The hand-applied Super-LumiNova color has been carefully chosen to recall the original luminescent material of the original Type 20. The 39.5mm stainless steel case is slightly bigger than the original to match modern standards without losing the allure of its famous ancestor.

Airain Type 20 Re-Edition (with black dial)

The Type 20 Re-Edition is powered by the exclusive caliber AM2, developed and made by Manufacture AMT – Sellita’s high end division in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition
Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition

The Airain Type 20 Furtivité model is limited to 134 pieces. It features an anthracite DLC coated stainless steel case and a grey colored suede leather strap.

Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition

Airain has started accepting pre-orders (50% deposit or full amount) for both models from 22 February with first deliveries expected in Q4 2023. Orders will be processed and delivered in the order of receipt.

Technical details

Model: Airain Type 20 Re-Edition

Reference numbers
421.436S: Re-Edition with black dial
421.889: Airain Type 20 Furtivité Limited Edition

Case
Stainless steel case (421.436S)
Stainless steel case with anthracite Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating (421.889)
Diameter: 39.5 mm
Domed sapphire crystal
Case-back, screwed down, engraved

Movement
Caliber AM2 manual-wind column wheel chronograph with flyback complication
28,800 vibrations/hour (4 Hz)
Twenty-three (23) jewels
63 hours power reserve (+/- 2 hours)
Incabloc shock protection
Adjusted in 5 positions

Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph with flyback function

Dial
Black dial (ref 421.436S)
Grey dial (ref 421.889, Furtivité Limited Edition, limited to 134 pieces)
Original Arabic numerals with beige Swiss Super-LumiNova
Rhodium polished hands with beige Swiss Super-LumiNova
Small second at 9 o’clock
Chronograph second in the center
30 minute counter at 3 o’clock

Strap
Genuine Suede leather in cognac (ref 421.436S) or grey (ref 421.889)
Double buckle, engraved with Airain logo

Pre-order price
Re-Edition: 2,650 Euros
Furtivité Limited Edition: 2,900 Euros

Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition

MasterHorologer

The historic tool watch brand Airain was revived by Dutch watch aficionado and entrepreneur Tom van Wijlick in 2020. It has soon introduced a re-edition of the legendary Type 20, one of the most sought-after military watches of all time.

Now, the brand is introducing Type 20 Vert Militaire, a new limited edition version featuring a green color theme. The designation ‘Vert Militaire’ is a reference to the brand’s French military history.

Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition

Based on the Airain Type 20 Re-Edition watch, this new reference takes its design inspiration from the original 1950s Type 20. It has a 39.5mm diameter case made of stainless steel. It is topped with a domed Hesalite crystal glass.

Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition

Its hand-wound mechanical movement is equipped with a hand-wound column wheel chronograph with flyback function. The dial features Arabic numeral hour-markers, a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, and a 30-minute recorder at 3 o’clock.

Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition

The hands and hour-markers are filled with beige color Super-LumiNova to evoke the style of the original Type 20’s luminescent material.

Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition

The watch is equipped with a stainless steel count-down bezel that can be rotated bi-directionally. Secured with a screwed-in case back in steel, this model is water resistant up to 50 meters. The Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire watch is fitted on a 3-stripe green and cream nylon fabric NATO strap.

Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition

This special edition is available for order from 20 July 2022. The price is 2,314 Euros, and only 134 pieces will be produced. The Vert Militaire green edition will start shipping at the end of August.

For more details, please visit: https://www.airain.com/airain-type-20-vert-militaire-limited-edition

Technical details

Model: Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Limited Edition
Reference: 421.481

Case
316L stainless steel case
Diameter: 39.5mm
Thickness: 10.85mm (without crystal)
47.7mm lug-to-lug width
Screwed in case back and bidirectional moving countdown bezel
Domed hesalite crystal with anti-scratch treatment, 3.92mm in height
Water resistance: 50m (5ATM) waterproof case

Movement
Manual-wind column wheel chronograph caliber AM1 with flyback complication
30 minute chronograph
24 jewels
Incabloc shock protection
60 hours power reserve

Functions
Hour, minute and small seconds at 9 o’clock
Central chronograph seconds and 30 minute recorder at 3 o’clock with flyback complication

Strap
3-stripe green and cream nylon fabric NATO strap with stainless steel buckle and fitted keepers
Buckle and keepers are brushed finished and third keeper is engraved with Airain logo
Lug width: 20mm

Airain Type 20 Pink Ribbon Pièce Unique

MasterHorologer

Airain, the historic watch brand revived by Lebois & Co, presents a unique piece from its Type 20 Re-Edition series to support the Pink Dial Project.

Pink Dial Project is an initiative by Revolution and The Rake who have partnered with Time+Tide, Fratello Watches, The Eye of Jewelry and Loupe. Scheduled to conduct for a week from 25th October 2021, this charity auction will raise money for breast cancer awareness, research and treatment.

Airain Type 20 Pink Ribbon Pièce Unique

The Airain Type 20 Pink Ribbon Pièce Unique features a pink dial and unique pink ribbon case back engraving. This one-of-a-kind manual-winding chronograph watch is based on the Airain Type 20 Re-Edition.

It follows every detail the design and specifications of the original 1950’s Type 20, including a hand-wound column wheel chronograph with flyback function and countdown bezel. Its dial, protected by a domed Hesalite crystal, has the same Arabic numerals as the original timepieces, with two registers at 3 and 9 o’clock that can count to 30 minutes.

Airain Type 20 Pink Ribbon Pièce Unique

The Type 20 Re-Edition is powered by the manual-winding caliber AM1. Rated for 60 hours of power reserve, this mechanical movement developed and made by Manufacture La Joux-Perret S.A. in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Technical details

Model: Airain Type 20 Pink Ribbon Pièce Unique
Reference: 421.469

Case
Material: Stainless steel
Diameter: 39.5mm
Height: 10.85mm
Crystal: 3.92mm domed hesalite with anti-scratch treatment
Lug-to-lug: 47.7mm
Caseback: Screwed in
Bezel: Bidirectional
Water resistance: 50m (5ATM)

Movement
Caliber: Manual-wind column wheel chronograph caliber AM1 with flyback complication
Power reserve: 60 hours
Chronograph: 30 minutes
Jewels: 24 jewels
Shock protection: Incabloc

Strap
Strap: Genuine Suede Leather Strap in Grey with pink accents
Lug Width: 20mm

Airain Type 20 Re-Editions

MasterHorologer

Airain, the iconic French watch brand has recently announced its revival thanks to the efforts of Dutch entrepreneur Tom van Wijlick. The legendary military watch specialist now presents the Type 20 Re-Editions.

Founded by Tom van Wijlick, Compagnie des Montres Lebois & Cie presently owns Lebois & Co and Airain watch brands. This year, the brand is releasing two Type 20 Re-Editions as well as a limited edition model that will be available for pre-order for a limited time only.

Airain Type 20 Re-Edition, Ref 421.436
Airain Type 20 Re-Edition, Ref 421.436

The first two Type 20 Re-Edition models are directly inspired by the original 1950s version’s design and specifications. These watches were designed with the help of Type 20 connoisseurs and collectors. They incorporate a hand-wound column wheel chronograph with flyback function and countdown bezel. Protected by a domed Hesalite crystal, its black dial features the original Arabic numerals, with two registers at 3 and 9 o’clock that can count up to 30-minutes. These models can be distinguished by the straps.

Airain Type 20 Re-Edition, Ref 421.437
Airain Type 20 Re-Edition, Ref 421.437

The hand-applied Super-LumiNova colour has been carefully chosen to recall the luminescent material of the original Type 20. Although the 39.5mm stainless steel case will be slightly bigger than the original to match modern standards, it still fully captures its famous ancestor’s allure. The Type 20 Re-Edition is powered by Airain’s caliber AM1, developed by Manufacture La Joux-Perret S.A. from La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland. This hand-wound movement provides approximately 55 hours of power reserve.

The brand is also releasing a limited edition Type 20 model with a contemporary touch. This model features chocolate brown dial and strap.

Airain Type 20 Brown Limited Edition, Ref 421.458
Airain Type 20 Brown Limited Edition, Ref 421.458

Retail price for the two Re-Edition models is €2,540 / US$2,920 and €2,600 / US$2,980 for the Brown Limited Edition.

Type 20 refers to a specification for pilot’s chronographs issued by the French Ministry of Defense. The unique feature of the Type 20 was the ‘flyback’ function, which allows the pilot to easily reset the chronograph hand, and quickly start timing a new event without the lag in time of pushing two more buttons. Montres Airain was, just as Lebois & Co, originally conceived by the illustrious Dodane family in 1934 and rose to fame for its trustworthy, high-quality timepieces. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Airain was one of the selected suppliers (including Dodane and Breguet) of the Type 20 model for the French Army. Today, the Airain Type 20 is one of the most sought-after military timepieces.

Technical details

Model: Airain Type 20 Re-Edition

Case
Material: Stainless steel
Diameter: 39.5mm
Caseback: Screwed in
Crystal: Hesalite
Bezel: Bidirectional

Dial
Black or chocolate brown

Movement
Caliber: Manual-wind column wheel chronograph caliber AM1 with flyback complication
Power reserve: 55 hours
Chronograph: 30 minutes
Jewels: 28 jewels
Shock protection: Incabloc

Strap
Genuine Suede Leather Strap in Black, Cognac or Brown
Lug Width: 20mm

Versions
Reference: 421.437: Type 20 Black dial with black strap
Reference: 421.436: Type 20 Black dial with Cognac strap
Reference: 421.458: Type 20 Brown limited edition (brown dial and brown suede leather strap)

French Watch Brand Airain announces its official relaunch with legendary ‘Type 20’ Military Reissue

MasterHorologer

The French watch brand Airain has announced its official relaunch by re-issuing its legendary French Army Type 20 watch, a unique collectors’ item.

Airain was originally established by the famous Dodane family in 1934. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Airain became one of the selected suppliers of the Type 20 model for the French Army. Today, the Airain Type 20 is one of the most sought-after military timepieces of all time.

A vintage Airain Type 20 Flyback Chronograph
A vintage Airain Type 20 Flyback Chronograph

Known for its reliability and stunning looks, the Type 20 has a case diameter of 38 millimetres and a black dial with Arabic numbers and an interesting bezel that counts in reverse from twelve to one. Its two in-dial registers at the 3 and 9 o‘clock mark can count to 30 minutes. The Type 20’s flyback function lets pilots restart the chronograph timer instantly, without the need to press two more buttons, a highly praised feature in its heyday.

Airain headman and avid watch aficionado Tom van Wijlick said the reissued Type 20 will meticulously follow original blueprints and suggestions of watch enthusiasts and collectors: “We are lucky to be in close contact with a dedicated community.” He added that the brand would reintroduce several other vintage Airain models over the coming years.

Vintage Airain Pocket Stopwatch
Vintage Airain Pocket Stopwatch

The original Airain is also known for its pocket stop watches, ‘Sous-Marine’ diver watches and the elegant, anti-magnetic Airain ‘77’ with a power reserve of 50 hours and Incabloc shock protection.

About Montres Airain and Compagnie des Montres Lebois & Cie

Montres Airain was (and now again is) a sister brand of Lebois & Co, another quality watch producer. Originally founded in 1934, the brand was relaunched in 2014 by Dutch watch aficionado and entrepreneur Tom van Wijlick. Both brands stem from famous French watchmaking dynasty Dodane, whose legacy as watchmakers began in 1857. Adding Airain to the company’s portfolio is in line with its strategy to revive more historic brands, and to form a group of revived watch brands.