When Zenith presented the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 in 2012, it reaffirmed its ties to the world of aviation whose exploits it accompanied from the beginning of the 20th century. In 1909, when Louis Blériot became the first pilot to fly across the English Channel, he wore a Zenith watch on his wrist. Subsequently, the brand with the guiding star distinguished itself in the development of onboard instruments for both civil and military aviation. In the late 1930s it produced the Montre d’Aéronef Zenith Type 20 — inscribed in full on the dial – in line with the strict requirements of the recently established Type 20 technical specifications. The dial bore a clear likeness to that of Louis Blériot’s watch, and these characteristic features were faithfully reproduced in the contemporary collection. For the 2012 launch, Zenith opted for a distinctive 250-piece limited edition. The first Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 is an impressively large wristwatch measuring 57.5mm in diameter. Its round case framing a minimalist dial is made of titanium, so as to compensate for the weight of the movement inside. Although smaller, the fluted onion-type crown recalls the one on the original creation that pilots could operate even when wearing gloves. The black dial with the ‘Montre d’Aéronef’ inscription has almost identical, broad Arabic numerals and luminescent partitioned hands. The small seconds subdial has migrated from 6 to 9 o’clock, opposite a previously non-existent power-reserve display. This Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 is driven by a historical COSC-certified high-precision movement that appeared in 1960s pocket watches. The finishes, that can be admired through the sapphire caseback, benefit from the ample space afforded by its 50mm diameter. Within the broader Pilot collection, the variations bearing the ‘Montre d’Aéronef’ signature (whether front and back or on the back only) pick up the aesthetic codes of their predecessor (shape, crown, numerals and hands) in generally solid cases engraved with the historical Zenith ‘flying instruments’ logo. The brand has offered a range of models with varying materials, sizes and functions, some of them in limited series. The simplest date back to 2013 for the 40mm model and 2015 for the 45mm iteration. The latest, some fitted with an El Primero chronograph calibre, are entirely in tune with the vintage trend, with materials such as bronze or aged steel and appropriate colours.

• Inspired by the watch worn by the aviator Louis Blériot • Historical pocket watch movement • Base model of the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 collection, produced in a 250-piece limited edition