Unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2023, the new ZENITH Pilot collection opens a new chapter in the brand’s rich history in producing aviator timepieces. This new 40mm three-hand automatic watch revisits the ZENITH Pilot collection’s aesthetic codes in an outstanding silhouette full of subtle details.
Available in stainless steel and black ceramic versions, the Zenith Pilot Automatic features an entirely new case design with a distinct flat-top round bezel fixed on top of the rounded case.
In the steel version, the surfaces are vertically satin-brushed with polished chamfers, while the black ceramic version is entirely microblasted for a stealthy matte finish.
The oversized crown, a defining feature of Pilot watches, takes on a more modern, angular form, while remaining easy to operate – even with gloves on.
The black opaline dial, with its horizontal grooves, mimics the look of corrugated metal sheets that make up the fuselage of many older aircrafts. The oversized luminescent Arabic numerals, a signature feature of ZENITH Pilot watches and dashboard instruments since the early 1900s, take on a more modern font and are applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova.
At 6 o’clock above the date window, the luminescent hour marker takes the form of a flat white line, recalling the artificial horizon instrument in plane. Here, it allows the wearer to instantly understand the orientation of the watch and read the time without second-guessing.
The dial is signed “Pilot”, 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 El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement delivers a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound.
The winding mechanism’s open and blackened oscillating weight recalling the archetypal and essential “artificial horizon” dashboard instrument, which informs the pilot of the aircraft’s orientation relative to the Earth’s horizon.
The black ceramic version comes with a stealthy black cordura-effect rubber strap and a newly designed folding clasp developed specifically for the Pilot, as well as a more utilitarian khaki cordura-effect rubber strap.
The steel model has the same black cordura-effect rubber strap, but its second strap is in brown calfskin leather, recalling typical vintage aviator’s paraphernalia like the flight jacket, gloves and hat.
The straps can be easily swapped with the quick-release mechanism integrated directly into the back of the straps, requiring no tools to detach from the spring bars holding them in place.
The new ZENITH Pilot collection also offers a Pilot Big Date Flyback Chronograph.
Technical details
Collection: Zenith Pilot
Movement
El Primero 3620, automatic
3-hands high frequency movement (5Hz)
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Finishes: Special “Pilot artificial horizon” black oscillating weight
Functions
Hours and minutes in the centre
Central seconds hand
Date indication at 6 o’clock
ZENITH Pilot Automatic Black Ceramic Version, Reference 49.4000.3620/21.I001
Case
Material: Black microblasted ceramic
Case diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Dial
Black with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied Arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Black & white with SLN C1
Bracelet
Comes with 2 straps: Black cordura effect rubber strap and a khaki cordura effect strap
Steel with black PVD coating triple folding clasp
Fully Interchangeable strap system
Price
9, 500 CHF
ZENITH Pilot Automatic Steel Version, Reference 03.4000.3620/21.I001
Case
Material: Stainless Steel
Case diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Dial
Black with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied Arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Black & white with SLN C1
Bracelet
Comes with 2 straps: Black cordura effect rubber strap and a Brown calfskin leather strap
Steel triple folding clasp
Fully Interchangeable strap system
Price
7,500 CHF
