Breguet Type XXI 3817 review: worth it or skip?

Buy8.1/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want aviation. Why: type XXI. The catch: pricey.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated November 6, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Breguet Type XXI 3817

Buy it if: you want aviation.
Skip it if: you want dressy.

Best for: Pilot Breguet
Key feature: Type XXI
Typical price: $18,000–$20,000

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Key specifications

Case	42 mm steel
Movement	Breguet 584Q
Water resistance	100 m
Power reserve	48 hours

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you want aviation
value historic
can spend around $18,000–$20,000

Skip it if you

you want dressy
mind this: pricey

Pros and cons

Pros

Historic

Cons

Pricey

The verdict in one breath

The Breguet Type XXI 3817 is a GMT or pilot watch we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: type XXI. In our list it is the pick for: pilot Breguet.

Reasons to buy

Historic

Reasons to skip

Pricey

The details that matter

Case: 42 mm steel
Movement: Breguet 584Q
Water resistance: 100 m
Power reserve: 48 hours

Worth knowing

Flyback.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want aviation. Skip it if you want dressy; the Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best GMT and pilot watches.

Alternatives worth considering

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer

Buy it if you want warm two-tone.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Root Beer
Typical price: $18,000–$24,000

Pros

Distinctive
Holds value

Cons

Pricey

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934

Buy it if you want complication.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Travel complication
Typical price: $16,000–$22,000

Pros

Clever
Holds value

Cons

Thick

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Breguet Type XXI 3817?

Buy it, if you want aviation. Why: type XXI. The catch: pricey.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want dressy. The Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer is the better buy then.

What does the Breguet Type XXI 3817 cost?

Usually $18,000–$20,000 in the US. Luxury houses raise prices often, so check the current price before you buy.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Breguet Type XXI 3817: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Breguet Type XXI 3817 worth the money? Short answer: buy it, if you want aviation. This review explains what this Breguet piece gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs and which GMT or pilot watch to buy instead if it is not right for you.

What the Breguet Type XXI 3817 does well

The headline: type XXI. The details: Case: 42 mm steel; Movement: Breguet 584Q; Water resistance: 100 m; Power reserve: 48 hours. In our list it is the pick for: pilot Breguet. It usually sells for $18,000–$20,000 in the US.

Flyback.

The trade-offs

Good: historic. Not so good: pricey. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want dressy.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer ($18,000–$24,000): everose Rolesor GMT. Better if you want warm two-tone.

Instead, consider the Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934 ($16,000–$22,000): annual calendar GMT. Better if you want complication.

Instead, consider the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Geographic ($14,000–$16,000): geographic. Better if you want travel elegance.

Before you buy

GMT type: a “true” (flyer) GMT moves the local hour hand on its own, the most useful kind for travel. Legibility: pilot watches prioritize big, high-contrast numerals and lume. Size: pilot watches often run large (41–46 mm); check lug-to-lug.

Buyer tip

Tudor Black Bay GMT and Grand Seiko GMTs are the value champions; Rolex GMT-Master II sells above list pre-owned.

Buying in Europe: authorized-dealer prices for Swiss watches are set per country and include VAT; a watch bought in Switzerland or the EU carries the same international warranty as one bought in the US. Grey-market and pre-owned prices are often quoted in euros or Swiss francs.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.