Dodane
Type 21 Pilote Gazelle - ALAT (French Army Light Airforce)

Dodane Type 21 flyback chronograph with two registers, dated 1967. Military pilot's watch issued to the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT). Black dial with 12-hour railway-style scale and luminous Tritium-painted Arabic numerals. Assembled and signed by Dodane in response to the call for tenders to equip ALAT regiments, this pilot’s watch is the most technically refined of the Type 20 and Type 21 series.

The reliability and ease of maintenance of this chronograph stem from the use of the Valjoux 223 movement, a lever escapement flyback calibre built with higher-grade components than those typically used in military watches of the time. This quality allowed it to remain in operational service with the armed forces for an extended period. Notably, many pilots chose to keep their watches at the end of their careers, significantly reducing the number of surviving examples and increasing its rarity and value as a collector’s item.
This model was issued between 1960 and the 1990s to combat helicopter regiments, notably those flying the Sud Aviation “Gazelle” helicopter. The chronograph is powered by the Valjoux 223 — an evolved version of the Valjoux 222c calibre, which was used in the Breguet and Dodane Type 20 issued to the French Air Force in 1954. These Type 21 chronographs are distinguishable from Type 20 models by their Swiss-made movement with higher finishing standards and shorter required downtime for servicing.

The initial production was estimated at 5,000 units, but many were dismantled for parts during the operational lifespan of the model due to economic considerations. It is now believed that fewer than 500 working examples remain in circulation.

You’ll find stories about the history of iconic watch models, the people who wore them, and the major watchmaking brands and manufacturers on our "Watch History" page.