A Type XX chronograph imitation is a copy of the pilot chronograph design that Breguet built for French naval aviation in the 1950s. Copies sold from China run from about $40 for quartz versions to $300 or more for automatic models with sapphire crystal. The label "Type XX" describes a style, so sellers apply it to watches from many different factories.
type xx chronograph luxury copy watch
Three features define the look: a black dial with large luminous numerals, a coin-edge or rotating bezel, and a 38 to 42 mm case with pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock. Most copies keep those cues and vary everything else.
Top Pick: Rolex XX Chronograph Luxury Copy Watch
Where Does the Type XX Design Come From?
France's air force and navy ordered a standardized chronograph in the early 1950s, and that specification became known as Type 20. Breguet, Dodane, Auricoste and Vixa each delivered watches to the standard. Breguet later registered "Type XX" for its civilian line, which is why both spellings show up in listings.
That shared origin is why an imitation can look correct without copying one reference. A maker can mix a Dodane bezel, a Breguet dial and a Vixa case and still sell it as a Type XX.
What Movement Sits Inside a Type XX Chronograph Imitation?
The movement sets the price, the service life and the feel of the pushers. Ask for the exact movement name in writing before you send money.
- Quartz: cheapest option, accurate to a second a month, with no mechanical feel. The chronograph hands snap back to zero and the seconds hand ticks once per second. Cost range: $35 to $70.
- Seagull ST19: a Chinese column-wheel manual chronograph with a horizontal clutch. It looks close to a vintage Valjoux 72. Cost range: $120 to $200, and the pushers feel crisp.
- Valjoux 7750 clones: Asian-made versions of the Swiss workhorse. Running seconds sit at 9 o'clock, minutes at 12, hours at 6. Cost range: $180 to $350.
- Swiss ETA or Valjoux: rare in low-cost copies. A seller who claims a genuine Swiss movement at $150 is describing something else.
How Do You Judge Build Quality Before Buying?
Photos hide flaws, so ask for specific shots and direct answers. Five items separate a watch that lasts from one that does not:
- Case finish. Look for brushed flanks and a polished bezel edge. Sharp transitions between the two mean stamped parts.
- Crystal. Sapphire with anti-reflective coating costs more and scratches less than mineral glass.
- Lume. Real Super-LumiNova glows for hours and fades between the markers. Paint that glows for ten minutes is a giveaway on the wrist.
- Chronograph reset. Ask for a video. Hands that land off zero need a service to fix.
- Water resistance. A screw-down caseback and a rated gasket is honest. "100 m" on a $50 watch is not.
Price Tiers at a Glance
- $35 to $70: quartz, mineral glass, stamped case, thin lume.
- $80 to $150: quartz or low-grade automatic, sapphire as an option, basic finishing.
- $150 to $300: ST19 or 7750 clone, sapphire, applied numerals, proper lume.
- $300 and up: best finishing, Swiss or high-grade Asian movement, parts that a watchmaker can service.
Are Type XX Imitations Legal to Buy?
Watches that carry another company's trademark are counterfeits, and US Customs can seize them at the border. Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime, and a seized parcel can lead to a fine. Buyers who want the pilot look without that exposure can choose unbranded chronographs from microbrands instead.
How Does This Relate to Rolex Replica Chronographs?
Type XX copies and Rolex Daytona replicas share supply chains. The same Chinese case factories machine both, and the same movement suppliers ship ST19 and 7750 clone calibers to both. A Type XX build costs less because a three-register pilot dial is simpler to print than a Daytona dial with stepped sub-dials and a ceramic bezel insert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Type XX chronograph imitation worth buying?
It can be, if you want the pilot look at a low price and accept the trade-offs. Resale value is near zero, and most watchmakers will not warranty the work.
Which movement should I pick?
The Seagull ST19 suits buyers who want a mechanical feel and a visible sweep. Quartz makes sense for daily wear where accuracy matters more than charm.
How much should a good Type XX imitation cost?
Plan on $150 to $300. Below $150 you are paying for looks alone. Above $400 you are near the price of an honest microbrand pilot chronograph with a warranty.
Can I get the Type XX look without a counterfeit?
Yes. Several brands sell 38 to 42 mm pilot chronographs with black dials and luminous numerals under their own names, often for $200 to $600.