ReviewThe Trademark Pilot Gets New Wings: Zenith’s Latest Aviation Watches

From Louis Blériot becoming the first man to fly across the English Channel in 1909, with a Zenith timepiece on his wrist, to the Swiss brand manufacturing cockpit instruments for the Royal Flying Corps of the British Army, the maison have always been at the forefront of timekeeping in aviation. The all-new Pilot collection by Zenith is what we call a genre-redefining timepiece. An easy-to-operate crown with substantial grip—check, bold hands and Arabic numerals—check, luminescence—check… All this housed in a compact and robust case, these watches ace every functional aspect of a traditional pilot watch and they go beyond. The maison’s decorated legacy in the field of aviation timekeeping can also be judged by the fact that Georges-Favre Jacot—the founder of the brand—registered the trademark for the word ‘Pilot’ in 1888, and even today Zenith are the only watchmakers that can use the word ‘Pilot’ on their dials.

The First Entrants Of the Renewed Pilot Line

Carrying four new models in total, the renewed 2023 edition of the Pilot line includes two versions of the Pilot Automatic and two of the Pilot Big Date Flyback. Both, the automatic and the chronograph models are available in a steel case with brushed and polished finishes, as well as a matt black ceramic case. Significantly different from its predecessors the new Pilot case features a flat and wide bezel that adds to the bold and wholesome appeal of the watch.

Both, the automatic and the chronograph models are available in a steel case with brushed and polished finishes, as well as a matt black ceramic case

Significantly different from its predecessors the new Pilot case features a flat and wide bezel that adds to the bold and wholesome appeal of the watch

Key essential elements of aviation timepieces are naturally retained—such as the large Arabic hour numerals and a crown big enough to use while wearing flying gloves. However, the very traditional look of earlier Zenith Pilot watches—with the onion-shaped crown and the cathedral hands—is gone.

Housed in a relatively compact case, the Pilot Automatic is sized at 40mm, which is a drastic and welcome change from the 45mm timepieces of the previous generation

At 40mm, the watch is far more versatile and comfortable as an everyday timepiece, whether it's the steel or the ceramic version

The High-Calibre Pilot

Housed in a relatively compact case, the Pilot Automatic is sized at 40mm, which is a drastic and welcome change from the 45mm timepieces of the previous generation. The bold hands and hour markers are equipped with luminescence and offer striking contrast juxtaposed against the black corrugated dial, rendering it easily legible in a wide variety of situations. It comes with interchangeable black and khaki cordura-effect rubber straps.

The watch is powered by the El Primero 3620 manufacture movement, which can store a power reserve of up to 60 hours, and is visible through the exhibition caseback. With a skeletonised structure, the rotor features an ‘artificial horizon’ design that replicates the cockpit instrument that indicates the aircraft’s orientation to the actual horizon. This movement also powers Zenith’s other popular timepieces from the Defy Skyline series.

The watch is powered by the El Primero 3620 manufacture movement, which can store a power reserve of up to 60 hours, and is visible through the exhibition caseback

With a skeletonised structure, the rotor features an ‘artificial horizon’ design that replicates the cockpit instrument that indicates the aircraft’s orientation to the actual horizon

Big Numerals, Big Date

On the fairly more complicated side of the spectrum are Pilot Big Date Flyback watches. These timepieces are equipped with the El Primero 3652 calibre, which presents a big date display at six o’clock and a centre-mounted flyback chronograph hand. It can store a power reserve of 60 hours and features a patented mechanism that advances and stabilises the big date in less than 0.03 seconds, making it appear like a jump.

Sized at an ergonomic 42.5mm, the case wraps around the wrist with a black cordura-effect rubber strap or a brown calfskin leather strap for the steel version, and a khaki cordura-effect rubber strap for the ceramic version. Similar to the oversized crown, the bold flat pushers are easy to operate as well. The maison have also referenced a legacy timepiece, the El Primero Rainbow and added a rainbow effect to the 30-minute counter at three o’clock, and the red chronograph hand in the new steel version.

With its modern dimensions and the contemporary adaptation of traditionally functional aesthetics, the new-generation Zenith Pilot collection truly offers a peek into the future of horology while being true to its roots.