ZENITH New Pilot Collection
The Dream of Taking On the Open Skies
ZENITH has maintained a closed and long-lasting relationship with the world of aviation since the 19th century.
Georges Favre-Jacot, the Manufacture’s founder, believed that humanity was on the verge of finally conquering the skies and that ZENITH should be there alongside the brave pioneers who saw a world of freedom and infinite possibilities far above the horizon.
ZENITH trademarked the French term “Pilote” in 1888, with the English version 'Pilot' following a few years later in 1904.
During the 20th century, ZENITH became one of the preeminent makers of specialized watches and dashboard instruments for many notable pilots. In fact, Louis Blériot, made history by achieving the first flight across the English Channel in 1909 with a Zenith timepiece on his wrist.
Today, ZENITH continues to honor this unparalleled heritage with the latest generation of the Pilot collection.
Taking on many forms over the years balancing between heritage and modernism, the ZENITH Pilot collection is Manufacture’s most long-standing line of excellent models which are ideal for both watch aficionados and aviation enthusiasts.
The new Pilot timepieces awaken the pilot spirit in each one of us who seek the freedom to dream and the space to constantly rise above our limits and the world around us.
The all-new Pilot collection is entirely redesigned with a more modern aesthetic compared to its predecessors.
Imbued with all the essential features of durability, legibility, and intuitiveness, respecting the codes of Pilot watches that ZENITH defined over a century ago, the new timepieces are now revisited in a more contemporary context.
Crafted in a 40mm case in either stainless steel or black ceramic, the Pilot Automatic features an entirely new case design with a distinct flat-top round bezel fixed on top of the rounded case.
Its oversize crown, one of the most defining features of Pilot watches, takes on a more modern, angular form, while remaining easy to operate – even with gloves on.
Inspired by the corrugated fuselage of many older aircrafts, its black opaline dial with the distinctive horizontal grooves features oversized Arabic numerals and hands filled with white Super-LumiNova.
The flat white line on top of the date window pays homage to the plane’s artificial horizon instrument that allows pilots to control their aircraft position.
The word “Pilot” signs the dial, as ZENITH remains the first and only brand to hold the rights to mark its dials with the term.
Visible through the sapphire display back, the watch is powered by El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement, which beats at 5Hz and has a power reserve of 60 hours of autonomy when fully wound.
The ZENITH Pilot Automatic is delivered with two interchangeable straps:
- Black Cordura and Brown Calfskin for the steel version
- Black and Khaki Cordura strap for the ceramic one
The ZENITH Pilot collection is being completed with its chronograph references.
The Pilot Big Date Flyback comes in two distinct versions, both in a 42.5mm case.
The steel version is a nod to the ZENITH “Rainbow Flyback”, one of the most distinguished El Primero Flyback chronographs.
The minutes totalizer is done in alternating colors to better distinguish the five-minute marks, while the chronograph minutes hands are done in bright orange paying tribute to the iconic El Primero Rainbow from 1997.
On the other hand, the black ceramic version retains a more neutral look, with its luminescent white markers and hands contrasting boldly with the black opaline dial.
In terms of performance, the new El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre integrates two functions to the 5Hz chronograph that are a perfect fit for the Pilot: the big date and the flyback function.
The big date display features a next gen patented compliant mechanism that advances and stabilizes its two wheels in less than 0.03 seconds.
The flyback function, characteristic for pilot’s chronographs, 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 is visible through the display back.
As the Automatic version, the Pilot Chronograph in ceramic is delivered with 2 interchangeable straps:
- Black or Khaki Cordura for the ceramic version
- Black Cordura and Brown Calfskin for the steel one
All the straps come with an integrated quick-release mechanism for easy swapping without tools.
Capturing the spirit of the aviation pioneers who set their sights far beyond the horizon, the new Pilot collection is a call to chase your dreams – no matter how far or how high.