The Type 20, designed in the 1950s for French military pilots, is one of the most storied, desirable, and collectible of all mil-spec watches—indeed, one doesn’t have to hold a pilot’s license to appreciate its elegant case with onion crown, rotatable bezel, sleek black dial, oversized 15-minute counter, and cursive Breguet signature. And while the new Type XX Chronograph 2067 might not be seeing aerial combat any time soon, its 42mm rose gold case, blue ceramic bezel insert with 12-hour scale, sunburst blue dial with gold numerals, and automatic, in-house movement with flyback capability and a 5Hz beat rate are sure to excite collectors the world over. (Just don’t let it fly off your wrist while doing barrel rolls in your biplane.)
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang SORAI
Diode SA – Denis Hayoun
Marking the fourth collaboration between Hublot and (SORAI) Save Our Rhinos Africa and India, the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang SORAI is somehow much cooler than a rhino-inspired watch sounds like it would be. A 30-piece limited edition, its 42mm, tonneau-shaped case is cast in grey ceramic and features the impressive HUB6020 Manufacture caliber—a skeletonized, hand-wound movement with asymmetrical displays positioned between dual sapphire crystals. With a time indicator, a power reserve indicator, and a tourbillon visible at 6 o’clock, it melds Hublot’s command of complicated horology, cutting-edge materials, and avant-garde design into an unlikely safari-going companion. Proceeds from the sale will benefit SORAI, which fights to protect rhinoceros populations in Africa and Asia.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport
Tag Heuer
There are automotive watches out there that take the car inspiration thing a little too far for the average consumer, but TAG Heuer’s Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport isn’t one of them. Managing to strike a balance between racing inspiration and more conventional watchmaking, it’s available in several iterations, the most striking of which is one that marries a brushed and sandblasted 44mm Grade 2 titanium case to a rhodium-plated skeleton dial with grained black details and bright orange accents. A triple-register chronograph with 30-minute, running seconds, and 12-hour totalizers, it may not be as legible as its more traditional Carrera Glassbox brethren—but it’ll certainly stick out in a sea of same-same chronographs. Paired to a bright orange, integrated rubber strap and powered by an automatic movement, it’s the watch to wear while tearing around the track this fall.
