Chronograph Type XXII 3880
The first series-made mechanical chronograph with a 10 Hz frequency – New version in rose gold
The emblematic Breguet Type XXII in steel is being enriched this year with an original model in 18-carat rose gold. This fine material highlights the beauty of this unique timepiece, which 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.
The minutes graduation in the form of dashes – one red and the other white – situated on the flange, combined with the numbered seconds graduation also appearing in red and white, serves to establish whether the chronograph counter is in its first (red sectors) or second (white sectors) 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 brown dial contrasts crisply with the flyback indications in red. The model comes fitted with an integrated brown leather strap.
Technical Specifications
Ref. 3880BR/Z2/9XV
Case:
round, in 18-carat rose gold, 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:
brown, 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. 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. 13¾ lines, 27 jewels. 40-hour power-reserve. High frequency silicon escapement (10 Hz). Breguet balance-wheel with regulating screws, silicon balance-spring. 10 Hz frequency. Adjusted in 5 positions.
