Dutch entrepreneur Tom van Wijlick has made a conscientious effort to revive revival-brand Airain’s identify and picture by means of rigorously curated re-editions of historic watches. Not solely has the Sort 20 captured the hearts and minds of fanatics and collectors, however the Sous-Marine is about to do the identical. Each collections are impressed by previous designs and introduced as much as immediately’s technical requirements relating to supplies and mechanics. As we speak the model welcomes not solely a brand new member to the Sort 20 household but additionally upgrades its current assortment of flyback pilot’s chronographs. We get a first-hand expertise with the Airain Sort 21 whereas additionally having a look on the up to date Sort 20 and the production-ready Sort 20 Furtivité.
The Airain Sort 21
With a historical past involving aviation and navy watchmaking, Airain has discovered an unique technique to give its Sort 20 re-edition a brand new twist. Primarily based on a classic Airain Sort 21 auctioned by Sotheby’s a few years in the past, Tom and his staff are introducing the brand new Sort 21. And no, your eyes should not deceiving you. It seems very comparable on paper and in actual life to the Sort 20 as a result of it is vitally just like the Sort 20. Technically talking, there’s no distinction between the 2 as it’s purely an aesthetic change derived from the unique Sort 21 from the Fifties.
So, that being mentioned, you continue to get that 39.5mm huge case with a bidirectional rotating bezel and a domed sapphire crystal (as commonplace now on all Sort 20 & Sort 21 fashions). However as an alternative of non-lacquered numerals or ink-filled numerals for the 12-hour scale on the bezel, the Sort 21 comes with a luminous triangle. Moreover, the Sort 21 has a shiny black dial as an alternative of a matte one, and the numerals and arms have been completed with Previous Radium Tremendous-LumiNova to deliver it near its inspiration. The dial can also be signed ‘Sort 21’ and comes with a classic Airain Crown emblem, as you’ll be able to see. For the remaining, it seems an identical to its Sort 20 siblings.
Beneath the strong caseback, one other change has additionally discovered its method into the Sort 20. As La Joux-Perret is engaged on a brand new sequence of guide flyback chronograph actions, they couldn’t ship this in time for Airain to make use of it for the Sort 21. So, looking for another, they ended up sourcing actions from Manufacture AMT, the high-end division of Sellita. With only a few adjustments to the case building, the brand new motion dropped proper into the Sort 20/21 case. The brand new calibre AM2 is predicated on the identical structure because the outgoing AM1 motion however delivers a barely longer 63-hour autonomy versus the 60 hours it had earlier than.
The brand new Airain Sort 21 shall be a part of the everlasting assortment now, though it’ll solely be accessible in small batches initially. Airain is difficult at work producing the Sort 20 fashions, in addition to engaged on the Sous-Marine, and manufacturing capability is proscribed. However, the Sort 21 is a pleasant addition to the gathering with a barely extra formal look as a consequence of its shiny black dial. Take into account it the officer’s model of the pilot’s chronograph, should you like. It’s fitted to a brown leather-based strap with an Airain-signed double buckle, though different straps are offered individually. The worth is about at EUR 2,950, which is on par with the usual assortment for the Sort 20.
The up to date Sort 20 & Sort 20 Furtivité
Together with the shock launch of the Sort 21, Tom additionally shared some information in regards to the Sort 20 vary. It has been upgraded in a number of methods, albeit the adjustments are laborious to identify, maybe. First up is the brand new Sort 20, and whereas we are saying new, it’s extra of a ‘MKII’ form of deal. The general design continues to be the identical and stays true to the unique Sort 20. This new MKII version, to greatest describe it in comparison with the outdated one, comes with a sapphire crystal as commonplace, a black-lacquered 12h countdown scale on the bezel and a brand new motion. As talked about, Airain switched from La Joux-Perret to Manufacture AMT for the motion. This adjustments nothing in regards to the performance of the watch, as you continue to get a flyback chronograph with a bicompax show and guide winding. The one upside is a barely longer energy reserve, from 60 hours to 63 hours.
Subsequent up, we will additionally present you the Sort 20 Furtivité that was introduced as a restricted version in the beginning of the 12 months. That has now entered manufacturing and is offered to buy by means of Airain’s web site. Restricted to 134 items, it offers you a extra stealthy tackle the Sort 20 idea with an anthracite DLC-coated metal case. The dial can also be completed in an anthracite case, and the result’s fairly putting! You continue to get that pretty retro vibe however with a up to date twist! The Sort 20 Furtivité is priced barely increased, at EUR 3,250 as an alternative of EUR 2,950 for the common Sort 20 and the brand new Sort 21.
For extra data or to place down your (pre-)order for the brand new Airain Sort 21, the up to date Sort 20 or the Sort 20 Furtivité, please go to Airain.com.
