Heritage Collection: the Pilot Extra Special Chronograph

An imposing bronze case, a wide ratcheted easily adjustable crown, oversized luminescent numerals and a high-beat El Primero mechanism: the new 'Pilot' by Zenith proudly flaunts the DNA of a line of airborne conquerors.

In 2017, this famous aviator’s watch with its distinctive design expresses its trailblazing style in chronograph mode. With its sandblasted black dial and its khaki green oily nubuck leather strap, it showcases a neo-retro look fuelled by an adventurous spirit. Exactly like that of the aviation pioneers that the Manufacture accompanied right from the early days of flight.

With its noble bearing and vintage patina, the new Pilot Extra Special Chronograph is imbued with the intrepid heritage of high-flying heroes. A natural heir to the onboard instruments developed by Zenith in the early years of aeronautics and known for their precision, sturdiness and outstanding legibility, this chronograph – with its virile bronze case, its highfrequency El Primero ‘engine’ and its black dial bearing green-emission SLN Arabic numerals
– sports the vigorous typology of these iconic pilot’s watches.

Bronze fuselage

Framing an oversized luminescent display guaranteeing peerless readability, the substantial 45 mm-diameter case – featuring a large screwed-in crown and ratcheted pushpieces facilitating adjustment with gloved hands – is made of bronze: a highly resistant antimagnetic alloy that acquires a natural patina giving it a unique vintage touch.

Topped by a domed sapphire crystal, the new sandblasted black dial picks up the font of the original large Arabic numerals, made from blocks of white (green-emission) Super- LumiNova® SLN C1. The luminescent facetted hands sweep over this distinctive watch face, also punctuated by two counters and a railway-type minutes track. The inscriptions “Montre d’Aéronef” and “Pilot” are a reminder that the Manufacture was one of the first producers of altimeters and cockpit watches at the dawn of military and civil aviation.

Dizzying mechanism

At the heart of its 100-metre case hums an ‘engine’ known for its legendary precision: El Primero Calibre 4069. This high-frequency column-wheel chronograph movement is a descendant of the world’s most accurate series-made chronograph, developed by Zenith and presented in 1969. Beating at a rate of 5Hz enabling a tenth-of-a-second display, it drives the central hours and minutes, small seconds and chronograph functions, while ensuring a 50- hour power reserve.

In a nod to its aviation origins, the solid titanium case-back depicts the plane flown by Louis Blériot when he crossed the Channel in 1909 with a Zenith on his wrist, along with the Zenith flight instruments logo, complemented by a motif inspired by the fuselage of the legendary French pilot’s aircraft. Built for exploring far horizons, this Pilot Extra Special is harnessed to the wrist by a khaki green oily nubuck leather strap with beige stitching, rubber-lined and secured by a titanium pin buckle.

Heritage Collection: Pilot Extra Special Chronograph

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Ref.: 29.2430.4069/21.C800

Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph
Screwed-in crown
Case back engraved with Zenith flying instruments logo
Arabic numerals in SuperLuminova

MOVEMENT
Movement El Primero 4069, Automatic
Calibre 13¼''' (Diameter: 30 mm)
Movement thickness 6.6 mm
Components 254
Jewels 35
Frequency 36 000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve min. 50 hours
Finishes Oscillating weight with "Côtes de Genève" motif

FUNCTIONS
Functions Hours and minutes in the centre
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Chronograph:
- Central chronograph hand
- 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock

CASE, DIAL & HANDS
Diameter 45 mm
Diameter opening 37.8 mm
Thickness 14.25 mm
Crystal Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Titanium case back engraved with Zenith flying instruments logo
Material Bronze
Water resistance 10 ATM
Dial Black
Hour markers Arabic numerals with SLN C1 SuperLuminova
Hands Gold-plated, faceted and coated with
SLN C1 SuperLuminova

STRAPS & BUCKLES
Bracelet reference: 27.00.2321.800
Oiled green nubuck leather strap with rubber lining
Abbreviation: CS
Buckle 27.95.0021.001
Titanium pin buckle