Arronax
5346
Airain Type 20
Not the original one but the recent reissue. I had been in the market for a flyback for years and couldn't find anything that I liked. Ideally it would have to be a manual wound, no date, integrated chronograph with a column wheel. Several came close like the Breguet Type XX, the Blancpain Leman, the Sinn 910 srs, the Zenith Classic and Stratos Rainbow and even the Auricoste Type 20 with a DD module but there was always something wrong.
At the end of 2020, CDMLEC announced a reissue of the Airain Type 20 and it had everything I had been looking for, even a plexi like my trusted Sinn 103. The price was reasonable compared to the competition and it was the closest I would ever get to the Breguet Type 20 released for Only Watch. I therefore placed an order for the brown limited edition in December 2020 for a June 2021 delivery. Due to supply chain issues it took another year but the team was great at keeping everybody updated. The watch arrived in a beautiful black lacquer box.
First impressions followed by a few pics:
(Likes)
- The compact size, despite worries about early drawings hinting at very long and pointy lugs.
- The lack of weight due to the absence of any rotor. It is actually shockingly light, it feels like a Titanium case although it is steel.
- Winding is smooth, so are the pushers and the flyback function.
Things that could be better:
- The hour markings on the bezel could be deeper and slightly bolder for better legibility.
- The crown could be a bit bigger. Not so much in diameter but in width.
- Pump pushers could be a bit larger.
Overall I am quite impressed with the quality of the product based on the competitive price point, if you are in the market for a flyback with a vintage vibe it is worth your consideration.
Airain Type 20
Very interesting and helpful review for those who are interested in this watch. I see your cons, but they are almost the same than for the vintage.
