AEROBATICS ICON
For several years now, Zenith has been offering a curated collection of rare vintage watches that have been purchased, restored and certified by the manufacturer through the Zenith ICONS program. The program encourages a circular economy for iconic historical Zenith watches by preserving them for future generations through special re-editions. The latest chapter of this initiative is the launch of Zenith’s first collection, ICONS: PILOT, featuring three vintage timepieces. To recreate the past, Zenith took a more modern design direction with subtle references to the world of flight. The rounded watch case features a distinctive round bezel with a flat top and vertically polished satin-brushed chamfers. The huge crown takes on a sharp, angular shape, making it easy to use even with gloves. The textured, fluted dial is reminiscent of the corrugated metal sheets used to make many older aircraft’s fuselages. Large luminescent Arabic numerals are presented in an elegant font and are applied as metal markers filled with white Super-luminova. The dial with the inscription “Pilot” is a source of pride for the manufacturer, as Zenith remains the first and only brand authorised to mark its dials with this inscription. The Pilot Automatic uses the in-house El Primero 3620 high-frequency movement visible through the rear display. Its 60-hour power reserve is achieved by a blackened rotary weight, reminiscent of an “artificial horizon” instrument panel, which tells the pilot the aircraft’s orientation relative to the Earth’s horizon. The blue Cordura rubber strap and brown calfskin strap included can be easily changed using the quick-release strap system.