Introducing: The Anniversary Airain Type 20 70 ANS

January 31, 2013

Although Airain only returned to the global horological stage in 2020, its roots, famously, go much further back. So much so, actually, that the classic Type 20 turns 70 this year.Naturally, Airain could not let that pass without an appropriate celebration, so here we have the Airain Type 20 70 ANS. Lets have a closer look!The Airain Type 20 70 ANSAs you probably know by now, the Type 20 is a post-WWII chronograph made to French military specifications. I will not retell the entire story, as Gerard did a great job of that upon the relaunch in 2020. You can find his article with all the details here.The revived Airain launched several very appealing versions of the Type 20 over the past five years. Today, we get another that is equally attractive. The Airain Type 20 70 ANS takes the trusted recipe and adds a blue dial.Airain calls it Horizon Blue. The blue isnt very saturated, and its subdued shade makes it look almost like blued steel. It somehow feels very appropriate for a vintage aviation watch. The dial features a grainy texture, ensuring great legibility. The numerals are executed in a soft beige, adding a bit of warmth while steering clear of over-the-top faux patina. I have to say, I like it quite a bit!The 70 ANS specificationsBeyond the dial, the Airain Type 20 70 ANS is as we know and love it. Topping the 39mm stainless steel case is a vintage-correct 39.5mm friction-rotating 12-hour bezel. The watch also has a 47.5mm lug-to-lug span and a 14.97mm profile (11.05mm without the double-domed sapphire crystal). Airain rates the water resistance at 50 meters.Inside ticks the caliber AM2 by Manufacture AMT. Thats Sellitas elite department capable of delivering custom work. AMT provides Airain with a flyback chronograph based on the SW500 family. It runs at 28,800vph and offers 63 hours of power reserve. The one downside of this caliber is the fact that it isnt quite as pretty as many hand-wound chronographs since it is basically a manual version of an originally automatic caliber. Still, it is good to have a look at it through the case back s sapphire display, and the flyback functionality is a must-have for any Type 20.The 70 ANS comes on a nicely matching beige suede strap with blue lining. Airain will produce this new Type 20 version in small batches, making the watch limited in availability, although not explicitly limited to a certain number. The Type 20 70 ANS costs $3,850 (including VAT). Deliveries start in early April.What do you think of the new Airain Type 20 70 ANS? Let us know in the comments section below!Watch specifications Brand Airain Model Type 20 70 ANSReference 421.702Dial Horizon blue with grainy texture, two sub-dials with azurage finish, and painted Arabic numerals with light beige Super-LumiNovaCase Material Stainless steelCase Dimensions 39mm (diameter) 47.5mm (lug-to-lug) 14.97mm (thickness with crystal, 11.05mm without)Crystal Double-domed sapphireCase Back Stainless steel and sapphire crystal, screw-in Movement AMT AM2: flyback chronograph, manual winding, 28,800vph (4Hz) frequency, 63-hour power reserve, 23 jewels, blued column wheel and screws, Geneva stripes, and perlageWater Resistance 50 metersStrap Beige suede with blue lining and stainless steel double buckleFunctions Time (hours, minutes, small seconds), flyback chronograph (30-minute counter and central seconds), bidirectional 12-hour countdown bezelPrice $3,850 (inc. VAT)