Originally introduced in the 1950s, the rare and desirable Blancpain Air Command was made especially for the US Air Force. With a flyback function designed with similar specifications as the Breguet Type 20, it is believed that only 12 examples of the Air Command were made and presented to pilots of the US Air Force. Fast forward to recent times, original examples of the Air Command are without a doubt one of the most praised and sought after vintage chronograph wristwatches ever produced.

To celebrate its importance and aesthetical attributes, Blancpain released their re-edition of the Air Command in 2019 limited to 500 pieces. With a focus on retaining its iconic appeal, the modern interpretation is arguably one of the perfectly executed re-editions in recent times. Almost identical to its ancestor, the case features its signature sculpted lugs with a slight size increase to 42.5mm. Illuminated with “fauxtina” the aged appeal on the dial is simply impressive enhancing its vintage aura. While its aesthetics may mimic the original example from the 1950s, the re-edition timepiece is powered by the firm’s self-winding column wheel flyback chronograph cal. F388B compared to its previous manually-wound Valjoux cal. 222. Another pleasing touch to the timepiece is that when one turns the timepiece over, a sapphire display caseback features a wonderfully executed propeller rotor in 18K gold.

The present example from circa 2020 numbered 59 is offered in excellent overall condition and is further accompanied by its full set of accessories consigned by its original owner.