The Airain Type 20 is a modern re-edition of the French brand’s 1950s pilot chronograph. The current standard reference, 421.436S, pairs a manually wound flyback movement with a 39 mm stainless-steel case; Airain lists it at €3,450 with a two-year global warranty. Its current detailed specification differs from launch-era details reported in 2020, so the crystal and price should be read by edition and date.
What is the Airain Type 20?
Airain presents the Type 20 as a re-edition of a military pilot chronograph associated with a French Ministry of Defense specification. The name Type 20 refers to that pilot-chronograph specification, rather than simply a model number. Airain says its watches were among those supplied to the French military in the 1950s and 1960s, alongside models from Breguet and Dodane. That provenance is the brand’s own historical account, not an independent archival finding. Airain’s history says Montres Airain was founded by the Dodane family in 1934.
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The historical context is postwar aviation: the Type 20 was intended as an instrument for pilots, and a flyback chronograph made it possible to reset and restart timing in one operation. Fratello’s December 4, 2020 launch-era coverage describes the original re-edition and its connection to French government requirements: Airain Type 20 Chronograph Watch Faithfully Re-Introduced.
How does the flyback chronograph work?
A conventional chronograph typically requires the wearer to stop the running timer, reset it, and then start it again. With a flyback mechanism, pressing the reset pusher while the chronograph is running resets the hands and starts timing again immediately. That makes successive timing intervals quicker to record—useful in an aviation instrument, though the feature is also practical for any activity involving repeated intervals.
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The current standard Type 20 uses a manually wound AM2 movement by Manufacture AMT. Airain’s detailed specification identifies it as a column-wheel chronograph with flyback. A column wheel is a control component that coordinates chronograph operations; it does not by itself establish a particular level of accuracy or ease of servicing.
Current standard Type 20: reference 421.436S specifications
The figures below follow the detailed “Finer Details” specification for the standard product-page reference 421.436S. Airain’s introductory product copy uses different thickness figures and different dial and strap wording, so those descriptions should not be blended into this specification set. Airain’s current Type 20 product page lists:
| Specification | Airain detailed product-page listing |
|---|---|
| Case | Stainless steel; 39 mm diameter, 39.5 mm bezel, 14.77 mm height (11.05 mm excluding crystal), and 47.5 mm lug-to-lug |
| Water resistance | 50 m (5 ATM) |
| Caseback | Screwed solid steel caseback with engraving |
| Movement | AM2 by Manufacture AMT; manually wound, column-wheel chronograph with flyback |
| Frequency and jewels | 28,800 vph; 23 jewels |
| Power reserve | 63 hours |
| Dial and counters | Matte black dial; beige Super-LumiNova Arabic numerals; recessed small-seconds and 30-minute chronograph counters |
| Bezel | Bidirectional friction bezel with 12-hour countdown scale |
| Crystal | Double-domed sapphire |
| Strap | Cognac suede |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Price and warranty | €3,450 listed by Airain; two-year global warranty |
Airain also says the watch includes a Digital Passport. The page does not establish repair turnaround, local service availability, warranty exclusions, or post-warranty service costs. A 20 mm lug width is a useful starting point for strap selection, but confirm attachment and buckle compatibility for the particular strap before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changed since the 2020 launch?
The Fratello article matching the title was published on December 4, 2020, and describes launch-era details. It listed a Hesalite crystal and a €2,750 price, with €2,540 for pre-orders. Those are historical launch figures, not the current standard product-page specification or price. Airain’s current standard page instead lists double-domed sapphire and €3,450. Read the 2020 article for its launch context; check Airain’s product page for its currently listed standard-edition details.
How the 70 Ans edition differs
Airain also has a separate Type 20 70 Ans anniversary page. It is not the standard reference 421.436S described above. The anniversary page lists €3,850 and specifies an AM2 flyback movement, 63-hour power reserve, 39 mm case, 50 m water resistance, and double-domed sapphire. It also says the initial batch sold out, production had commenced, and first deliveries were expected from June 2026. These are statements on the product page, not confirmation of present stock or delivery timing. Check the Type 20 70 Ans page for its edition details and current availability.
Price and availability
As listed on Airain’s standard product page when checked for this article on October 7, 2026, reference 421.436S costs €3,450 and includes a two-year global warranty. Price, stock, and destination-specific taxes, shipping, or import costs can change; confirm the live listing and delivered cost for your location before ordering. The anniversary edition’s listed price and availability statements are separate and should not be used as the standard model’s price or stock status.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
