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From A Blog To Watch:
So what is this watch? Essentially, it is two things. First, you have the vintage styling of the modern Zenith Pilot Type 20 watch collection which exists in a large 48mm-wide case. Second, you have the movement which is an El Primero chronograph produced in-house by Zenith, using a special annual calendar module designed by master watch movement designer Ludwig Oechslin. Together, these two elements make for a very useful, very interesting, and very wearable (for the right wrists) luxury sports watch.
The Zenith El Primero caliber 4054 movement in this timepiece debuted back in 2011. The El Primero movement operates at a high 5Hz frequency (36,600 bph), which means it can time events with the chronograph down to 1/10th of a second accuracy (compared to 1/8th of a second with a 4Hz movement). Perhaps more important about 5Hz movements is that they are theoretically more accurate over time. This is why we like movements with higher frequencies.
The mechanical automatic caliber 4054 has a maximum of 50 hours of power reserve and is produced from 341 parts – which is admittedly complex for something like this. What is interesting about Ludwig Oechslin is that he is generally obsessed with doing things in the most efficient way possible. In the 4054 he designed the annual calendar system to be as simple as possible. Annual calendars need to be adjusted only during February, and indicate, at minimum, the month and date. In the 4054 Zenith uses three extra discs in the movement to display the day of the week, month, and date. Overall, this layout is both simple, and very legible. Reading information in windows is almost universally more legible than on dials.
One of the most impressive things about the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Annual Calendar is that the dial layout for the 4054 movement doesn’t look odd in what is essentially a much larger case than it was designed for. The large hands and hour markers on the dial allow for the interior information not to look petite. Zenith very cleverly designed the dial to include all the information so that nothing overlaps with anything else. Thus, people can enjoy a 60-minute chronograph, an annual calendar, and the time with out having to have elements which really overlap one another.
Designed with the look of some vintage aviator watches in mind, the best part of the almost cartoonishly large Zenith Pilot watch collection is just how legible they are. Painted in lume and very easy to read, the hands and hour markers are quite simply “bold.” Not only are they physically large in size, but Zenith ensures that they contrast with the face very well. Actually, the hour markers are produced entirely from lume! Other details are extremely important, such as the proper length of the hands as well as their brushed finishing (as opposed to polished) which reduces reflectivity and thus undesirable glare). If there is anything I really liked about the Zenith Pilot Type 20 it was the dial, and this doesn’t end with the Annual Calendar model.
On the wrist, the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Annual Calendar is predictably large, but certainly wearable. With that said, you don’t get this watch unless you want a hefty wearing experience. In addition to being 48mm wide, the case is 15.80mm thick (and water resistant to 100 meters). What makes the Pilot case wearable, however, are the shorter lugs and ability for the strap to go straight down. The case is very nicely polished with excellent detailing. I appreciated the lack of sharp edges and extremely comfortable crown.
Style-wise, the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Annual Calendar is a diverse mixture of elements. The watch is a little rock & roll, a little horology nerdy, a little vintage champion, and of course, a bit aviation hero. I hate to keep using the word “bold,” but given the size, wearing this watch does require a bit of strong personality. I personally loved it. Note, however, that if you have smaller wrists, the stock strap on the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Annual Calendar might need an extra hole. The holes are square and not round, so don’t try to do it yourself. Speaking of the strap, I do like the large titanium buckle with Zenith star logo. I also like that the strap is lined with rubber but has an alligator top – which adds a pleasant high-end touch to an already high-end watch. Assuming you get a snug fit, the watch is actually remarkably comfortable on the wrist.
Currently, there is no standard 12-hour chronograph version of the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 collection. So if you want an El Primero chronograph with this cool pilot case, this is the watch for you. That isn’t a bad thing, as this is a unique luxury sports watch with a lot of daily utility and some great style. No one hates this watch even though some dislike its size. That is OK, there are probably more people who prefer the size. Again, why big watches? So that they can be better seen by others. Don’t forget that in addition to all the feel-good intellectual reasons we like to say we wear watches, we like what they look like before all else.
BRAND: Zenith
MODEL: Pilot Type 20 Annual Calendar Chronograph
MOVEMENT: Automatic SWISS
CASE: Stainless Steel
CROWN: SCREW DOWN Big Pilot
SIZE: 48mm
LUGS: 24mm
DIAL: Matte Black
BEZEL: Non rotating
CONDITION: Pre owned – Incredible!
BOXES/PAPERS: Yes 100% Complete – Everything you see in the pictures!
WATER RESISTANCE: – 100m
STRAP/BRACELET: – Original Zenith Pilot Alligator Rubber strap with Zenith Titanium Star tang buckle.
We buy similar watches…large packages as well as one at a time. We also take trades against any of our watches…
Let us know what you have in your collection!! I consider all watches in trade! Please upload pictures and include details of your trades through my Trade/Buy tab at the top of my homepage.
