Historical Commemorative Watch

Costes – Le Brix, 1928

Tribute to the Around-the-World Aerial Raid (1927–1928)

This commemorative watch, created in 1928, celebrates one of the greatest achievements in French aviation: the round-the-world aerial raid undertaken by Dieudonné Costes and Joseph Le Brix aboard the Breguet XIX GR “Nungesser – Coli.”

A rare object, emblematic of the Art Deco aesthetic, it embodies the spirit of conquest, technical modernity, and the fascination with speed that defined the late 1920s.

Description of the Watch

Dial

Plain dial with stylized hands, protected by a decorative cover featuring cloud-inspired motifs — a poetic reference to aviation and long-distance flight.

Case

Faceted removable case fitted with an openwork protective cover decorated with stylized white enamel designs.
At its center appears the blue enameled inscription “COSTES LE BRIX”, highlighted with a red enamel border and the date “1928.”

Movement

Gilded brass mechanical movement, manual winding,
balance wheel with hairspring,
fast / slow adjustment regulator,
winding crown at the pendant.

Dimensions

42 x 49 mm
Gross weight: 88 g

Provenance

Former collection of Edgar Bensoussan, preserved within the family by his descendants.

COSTES & LE BRIX

Heroes of Long-Distance Aviation

In the late 1920s, Dieudonné Costes (1892–1973) and Joseph Le Brix (1899–1931) were among France’s most celebrated aviators.

October 14, 1927

First Aerial Crossing of the South Atlantic

On October 14, 1927, they achieved the first nonstop aerial crossing of the South Atlantic, flying from Saint-Louis, Senegal, to Natal, Brazil, in 19 hours and 20 minutes.

They flew a Breguet 19 GR (Grand Raid) named “Nungesser et Coli,” in tribute to the aviators who had disappeared earlier that year during their attempt to cross the North Atlantic.

This achievement marked a decisive step forward in the history of transoceanic flight.

The Partial Round-the-World Flight (1927–1928)

Following this historic success, the duo embarked on an ambitious global aerial raid.

Departure

October 10, 1927 – Paris, Le Bourget

Total Distance

Approximately 57,000 km
340 hours and 21 minutes of flight
More than 30 stopovers
5 continents crossed

Main Route

France → Africa
Stopovers in Morocco and West Africa

South Atlantic Crossing
From Senegal to Brazil

South America → North America
Brazil, Argentina, United States

Pacific Crossing (by ship)
Aircraft transported by boat from San Francisco to Japan

Asia
Japan, China, Indochina, India, Middle East

Return to Europe
Via Italy → triumphant landing in Paris

April 14, 1928 – Le Bourget

On April 14, 1928, at approximately 6:00 p.m., escorted by sixteen civil and military aircraft, Costes and Le Brix landed at Le Bourget after more than six months of expedition.

A large crowd gathered to welcome them. An official reception was held in one of the airfield hangars.

It is highly likely that this commemorative watch was presented on that occasion.

A Major Aviation Achievement

• First multi-stage aerial circumnavigation
• Demonstration of the reliability of the Breguet XIX
• Peak of interwar long-distance air raids
• Immense popular success in France

This achievement paved the way for Costes’ 1930 nonstop transatlantic flight with Maurice Bellonte aboard the Breguet 19 “Point d’Interrogation.”

An Iconic Art Deco Piece

With its geometric design, contrasting red, white, and blue enamels, and stylized cloud motif, this watch perfectly reflects the Art Deco aesthetic applied to commemorative objects.

It embodies the enthusiasm of an era fascinated by mechanics, speed, and the conquest of the skies.

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