Zenith soars with powerful new additions to its Pilot collection
This year, the iconic Pilot collection from Zenith welcomes new members to its brood. Known for its high-precision movement, impressive diameter, magnified screwed-in crown and oversized Arabic numerals, the Pilot collection introduces three sophisticated and modern extensions that remain true to its legendary legacy
Since the early 20th century, Zenith has played a vital role in equipping planes and dirigibles with on-board instruments. Earlier in its lifetime, the Manufacture became a pioneer in aircraft altimeters and montres d’aéronef (aircraft watches), supplied to the military as well as to civilian airline companies. Inspired and drawn to the world of aeronautics, Zenith has crafted a timepiece collection that pays homage to its days of high-flying feats.
Dubbed as the Pilot collection, the range is meant for aviation aficionados – those with a passion for mechanics and a penchant for far-flung horizons. This year, the iconic collection is revived with two models, powered by the famous 5011K pocket-watch calibre, that have been immediately posted in the Haute Horlogerie firmament, while the third model – The Extra Spécial bronze version – is ultimately identified with the spirit of the iconic Type 20 range.
Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot
Reflecting on the French pilot Louis Blériot’s cross-Channel flight in 1909, Zenith unveils an exclusive watch presented entirely with hand-graved work depicting Louis Blériot’s cross-Channel flight in 1909 aboard the Blériot XI plane.
The new Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot demands attention with its massive 60mm diameter case enclosed by a sheet of sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. Topped by an eye-catching bezel, lugs and a huge ratcheted crown in white gold, the watch is designed with the purpose of easy handling. Adding to its remarkable appearance, is the deep grey meteorite dial, remnant of the fragment of the Muonionalusta asteroid that sped through the atmosphere and fell to earth between Sweden and Finland.
Crafted in a natural motif that forms interlacing ribbons against a finely sandblasted background, the watch boasts a domed sapphire crystal case that is water-resistant to 30 metres. With its enormous Arabic numerals and rhodium-plated hands faceted and coated with a phosphorescent material, it ensures optimal read-off for all its functions.
The new Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot is one of the few limited edition watches that house the outstanding hand-engraved Calibre 5011K, duly restored and decorated from the archives of the Manufacture. Garnering the 1967 Neuchatel Observatory award for the most accurate chronometer ever presented, this fascinating mechanical movement has set legendary status for equipping maritime chronometers and pocket watches.
The dial features a large hour and minute hand along with a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock and a power-reserve indicator at 3 o’clock. The 50mm diameter Calibre 5011K operates at the rate of 18,000 vibrations per hour and enjoys 48 hours of autonomy. Securing this 18.5mm thick case to the wrist is a black alligator leather strap with white gold pin buckle and protective rubber lining.
Indeed so precious to covet, the new Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot is crafted in a five-piece limited edition.
Pilot Type 20 Squelette
Crafting a true masterpiece that places the Pilot Type 20 firmly in the Haute Horlogerie firmament, is the new Pilot Type 20 Squelette that is a legend in the making. The timepiece boasts a pocket-watch movement that has been entirely hand-skeletonised, thus exposing the impeccable mechanism to admirers without compromising the watch’s reliability and resistance.
More than 200 hours of expertise has been utilised to create the skeletonised movement, using a meticulous centuries-old process of workmanship known as ’The Bocfil’ (tiny hacksaw) technique. This method consists of engraving and hollowing out the movement by hand with a constant concern for perfect aesthetic and functionality. The expert artisans also use their hands to craft the aviation-inspired architectural motif that illustrates sleek lines reminiscent of aircraft turbines or wings.
The timepiece boasts an impressive 60mm diameter case topped by a blue-enamelled white gold bezel that connects to white gold lugs, which are hand-engraved, forming a geometrical motif inspired by the fuselage of Louis Blériot’s planes. Protected by a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, the case is left with an exceptional finish.
Distinct and reliable, the 18.50mm thick watch displays an entirely skeleton-worked manual-winding 5011K calibre that measures 50mm in diameter. Aside from the calibre, the timepiece also inherited the broad ratcheted white gold crown enabling easy adjustment with pilot’s gloves still being worn, as well as stylised hands that sweep over impeccably legible Arabic numerals, making it entirely in tune with the DNA of the collection.
Working with a power reserve of 48 hours with the indicator positioned at 3 o’clock, the exclusive Pilot Type 20 Squelette is released in a limited edition of five pieces and is completed with a black alligator leather strap finished with a protective rubber lining and a white gold pin buckle.
Pilot Type 20 Extra Special
The third installation in the new Pilot collection also shares some of the attributes similar to its sisters. However, what makes this timepiece different is the first use of a new bronze case that gives a somewhat a vintage polished appeal. With its case protected by a domed sapphire crystal, the functions of the new model appear on a broad matt black dial framed by a minute track. The huge Arabic numerals are made from white Super-LumiNova® and the faceted luminescent hands highlight the watch’s vintage elegance and optimal legibility.
Enclosed in the enormous 45mm bronze case that is water-resistant to 100 metres, beats the automatic Zenith Elite Calibre 679 with a “Côtes de Genève” motif. Working at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), this 14.25mm thick and precisely reliable Manufacture-made movement drives the central hours, minutes and seconds hands and fuels a 50-hour power reserve.
The solid titanium case-back bears an etching of Louis Blériot’s plane and is adorned with the Zenith Flying Instruments logo, serving as a vivid reminder of its legendary origins. Setting a powerful finish is a rubber-lined Nubuck strap fitted with a titanium pin buckle, perfect for the vintage-inspired timepiece.
