Zenith Pilot

Swiss watchmaker Zenith has launched its Zenith Pilot collection of classic retro pilot's watches, focusing on the company's aeronautical tradition. The trendy models were designed in the style of historical pilot watches. The diameters of the different designs range from 40 millimeters to 48 millimeters. Nowadays, models with a diameter of 40 millimeters are also in line with the spirit of the times. This was already confirmed in 2017 by the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Special at BASELWORLD. Inside the classic pilot watches ticks the Zenith manufacture caliber El Primero. This is the first automatic chronograph movement presented in the world.

Pilot's watch tradition since 1909 - innovatively interpreted

The special feature of this caliber is its exceptionally high balance wheel frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (A/h). This means that even tenths of a second can be stopped. For this reason, the El Primero movement is one of the most precise clocks with stop function in the world. In addition, the switching wheel chronograph has, after full winding, a power reserve of 50 hours. For example, compared to most models from the El Primero Chronomaster collection, the Zenith Pilot Chronohgraph Type 20 has only two auxiliary dials. One as a 30-minute counter and the other as a decentralized seconds. However, various Zenith Chronomasters also have a 12-hour counter at the six o'clock position. The dials are partially grained and feature luminous hands and numerals. With the oversized crown, the retro pilot watches have a distinctive symbol, which also distinguished the models of the time. Straps made of nubuck leather stylishly complement the models.

Zenith Pilot - a collection that will delight watch fans

The luxury watch manufacturer from Le Locle/Switzerland developed pilot watches and measuring instruments for airplanes already at the beginning of the 20th century. According to the Zenith company, in 1909 Louis Blériot, a French aviation pioneer, wore a Zenith pilot's watch when he became the first person to cross the English Channel with the help of an airplane. This pilot watch already had a distinctive crown, large numerals with a black dial at that time. The hands and indices shone brightly and the bezel was rotatable (arrow-shaped marking).