Watchatlas

Airain

Reuver, Netherlands · Est. 1934

Founded by Auguste Réymond

Founded in 1934, Airain Watches is devoted to creating tool watches for professionals on land, in the air and at sea. The brand's deep military and aviation heritage — its name references hardness and precision — informs every timepiece, blending French design sensibility with uncompromising performance specifications.

Founded
1934
Headquarters
Reuver, Netherlands
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Mid
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Type 20 — Airain Type 20 is the revived French pilot chronograph collection, linking 1950s flyback military-watch specifications with current Type 20 and limited collaborative variants. Key references: Type 20, Type 20 'Up in the Air', Type 20 ACE.
  • Mer (1962) — Airain’s sea-going collection is the Sous-Marine family, a faithful modern continuation of the brand’s 1962 skindiver with Parmentier crown heritage, community-shaped variants, and a strong vintage-to-modern re-edition narrative. Key references: Sous-Marine Re-Edition – Lollipop, Sous-Marine Re-Edition – DNA Strand, Ocean Green.

Timeline

  • 1934 — Airain founded in Besançon, France, as a specialist tool-watch manufacturer.
  • 1950 — Begins supplying chronographs to the French military, including the legendary Type 20 flyback chronographs.
  • 1960 — Becomes a key supplier of timing instruments to the French Armed Forces across air, land, and sea divisions.
  • 1980 — Quartz crisis impacts production; military contracts sustain the brand.
  • 2021 — Brand revived with reissues of the historic Type 20 chronograph using modern specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Airain

What is a Type 20 chronograph?
A specification defined by the French Ministry of Defence for military pilot chronographs. Airain was one of the key manufacturers alongside Breguet and Vixa.
Is Airain still making watches?
Yes. After decades of dormancy, Airain was revived and now produces updated versions of its classic military chronographs for collectors and enthusiasts.

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