The French Air Force watches
In the early 1950’s when the French Ministry of Defense drew the specification request for a pilot watch to supply chronograph wristwatches for its Air Force. A nationwide government request asked watchmakers to propose a hard-wearing, flight-ready design, later known as the Type 20. These watches were principally delivered to the French Air Force and provided to its pilots as part of their equipment and remained the property of the French state. Towards the late 1950-1960s, there was a growing interest among non-military civilians in acquiring the functional chronograph. French watchmakers started to produce the same design and specifications without the Army stamping on the back case. After several generations, they are now enjoyed by the military for its practical purpose and by private pilots and simply fans of chronographs and aviator watches.