Zenith launches a newly designed collection of pilot watches
While there are numerous brands across the watch industry with deep ties to aviation, only one brand has actually the right to use the word “pilot” in its models: Zenith. With this in mind, the Pilot line is deeply rooted in It’s no surprise that it’s in the brand’s DNA, even if it tends to be overshadowed in enthusiast circles by the likes of El Primero and Defy. However, as part of Watches and Wonders 2023, Zenith has completely reinvented the Pilot collection from the ground up, creating a more modern and sporty new look for the long-running line of pilot watches. The new Zenith Pilot Collection, including the Zenith Pilot Automatic and the Zenith Pilot Panorama Date Flyback, completely reimagines the brand with a new concept of luxury, clean lines and cutting-edge functionality pilot watch concept.
Despite measuring 40mm and 42.5mm respectively, the new Zenith Pilot Automatic and Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback share a new case design. This new case profile is a radical departure from the quirky, early 20th century-inspired case of the previous Pilot, and instead offers a sportier, modern tool watch style. Wide tapered lugs, smooth case side chamfers and a broad flat beveled bezel all combine to create a clean, familiar sporty shape, although the two available case materials are projected in two different ways in the image this design. Traditional stainless steel options give both models a bright, handsome combination of brushed and polished surfaces for an upscale and sporty look, but it’s the black ceramic case option that really gives the new Pilot range a more contemporary feel. The all-matte black case gives both watches a stealthy military-gear look in the image, which fits perfectly with the collection’s tool watch design ethos. Both the Pilot Automatic and the Pilot Big Date Flyback feature a sapphire display caseback, and both models have a respectable 100-meter water resistance.
While the new cases of the Zenith Pilot collection borrow heavily from the standard modern pilot’s watch template, the dials of the Pilot Automatic and Pilot Big Date Flyback offer more unique personality in the initial shots. The most notable feature here is the gloss black dial surface itself, which adds a raised horizontal ribbed texture inspired by the corrugated aluminum fuselages of early aircraft such as the Ford Trimotor or the Junkers Ju 52. It’s a luxurious aviation-inspired touch that complements otherwise simple designs and is visually reminiscent of the Patek Philippe Nautilus’ famous sculpted “deck plate” dials and Rimowa’s popular ribbed aluminum trunks in the image. The rest of the basic dial is designed to be clear and functional, with clean sans-serif Arabic hour numerals and partially blacked-out pilot-style hands. While both of the Pilot Automatic’s case styles keep this layout simple and balanced, with the date window at 6 o’clock neatly positioned below the horizontal diamond scale, the Pilot Big Date Flyback offers two different dial styles. best quality watch replica
The black ceramic case model is the more straightforward of the two, with a monochromatic look, a pair of large, see-through subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock, and a large round date display at 6 o’clock above. For the Pilot’s Big Date Flyback Chronograph in stainless steel, Zenith offers a clever modern reinterpretation of the fan-favorite El Primero Rainbow Flyback Chronograph from the 90s. Like that neo-vintage model, the Pilot Big Date Flyback offers a bright red central chronograph seconds hand similar to the Speedmaster, and a matching red flieger hand for the chronograph minutes subdial at 3 o’clock. The sub-dials themselves are the most obvious homage to the Rainbow, with a slim outer ring scalloped in green, yellow and blue to match its ’90s predecessor. This isn’t the most obvious reproducible design in the Zenith backing catalog,
Zenith equips the Pilot Automatic and Pilot Big Date Flyback with a pair of in-house movements – El Primero 3620 and El Primero 3652 respectively. The El Primero 3620 self-winding movement inside the Zenith Pilot Automatic is a relatively new addition to the brand, having been substantially revised from its previous appearance in the Defy Skyline collection. Gone is the model’s signature fun 10-second sub-dial on the Pilot Automatic, replaced by a more traditional central hand with a typical 60-second sweep. Visually, the El Primero 3620 has also undergone a series of graphical changes. The previous star-shaped oscillating weight has been dropped in favor of a more openworked black-coated oscillating weight design with arabesque brushwork and an artificial horizon motif. Completing the rest of the movement is sharp and modern, with the three-quarter bridge and balance cock given a deep brushed finish on the blued screws and matt sandblasted main plate. Performance-wise, the El Primero 3620 is impressive, boasting a 60-hour power reserve and the ultra-smooth 36,000 bph beat rate that is the hallmark of the El Primero range. watches hot replica
The El Primero 3652 automatic flyback chronograph movement on the Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback watch is a new reference specially designed for this watch. The finish of this movement is distinctly different from the three-hand movement, with arabesques on each skeleton bridge, as well as blued screws and blued column wheels, but the blacked-out oscillating weight design of the El Primero 3620 is here appearing again. In terms of performance, this new movement offers similar figures to its siblings, offering a power reserve of 60 hours at a beat rate of 36,00 bph. Each new model in the Zenith Pilot Collection is fitted with a black Cordura-effect rubber strap. In addition, each stainless steel model is equipped with a classic brown leather strap, while the black ceramic model is equipped with an additional khaki green cordura-effect strap.
The new Zenith Pilot line is almost entirely different from its predecessors, but the new Zenith Pilot Automatic and Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback should prove popular for their clean functional looks, attractive new complications, modern style design philosophy, and a subtle nod to previous Zenith references. buy watch replica