The Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph ref. 3880BR/Z2/9XV in 18K rose gold is perhaps our favorite sporty Breguet out there. As if the flyback chronograph and dual time zone features were not enough, this exceptional watch is also powered by a high frequency automatic movement beating at a frequency of 10 Hertz, yes 10 Hz. What makes this flyback chronograph even more special, is that the red chrono-seconds hand and red-tipped gold chrono-minutes hand, need to run twice around the dial to account for one elapsed minute when the chronograph is activated —in other words this watch features a 30-second/half-minute totalizer at the center— allowing for measurements of up to a 20th of a second.
Things to Know About the Watch
Also available in stainless steel with or without bracelet, the Type XXII features a 44 mm case with a thickness of 18.05 mm featuring the iconic fluting on the case band —one of Breguet's signature design features.
Fitted with a brown matte dial with recessed registers and red and white minute/seconds track in Base 30 and Base 60, this dial is just simply gorgeous. The dial follows the traditional layout of the other pieces in the collection and features running seconds at 9, 12-hour chrono-register with date aperture at 6 and dual time zone indicator at 3 o'clock. To make this watch as classic, yet sporty as possible, Breguet decided to add just the right amount of red to the dial to make it extra special.
Equipped with a bi-directional rotating graduated bezel and a screw-down crown, this watch is ready to take on the daily abuse and become a perfect companion for those crazy adventures in the city or in the wild. Water-resistant to a 100 meters, we are sure that you can go beyond swimming with this beauty. The chrono pushers are round and the flyback/reset pusher features two red lacquered groves around it.
To round out its stunning design, the watch is fitted with a brown alligator strap with a red/white contrast stitching that perfectly matches the seconds/minute track on the dial. The strap is fitted with a folding clasp.
The Movement
Fitted with a mirror polished case back, the Breguet Type XXII ref. 3880 allows for only a sneak peek of the movement via a very small opening on the case back. Just as if the red accents on the dial and the contrast stitching on the strap weren't good enough, the Breguet automatic calibre 589F also features a bright red grill-like insert on its heavy metal oscillating weight —visible via the small aperture on the case back.
This amazing movement that beats at a never-before-seen frequency of 10 Hz, features a flat silicon balance with high frequency silicon escapement. An increase in the frequency of the oscillator leads to real improvements on the rate precision and stability of the watch by enhancing the performance of the balance-wheel.
In the two hundred years of evolution of the Swiss lever escapement, the running frequencies have increased either not at all or only gradually. The norms for the past half century have been between 18,000 and 28,800 beats per hour, with a very small number pushing up to 36,000. Increases in watch frequency have come slowly. An advance of 7,000 beats per hour was recently heralded as revolutionary. Imagine then an increase that would more than double the standard frequency to reach 72,000 beats per hour or 10 Hertz. In 2010 Breguet introduced the Type XXII, with a frequency of 10 Hz, reinterpretation of the legendary Type XX, which above all embodied a high-precision achievement. Resulting from its research into high frequencies aimed at a closer and more stable measurement of time, it was the first series-made mechanical chronograph —with balance spring, lever and escape-wheel in silicon— with a movement of 10 Hertz, capable of marking off 20ths of a second. The movement is a flyback chronograph movement with 363 components and 28 jewels. When fully wound, the movement provides a power reserve of 40 hours.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph ref. 3880 wears slightly bigger than 44 mm and more like a 45-46 mm on a 7.25-7.5" wrist. The wrist presence is simply out of this world and the watch is a perfect ode to the legendary Breguet Type XX. If you like Breguet and you are a sucker —like us— for brown dials or red accents on watches, this watch is a must have.
Sticker Price $35,500 USD. For more info on Breguet click here.
