Airain Type 20 New Release Chronograph

HSTE · 2023-02-22T15:42:46Z

Explore Airain's Type 20 evolution with HSTE's review of the new permanent model, 'Furtivité' LE, sapphire crystal, and Manufacture AMT AM2 caliber. Get collector insights.

HSTE

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

25 replies4068 views4 photos

HSTE's original post introduces significant updates to Airain's Type 20 line, including a new permanent availability model and an attractive limited edition 'Furtivité.' This article delves into HSTE's detailed breakdown of these changes, particularly the shift from plexi to domed sapphire crystal and the crucial movement upgrade to the Manufacture AMT AM2 caliber. HSTE's insights provide a valuable look at Airain's strategic evolution in the competitive chronograph market.

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First, Airain takes the standard Type 20 (black dial, steel case) into permanent availability instead of small production batches upon pre-order only.

Second, it launches an - in my view - very attractive limited edition (134 peices) called "Furtivité" which has a gray dial and an anthracite DLC coated case.

In addition, the following changes will be introduced into these new launches:

- plexi will be replaced by a very nice, domed sapphire crystal

- La Joux-Perret stopped to produce the LJP 7733 Flyback which formed the basis for the Airian AM1 calibre (first series); the movenemts for the upcoming Airain Type 20 models will be from Manufacture AMT, the "high-end-movements-department" of Sellita; the new AM2 will be a manual wind column-wheel chronograph with flyback feature and 63 hours of power reserve.

Some pics of the LE Airain Type 20 "Furtivité"

Cheers, HSTE

Key Points from the Discussion

The original understanding among some collectors was that previous limited editions, like the Verde, would be the last of their kind in terms of unique variations.
While acknowledging the appeal of new variations, some contributors expressed concern about the communication around exclusivity, feeling that frequent new 'limited' releases might dilute the initial promise of scarcity.
HSTE clarified that while some production will be 'unlimited,' it still refers to a few hundred pieces due to the company's current model, and 'limited' editions often pertain to dial color variations of classic re-editions.
One collector recalled a specific mention of only 134 Verde models being produced, but did not recall any statements precluding other models or colors.
A collector expressed a personal preference for 12-hour chronographs, despite acknowledging it goes against traditional Type 20 design.

The Discussion

andrea~

Feb 22, 2023

Stunning watch!

I dig it!

amanico

Feb 22, 2023

Cool, the dark one, but they should be careful not to make unlimited limited edition of the Type XX... Collectors might get rid of that kind of... Behavior.

HSTE

Feb 22, 2023

This is basically still a start-up company with - by definition - small batch production ....

...... some production will be "unlimited" but still only a few hundred due to the current company model, some will be "limited" (usually just the dial color variations to the classic re-edition). But in general I agree that "LE" has become an over-inflated thing in modern watch making. Cheers, HSTE

amanico

Feb 22, 2023

I do understand your point very well, but still, dangerous.

MichaelC

Feb 22, 2023

Full agreement. I bought the green dial and recall it was advertised as "the last batch"

Now there is a grey one. It looks damn good, but gives me pause. I don't buy into exclusivity, and never buy a watch for that reason, but when you advertise such and then change for another cash grab - not a good look, IMO.

amanico

Feb 22, 2023

That"s my point. A tricky game often is a bad game.

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