Auricoste is a specialist in naval clocks, stopwatches, and wristwatches. Auricoste was founded in 1854 by Emile Thomas, a clockmaker, who developed marine chronometers. In 1889 Thomas was succeeded by Joseph Auricoste, and in 1900 Auricoste was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Today Auricoste supplies clock and timekeeping systems for marine applications and has its headquarters in Paris.
Auricoste provided around 2000 Type 20 chronographs under contract and delivered them to the French military between August 1954 and March 1955. The Auricoste Type 20 used Lemania movements that were marked “Auricoste.” At least two different movement were used, one being the Auricoste cal. 2040 (Lemania cal. 15TL). The cal. 2040 is a 17-jewel, 15”’ movement (33.3 mm x 6.5 mm), 18,000 bph, with a Breguet balance spring and Incabloc shock protection. The Lemania 15TL was introduced in 1940 and was Lemania’s first movement to implement the flyback function. Another movement used by Auricoste in the Type 20 was a rhodium-plated 16-jewel, 14”’ movement. And at least some movements were delivered with a swan-neck regulator. There were also two case types, one in stainless steel and one a plated base metal case; both used a stainless steel snap-on back.
Auricoste pilots chronograph of the French Airforce: chromed case screwed back, 30 min-counter, rotating bezel, cal. Lemania 2040, no. 802805,‘Type 20’ and revision date on the back.
