Airain is a French watch manufacturer.

Airain was originally founded in 1934 by the distinguished Dodane family and gained recognition for its reliable, high-quality timepieces. In the 1950s and 1960s, Airain (alongside Breguet and Dodane) was among the select suppliers of the “Type 20” model for the French Army. The “Type 20” refers to a specification issued by the French Ministry of Defense for pilot’s chronographs.

In addition to the “Type 20” chronograph, Airain’s legacy includes iconic models such as the “Sous-Marine” diver’s watch and the Airain “77” from the 1950s, which remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

After decades of inactivity, the brand was revived in 2020 by the Dutch holding company Compagnie des Montres Lebois & Cie (CDMLEC), with today’s timepieces manufactured in Switzerland under the CDMLEC label.

The main models in the lineup are the Type 20 and 21. They are powered by the AM2 caliber, a chronograph movement developed in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, featuring manual winding and a column wheel. This movement features a flyback function, which allows pilots to quickly reset the chronograph and start a new time measurement without delay. It has a power reserve of 63 hours and contains 23 jewels with Incabloc shock protection.

• Airain Watches, brand website