Zenith presents its historically inspired Pilot model in a completely new design at this year’s Watches and Wonders. The redesigned case of the Pilot Automatic, now 40mm in diameter, is made of ceramic or stainless steel. The horizontal grooves on the dial are meant to recall the corrugated metal that some aircraft fuselages used to be made of. The large crown has also been updated. What remains, though, are the large luminescent Arabic numerals, which are now applied rather than just imprinted.
Powering the watch is the El Primero 3620 manufacture movement, which offers a power reserve of 60 hours. The open, blackened oscillating weight of the winding mechanism is inspired by the typical “artificial horizon” on the dashboard of airplanes, as one can see through the exhibition case back.
Pricing is marked at approximately $10,800 when converted to USD. The watch comes with two straps, both with Cordura effect, a black rubber one and a khaki one.
Also part of the new lineup, the Pilot Big Date Flyback fully lives up to its name. Powered by the new El Primero 3652 high-frequency automatic chronograph movement, it features its namesake complications, a large date, and a flyback function which enables zero-reset and restart of the chronograph with a single push of a button. The large date window incorporates a new patented mechanism that advances and stabilizes the two wheels in less than 0.03 seconds.
The Pilot Big Date Flyback takes to the skies in a 42.5mm ceramic case that is water-resistant to 100 meters. The watch has a price tag of approximately $15,700 when converted to USD and also comes with two straps.
To learn more, visit Zenith, here.
Way way too expensive. Might be worth it at 40% discount. Maybe