In a yr dominated by chronographs, with the flyback variant retreating, one in every of our favourites is the Zenith Pilot Massive Date Flyback. We noticed this watch at Watches and Wonders Geneva, and spent a while discussing it with WOW Thailand editor Ruckdee in our Dialog article elsewhere this concern. Like many new chronographs price salivating over, this Flyback has loads to suggest it. Unusually, the story right here is within the double date window, and the smoothness of the chronograph pushers. We do have a penchant for excellent date watches and chronographs sometimes don’t scratch this specific itch for us. Not so with the Pilot Massive Date Flyback Chronograph. 

Earlier than we get to the small print, there are some necessary factors to make right here, particularly for these fanatics and collectors extra acquainted with the Chronomaster and Defy collections. Zenith is definitely one of many pioneering aviation timekeeping manufacturers, and the model’s previous aviation watches are out. The Pilot a part of the identify of this Massive Date Flyback, for instance, is a throwback to one of many early phrases registered by the Le Locle manufacture as an indicator. In French, the phrase Pilote can also be used within the marine world, which means navigator. Zenith additionally registered the English phrase, which might have main penalties. 

When, in 1909, aviator Louis Bleriot made a profitable Channel crossing with a Zenith timekeeper on his wrist maintaining him on the right track, the agency was one in every of just a few that might lay declare to the skies. It’s nonetheless the one model that may use the phrase Pilot on a dial. Nevertheless, this isn’t a narrative the model leaned into again when the Kind 20 fashions debuted in 2012, if we recall appropriately. The watches made a giant impression at the moment, and now mark a really particular part within the modern story of Zenith. With the brand new Pilot assortment, one other story is starting.

Now the Pilot Massive Date Flyback is a part of a number of tales for us this yr so this one will simply be an introduction. That we’re not protecting the time-only mannequin is only a matter of area constraints. We’re not even moving into the small print of the brand new El Primero calibre that powers the Massive Date Flyback. What we are going to say right here is that the date is without doubt one of the coolest that you could be by no means even discover. It jumps in 7/a thousandth of a second, if our notes might be believed, although now we have seen it in motion. It can be adjusted with the crown shortly, with out worry of desynchronising the date. This all quantities to a formidable watch, and now we have not even gotten to the specs but. As at all times, the abstract is right here (reverse), however we are going to come again to this watch in the end. 

Motion: Automated El Primero 3652 with massive date and flyback chronograph; 60-hour energy reserve
Case: 42.5mm in metal and ceramic; water resistant to 100m 
Strap: Black rubber and brown leather-based 
Value: USD 17,000 

This text was first seen on WOW’s Summer season #69 Subject. 

For extra on the newest in luxurious watches, click on right here.