Breguet Type XXI Flyback Chronograph 3815 Ti New Release

amanico · 2021-06-17T09:37:53Z

Explore the Breguet Type XXI Flyback Chronograph 3815 Ti with collector insights. Discover community debate on its titanium case, movement, and dial colors.

amanico

WPS member · Breguet forum

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Amanico's insightful review of the Breguet Type XXI Flyback Chronograph 3815 Ti offers a critical early look at this contemporary release. His detailed observations on case dimensions, movement-to-case ratio, and dial aesthetics provide a valuable foundation for understanding Breguet's design choices. This article synthesizes community reactions, exploring whether this modern interpretation resonates with long-time Type XX enthusiasts and new collectors alike.

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Here is the new Type XXI from Breguet, in titanium, with two different dials, each of them limited to 250 pieces.

The Green:

The Orange:

Here, you have a 42 mm case, in titanium, which is 42 mm big, and 15, 2 mm high. While I love the choice of titanium for that kind of watch which is a light material, very pleasant to wear, I am more circumspect about the thickness, first, and also about the size, which, per se is not too big, but when you compare it to the movement size, you may rightly think it is too small for such a watch.

The evidence? Look at the location of the sub dials ( small seconds and hours ). They are very ( too? ) centered.

Another evidence? The picture of the case back:

The movement is nicely decorated, but seems a bit too lost in such a case. A solid case back would have been a better option, probably.

But this is something we already noticed with the former versions of the Type XXI.

Some more thoughts about the dials, now. According to Breguet, they wanted to play the sporty card with such colors. Vivid, they are, in green and in orange. You will appreciate the circular finishings of the sub dials, a detail we also have in the Type XX, and the bigger hour counter, which is in the DNA of the Type XX, even if traditionally, the Type XX had an oversized minute counter.

Here, for the comparison, a photo of my beloved Type XX Salmon:

And the famous Type XX CEV 1:

To be complete, I regret the presence of the date, as often... The dial would have been purer without, in my very biased opinion. I like the design of the turning bezel, which goes with the dial very well.

The movement is the Cal 582 Q/A, with silicon escapement and balance spring offering a power reserve of 48 hours. It offers the following functions: Central Seconds and Minutes fly back chronograph, small seconds, 24 hours chronograph, and the date. It is, as you could notice, an automatic movement.

Is this a watch for us, Type XX lovers? I am not sure of that. We are waiting for a no date Type XX, with a smaller case around 39 / 40 mm, a manual winding movement. So this one doesn't qualify, at least for us.

But for a younger audience, these Type XXI may have their fans.

What do you think?

Best,

Nicolas

About the Breguet Type XX Ref. 3815

The Breguet Type XX Ref. 3815 is a contemporary interpretation within the Type XX collection, known for its flyback chronograph functionality. This reference deviates from the more traditional Type XX aesthetic, offering a modern design language while retaining the core technical specifications associated with Breguet's pilot's watches.

This model features a 42mm titanium case, often presented with a black or colored dial and a unidirectional rotating bezel. It is powered by an automatic flyback chronograph movement, typically the Caliber 582QA, which provides a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The dial layout is characterized by a bi-compax register arrangement, with a 30-minute counter and small seconds.

For collectors, the Ref. 3815 represents a distinct chapter in the Type XX lineage, appealing to those who appreciate a more contemporary and robust design within a historically significant collection. Its titanium construction and modern colorways offer an alternative to the vintage-inspired Type XX models, positioning it as a piece for daily wear with a strong horological pedigree.

Specifications

Caliber: 582QA

Case: Titanium

Diameter: 42mm

Dial: Black, Green, Orange

Water Resist.: 100m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The movement-to-case ratio is a significant concern, with the Caliber 582 Q/A appearing undersized for the 42mm case, leading to centrally positioned subdials. A 40mm case would be more appropriate for this movement.
The quality of the bezel, particularly the black background and titanium numerals, has been criticized for not meeting Breguet's expected standards, with uneven coloring and sloppy casting observed.
The use of a cam-operated, largely machine-finished chronograph movement in a 15.2mm thick case is seen as disappointing for a brand of Breguet's caliber. There is a desire for a hand-finished, column-wheel chronograph movement in a slimmer case, ideally under 14.0mm.
While the bezel design and strap are appreciated, particularly on the green version, some collectors feel the numerals are too large. A suggested dial modification includes splitting the 'Breguet' and 'Retour en vol' signatures.
Many enthusiasts express a strong preference for a smaller, no-date Type XX, ideally around 39-40mm with a manual-winding movement, similar to the 2019 Only Watch piece unique.
The vivid green and orange dial colors, while intended to be sporty, are viewed by some as 'un-Breguet' and a 'big miss,' with a preference for more traditional or homage designs.

The Discussion

shortys home

Jun 17, 2021

… and I am not arguing the size of movement/case and the date. I however think that the numerals are slightly too big with the latest Type XXI versions, with these two the signature should have been split up with Breguet being in the top half and Retour en vol in the lower half of the dial, just like ifraher already suggested in the other thread. The bezel is perfect for this watch, as is the strap, again particularly on the green version, which I would like to see in the metal to get a better i

hoseachandra

Jun 17, 2021

Manual winding or auto no problem for me. And if possible the water resistant can achieve 100 mtr.

Mach

Jun 17, 2021

I’m also a fan of the green.

jlux

Jun 17, 2021

I also do see the small movement/large case issue in the placement of the sub-dials. I am still waiting for a regular version close to the 2019 Only Watch Type XX.

Arronax

Jun 17, 2021

It's the dials that are supposed to be green A big miss in my view but hopefully they will rectify in due course. Makes me even happier I went for the airain reissue.

Uncle Chico

Jun 17, 2021

I'm less of a fan of the Type XXI primarily because I like the look of the polished bezel on the Type XX and the omission of the date. For some reason the numeral colors seem too un-Breguet for me.

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Breguet Type XXI Flyback Chronograph 3815 Ti New Release

About the Breguet Type XX Ref. 3815

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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