PILOT TYPE 20 CHRONOGRAPH

ZENITH

pilot type 20 Estra Special chronograph A class of  its own

Distinguished by its noble bearing and vintage patina, the 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 bronze case, its high-frequency El Primero ‘engine’ and its blue dial bearing white (green-emission) Super-Lumi-Nova Arabic numerals – sports the vigorous typology of these iconic pilot’s watches.

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

Topped by a domed sapphire crystal, the matte blue dial picks up the font of the original large Arabic numerals, made from blocks of white (green-emission) Super-LumiNova. The gold-plated 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.

At the heart of its bronze case hums an ‘engine’ known for its legendary precision: El Primero Caliber 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 caseback 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 blue oily nubuck leather strap and secured by a titanium pin buckle. A bold and beautiful timepiece for high-flying watch enthusiasts.