Zenith pays tribute to the Wright brothers through a watch issued in a 1,903-piece limited edition: the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903.
The new Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 honors the famous Wright brothers, two American inventors and pioneers of flying, who built the world's first successful airplane. December 2013 marks the 110th anniversary of their groundbreaking achievement - the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight. The new watch is the modern interpretation of the historical Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20, and it is named 1903 after the year that represents the major milestone in the aviation history.
Zenith was one of the first watch manufacturers to create flight instruments for pilots of aircrafts and spaceships. The world’s most famous aviation legends, such as Louis Blériot, Morane and more recently Felix Baumgartner, have worn Zenith’s watches on their missions to conquer the skies. This time, Zenith has chosen to offer a new version of its cult watch – the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 to celebrate the Wright brothers' first flight. The new Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 is crafted from black DLC-coated titanium and nested in an extra-large 48mm case. The watch features a ratcheted crown, which recalls the look of historical aviator watches, and a gorgeous black sandblasted dial with large Arabic numerals. The time markers are, of course, coated with a creamy shade of Superluminova. Each of the numerals is individually finished with retro, patina-like accents, making each dial unique and underlying the high-class character of the 1,903-piece limited edition.
The historical Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20
Each of the watches from this limited series is individually numbered, and this number appears on the special plate screwed on the side of the case middle. The inside of the case conceals the automatic movement Elite Calibre 693. The core beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and guarantees at least 50 hours of power reserve. In the spirit of true high-end watchmaking, the bridges of the movement are adorned with Côtes de Genève motif, even though it remains hidden behind the stamped case-back. The back of the watch reveals an insignia depicting the scene from December 17th 1903 - Orville Wright aboard the “Flyer”, with his brother Wilbur running along Kitty Hawk beach.
Zenith Pilot Aeronef Type 20 1903 Medaillon
Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 is mounted on a gorgeous, masculine wristband made from beige suede leather. The lining of the strap features a features a heat-embossed motif with “Zenith Flying Instruments” inscription and the brand’s vintage logo.
Author: Marina Milojevic
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