At Watches and Wonders Geneva, ZENITH has unveiled an all-new Pilot collection with a completely new silhouette. Available in either steel or ceramic cases, in three-hand automatic or big date flyback chronograph configurations, the reimagined line gives a nod to the watchmaker’s history in aviation. Fun fact: ZENITH is the only brand in the industry that can bear “Pilot” on its dial given it trademarked the word in the late 1800s.
The all-new Pilot collection includes the Pilot Automatic watch. Crafted in a 40mm case in either stainless steel or black ceramic, the Pilot Automatic boasts an entirely new case design with a distinct flat-top round bezel fixed on top of the rounded case. In the steel version, the surfaces are vertically satin-brushed with polished chamfers, while the black ceramic edition is entirely microblasted for a stealthy matte finish.
The black opaline dial draws inspiration from corrugated metal sheets that make up the fuselage of many older aircrafts. The oversized luminescent Arabic numerals are applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock above the date window, the luminescent hour marker takes the form of a flat white line.
The Pilot Automatic is powered by the El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement, which delivers a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound.
The black ceramic watch comes on a black cordura-effect rubber strap with a newly designed folding clasp developed specifically for the Pilot, as well as a more utilitarian khaki cordura-effect rubber strap. The steel model is also fitted on the same black cordura-effect rubber strap, but its second strap is made in brown calfskin leather.
For the Pilot collection’s chronograph reference, ZENITH developed a new version of its El Primero 3600 calibre. The Pilot Big Date Flyback comes in two distinct versions, both in a 42.5mm case. The stainless steel version’s minutes totalizer is done in alternating colors so that wearer could easily distinguish between the five-minute marks. The central chronograph seconds as well as the chronograph minutes hands are done in a bright orange tone. The black ceramic model features luminescent white markers and hands contrasting against the opaline black corrugated dial.
The new El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre features the big date and the flyback function.The oversized date display in the Pilot Big Date Flyback is fitted with a next-gen patented compliant mechanism that advances and stabilizes both of the big date’s wheels in less than 0.03 seconds. The flyback function allows the chronograph function to be reset to zero and restarted by a single push of a button, simplifying the pilot’s operations and offering the possibility to record consecutive times without stopping. The El Primero chronograph calibre with its “artificial horizon” rotor can be admired through the display back. The Pilot Big Date Flyback in ceramic is delivered with black and khaki cordura-effect rubber, while the steel version comes with a black cordura-effect rubber strap and a brown leather strap. All the straps are fitted with an integrated quick-release mechanism for easy swapping without tools.
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