Zenith is under the spotlight with its new collection of pilot's watches, revived with El Primero touches.
Zenith has been producing pilot's watches since the years when modern aviation's elbow contact with the watch world began to strengthen. Louis Blériot, who crossed the English Channel in his monoplane, was among those who set off with the watches produced by the brand, which applied for the trademark registration for the French term "PILOTe" in 1888 and the English version "PILOT" in 1904.
The brand, which achieved great success with the Zenith Pilot Type 20, which was introduced in 2012 and carried the classic pilot's watch theme with its onion-shaped crown as well as its large case, seems to continue this success with the new pilot's watches it has recently added to its product line.
The new models, designed in two types, three-handed and chronograph, are available in black ceramic cases as well as stainless steel.
Zenith Pilot Automatic
The new model comes with a 40mm diameter case. The case, which takes on a sporty and tool-watch-like character with its strong lug structure and flat bezel, is available in stainless steel or black ceramic. While the stainless steel model comes with a brushed surface form, the black ceramic model offers a more tactical look with its micro-sandblasting surface. The case, which has sapphire crystals on the front and back, gives the green light for standard water activities with its water resistance value of 100 meters.
Zenith Pilot Automatic hosts a black dial with thin transverse lines. The striking dial, made of opaline, hosts SLN-filled large Arabic indices and thick sword-style hands. The only extra feature of the model, the date display, offers a stylish and functional appearance with the black disc placed inside the 6 o'clock marker. The dial, which promises perfect legibility in almost any environment, has the "PILOT" inscription at the 6 o'clock position, which we remember from the previous Zenith pilot models.
The new model draws its power from the Caliber 3620, one of the three-hands versions of the El Primero caliber family. Oscillating at a frequency of 5Hz (36,000vph), the Hi-Beat caliber offers a power reserve time of up to 60 hours when fully wound.
Sporty models are offered for sale with two different types of straps, complemented by folding buckles signed by Zenith. The stainless steel model carries a price tag of CHF 8,400, and the black ceramic model carries a price tag of CHF 10,640.
Zenith Pilot Chronograph
The Zenith Pilot Chronograph comes with a 42.5mm diameter case that shares the same design elements as the Automatic model. The case, which also has stainless steel and black ceramic options, features scratch-resistant sapphire crystals on the front and back. The sporty model is waterproof up to 100 meters.
The dial, which is prepared with similar features to the Automatic model, comes with a Bi-Compax chronograph layout. In addition to the chronograph counters placed at 3 and 9 o'clock, there is also a large date window with a two-digit disc on the dial.
The new model is powered by the Caliber 3652 movement. Working at a frequency of 5Hz (36,000vph), the automatic chronograph movement offers up to 60 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
Among the models that come with two different types of straps and a Zenith signed folding buckle, the stainless steel CHF 12,770 black ceramic one is offered for sale with a list price of CHF 15,000.
