The Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Flyback and Tribute Chronographs

New York, NY (September 29, 2022) — Massena LAB is pleased to announce a new, double release (and a new partnership) with the launch of the Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Flyback Chronograph (Ref. MTML-XX), and companion piece, the Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Tribute Chronograph (Ref. MTML-T-XX), both of which honor one of the great, historical tool watches of mid-century aviation.

In the 1950s and 60s, several manufacturers, including Breguet, were issued contracts by the French Ministry of Defense (MOD) to produce pilot’s watches according to certain military specifications. The requirements included a flyback function, or retour en vol, which allowed a pilot to instantaneously restart a running chronograph without the typical need to stop, reset, and then restart; a black dial with large, luminous, Arabic numerals and two registers at 3 and 9 o’clock; a bidirectional, 12-hour rotation bezel; and a power reserve of at least 35 hours.

In 1954, Breguet received a military contract to supply the MOD with 2,000 Type 20 watches. Still based in France, and with only limited time to fulfill the government contract, Breguet instead asked watchmakers in Switzerland to produce the Type 20. In fact, out of the the 2000 Type 20’s that Breguet would deliver to the French government, none of these watches were manufactured by Breguet—they were, instead, produced by Mathey-Tissot.

The Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Flyback Chronograph features a clean, black dial with large, coffee-colored Arabic numerals, painted with soft layers of lume and two registers: a “big eye” fifteen-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and small seconds at 9.

Its companion piece, the Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Tribute Chronograph has a warm, brown, tropical dial, coffee-colored lume, and the same registers as its older brother, the Flyback. The brown dial of the Type XX Tribute is inspired by William Massena’s, vintage Breguet Type 20 from his personal collection.

Today’s double release represents a modern-day revival of the legendary Mathey-Tissot Type XX that remains true to the highly-collectible vintage models which can reach into the double digits on the auction block.

The Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Flyback Chronograph is powered by the selfwinding Arola caliber 7750 FlyB, so named for its flyback complication, with a power reserve of 48 hours, and 29 jewels.

The Mathey Tissot x Massena LAB Tribute to the Type XX Chronograph is instead powered by the manual-winding Sellita caliber SW511 M BH b, with a power reserve of 63 hours, 28,800 half oscillations per hour (4 Hz), and 23 jewels.

Both watches are housed in the same, 38.5mm 316L stainless steel case with a bi-directional, no click, 12-hour bezel, oversized crown, and a closed, engraved case back.

Both watches will be delivered in a Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB presentation box; two brown, calfskin straps: a Bund style strap, as well as a classic, two-piece strap; instruction manuals; a Massena LAB NFC card; and a two-year guarantee.

Both watches will launch on Thursday, November 17th at 10:00am Eastern (EST) exclusively on www.massenalab.com. The Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Flyback Chronograph is priced at $2,995 USD and is a limited-edition of 25 pieces. Its companion piece, the Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Tribute Chronograph is priced at $1995 and is a limited-edition of 99 pieces.

Technical specifications

Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Flyback Chronograph

Reference: MTML-XX

Limited edition of 99 pieces

Case

• Material: 316L stainless steel
• Dimensions: 38.5mm
• Thickness: 14.6mm
• Crown: oversized, signed with “MT”
• Crystal: Box mineral glass with anti-reflective, sapphire coating
• Case back: Closed case back. Individually numbered with limited-edition number. Signed “Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB”

Dial and hands

• Black with coffee-colored, oversized, luminous, Arabic numerals and white indices.

Movement

• Arola caliber 7750 FlyB
• Self-winding movement
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4Hz)
• Number of jewels: 29
• Power reserve of 48 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with flyback complication and fifteen minute counter.

Strap and buckle

• Delivered with choice two straps: calfskin Bund style strap, or two-piece strap
• Lug Width: 20mm

MSRP: USD 1'995

Technical specifications

Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB Type XX Tribute Chronograph

Reference: MTML-T-XX

Limited edition of 25 pieces

Case

• Material: 316L stainless steel
• Dimensions: 38.5mm
• Thickness: 14.6mm
• Bi-directional, no click, 12 hour bezel
• Crown: oversized, signed with “MT”
• Crystal: Box mineral glass with anti-reflective, sapphire coating
• Case back: Closed case back. Individually numbered with limited-edition number. Signed “Mathey-Tissot x Massena LAB”

Dial and hands

• Tropical, brown, with coffee-colored, luminous, Arabic numerals and white indices.
• Inspired by William Massena’s Breguet Type 20 from his personal collection.

Movement

• Sellita caliber SW511 M BH b.
• Manual-winding movement
• Frequency: 28,800 vph (4Hz)
• Number of jewels: 23
• Power reserve of 63 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with fifteen minute counter

Strap and buckle

• Delivered with choice two straps: calfskin Bund style strap, or two-piece strap
• Lug Width: 20mm

MSRP: USD 2'995

Fore more information, please visit massenalab.com