Zenith | WWR

Buyer’s Guide: 15 Best Pilot’s Watches to Choose From

Feb 09, 2018 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 5708 views

Looking at our stats, I see that demand for recommendations regarding diving watches is a seasonal thing with most visitors coming in summer and then gradually declining till Christmas only to start growing again in early January. "Pilots" are different animals: I have an impression that people are always interested in "aviators" regardless of the time of season. So, for your reading pleasure, a choice of fifteen timekeepers from under $200 to more than $10,000 as priced by online retailers that I find worthy of being considered while shopping for your new (or maybe your very first!) pilot's watch this year.

Swiss

Zenith Elite Chronograph Classic Automatic Cal. 4069

Jan 20, 2016 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 5174 views

The new Zenith Elite Chronograph Classic Cal. 4069 wristwatch is, as you have probably already guessed, equipped with the brand's new caliber 4069 automatic movement and is offered in relatively inexpensive steel and much more impressively priced gold version. At this time, this is one of the most interesting choices when it comes to "dressy" chronographs with character.

Swiss

Zenith El Primero Stratos Spindrift Racing Special Edition

Nov 11, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 4019 views

Available in two finishes and sporting a fairly impressive size of whole 45 millimeters in diameter, the new Zenith El Primero Stratos Spindrift Racing Special Edition (refs. 75.2060.4061/21.R573 & 86.2060.4061/21.R573) automatic chronograph wristwatch tries to mix into a single convincing package such iconic elements of their design as signature rotating bezel, cloverleaf-style dial cutout that shows the timekeeper's inner workings, as well as an El Primero movement. What's really surprising is that the final product doesn't look too eclectic: while standing a bit dangerously to the 'love it or hate it' category, it is in fact quite an organic-looking watch that will certainly find a niche of its own.

Fashion / Swiss

Dior Chiffre Rouge C03 Moonphase Automatic

Oct 10, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 2640 views

Offering a completely outrageous blend of materials and textures, the new Dior Chiffre Rouge C03 (ref. ref. CD084C11A003) automatic wristwatch seems to be inspired by some extremely eclectic fashion collection. The polished gold of the indicators and hour markers (well, actually the elements are gold-plated), the slate gray of the dial and body create a watch that looks like an ultimate fashion accessory that may get you in trouble with your parents if they are of a more traditional kind. If only it wasn't so small!

Swiss

Zenith El Primero Volcano Special Edition (Ref. 51.2040.400/91.C496)

Jul 10, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3033 views

While there are many so called "two tone" watches that feature combinations of greyish still or titanium (or some other metal including, but not limited to, platinum and zirconium) and different alloys of gold, there are only a few models that really nail that perfect mix of colors and textures. Of course, this is purely a matter of personal tastes and preferences, but this new Zenith El Primero Volcano Special Edition (Ref. 51.2040.400/91.C496) seems to belong precisely to that category.

Swiss

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Rolling Stones Edition

Jun 19, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3484 views

With its new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Rolling Stones Edition (ref. 03.2048.4061/77.C496), the Swiss watchmaker probably tries to appeal to hearts (as well as wallets and credit cards) of baby boomers: those men and women in their sixties that remember year 1969. Some of them actually saw Jimi Hendrix performing Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock 1969, attended Led Zeppelin's Summer 1969 North American Tour, while the luckiest of them even managed to see at least one of 16 shows of The Rolling Stones American Tour 1969.

Swiss

Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 GMT 1903 Limited Edition (Ref. 96.2431.693/ 21.C740)

Jan 08, 2014 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3133 views

Something tells me that most of you must remember the great (in all meanings of the word) Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aeronef Type 20 watch that the Swiss watchmaker has had revealed about two years ago. Last year, the brand has introduced a new version of the watch, albeit in a smaller (but still defiantly massive) body and featuring a second time zone indicator. For the next year, the company delivered yet another version of the timepiece inspired by aviator watches of the early 20th century. Called Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aeronef Type 20 GMT 1903 Limited Edition, the device bears the same layout and dimensions, but comes with a lot more appealing "vintage" styling.

Swiss

Zenith El Primero Lightweight Automatic (Ref. 10.2260.4052W/98.R573)

Sep 27, 2013 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 2256 views

Previously restricted to their ultra-weird Defy Xtreme series, a light-weight carbon-fiber body is finally available for a more serene El Primero family. The new Zenith El Primero Lightweight (Ref. 10.2260.4052W/98.R573) watch justifies its name not only with the high-tech material, which is usually reserved for aerospace industry and motor sports, but also with lots of titanium, as well as with extensive use of skeletonization techniques.

Swiss

Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow Limited Edition Chronograph (Ref. 24.2063.405/21.R515)

Aug 27, 2013 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 2378 views

Limited to just 250 units, the new Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Rainbow automatic chronograph watch (Ref. 24.2063.405/21.R515) pays homage to the legendary 1997 Rainbow Flyback model that the Swiss watchmaker officially supplied to French Air Force pilots. The watch stayed in production for around four years and was limited to some four thousands units, give or take. In fact, the old model proved to be so popular among true connoisseurs that even now it is often offered at around $4000 for a piece, which is obviously far from "mint" condition.

Japanese / Swiss

2012 in Review: Top 12 Watches of the Year!

Dec 28, 2012 by Evgueni Matoussevitch 3136 views

The year 2012 wasn't exactly rewarding for the better part of the population. Greece didn't default, Doomsday didn't happen and Valve yet again failed to deliver HL:3. However, there were certain bright spots, too: Spain emerged victorious in the 2012 UEFA Euro cup and the European politicians somehow managed to prevent collapse of the single currency. The watchmakers from Europe and Japan, too, managed to introduce a number of great watches, although there was nothing truly revolutionary neither in terms of design, nor technical characteristics (here I am talking about mass-produced models, not some ultra-expensive one-offs).