01 May 2013 | Zenith , Pilot's Watches

The ZENITH "aviators" at Baselworld 2013

ZENITH has a long standing tradition in making pilot watches. Back in 1909, Le Locle based manufacturers provided the renowned aviator Louis Blèriot with a reliable flight instrument. Among its main features, a large winding crown and luminescent markers. After nearly 150 years and as a major high end watch brand of the LVMH group, ZENITH is revamping its heritage by debuting an extended range of new and attractive pilot timepieces. Here at Basel, last year, ZENITH unveiled a large, limited edition pilots’ watch, with a 57.5mm case, powered by the big and legendary hand wind calibre 5011K, composed of 134 separate components and COSC certified:

[caption id="attachment_385" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 57.5 mm[/caption]

produced in just 250 pieces it quickly sold out. We suspected that this model would soon be the forerunner to a new pilots watches vintage collection, and we were right! At BaselWorld 2013, ZENITH debuted a full range of vintage pilot wristwatches, including two GMTs, one in stainless steel the other in titanium, both DLC coated, the latter produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces and named after the legendary Red Baron:

[caption id="attachment_386" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 GMT 48 mm[/caption]

they both sport a 48mm case and are powered by the Elite automatic manufactured calibre with GMT complication. What’s so cool about these watches? They look authentic, truly reminding us of the early days of aviation. The oversized case, with its beautifully engraved back, the big winding crown, the hand sewn thick leather strap, the Arabic numerals made of SuperLuminova that glow in the dark, are among its most stunning features. But they also have something that other GMTs do not, such as the GMT hand that can be independently operated by a pusher located at 10 o' clock, without using the crown. Men and women with a small wrist, but who wish to have a real pilot watch, worry no more! ZENITH has provided you with a 40mm wide version, as well as other complications such as annual calendars and tourbillon. A new, amazing contender is back in business and ready to challenge another leader of pilot watches, the renowned Swiss manufacturer based in Schaffausen.

MSRP Montre d'Aèronef Type 20 GMT ref. 03.2430.693/21.C723: 7200 CHF

MSRP Montre d'Aèronef Type 20 GMT ref. 96.2430.693/21.C703: 7800 CHF

Gallery

(Photo credit: Horbiter's proprietary photo-shooting)

Gaetano C. @Horbiter - Watches & Luxury

TWITTER @Gaetano Cimmino

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