Synonymous with pilots since the late 19th century, Zenith has accompanied aviators and explorers on their adventures – across the English Channel, to the highest freefall jump. Even the word Pilot is synonymous with the brand, having registered the trademark for the French “Pilote” in 1888, and “Pilot” in 1904. As such, Zenith is the only brand able to put “Pilot” on the dial of the watch – the true makers of pilot’s watches. In 2023, the brand revised its entire Pilot collection, taking inspiration from all eras of aviation, whilst maintaining the essential features of legibility, durability, and intuitiveness that were defined over a century ago – features crucial to instruments used in the cockpit.
Pilot Big Date Flyback
Taking centre stage for the Pilots collection this year is a watch containing a complication dedicated for use by pilots. The new Pilot Big Date Flyback incorporates a “retour en vol” system for the chronograph – essentially, while the chronograph is running, pushing the reset button will allow for the chronograph to fly back to zero, and immediately start a new timing event. The two variants measure 42.5mm in diameter and come in stainless steel and black ceramic variants – the latter of which takes its inspiration from the past, whilst the ceramic version is firmly anchored in the present.
The stainless steel version of the two watches takes inspiration from the original Rainbow Flyback that was originally released in 1997. For ease of reading, the minutes subdial had its 5 minute intervals in alternating colours so that it would be easily distinguished – a design trait that carries over to the 2023 model. Another design quirk are the chronograph hands done in bright orange, again to aid in legibility. In contrast, the black ceramic model is monochromatic – the darkness of the corrugated dial against the white Arabic numerals, markers, date indication and chronograph subdials provide stark contrast for the watch, giving it excellent legibility.
Turning the watch over, we see the El Primero 3652, a movement that incorporates not only a flyback chronograph beating at 5Hz, but also a big date mechanism that is unique to Zenith. Featuring a compliant mechanism for the two date discs, it advances and stabilises the discs within 0.03 seconds, changing the date faster than the blink of an eye. Automatically wound, the watch is powered through a rotor that takes its design inspiration from the artificial horizon readout in modern cockpits.
The watches are delivered on black rubber straps with a cordura effect – the black ceramic version is also delivered with a khaki rubber strap with cordura effect, and the steel version also comes with a brown leather strap. Both also come with a deployant buckle for ease of use, and are also equipped with a strap quick-change system to swap out the look of your watch with ease.
Pilot Automatic
A 40mm case in stainless steel or black ceramic provides the Pilot Automatic a robust platform for an aviator’s instrument for the wrist, and its distinct flat-top bezel is reminiscent of many pilots’ watches of the past. The stainless steel version has flat surfaces that are satin brushed, whilst the surfaces of the black ceramic version are micro beadblasted for a spec-ops style matte finish.
The dial takes its inspiration from vintage Zenith pilots watches, but anchors the design in the present – Arabic numerals make their mark on the dial, clearly defining the hours. These are filled with SuperLuminova for optimal night-time legibility. The date window at 6 is topped with a horizontal marker – this serves to orient the watch to ensure it is read in the correct manner, as well as a design inspiration from the artificial horizon readout in cockpits. The word “pilot” sits above this marker – Zenith is the only watch brand with the right to mark its dials with “pilot”, the sign of a true pilots watch.
Housed within the stainless steel or black ceramic case is the El Primero 3620 – a version of the El Primero that still beats at 5Hz, but does away with the chronograph complication. The movement provides a 60 hour power reserve, and is powered by an automatic winding rotor that takes its design inspiration from the artificial horizon readout in the cockpit.
The watches are delivered on a black rubber strap with cordura effect – the black ceramic version also comes with a khaki rubber strap with cordura effect, and the stainless steel version is delivered with a brown calfskin leather strap. Fastening the watch to the wrist is a deployant clasp, and the straps can be swapped around easily thanks to a quick-change mechanism built into the strap.
The Zenith Pilots Collection for 2023 is firmly anchored in the present, but giving subtle nods to the past – through its “Pilot” designation on the dial, its legendary movement, as well as distinctive Arabic numerals that have been thoroughly modernised.
The chronograph version reflects the utilitarianism of the late 20th Century, for when a pilot needed a complex wrist instrument to time navigation waypoints, and the automatic version harks back to when Louis Bleriot crossed the English Channel. This collection proves to be a refreshing start for this key member of the Zenith family, and continues the tradition of making the one true Pilot’s watch.
Technical Specifications
PILOT AUTOMATIC
Reference: 49.4000.3620/21.I001
Key points: El Primero 3-hands watch. High frequency movement (5Hz). Fully interchangeable strap system.
Movement: El Primero 3620, automatic
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 6 o’clock. Finishes: Special “Pilot artificial horizon” black oscillating weight
Price 9500 CHF/SGD 14,000
Material: Black microblasted ceramic
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 40mm
Dial: Black with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands : Black & white with SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 2 straps: Black cordura effect rubber strap and a khaki cordura effect strap. Steel with black PVD coating triple folding clasp.
PILOT BIG DATE FLYBACK
Reference: 49.4000.3652/21.I001
Key points: Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph with flyback function. Patented Big Date at 6 o’clock. Instanteanous Big Date jump in 0.007 sec (0.02 for discs jump & stabilization). Fully Interchangeable strap system
Movement: El Primero 3652, automatic
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Instantaneous Big Date at 6 o’clock. Flyback Chronograph. 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
Finishes: Special “Pilot artificial horizon” black oscillating weight
Price 13400 CHF/SGD 20,000
Material: Black microblasted ceramic
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 42.5mm
Dial: Black with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands : Black & white with SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 2 straps: Black cordura effect rubber strap and a khaki cordura effect strap. Steel with black PVD coating triple folding clasp.
PILOT AUTOMATIC
Reference: 03.4000.3620/21.I001
Key points: El Primero 3-hands watch. High frequency movement (5Hz). Fully interchangeable strap system.
Movement: El Primero 3620, automatic
Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 6 o’clock. Finishes: Special “Pilot artificial horizon” black oscillating weight
Price 7500 CHF/SGD 11,100
Material: Stainless Steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 40mm
Dial: Black with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands : Black & white with SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 2 straps: Black cordura effect rubber strap and a Brown calfskin leather strap. Steel triple folding clasp.
PILOT BIG DATE FLYBACK
Reference: 03.4000.3652/21.I001
Key points: Tribute to the 1997 first El Primero Flyback movement & Model : the Rainbow Automatic El Primero column- wheel chronograph with flyback function. Patented Big Date at 6 o’clock. Instanteanous Big Date jump in
0.007 sec (0.02 for discs jump & stabilization). Fully Interchangeable strap system.
Movement: El Primero 3652, automaticFrequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Functions : Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Instantaneous Big Date at 6 o’clock. Flyback Chronograph. 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock Finishes: Special “Pilot artificial horizon” black oscillating weight
Price 11400 CHF/SGD 17,000
Material: Stainless steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 42.5mm
Dial: Black with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands : Black & white with SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 2 straps: Black cordura effect rubber strap and a Brown calfskin leather strap. Steel triple folding clasp.