Context

The Type 20 refers to a French military specification defined in the early 1950s for pilot chronographs. It is a functional standard rather than a single model. Auricoste is among the manufacturers that supplied watches meeting this requirement.

The watch

The Auricoste Type 20 is characterized by a high-contrast black dial, Arabic numerals, and a two-register layout. Legibility and pusher ergonomics are adapted to aerial use, where time measurement must remain immediate and intuitive.

Military markings

Watches issued for military service often feature tracking and service markings. On this example, the caseback bears visible inventory/workshop engravings, while the inside of the case is stamped “ACIER INOXYDABLE”, along with a case reference number.

The Lemania 2040 movement

This Type 20 is powered by the Lemania 2040, a manual-winding chronograph designed to integrate the flyback (“return-to-zero”) function. The calibre is documented as an evolution of the Lemania 15TL, adapted to the operational requirements of the Type 20 specification.

• Manual chronograph for military use
• Integrated flyback function
• Lemania architecture derived from the 15TL family

Historical reading

By complying with the Type 20 specification and employing the Lemania 2040, this Auricoste belongs to a tradition of French military watchmaking in which the watch is conceived as a time-measuring instrument, designed for service and real operational use.