Article of the week
The New Patek Philippe Twenty~4 7340/1R Perpetual Calendar

Introduced in 1999, the Twenty~4 collection was Patek Philippe’s first dedicated line of feminine timepieces. The original model featured an Art Deco-inspired manchette (cuff) design, but in 2018, the brand unveiled the Twenty~4 Automatic, which is a round-cased iteration powered by an automatic movement. This year, Patek Philippe elevates the collection further by introducing a perpetual calendar complication, marking the collection's debut in the realm of Grand Complications.
Crafted entirely in 18K rose gold, the watch features a 36mm case with a slender profile of just 9.95mm, making it sit gracefully on the wrist. The case is meticulously finished with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces, enhancing its refined aesthetic. Two dial options are available. The Ref. 7340/1R-001 features a silvery opaline dial with a vertical satin finish, evoking the texture of shantung silk that feature irregular texture, while the Ref. 7340/1R-010 presents an olive green sunburst dial for a more contemporary appeal.

Introducing Airain Lunches the Type 20 ACE with a Silver Dial for the First Time

A new timepiece in a collaboration with the brand’s Dutch retailer Ace Jewelers

Pilot watches gained popularity due to their vital role as reliable tools for aviators, offering ease of use in-flight. These timepieces were initially designed for pilots in the early days of aviation when precise timekeeping was crucial for navigation and flight planning. One of the pioneering French brands in crafting high-quality watches for both military and civilian use is Airain, which is renowned for its reliable and accurate chronographs, particularly the Type 20 model that met the strict requirements of a pilot's watch and was supplied to the French Army and Air Force in the 1950s and 1960s.

A while ago, Airain introduced a fresh take on its iconic Type 20 chronograph flyback, featuring a creative new dial design. Now, the brand has expanded the collection once again with the release of the Type 20 ACE, showcasing a striking silver-white dial, a colorway not previously seen. This special edition was created in collaboration with Ace Jewelers, the brand’s Dutch retailer.

The watch features a sleek 39.5mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 10.85mm, maintaining the classic proportions of the original Type 20. It is equipped with a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside, a bidirectional 12-hour bezel, and a screw-down caseback.

The watch’s standout feature is its bold silver-white dial, enhanced with striking orange accents that give it a fresh, distinctive look. Inspired by international rescue equipment and the Dutch national color, the orange details can be seen on the chronograph hands and the chronograph counter at 3 o'clock. The dial also includes a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, while the hands and indices are coated in SuperLuminova, ensuring excellent legibility in low-light conditions.

Tom van Wijlick, CEO of Airain next to Alon Ben Joseph, CEO of Ace Jewelers

The watch is powered by the AM2 caliber, a hand-wound column-wheel flyback chronograph specifically engineered for the Type 20 Re-Edition. It operates at 28,800 vph (4Hz) and offers a 63-hour power reserve.

The timepiece comes with a black leather strap that complements its vintage-inspired aesthetic, along with an additional orange NATO strap. It joins the permanent collection at a price of EUR 3,450, equivalent to AED 13,900.

For more information you can visit Airain’s official website. 

Technical specifications: Airain Lunches Type 20 ACE
  1. Reference: 428.440
  2. Case: stainless steel case, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside, bidirectional 12-hour bezel, screw-down caseback
  3. Diameter: 39.5mm
  4. Thickness: 10.85mm
  5. Water resistance: 50 m
  6. Dial: silver-white dial, orange accents on chronograph hands and the chronograph counter, small seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, hands and indices coated in SuperLuminova
  7. Movement: AM2 caliber, hand-wound, column-wheel flyback chronograph
  8. Power reserve: 63 hours
  9. Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
  10. Functions: Chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds
  11. Bracelet / Strap: black leather strap, additional orange NATO strap
  12. Availability: Permanent line 
  13. Price: EUR 3,450 / AED 13,900

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