Airain Type 20 ACE Chronograph 428.440

The Airain Type 20 has long been celebrated as an iconic timepiece, known for its rich history and timeless design. Now, in collaboration with Ace Jewelers, we’ve reimagined this classic with a contemporary twist. The clean silver white dial, bold orange hands, and meticulously crafted details elevate this original aviation watch, transforming it into a statement piece that’s both modern and bold.

This collaboration is about more than designing a watch—it’s a shared journey rooted in friendship. Tom van Wijlick, CEO of Airain, and Alon Ben Joseph, CEO of Ace Jewelers, have shared a deep appreciation for horology and craftsmanship for years. Their mutual dedication to these values has culminated in the creation of the Type 20 ACE, a timepiece that celebrates their vision and longstanding friendship.

The Movement:

The Type 20 is powered by the caliber AM2, a hand-wound column wheel chronograph movement developed by Manufacture AMT in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. This movement features a flyback function, allowing pilots to quickly reset the chronograph and start a new timing event without delay. It boasts a power reserve of 63 hours and includes 23 jewels with Incabloc shock protection, ensuring durability and precision.

Reference: 428.440

Bracelet: Black nubuck strap with orange stitching and Airain signed double buckle + orange military-style nylon strap

Case: 39mm x 14,77mm (10,85mm w/o crystal) Thickness x 47.5mm lug to lug

Case Material: Stainless steel case with brushed and polished finishing

Water Resistance: 50m (5ATM)

Lug Width: 20mm

Movement: Caliber AM2(Manufacture AMT) - Manual wound column-wheel chronograph with flyback

Hands: Matte-black hour and minute hands with Super-Luminova® BGW9 Grade A. Chronograph seconds and minute hands with Super-Luminova Pantone 151C Grade X1 orange lume

Dial: Silver white dial with Arabic numerals in Super-Luminova® BGW9 Grade A lume and the minute track on the chronograph subdial treated with Super-Luminova Pantone 151C Grade X1 orange lume

Bezel: Bi-directional, friction - Stainless steel 12hour countdown bezel with black numerals

Functions: HMS, Chronograph

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.