Balance & Bridge Team
- Jan 18
- 4 min read

Introducing the New ZENITH Pilot Boutique Editions. A Contemporary Design Direction for Two New Models.

ZENITH Pilot Boutique Edition

Relaunched in 2023 as a totally revamped line, the ZENITH Pilot collection draws inspiration from the entire span of aviation – past and present. A specialized and professional category of watches and instruments of which ZENITH has been a pioneer since the earliest days of aviation dating back to 1904, the essential codes of durability, legibility and intuitiveness are respected in the modern reincarnation of the Pilot collection. Instead of simply recreating the past, ZENITH has taken a much more contemporary design direction with subtle nods to the world of flying. And for the line’s first Boutique Edition, ZENITH is looking steadfast towards the sky to incorporate a deep shade of blue recalling the night sky.

Blue has long been ZENITH’s signature colour, recalling the night sky and the brightest shining star that inspired Georges-Favre Jacot to the point of deciding to name his manufacture and brand after it. Many of the brand’s boutique-exclusive editions have prominently featured different shades of blue. In the Pilot collection, the night sky holds a different meaning, reminding us of the bravery and sense of adventure the earliest pilots exuded when following their dreams to fly above the horizon.

ZENITH Pilot Automatic

The purest expression of ZENITH’s Pilot watch, the Pilot Automatic Boutique Edition is crafted in a 40mm stainless teel case with a distinct flat-top round bezel fixed on top of the rounded case, with vertically satin-brushed with polished chamfers. The oversized crown takes on an edgy angular form, while remaining easy to operate – even with gloves on.

The textured, grooved dial recalls the corrugated metal sheets that made up the fuselage of many older aircrafts. The oversized luminescent Arabic numerals are fashioned in a sleek font and are applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock above the date window with a white on blue date wheel, the luminescent hour marker takes the form of a flat white line, recalling the artificial horizon instrument in plane. A source of pride for the Manufacture, the dial is signed “Pilot”, as ZENITH remains the first and only brand to hold the rights to mark its dials with the term.

El Primero 3620 Manufacture Movement - Image Courtesy of ZENITH

The Pilot Automatic is powered by the El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement, visible through the display back. Its power reserve of 60 hours is reached by minds of a blackened oscillating weight that resembles an “artificial horizon” dashboard instrument, which informs the pilot of the aircraft’s orientation relative to the Earth’s horizon. The supplied blue cordura-effect rubber strap and brown calfskin strap can be easily interchanged using the strap’s quick-release system, requiring no tools.

- Pilot Automatic Specifications -

Movement: El Primero 3620 SC, automatic
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Central seconds hand. Date indication at 6 o'clock.
Finishes: Special "Pilot artificial horizon" black oscillating weight
Price: $7500 USD
Material: Stainless steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 40mm
Dial: Blue with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied Arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Blue & white with SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 2 straps - Blue “Cordura” effect rubber and a brown calfskin leather with folding clasp.

ZENITH Pilot Big Date Flyback

The larger and more feature-packed of the two Pilot references, the Pilot Big Date Flyback Boutique Edition completes the line with an exceptional, aviation-oriented iteration of the latest generation El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre. Housed in a 42.5mm stainless steel case, it features two functions that are highly prized by aviators: the big date and the flyback function.

Beyond its easy readability, the oversized date display in the Pilot Big Date Flyback Boutique Edition features a next-gen patented compliant mechanism that advances and stabilizes both of the big date’s wheels in less than 0.03 seconds. The big date’s wheels are coloured in the same blue tone as the dial. Originally conceived for aviators who wore thick sheepskin gloves, the flyback function allows the chronograph function to be reset to zero and restarted by a single push of a button, simplifying the pilot’s operations and offering the possibility to record consecutive times without having to stop and restart.

The El Primero 3652 chronograph calibre with its “artificial horizon” rotor is visible through the display back. The Pilot Big Date Flyback comes on a blue cordura-effect rubber strap, with a brown calfskin strap provided. All the straps come with an integrated quick-release mechanism for easy swapping without tools.

- Pilot Big Date Flyback Specifications -

Movement: El Primero 3652, automatic
Frequency: 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)
Power reserve: approx. 60 hours
Functions: Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o'clock. Instantaneous Big Date at 6 o'clock. Flyback Chronograph. 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.
Finishes: Special "Pilot artificial horizon" black oscillating weight
Price: $11,400 USD
Material: Stainless steel
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Case: 42.5mm
Dial: Blue with horizontal grooves
Hour markers: Applied Arabic numerals in SuperLuminova SLN C1
Hands: Blue & white with SLN C1
Bracelet & Buckle: Comes with 2 straps - Blue “Cordura” effect rubber and a brown calfskin leather with folding clasp.

The Pilot Automatic Boutique Edition and Pilot Big Date Flyback Boutique Edition are available exclusively from ZENITH physical and online boutiques around the globe.

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*All images are courtesy of ZENITH watches*

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