Zenith introduces its new Pilot collection, unveiled at "Watches and Wonders 2023" in Geneva, Switzerland.

Since the late 19th century, Zenith has been renowned for manufacturing specialized pilot watches and dashboard instruments. Louis Blériot, who successfully crossed the English Channel for the first time in 1909, also relied on Zenith. To this day, Zenith continues to create timepieces with unwavering conviction.

This is most evident in the Pilot collection. As the manufacture's longest-standing line, it captivates both seasoned watch enthusiasts and ardent aviation fans.

The newly announced Pilot collection is characterized by a complete redesign. Drawing inspiration from both past and present aviation, its functionality has been updated. Essential modern features such as durability, legibility, and intuitive operation are robustly incorporated.

The design reinterprets early pilot watches and dashboard instruments within a contemporary context.

The collection comprises two models: the Pilot Automatic and the Pilot Big Date Flyback.

The Pilot Automatic embodies the collection's traditional aesthetic with a silhouette rich in delicate details. Its 40mm stainless steel or black ceramic case conveys a subtle yet powerful pilot watch presence.

The round case is topped with a fixed, flat-top, round bezel. The steel version features a vertical satin-brushed finish with polished chamfers, while the black ceramic version boasts an all-over micro-blasted finish for a subtle matte appearance.

The large crown, a hallmark of pilot watches, is rendered in a more modern, angular form, designed for easy operation even when wearing gloves.

The black opaline dial is adorned with horizontal grooves, reminiscent of the corrugated metal sheets that form the bodies of vintage aircraft. The oversized luminous Arabic numerals, a signature of the Pilot collection, are presented in a more modern font as applied metal markers coated with white Super-LumiNova.

The movement is the in-house El Primero 3620, offering a 60-hour power reserve when fully wound. The black open-worked oscillating weight evokes the "artificial horizon" dashboard instrument, essential for pilots to orient themselves relative to the Earth's horizon.

The Pilot Big Date Flyback, on the other hand, is distinguished by its chronograph functionality. It is also available in two case materials: stainless steel and black ceramic, measuring 42.5mm.

The stainless steel version takes inspiration from the "Rainbow Flyback," a particularly distinguished model among El Primero flyback chronographs. The central chronograph seconds and minutes hands are finished in a vibrant orange hue, a nod to the iconic El Primero Rainbow introduced in 1997.

The black ceramic version presents a subdued, utilitarian aesthetic with luminous white markers and hands, creating a strong contrast against the horizontally grooved black opaline dial.

The movement is the high-frequency automatic chronograph caliber El Primero 3652, integrating the Big Date and flyback functions – two essential features for pilots. The flyback function, originally conceived for aviators wearing thick leather gloves, allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single push, enabling the recording of elapsed time without stopping the chronograph.

The case back reveals the El Primero chronograph caliber, equipped with the "artificial horizon" rotor.

Zenith's Pilot collection is a testament to modern technology, craftsmanship, and the enduring romance of the sky, a passion passed down for over a century.

Pilot Automatic
Movement | El Primero 3620, automatic
Frequency | 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz)
Power Reserve | Approx. 60 hours
Functions | Hours and minutes at the center. Central seconds. Date display at 6 o'clock.
Finishing | Special "Pilot Artificial Horizon" black rotor
Materials | Stainless steel / Black micro-blasted ceramic
Water Resistance | 10 ATM
Case | 40mm
Dial | Black with horizontal grooves
Hour Markers | Applied Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 coating
Hands | Black & white with SLN C1 coating
Strap |
(Stainless Steel) Black Cordura-effect rubber strap, brown calfskin strap
(Black) Black Cordura-effect rubber strap, khaki Cordura-effect strap
Price (incl. tax) | (Stainless Steel) ¥968,000 / (Black) ¥1,210,000

Pilot Big Date Flyback
Movement | El Primero 3652, automatic
Frequency | 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz)
Power Reserve | Approx. 60 hours
Functions | Hours and minutes at the center. Small seconds at 9 o'clock.
Big Date with instant legibility at 6 o'clock. Flyback chronograph. 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.
Finishing | Special "Pilot Artificial Horizon" black rotor
Materials | Stainless steel
Water Resistance | 10 ATM
Case | 42.5mm
Dial | Black with horizontal grooves
Hour Markers | Applied Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova SLN C1 coating
Hands | Black & white with SLN C1 coating
Strap |
(Stainless Steel) Black Cordura-effect rubber strap, brown calfskin strap
(Black) Black Cordura-effect rubber strap, khaki Cordura-effect strap
Price (incl. tax) | (Stainless Steel) ¥1,463,000 (Black) ¥1,727,000