At Baselworld 2010, Breguet introduced the, which runs at a velocious rate of 10 hertz. The timepiece above is identical to the production version, but this particular sample did not have a working movement inside. The Breguet, silicon escapement based movement, at 10 hertz which is 72,000 vibrations per hour – is fast.
In fact, the Breguet Type XXII Flyback Chronograph GMT will have the fastest oscillating production wristwatch movement on the market. Notably, one benefit is the ability to record with 1/20th of second chronograph accuracy, and another is higher accuracy.
Its stainless steel case, 44 mm across, houses a Breguet chronograph movement with silicon escapement and flat balance spring whose frequency has been raised to 10 Hertz (i.e. 72,000 vibrations per hour), endowing the movement with exceptional regulating power, its chronograph seconds hand effecting a complete rotation in 30 seconds.
The timepiece’s start function and readout are thus twice as precise. At the heart of this technical exploit is the use of silicon, resulting in more lightweight mobile components and the avoidance of the lubrication problems generated by high frequencies. An extra hand at centre counts the minutes by adding together the 30-second spans. At 12 o’clock, a rectangular aperture in the dial displays a retrograding pointer that indicates whether the chronograph seconds hand is completing its first or its second 30-second revolution. The Breguet Type XXII chronograph naturally features a flyback function, allowing the totaliser to be returned to zero and instantly restarted in one and the same operation.
Furthermore, the dial includes a second time-zone indicator along with an aperture for a date calendar. A two-position crown resets the second time-zone indicator by moving the hour hand at centre without affecting the minute hand. With the crown in that position, the date calendar obeys the time of the main time-zone displayed at centre. A 24-hour night-and-day indicator at 3 o’clock tells the wearer whether it is daytime or nighttime in the area covered by the second time-zone. At nine o’clock, a subdial showing the running seconds making full rotations in 30 seconds completes this truly exceptional timepiece.
The chronograph’s black dial contrasts crisply with the flyback indications in red. The model comes fitted with an integrated alligator strap.
Technical Specifications
Case
round, in steel, with fluted caseband. Diameter 44 mm. Round-ended horns. Two-way rotating bezel with 60-minute scale. Screw-locked crown. Water-resistant to 10 bar (100 m).
Dial
oxidized black signed BREGUET. Luminous hands and hour-markers. Chapter ring with Arabic numerals. Red chronograph’s seconds hand on a 30-second basis at the centre. Half-minute totalizer at the centre. 24 hour indicator at 3 o’clock. Second time zone indicator at 6 o’clock with luminous Arabic numerals. Small second on a 30-second basis at 9 o’clock. 30 / 60 seconds indicator in an aperture at 12 o’clock. Date in an aperture at 6 o’clock.
Movement
self-winding chronograph with flyback function and second time-zone. Numbered and signed BREGUET. Cal. 589F. 13¼ lines, 28 jewels. 45-hour power-reserve. High-frequency silicon escapement. BREGUET balance-wheel with regulating screws, silicon balance-spring. 10 Hz frequency. Adjusted in 5 positions.
