Baselworld 2012 is right around the corner and after a taking last week off, Team Perpetuelle is gearing up to get the early sneak peaks a-going for you. Let’s start it off with a smashing cool Pilot’s watch from Zenith, the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20, a limited edition (250) military tribute piece that I believe actually traces back to an aviation dashboard clock (not a Pilot’s watch!). Everything about this watch screams cool, from its thick hands and dial numbers to the huge rounded-onion style crown, and yes even the 57.5mm case size. Yes, that’s right, the grade 5 titanium case is a whopping 57.5mm in diameter — the reason being that it is built around the Zenith Caliber 5011, a manual-wind movement originally designed for pocket watches and deck chronometer clocks (circa 1960). While I think the overall trend is towards smaller watches, this size does not bother me in the least because it makes for a perfect military-style Pilot’s watch (historically, they had to be very big and very legible). Definitely a cool piece from Zenith, and the best part is that their more mainstream production pieces are just as good — so stay tuned in!
Zenith Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Pilot’s Watch
Limited Edition 250 pieces
57.5mm titanium case, manual-wind Zenith Caliber 5011 (pocketwatch caliber, 50mm diameter, 48+ hrs power reserve, COSC cert.), brown leather strap with titanium pin buckle
close-up of the dial:
