ZENITH Pilot Montre D’aéronef Type 20 “40mm Lady”
The new Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 “40 mm Ladies’ collection is a tribute to the rich aviation history of Zenith, which used to make pilot watches and onboard instruments since the early days of aviation.
Inspired by the watches and onboard instruments produced by Zenith in those days, the new feminine collection comes in four different versions expressing a free-spirited approach to time and a desire to explore uncharted territory.
Zenith, right from the early 20th century was one of the first companies to produce flight instruments to equip the planes and airships of the first aviation pioneers. The Manufacture thus earned the status of a must-have companion for these skyborne adventurers who reached what then seemed unreachable stars.
Louis Blériot had his Zenith watch firmly strapped to his watch when he flew over the Channel in 1909, as did Léon Morane who a year later became the first pilot ever to fly at a speed of more than 100 km/h.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the Montre d’Aéronef Zenith Type 20 equipped a number of aircraft, including the famous Caudron Simoun C.635 planes used by the French Airforce for training purposes, and by the Air Bleu postal company for international and transatlantic routes.
Decades later, the contemporary Pilot Montre d’Aéronef has learned lessons from the past to represent a modern-day embodiment of precision and reliability within a timepiece capable of making the wildest dreams come true. A new feminine star now sparkles in this infinite sky and is no exception to the shining rule.
The Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 “40 mm Lady” features a generous 40 mm case equipped with a ratcheted crown evoking historical aviator watches, while the Zenith Flying Instruments logo engraved on the case-back serves as an unequivocal reminder of the origins of this timepiece.
In its stunningly glamorous full-set versions, the dial, bezel and lugs are adorned with no less than 491 diamonds (approx. 3 carats) set on rose or white gold, while it also comes in a more discreet version with a silver-tone dial bearing a minute track and diamonds set exclusively on the rose gold or steel bezel (approx. 0.95 cts).
Whether flamboyant or subtle, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 “40 mm Lady” showcases the original large Arabic numerals made from blocks of SuperLuminova to ensure optimal readability in even the most extreme situations.
Beneath this composition water-resistant to 100 metres beats the automatic Elite 681 movement driving a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock.
Finally, an extremely elegant strap fitted with a pin buckle sets the finishing touch to this model designed for intrepid women: beige or black satin for the full-set models; and brown alligator leather for those with diamonds on the bezel alone.
Technical details
Model: ZENITH Pilot Montre D’aéronef Type 20 “40mm Lady”
References
- Ref. 22.1931.681/79.C732: Rose gold case entirely set with diamonds and dial entirely set with diamonds. Beige satin strap and rose gold pin buckle
- Ref. 45.1931.681/79.C717: White gold case entirely set with diamonds and dial entirely set with diamonds. Black satin strap and white gold pin buckle
- Ref. 22.1930.681/31.C725: Rose gold case set with diamonds. Brown alligator leather strap and rose gold pin buckle
- Ref. 16.1930.681/31.C725: Steel case set with diamonds. Brown alligator leather strap and steel pin buckler
Movement
Elite 681, automatic
Calibre: 11 ½ ’’’ (diameter: 25.6 mm)
Thickness: 3.47 mm
Components: 128
Jewels: 27
Frequency: 28,800 VpH – (4 Hz)
Power reserve: min. 50 hours.
Finishes: Oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” motif
Functions
Hours and minutes in the centre
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Case and dial (for diamond-paved dial variants)
Material: entirely gem-set 18-carat rose gold case or entirely gem-set 18-carat white gold
Diameter: 40 mm
Opening diameter: 32.5 mm
Thickness: 11.80 mm
Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Case-back: Zenith Flying Instruments logo
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Dial: Entirely set with diamonds
Hour-markers: Black or white SuperLuminova SLN
Hands: Rhodium-plated, satin-brushed (with or without gold plating)
Case and Dial (for silvered dial versions)
Material: 18-carat rose gold with diamonds on the bezel or stainless steel with diamonds on the bezel
Diameter: 40 mm
Diameter opening: 32.5 mm
Thickness: 11.80 mm
Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Case-back: Zenith Flying Instruments logo
Water-resistance: 10 ATM
Dial: Silver
Hour-markers: Beige SuperLuminova SLN
Hands: Rhodium, satin-brushed (with or without gold plating)
