Some more news from LVMH Watch Week is the new Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Silver that will be released in February, and is also limited to only 250 pieces. There are a lot of things that one can talk about, mainly the design on the dial as well as the case material of the watch that is very closely linked to aviation.
There are a few things that make a watch stand out as being a pilot watch, but Zenith has decided to take it a step further by letting it influence the style and design of the watch even more than what other normal pilot watches have done. The real difference been the use of sterling silver for the case and the dial. If you are wondering why this is interesting, you will notice that a lot of watchmakers will refuse to use silver due it to being a very soft metal that can be prone to discolouration and it is also very hard to work with. However, Zenith has overcome this hurdle and also added a bit more detail to the dial of the watch, and the challenges that come with working with silver can also explain why this watch is limited to only 250 pieces.
The dial of the watch is brushed silver and also has a very distinct riveted dial which is inspired from the rivets of an aircraft. Aside from this as the name suggests it is a chronograph and comes in a case size of 45mm. The case size is a bit on the larger side which could turn a lot of people off, so if you have slender wrists be careful as this watch might not be suitable for you. The hour and minute hands are luminous and the Arabic hour markers are much bigger than usual making it a very easily legible watch. The movement of the watch that is used is the El Primero 4069 which is an automatic movement that has a power reserve of 50 hours. It is also water resistant to 100m and the watch is paired with a brown calfskin leather strap in the classic pilot style with rivets and a polished steel buckle. The caseback of the watch has a very interesting engraving of a flight as well as the Zenith flying instrument logo.
I am very impressed with the use of silver to make this watch and it will be certainly interesting to see how this watch holds up being worn overtime. The use of silver as mentioned previously also explains why it has been limited to only 250 pieces as there is no doubt just being able to design the dial as well as the case would have had a lot of complications and challenges. The watch will retail for $9,700 and will be available in Feburary through Zenith and their authorised dealers.
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