Zenith’s airborne adventures
Inspired by the watches and onboard instruments that Zenith produced in the early days of aviation, the Pilot Collection soars to new heights by introducing its first feminine model: the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef. An eloquent and glamorous tribute to the great aviation conquests faithfully accompanied by Zenith, this timepiece comes in four different versions expressing a free-spirited approach to time and a desire to explore uncharted territory.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the Montre d’Aéronef Zenith Type 20 equipped a number of aircraft, including the famous Caudron Simoun C.635 planes used by the French airforce for training purposes, and by the Air Bleu postal company for international and transatlantic routes. Decades later, the contemporary Pilot Montre d’Aéronef has learned lessons from the past to represent a modern-day embodiment of precision and reliability within a timepiece capable of making the wildest dreams come true. A new feminine star now sparkles in this infinite sky and is no exception to the shining rule.
In its stunningly glamorous full-set versions, the dial, bezel and lugs are adorned with no less than 491 diamonds (approx. 3 carats) set on rose or white gold, while it also comes in a more discreet version with a silver-tone dial bearing a minute track and diamonds set exclusively on the rose gold or steel bezel (approx. 0.95 cts). Whether flamboyant or subtle, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 “40 mm Lady” showcases the original large Arabic numerals made from blocks of SuperLuminova to ensure optimal readability in even the most extreme situations.
Beneath this composition water-resistant to 100 metres beats the automatic Elite 681 movement driving a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. Finally, an extremely elegant strap fitted with a pin buckle sets the finishing touch to this model designed for intrepid women: beige or black satin for the full-set models; and brown alligator leather for those with diamonds on the bezel alone.
Movement
- Elite 681, automatic
- Calibre: 11 ½ ’’’ (diameter: 25.6 mm)
- Thickness: 3.47 mm
- Components: 128
- Jewels: 27
- Frequency: 28,800 VpH – (4 Hz)
- Power reserve: min. 50 hours.
- Finishes: Oscillating weight with “Côtes de Genève” motif
Functions
- Hours and minutes in the centre
- Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Case, Dial and Hands
- Material: entirely gem-set 18-carat rose gold case or entirely gem-set 18-carat white gold
- Diameter: 40 mm
- Opening diameter: 32.5 mm
- Thickness: 11.80 mm
- Crystal: Box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Case-back: Zenith Flying Instruments logo
- Water resistance: 3 ATM
- Dial: entirely set with diamonds
- Hour-markers: black or white SuperLuminova SLN
- Aiguilles: Rhodium-plated, satin-brushed (with or without gold plating)
