Zenith Pilot TYPE 20 - Montre D'aéronef

[unknown]

A massive piece of history in a modern watch



Ordered it about 8 months ago and it arrived this week.
Right from the start I wanted this piece. Owning El Primero's and Elite movement watches a 5011 was a dream. In the past I thought about it several times.
Why not a pocket watch ? Well, because I'm not interested in pocket watches. So buying a pocket watch with a superb movement but knowing I would never 'wear' it was
not the smartest thing to do. Than we have these marine deck clocks. Again, a niece thing but if I can't wear it ...

Somewhere around march of this year I heard a rumor about a wristwatch which would be powered with the legendary 5011.

Now that was interesting ! An option to finally have this historic movement.

Soon pictures followed, and things even got better. The watch looked fabulous.


Than you read more about the size. 57.5 mm. Well I knew the movement so it had to be huge. If the movement measures 50 mm you can't put it in a 42 mm watch, right ?
But let's be honest, 57.5 is big and probably too big. Can you wear such a watch ?
2 years ago I tried the Panerai Egiziano (PAM341) and that was just too big and unwearable, I have bigger than the average wrists but 60mm with long lugs was impossible.
So what about the 57.5. One big advantage, the lugs are no so big as the Egiziano lugs.
When I put the Egiziano on my wrist, the watch (inclusive lugs) are wider than my wrist and that is imo not acceptable. But like said, the Type 20 lugs are completely different.

I saw , and of course tried the prototype at my AD and it felt fine. It was huge but I could wear it. Of course this is not a piece you want to wear on daily basis.
If it would be your one and only watch I would say 'Forget about it, buy something else. Maybe the Zenith Pilot big date'
On the other hand, if you know you will wear this piece on special occasions or only a few weeks per year than it is a superb addition to ANY collection.





A bit more about the movement.



"Originally designed for marine chronometers and deck watches in the 1950s, the pocket watch–size 5011 series is perhaps the most accurate
series of movements the brand has ever produced, and some were entered into the last chronometer competitions in the 1960s"




"The 5011 movement received an award in by the Neuchatel Observatory for being the most accurate chronometer ever.'



Some extra details (from the zenith site)



Technical data
References: 95.2420.5011/21.C723 250-piece limited series
Movement
Calibre 5011K, hand-wound
Total diameter 50 mm
Thickness 10 mm
134 parts
19 jewels
Cadence of the balance 18,000 vph
48-hour power reserve
Chronometer-certified by the COSC
Functions
Central hours and minutes
Small seconds at 9 o’clock
Power-reserve indication at 3 o’clock
Case
Polished and satin-brushed grade 5 titanium
Diameter 57.5 mm
Water resistance 3 ATM
Sapphire crystal caseback
Dial
Matt black with Superluminova-enhanced hands and numerals
Strap
Calfskin with hand-sewn topstitching, titanium pin buckle


Nice to know that Mr Arnold Schwarznegger bought 2 of these watches. I've heard also Mick Jagger bought one and one of the guys from the rockband 'Kiss' has one





So here are some pictures of what I think is a VERY nice and VERY collectible piece. .


As you can see, the finishing is VERY well done. Very close to real haute horlogerie !

[joe100]

I absolutely love it! I'd never own one as it's way too big for me

[aboen]

That is GORGEOUS!!!

[sugiharto]

Wow... How much did it cost you?
It's worth the wait. Nice watch!

[Maxtor]

I would hang that one on the wall! Love it.

[Dickson Lim]

Argh can't seem to find one in my place! I need one, especially after looking on your gorgeous photos!

[Watchmutt]

Great photos of a great looking watch. Id be interested in seeing a wrist shot though.

[unknown]

Originally Posted by Watchmutt

Great photos of a great looking watch. Id be interested in seeing a wrist shot though.

Here you go

[c.rod]

what size wrists? i have 8" wrists so im in love with this watch right now....

[unknown]

Originally Posted by c.rod

what size wrists? i have 8" wrists so im in love with this watch right now....

than in won't be a problem for you :-)
Most important is how you take the picture. Take a picture like I did, in front of a mirror and all the watches look smaller. If I take a wrist shot like most people do this thing is huge. But like said, in front of a mirror it is imo better. This is by the way how other people will see your watch on your wrist

[George Ab]

What incredible refinement; something I love about Zenith. That is one big watch!

[joe100]

So much history in that watch, stretching back to the dawn of aviation.

[Psmith]

Very impressive - congrats

Do the lugs unscrew in two parts, for changing straps?

[malarky_hk]

Wow...now that is what I call a "beast" of watch. DSSD look out - there's another big bad boy on the block.

OP - you must have a huge wrist cause that watch just looks perfect on you. Overall, I have say a great looking watch and very nice attention to detail and finishing. Great pics!

Really like what Dufor has done with Zenith during his time at the helm. They are creating some great looking watches.

Congrats and enjoy.

[joe100]

Every time I look at this watch I want one...more and more everyday

[dysondiver]

thats not a watch ,,, its a wrist clock ,, but boy its stuning , and your pics do it justice too , and as others have mentioned , it certainly seems to fit your wrist very well , and its not too thick.
good health to wear it.

[bde]

WOW! That's amazing. I love it.

[financeman]

That is a great looking watch. I am curious to know as well what the price tag is for one of these beauties. Congrats

[Andad]

Google it Heath.

You might find one at The Watch Gallery.

[joe100]

Stop bumping this damned thread! If I keep seeing come to the top I'm gonna buy one of these!!!!!

[nick c]

[PanosI]

Excellent pictorial !!! Don't have words for the macro shots

[689maple]

Great looking. Way to big for my wrist to pull off though.

[unknown]

Those that once had the TYPE 20 in their hands might remeber how special and loud it ticks

If you did not hear it before, I tried to upload it


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxQz_jmvfHw

Believe me, I have no idea how many decibels it produces but you will not sleep with the watch.

When I go to be dI hide it in another room LOL

[cloudy]

Nice watch! I like it..

[NCD1979]

A nice, clean & classic looking beauty!

[vintagewaferthin]

Very cool looking zenith! If only it was a tad bit smaller I'd be all over it.

[oymd]

very nice...

can you give some info on your technique and equipment used in taking those FANTASTIC photos?

[unknown]

Originally Posted by oymd

very nice...

can you give some info on your technique and equipment used in taking those FANTASTIC photos?

nope
I have to say I know nothing about photography. These are lucky shots. I take about 100 pivs and hope 10 will be good LOL

The camera is a Canon 550 ( so definitely not something special or expensive) and I don't have a special marco lens. The standard lens (18-55) that I got when I bought the camera.

And I use the camera's macro function ... I onlt press the button

[unknown]

Well, this thread is 2 years old and it is still one of my favorites
I will go to the bank ( safe) and wear it once again next week :-)