The Zenith Montre d'Aéronef Pilot Type 20 Extra Special ref. 03.2430.3000/21.C738 was launched in 2014. Earlier this year, a new version was released in bronze and we reviewed it here. The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special in stainless steel features a robust 45 mm case with screwed-on lugs and a satin-brushed finish that contrasts against the mirror polished bezel and ratcheted onion-shaped crown typical of historical aviator watches — that ensures a perfect grip even with pilot’s gloves.
Posts filed under Zenith
Experience: 1964 Ferrari 250 Le Mans by Scaglietti. When You Stumble Into a Legendary $14-18 Million USD Racing Car.
It's been a while since we've ran into a special automobile worthy of featuring. Today, we bring you one of the most legendary Ferraris and classic cars ever made, with only thirty-two examples ever produced and its price tag anywhere between $14-18 Million USD. The Ferrari 250 Le Mans, a.k.a Ferrari 250 LM, was presented at the end of 1963 to replace the Ferrari 250 GTO. Originally produced to compete in the GT class, the 250 Le Mans was forced to compete as a sports-prototype since Ferrari didn't meet the 100-vehicle requirement that the FIA stipulated at the time. The Ferrari P series cars, were mid-engine prototype racing machines that at the same time, were street legal. The predecessor to the Ferrari 250 LM was the Ferrari 250 GTO, evolving into a mid-engine racing car sold to the general public and released under the name Ferrari 250 Le Mans. Launched at the Paris Auto Show at the end of 1963, the Le Mans became very successful among the elite of private car racers around the globe. A winner of the 1965 '24 Hours of Le Mans', the 250 LM stands as the last Ferrari to win at an Endurance Race.
Experience: A Vintage Racing Weekend with Zenith at the Circuit of the Americas. Simply an Unforgettable Experience. Part Two of Two.
If you read yesterday's post about our vintage racing weekend experience with Zenith, continue reading part two of this unbelievable weekend. Now, if you did not read yesterday's post, we advice you to first read part one here. Just as if day one of our vintage racing experience with Zenith wasn't exhilarating enough, wait till you see the last part of our time at the Circuit of the Americas. Could it get any better after what we posted yesterday? Well, it actually does. After a nice evening on Saturday filled with Negronis, Austin's staple Tito's Vodka and a few glasses of champagne, we woke up early morning on Sunday to head to the track for the Hawk Performance Historic GT/GTP Enduro race that was supposed to start at 10:15am. After gearing up with the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Limited Edition and our matching red ear muffs, we arrived at the Paddock. Few minutes later, vintage and modern cars were about to start lining up on the pre-grid for the race.
Experience: A Vintage Racing Weekend with Zenith at the Circuit of the Americas. Simply an Unforgettable Experience. Part One of Two.
This past weekend, we were part of a select group of invitees —mainly collectors— invited by Zenith watches to be part of an amazing vintage racing experience at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The Circuit of the Americas —COTA— is a FIA Formula One grade track with 20 turns, a length of 3.427 miles —5.515 km— and home to the Formula One United States Grand Prix since 2012. Additionally, the circuit also hosts the MOTO GP of the Americas, the Road Racing World Championship, the FIA Endurance Championship and the SVRA U.S. Vintage Racing Championship amongst others. This weekend's experience courtesy of Zenith, was far from average and one that we will hardly ever forget. Being the crazy Formula One fans that we are, setting foot in the actual track, was a long life dream that was about to come true.
Insider: Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II. Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Manufacture in a 10-Piece Limited Edition.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the manufacture, Zenith presented several special watches this year. Today, we bring you our hands-on review with our now usual live pictures of the new Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Grand Voyage II ref. 18.2215.8805/36.C713 in tribute to the legendary explorer and discoverer of the Americas Christopher Columbus. This exceptional timepiece issued in an entirely hand-finished 10-piece limited edition, sets the stage for three major breakthroughs in watchmaking history: a patented Gravity Control system, fusée-chain transmission and an exceptional frequency of 36,000 vph.
Insider: Presenting the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 'Tribute to the Rolling Stones'. Live Pictures and Pricing.
In 1969, just a few months before humankind’s first steps on the moon, Zenith presented El Primero, the world’s first integrated automatic chronograph movement. That same year, one of the world’s best known rock bands reached the height of its fame. To celebrate this pivotal date, Zenith is launching a new second version of the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tribute to The Rolling Stones. Zenith naturally wished to celebrate its friendship with the rock’n’roll legends The Rolling Stones by crafting a modern watchmaking legend. This new version of the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 'Tribute to the Rolling Stones', is being issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition. As a truly worthy heir to the model that revolutionised the watch industry more than 40 years ago, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 'Tribute to The Rolling Stones' limited edition reprises its codes while introducing a very dark, contemporary, rock-style look.
Insider: Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 Extra Special 'Bronze'. Hands-On with One of Our Favorite Bronze Watches Out There.
The new Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special 'Bronze' ref. 29.2430.679/21.C753 is the successor to the Pilot Type 20 Extra Special ref. 03.2430.3000/21.C738 launched last year. This new watch opposed to its predecessor, features a case made of bronze, a metal that is now highly coveted in the watch industry and which became extremely popular after the launch of the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 'Bronzo' PAM 382 and its successor the PAM 507. Today, numerous watches are now available in bronze all the way from C-list 'wannabes' like the Helson or the Armida, to the exceptional IWC Aquatimer 'Expedition Charles Darwin' featured here. The new Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special ref. 29.2430.679/21.C753 is fitted with a robust 45 mm case that is just very unique an destined to develop a gorgeous patina as it gets worn by its owner.
Insider: Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aéronef Type 20 Annual Calendar. A Vintage Inspired Massive Chronograph and Annual Calendar.
More than a century ago during the summer of 1909, air pilots were challenged to fly across the English Channel in a competition set by the British newspaper The Daily Mail. On July 25, 1909 Louis Blériot achieved a major first by crossing the English Channel by air, while wearing a Zenith watch on his wrist. At 4:15 am, the wind had dropped at Calais, France and it seemed like a propitious time to accomplish the challenge flying 40 kilometers from Calais, France to Dover, England. With his Zenith on his wrist, he took off aboard the Blériot XI, a frail ‘bird’ featuring a wooden frame and parchment-like wings and crossed the channel in merely 37 minutes.
Insider: Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow. Hands-On Review of a Very Nice Column-Wheel Chronograph Under $10K USD.
This time, we bring you our in-depth hands-on review with a very large number of live pictures we took under natural light and our recommendation on why you should get this exceptional chronograph from our friends from Le Locle. The Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow ref. 03.2061.405/21.M2060 just like most of the timepieces in the Stratos Flyback collection, is fitted with a robust and very solid case measuring 45 mm in diameter that features a highly polished case with alternating satin brushed finished lugs. A heir to the Zenith military chronograph legacy, the new El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow pays tribute to the 1997 Zenith Rainbow watch, but in our opinion, with a much nicer design that will take the test of time way better.
Insider: Introducing the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision. Equipped with a Ceramicised Aluminum Case.
The new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision is one of those watches that not only brings out the best in the DNA of a legendary brand, but it also features exceptional material advancements when it comes to its case construction. This new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision ref. 24.2160.4068/21.R573 from our friends from Le Locle, is fitted with a beautiful 45 mm ceramicised aluminum case, that evokes the virtues of the ancient alchemists by constructing this watch's case from the transformation of aluminum into ceramic. Powered by the legendary automatic El Primero calibre 4068, the dial side reveals the silicon escape wheel as well as the balance wheel. Fitted with a black dial with gray border with black nickel plated faceted markers with black superluminova, the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision is simply beautiful and extremely sporty. Is the type of watch that you would want to see on the wrists of a special ops commando.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition. Live Pictures and Pricing.
After partnering with Audemars Piguet for several years and after the release of two Royal Oak Offshore limited editions, the legendary Paris-Biarritz race Tour Auto Optic 2000 is now partnering with Zenith. They will finally come together on the starting line of the 24th Tour Auto. Zenith will be the official timekeeper of the competition, and three connoisseurs of mechanical beauty and speed will set off, along with their co-drivers, under its banner. On their wrists, the new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition, a sporty model specially designed for the event in a limited edition of 500 pieces. This new watch, crystallizes the spirit of its partnership with the Tour Auto. Haute Horlogerie and collector's cars are linked by fastidious expertise, as well as a desire for perfection and elegance. The new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Tour Auto Edition joins them forever by combining the revolutionary chronograph movements for which the Le Locle Manufacture has become famous, with a design whose finely nuanced colors and symbolic elements reveal a subtle automotive influence.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the Zenith El Primero Chronograph Classic. Live Pictures and Pricing.
This year is a big year for Zenith manufacture celebrating 150 years. Along with other novelties from Baselworld 2015 that we have presented you here, we now bring you another watch released this last week, may we introduce the Zenith El Primero Chronograph Classic. The new Zenith El Primero Chronograph Classic features a pebble shaped case with a diameter of 42 mm and a quite slim profile at 12 mm thick. This new case —featuring a highly polished finish— comes with the nicest pronounced lugs— we've never seen before on any other Zenith El Primero— and with a very clean and timeless design that even includes a domed sapphire crystal. The watch is available in 18K rose gold in a limited edition of 150 pieces and in stainless steel as a regular production watch. The new Zenith El Primero Chronograph Classic is fueled by very strong Zenith DNA in its purest and most classic form.
Baselworld 2015: Introducing the New Zenith El Primero Sport. Live Pictures and Pricing.
Reporting live from Baselworld 2015, we bring you the exciting news about a new Zenith El Primero Chronograph. We are talking about the new Zenith El Primero Sport, a new chronograph in its iconic collection interpreted through three classically sophisticated variations, this timepiece is a worthy heir to the grand tradition of sports chronographs. Its 45 mm diameter stainless steel case houses the famous El Primero 400 B automatic chronograph calibre beating at a rate of 36,000 vph. The iconic El Primero collection welcomes a new range of sophisticated chronographs embodying the grand tradition of sports chronographs. Presented in three initial versions, the new El Primero Sport model asserts a resolutely masculine personality accentuated by the generous size of its steel case and the eminently sporty nature of its functions. Its distinctive character reflects the very essence of sports watches and naturally makes it part of a proud lineage of timeless models.
Insider: Zenith Academy George Favre-Jacot. A Manual Wound Timepiece with High-Frequency and Constant Force.
To mark its 150th anniversary, Zenith presents another amazing horological creation, we are talking about the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot which offers a magnificent compendium of the multiple watchmaking skills exercised within the Manufacture. More than a mere tribute, this Haute Horlogerie model testifies to a profound respect for the spirit of the founder without whom nothing would have ever have taken shape. On the technical side, the Academy Georges Favre-Jacot houses a high-frequency manual El Primero 4810 movement. Occupying the entire lower right-hand side of the dial, the power reserve display between 4 and 5 o’clock topped by the inscriptions 'Force constante' and 'High frequency', gives an immediate indication of the movement’s high quality. To its left, the small seconds subdial between 7 and 8 o’clock bears the logo of the Manufacture with the guiding star.
News: Presenting the Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Tribute to Felix Baumgartner. Jumping from an Altitude of 38,969.4 meters is worth celebrating.
Consistently cultivating a distinctive and special relationship with challenges, the brand with the guiding star has always accompanied human adventure at its most daring and creative. Witness this new Academy Christophe Colomb, which pays tributes to one of the great early 21st century explorers of human nature, a champion of surpassing personal limits. An experienced parachutist and base jumper, he achieved three feats in 2012 by jumping from a stratospheric capsule. A personality echoing the creative daring and the enterprising spirit of Zenith, expressed through one of the greatest horological discoveries of recent years equipping this spectacular model: the Gravity Control module.
News: Presenting the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Annual Calendar Tribute to Russell Westbrook.
While the Zenith Pilot Type 20 requires no introduction, the Pilot Type 20 Annual Calendar Tribute to Russell Westbrook —designed in collaboration with the young basketball player— deserves a closer look. As its name implies, it is equipped with an annual calendar —an elegantly discreet complication that might almost go unnoticed if it were not mentioned on the dial. The annual calendar differs from the perpetual calendar in that it does not take into account the additional day that is added to the month of February in leap years —every four years.
This is a complication that calculates odd and even months and also factors in the 31st day of August. In a nutshell, it is a useful function that avoids the wearer having to adjust his watch every month. Visually speaking, the day of the week and the month are displayed on the blue dial at 3 o’clock in a rectangular aperture. Just above it are the name of Zenith’s new ambassador, Russell Westbrook, together with his silhouette in action on the court and his signature.
News: Presenting the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Rolling Stones Limited Edition.
Zenith, creator of the El Primero movement in 1969, is teaming up with the famous British rock stars the Rolling Stones, with the launch of a new El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Limited Edition watch. The announcement was made on June 1st, by Jean-Claude Biver, Director of the LVMH Group Watch Division and Tom Bennett, Chief Executive Officer for Bravado, Universal Music Group’s global music merchandising division. The watch will be the first in a series of limited edition watches by Zenith. This 250-piece limited edition is a smart blend of DNA from Zenith and the Rolling Stones. Hence the two chronograph counters, 30-minute at 3 o’clock and 12-hour at 6 o’clock, are bedecked in the same colors as the original El Primero model of 1969, namely midnight blue for the former and slate grey for the latter. The 12-hour chronograph is also overlaid with the famed Rolling Stones logo, the iconic red tongue and lip design.
News: Presenting the New Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow. Live Pictures and Pricing.
During Baselworld 2014, Zenith presented to the press a significant number of novelties that included the Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow. However, this new watch was finally officially released two days ago. With our readers in mind, we took some pictures of this new watch during our meeting with Zenith in Baselworld that finally we are able to publish for your viewing pleasure. Nothing like looking at live pictures of new watches. Following the design of the Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th Tribute to Felix Baumgartner, this time the El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow is presented with a black dial with white Arabic numerals, colorful accents —yellow, green, blue and fluorescent pinkish— on its 30-minute chrono register at 3 o'clock, red numerals for the first 20 minutes of its graduated rotating bezel and a bright fluorescent pinkish seconds hand that rounds out the design equation.
Insider: Zenith Captain Power Reserve. Classical Elegance, Rich Heritage and a Very Nice Price Tag.
The new Zenith Captain Power Reserve ref. 03.2122.685/01.C498 in stainless steel is a watch that comes with exceptional understated elegance, rich heritage and a very nice price tag. This elegant timepiece presented at Baselworld 2014, features a classic round highly-polished —with satin-brushed lugs— stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter and 9.25 mm in thickness. The Zenith Captain Power Reserve features a black alligator strap and is available with a silver or black dial. Its shape and finish are as traditional and classic as it gets, making this watch one of our favorite watches under $7K USD.
This classic and elegant new watch, features a simple, yet well balanced dial that Zenith refers to as a silver velvet-finished dial —typically known as a sunburst dial— with rhodium faceted applied markers, a power reserve indicator between 1 and 3 o'clock, subsidiary seconds at 9, a date aperture at 6 o'clock and dauphine hands. To make this watch even more appealing, Zenith added a slightly domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides that allows for excellent readability and unparalleled protection from unwanted glare or reflections that allow the wearer to fully enjoy the beauty of the dial. The seconds hand as well as the power reserve hand are blued to provide optimal contrast against the silver background. Perhaps the biggest downside with this watch as with most elegant and classical timepieces, is the lack of luminescent material on the markers or hands.
The new Zenith Captain Power Reserve is powered by the automatic Zenith calibre Elite 685 with a relatively small diameter —for such as large case size— measuring only 11.5 lignes —25.60 mm. This reliable and accurate calibre is composed of 179 parts, 38 jewels, skeletonized rotor featuring the iconic Zenith star and Côtes de Genève. When fully wound, this solid calibre provides a nice and long lasting power reserve of 50 hours. The calibre is fully visible through the case back and a nice treat for the eyes.
Fitted with a nice but somewhat stiff black alligator strap that for sure will require a long break-in period, the watch wears slightly bigger than its actual size because of the very thin bezel on its case design. The strap is fitted with a pin buckle but Zenith offers an optional triple folding clasp. If you are on a budget and you like elegant watches with strong pedigree and great craftsmanship, the Zenith Captain Power Reserve is a great option and a watch that delivers flawlessly on the price-value equation. For those willing to pay a little bit more, the watch is also available in 18K rose gold or 18K white gold.
Sticker Price $6,500 USD Stainless Steel, Gold References $14,100 USD. For more info on Zenith click here.
News: Aldo Magada From Breitling Appointed President & CEO of Zenith. Only Time Will Tell What His Impact Will Be.
On May 2, 2014, LVMH announced the appointment of Aldo Magada as President and CEO of Zenith. Aldo will take over his new responsibilities on July 1st, 2014 replacing Jean-Frédéric Dufour who recently left Zenith to become the new CEO of Rolex S.A.
Jean-Claude Biver, President of the Watches Division of LVMH, is firmly convinced that Aldo’s significant experience in the watch-making industry, combined with his proven-track record in product development and strategy as well as his in-depth knowledge of manufactures will be instrumental to develop Zenith.
Aldo Magada is a Swiss citizen born in 1958. He grew up in Switzerland and graduated from the University of Lausanne in 1981 and from the University of La Jolla in San Diego, California in 1982. Aldo Magada started his career in sales at Vifor, a para-pharmaceutical company. In 1984, Aldo joined the watches industry at Swatch and then held positions with increasing responsibilities for Piaget and Omega where he was Product Director and Marketing Director alongside Jean-Claude Biver between 1994 and 1998.
In 2000, he became President of Gucci Time Pieces. Between 2002 and 2009, he led Technomarine, Reuge and Badollet, before founding a consulting firm, earning recognition and trust of numerous key players in the watches industry. Since 2010, he has been International Sales & Business Development Director at Breitling. During his nearly 30 years of experience mainly in the watchmaking industry, Aldo Magada has demonstrated his instrumental role in brand development and repositioning. As Jean-Claude Biver highlights, Aldo will ensure a continuous success for Zenith over the coming years.
Frankly, only time will tell what Aldo Magada's impact will be at Zenith as Jean-Frédéric Dufour leaves the brand at a very different place from when he took over in June of 2009. The Zenith brand image has been effectively repositioned and properly revived.
For more info on Zenith click here.
