Zenith has an illustrious history in the realm of aviation. The lineage of the watchmakers Pilot series dates back to 1909 when Louis Blériot, a pioneer and legendary French aviator became the first man to fly across the English Channel. On his wrist at the time, was a simple Zenith watch, that continues to inspire the Pilot Type 20 series, even today. The collection has been heavily influenced by the aesthetic of historical instruments, using a combination of aged case materials and textured colored dials to emulate an early 20th century look.
At LVMH Watch Week Dubai 2020, Zenith unveiled two iterations of its iconic Pilot Type 20 Watch: The Pilot Type 20 Rescue and Pilot Type 20 Rescue Chronograph.
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Rescue
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Rescue Chronograph
Both these editions come with 45mm stainless steel cases, that contrast beautifully with the slate-grey-toned sunray-patterned dial. You’ll also notice discreet touches of yellow. From the tarmac to the cockpit, yellow is a recurring color in the world of aircrafts that grabs the attention for vital controls and information. The Arabic numerals and rhodium-plated hands are filled with Super-LumiNova for optimum legibility. Other signature elements include the cathedral hands, the ratcheted crown and, of course, the Pilot marking on the dial.
The Pilot Type 20 Rescue Chronograph has a little more happening on the dial. It features a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock, a Central chronograph hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. Powering the Pilot Type 20 Rescue is an Elite 679 automatic calibre with hours, minutes and seconds. This automatic movement delivers a good 50 hours of power reserve. On the other hand, the Pilot Type 20 Rescue Chronograph, runs on an automatic high-frequency El Primero 4069 column-wheel chronograph movement, once again delivering a power reserve of 50 hours.
The caseback of these watches are engraved with the Zenith flying instruments logo. Securing the watch firmly to the wrist is an aged black calfskin leather strap recalling the classic shearling leather flight jacket, with rivets and a titanium pin buckle as well as a distinctive tab recalling those seen on vintage pilot helmets.
The new TAG Heuer Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition runs on a HEUER 02 calibre. 
The dial plays with transparency, allowing glimpses of the HUB1240.MXM UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement. It is feat of construction, almost architectural in scope, in a 45-mm case. The chronograph seconds are tracked along a straight hand, whilst the chronograph minutes complete their laps on one of the two discs on the dial. It oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, for a period of 72 hours.
Beating inside is a hand-wound manual winding BVL150 calibre created specifically for this watch, delivering a comfortable 40 hours of power reserve. The movement is rhodium-plated and hand-decorated with Côtes de Genève stripes, perlage and bevelling. A sapphire bridge adds the finishing touch. All of this can be viewed through a small sapphire crystal opening on the caseback.
DEFY 21 LAND ROVER EDITION Reference: 97.9000.9004/01.R787 Key points: Tribute to the legendary Defender. 1/100th of a second chronograph movement. Exclusive dynamic signature of one rotation per second. 1 escapement for the Watch (36,000 VpH – 5 Hz); 1 escapement for the Chronograph (360,000 VpH – 50 Hz). Special linear power reserve indicator. TIME LAB Chronometer certified. Limited edition of 250 units Movement: El Primero 9004 automatic Frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) Power reserve approx. 50 hours Functions : 1/100th of a second chronograph functions. Chronograph power-reserve indication at 12 o’clock. Hours and minutes in the centre. Small seconds at 9 o’clock, Central chronograph hand, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 60-second counter at 6 o’clock Price 13900 CHF Material: Microblasted Titanium Water resistance: 10 ATM Dial: Special matt grey dial with special power reserve indicator Hour markers: transferred and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C3 Hands Special anthracite hands, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C3 Bracelet & Buckle: Grey Rubber “Adventure”. Comes with an additional “Country” fabric effect strap. Microblasted titanium double folding buckle