Airain Sous-Marine 'Faded Black' 524.407

The Airain Sous-Marine “Faded Black” 524.407 delivers a perfectly restrained take on the vintage-inspired dive watch, combining subtle aging cues with clean modern execution. Crafted in stainless steel, the watch features balanced proportions and a classic skin-diver silhouette that stays true to the understated charm of mid-century tool watches. Its softly faded black dial gives the piece a naturally worn-in character, evoking the look collectors love in well-preserved vintage divers without feeling artificially distressed. Paired with luminous markers, a domed crystal, and a unidirectional bezel, the overall design feels authentic, functional, and effortlessly timeless.

What makes the “Faded Black” stand out is its versatility and quiet confidence—it doesn’t rely on oversized dimensions or flashy details to make an impression. The muted dial tone shifts subtly in different lighting, adding warmth and depth that separate it from a standard black-dial diver. Powered by a dependable automatic movement and backed by modern construction standards, the 524.407 blends nostalgic design language with everyday practicality. For collectors who appreciate vintage aesthetics done with restraint and attention to detail, the Sous-Marine “Faded Black” is an easy, wearable win.

The Movement:
The movement inside the Airain Sous-Marine is the Swiss-Made AM5 automatic calibre, based on the La Joux-Perret G100. It features a 68-hour power reserve, a tungsten rotor for smooth rotation and weight distribution, and is regulated to four positions for accuracy. The movement is decorated with Geneva stripes and blue polished screws, ensuring both performance and aesthetic appeal.

Parmentier Crown:
The case features a so-called Parmentier crown that adds even more character. The Parmentier construction consists of a small winding crown and a large screw-on cap to cover it. This helps make the Sous-Marine water resistant to 200 meters. The screw-on cap features a notched recess on the outside so you can operate the small crown underneath. A practical thing to keep in mind is that the cap comes off the watch as a separate element.

Reference: 524.407

Strap: Fixoflex Steel Bracelet & Tropic Rubber Strap

Case: 37.5mm x 12,77mm (10,25mm w/o crystal) Thickness x 48.2mm lug to lug - Stainless Steel

Crown: Parmentier Crown Cap System

Water Resistance: 200m (20ATM)

Lug Width: 20mm

Movement: Caliber AM5 (La Joux-Perret G100 Base) - Automatic

Dial: Faded Black - numerals in Super-Luminova® 'BGW9'

Bezel: 120 Click, Full Black PVD Coated, Super Luminova Lume Dot 'BGW9'

Date Wheel: Roulette Date Wheel

Functions: HMS, Date

Box and Papers: Inner/outer boxes, and warranty card

Crystal: Double Domed Sapphire

Bracelet size: 7.5"

New

Airain is a historic French watch brand founded in 1934 that became best known for producing military pilot chronographs for the French armed forces during the 1950s and 1960s. The brand earned its reputation through the legendary Type 20 flyback chronograph, a watch developed to meet strict specifications set by the French Ministry of Defense for military aviators.
The Airain Type 20 became one of the most respected military chronographs of its era thanks to its flyback functionality, rotating bezel, highly legible dial, and rugged reliability. Alongside brands like Breguet and Dodane, Airain helped define the golden age of French aviation watches.

Today, Airain has been revived with faithful modern recreations of its historic Type 20 and Type 21 chronographs. The brand continues to focus on vintage inspired aviation watches that combine mid century military design with modern Swiss manufacturing and mechanical reliability.