Introducing: Zenith Launches 3 New References In Its Iconic Type 20 Collection

July 29, 2015

If youre anything like me, you mainly know Zenith for their El Primero Chronographs C and, most notably, for their El Primero Classic Chronograph that they released at Baselworld this year. What most people dont know is that the 150-year-old manufacture released another batch of watches at Baselworld 2015; these pieces received less camera-time than others, but theyre all doing pretty interesting things C so it may be unfair that Zeniths new Type 20 Pilot collection has been flying under the radar for this long. The first of these watches, and, the most accessible, is the Pilot Type 20 Extra Special, a watch similar to the past iterations of Zeniths pilot collection with one obvious distinction: its in bronze. Out with the stainless steel, in with the readily-acquired-patina, am I right? The distinct choice of metal combined with the watchs large onion crown, domed sapphire crystal, and militaristic case numbering creates a watch that goes above and beyond a mere homage piece C its a piece that Zenith ensured is extra close to the original. There is some gripe about Zenith calling their own watch extra special C but Extra Special isnt on the dial because Zenith thinks their watch is the best thing since sliced bread, its on there because it was on Zeniths original pilots watches, too. In all fairness, Zenith has done a lot to make this watch look and feel vintage; for $7,600 USD you can pick up a highly legible, playful piece thats pretty close to what Louis Blriot (the pilot who is Zeniths inspiration for this collection) must have had strapped to his wrist when he crossed the English Channel in 1909. The second and third of these watches, and, the least accessible, are the Pilot Type 20 Louis Bleriot Homage and the Pilot Type 20 Skeleton. Both of these watches are five-piece limited editions, and the price reflects their exclusivity at $221,100 USD. The first thing you need to know about these watches is that theyre both 60 mm thanks to a restored Caliber 5011k pocket-watch movement. The second thing you need to know is that theyre both pretty funky C in a good way. The Type 20 Louis Bleriot tribute has a brilliant meteorite dial thats actually from an asteroid. Thats extra special, I think C but the dial says its only special. Humph. The Type 20 Skeleton watchs main selling-point is that you can see the entire pocket-watch movement, and it is a thing of beauty C you can see every individual component working in harmony. Plus, theres only five of each of these watches, so the attention to detail and finishing is staggering. Theres not much to say about the collection as a whole other than its, well, special.For more information about these watches and others, visit Zeniths website here. Pilot Type 20 Hommage Louis Blriot, 60 mm diameter; meteorite dial. Case, sapphire with white gold bezel. Movement, 5011K, hand-wound, 18.50 mm thick. Price, $221,100. Limited edition, 5 pieces.Pilot Type 20 Skeleton, 60 mm, sapphire dial. Case, sapphire with blue enameled white gold bezel, entirely hand-engraved. Hand-engraved white gold lugs. Movement, 5011K, hand-wound. 18.50 mm thick. Price, $221,100. Limited edition, 5 pieces.Pilot Type 20, Extra Special. 45 mm diameter, bronze case. Movement, Zenith Elite 679, self-winding, 50 hour power reserve. Titanium case-back with Zenith Aviation Instruments logo.