Auricoste is a French military watchmaker (est. 1854) that has supplied instruments to the French Navy and Air Force for decades. The Type 26 Aéronavale DLC is derived directly from the cockpit clocks Auricoste built for the Sud Aviation Caravelle in the 1960s - the world's first twin-jet civilian aircraft, notable for having engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage rather than in the wings.
The DLC version adds a black Diamond-Like Carbon coating to the 316L stainless steel case, giving it a stealthy all-black military look while keeping the legibility of the original instrument dials.
Specifications
| Movement | Sellita SW200, automatic |
| Frequency | 28,800 bph (4 Hz) |
| Jewels | 25 |
| Power reserve | 38 hours |
| Case | 316L stainless steel, DLC coated, brushed |
| Diameter | 40 mm |
| Thickness | 12.85 mm |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Bezel | Sapphire, unidirectional 60-min, double-zero at 12H |
| Water resistance | 300 m |
| Price | €1,650 |
What's included
Comes with two bracelets (1 Tropic FKM black + 1 Nylon Explorer leather-lined black), a waterproof case, and a bracelet change tool. 3-year warranty. Free worldwide shipping.
Design details
The aviation DNA shows in the distinctive hands, the aircraft-shaped seconds hand, and the sapphire bezel with the iconic double-zero marker at 12 o'clock. Pure instrument design - no date, no subdials. The 40mm diameter keeps it wearable as a daily, and 300m water resistance makes it genuinely tool-watch capable despite the pilot heritage.
Good value for a French-made mechanical with real military history. Sits in an interesting niche between affordable microbrands and the Breguet Type XX price bracket.