Zenith Pilot Montre D'Eéronef type 20 “40 mm Lady”

Last Update: Sunday, September 1, 2013 : 23:12 (+4GMT)

AIRBORNE ADVENTURES IN THE FEMININE MODE

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 Type 20 “40 Mm Lady”. 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.

As ever a forerunner in its chosen field, Zenith became right from the early 20th century one of the first companies to produce flight instruments to equip the planes and airships of the first aviation pioneers. The Manufacture thus earned the status of a must-have companion for these skyborne adventurers who reached what then seemed unreachable stars. Louis Blériot had his Zenith watch firmly strapped to his watch when he flew over the Channel in 1909, as did Léon Morane who a year later became the first pilot ever to fly at a speed of more than 100 km/h.

FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY

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. The Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 “40 mm Lady” features a generous 40 mm case equipped with a ratcheted crown evoking historical aviator watches, while the Zenith Flying Instruments logo engraved on the case-back serves as an unequivocal reminder of the origins of this timepiece. 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.

TECHNICAL DATA

PILOT MONTRE D'AÉRONEF TYPE 20 “40 MM LADY”

TRIBUTE TO ZENITH'S AVIATION HERITAGE
AUTOMATIC ELITE CALIBRE 681
ARABIC NUMERALS ENTIRELY COATED IN SUPERLUMINOVA
CASE-BACK ADORNED WITH ZENITH FLYING INSTRUMENTS LOGO

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)

REFERENCES

22.1931.681/79.C732