Zenith Reimagines the Iconic Pilot Collection for Watches & Wonders
Alongside new references for the DEFY series.
Taking off at Watches & Wonders this year, Zenith debuts a brand new Pilot collection, alongside new iterations of its signature DEFY line including the Revival Shadow, the Skyline, and the Skyline Skeleton in black ceramic.
Pilot Collection
For the reimagined Pilot Collection, although Zenith retained the model’s essential qualities such as durability and readability, the timepiece has been completely redesigned. The collection comprises two watches – the Pilot Automatic and Pilot Big Date Flyback – each available in stainless steel or black ceramic cases, with prices ranging from $7,500 – $13,500 USD.
The most noticeable design change to the Pilot Automatic is the flat-top round bezel, which comes affixed on top of the 40mm rounded watch case. Perhaps the most noteworthy feature is its black opaline dial, crafted with horizontal grooves to emulate the appearance of corrugated metal sheets from vintage aircraft. As for movement, the Pilot Automatic runs on the El Primero 3620, which offers up to 60 hours of power reserve.
Completing the collection is the Pilot Big Date Flyback, a chronograph reference that’s fitted with a brand new El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency calibre. Boasting a rather slim 42.5mm case size, one version features an alternating hued-minute totalizer, while the other takes on an achromatic color scheme with luminescent white markers.
DEFY Revival Shadow
Described by Zenith as “a modern creation with a vintage silhouette,” the Revival Shadow offers a refreshing and much more contemporary take on the DEFY model. Now opting for a much more muted and monolithic aesthetic, the new watch arrives in a lightweight yet durable titanium build. Its highly angular 37mm case is paired with its hallmarked fourteen-sided bezel, which now comes in a complete matte finish. Unlike its preceding timepieces, the DEFY Revival Shadow features a matte black dial, while the hands are doused in Lumi-Nova for legibility in low-light conditions. Visible through its sapphire caseback, the timepiece houses the Elite 670 manufacture movement with an uncompromising 30 ATM water resistance, as well as 50 hours of power reserve. Not a limited release, the DEFY Revival Shadow will retail for $7,400 USD.
DEFY Skyline & DEFY Skyline Skeleton in Black Ceramic
Zenith introduces the latest DEFY Skyline and DEFY Skyline Skeleton watches in an all-black ceramic build — a compelling choice of materiality for these all-round models. Priced at $15,000 USD, the DEFY Skyline comes in a 41mm case size housing a tonal sunray-patterned dial. Also presented in a 41mm case, the DEFY Skyline Skeleton retailed for $17,000 USD and takes on an open-worked dial, while its robustness and sharp silhouette nods to its predecessors from the DEFY series. Both references utilize the El Primero 3620 automatic calibre, which offers up to 60 hours of running time and 10 ATM water resistance.
The assortment of watches will be available via Zenith and its authorized retailers. For more information regarding official release dates and availability, head over to Zenith’s website.
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