Take to the Skies with Zenith’s New PILOT Collection: Watches & Wonders 2023 Launch of the Latest in Aviation-Inspired Luxury Watches

Luxury watch enthusiasts and aviation aficionados alike, get ready to take flight with the latest generation of the ZENITH Pilot Collection. From the renowned Swiss watchmaker comes an entirely redesigned line of timepieces that draw inspiration from the entire span of aviation – past and present.

Since the late 19th century, ZENITH’s fascination with the world of aviation has been evident, with the Manufacture’s founder Georges-Favre Jacot believing that mankind was on the verge of finally conquering the skies. Today, the latest Pilot collection upholds and builds upon this unparalleled heritage, while adding a contemporary context with some added ZENITH flair and understated nods to the world of aviation.

ZENITH has been a pioneering brand in the aviation industry since the late 19th century, and with the launch of the new Pilot collection, it has taken another step forward. The Pilot collection is an amalgamation of aviation’s past and present, with a design that celebrates the sense of freedom and the spirit of exploration that defines pilots.

The PILOT Automatic is the backbone of this new collection, and it features a 40mm case that is available in both stainless steel and black ceramic. The case’s design is unique, with a flat-top round bezel sitting on top of the rounded case, giving it a distinctive look. The crown is oversized, as is common in pilot watches, but it has a more modern, angular form that is easy to operate even with gloves on.

The dial has horizontal grooves, reminiscent of the corrugated metal sheets that make up the fuselage of older aircraft. The luminescent Arabic numerals, a signature feature of ZENITH Pilot watches, are applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova, and they take on a more modern font. The luminescent hour marker at 6 o’clock is in the form of a flat white line, recalling the artificial horizon instrument in a plane.

Visible through the sapphire display back, the Pilot Automatic is powered by the El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement, which delivers a power reserve of 60 hours when fully wound. The Pilot Automatic comes with two different straps. The black ceramic version is delivered on a stealthy black cordura-effect rubber strap, while the steel version has a brown calfskin leather strap, recalling vintage aviator’s paraphernalia.

The Pilot Big Date Flyback is the collection’s chronograph reference, and it comes in two versions, both in a 42.5mm case. The stainless steel version takes inspiration from the “Rainbow Flyback” and features an alternating-color minutes totalizer to distinguish between the five-minute marks. The chronograph seconds and minutes hands are in bright orange, another nod to the iconic El Primero Rainbow from 1997. The black ceramic version has a black matte finish with white markings.

The new Pilot collection is a testament to ZENITH’s dedication to aviation and its commitment to innovation. The collection combines the best of the past and present in a design that celebrates the spirit of freedom and exploration that defines pilots.