Besides creating the first integrated, high-beat, self-winding chronograph, among its many achievements, Zenith was also a pioneer in pilot’s watches, filing a trademark for “Pilote” (French) and “Pilot” (English) in 1904, just a year after the Wright brothers created their first powered airplane in 1903. Aviators took to wearing Zenith, including Louis Blériot who made the first flight across the English Channel in 1909; and Zenith is also the proud manufacturer of some of the earliest aviator clocks and dashboard instruments. For 2023, Zenith is drawing upon its heritage and know-how in pilot’s watches to create a new Pilot collection from scratch. To achieve something more enduring, Zenith has eschewed vintage flourishes for timeless functionality in this new collection, drilling down to the tool watch fundamentals of “durability, legibility and intuitiveness”.
Zenith Pilot Automatic
In steel featuring vertical brushing and polished chamfers, or matte (microblasted) black ceramic, the Pilot Automatic cuts a strong, rugged profile with a good-sized flat bezel for structural strength, and an attractive high-contrast dial for optimal legibility. What lies beneath makes it stand out even further in a crowded field of aviator three-hands: the self-winding manufacture El Primero 3620 that runs at 5Hz, while delivering a very useful 60 hours of power reserve.
Despite its evident rugged build, the restrained design of the Pilot Automatic makes for a very versatile watch that can be worn practically anywhere, especially in the case of the steel model. Both steel and ceramic models are supplied with two interchangeable straps.
Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback
Tech Specs
Zenith Pilot Automatic
Movement: Self-winding El Primero 3620; 5Hz; power reserve of 60 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case: 40mm; black microblasted ceramic, or stainless steel; water resistant to 100m
Strap: Strap: (ceramic model) Black cordura effect rubber strap and a khaki cordura effect strap; (steel model) black cordura effect rubber strap and a brown calfskin leather strap; interchangeable strap system
Price: 9,500 CHF (ceramic); 7,500 CHF (steel)
Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback
Movement: Self-winding El Primero 3652; 5Hz; power reserve of 60 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds; 30-minute counter; flyback chronograph; instant-jump big date
Case: 42.5mm; black microblasted ceramic, or stainless steel; water resistant to 100m
Strap: (ceramic model) Black cordura effect rubber strap and a khaki cordura effect strap; (steel model) black cordura effect rubber strap and a brown calfskin leather strap; interchangeable strap system
Price: 13,400 CHF (ceramic); 11,400 CHF (steel)
