Zenith has released a special restricted edition of watches dedicated to the centenary of the Italian Naval Airforce. The 50-piece series timepiece is called Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Tribute to Aviazione Navale. Basically, it is a modified version of the already existing pilot’s Type 20 model which runs on an automatic-winding movement with a GMT function. Fitted into a large steel housing whose back side features appropriate engravings with inscriptions in Italian, the black-faced watch can be bought for just over $10,000.
Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Tribute to Aviazione Navale Watch
The anniversary newcomer is a special version of the brand’s Pilot Montre d’Aeronef 20 GMT. It is distinguished with a large steel housing with the styling that is typical for the Zenith’s Pilot collection. Some of the common traits of the round case are a narrow bezel, a legible dial and a large onion-shaped crown. The steel housing is 48 mm wide and 15.8 mm high. Underneath the watch’s domed sapphire crystal with a double glare-proof coating, there is a matte black dial combined with large Arabic numerals with white Superluminova coating. Hours and minutes are shown by large black ruthenium luminous hands, whereas seconds are indicated on a separate sub-dial which sits at the nine o’clock position, opposite to the Aviazione Navele’s logo. There is also a central hand with a red tip that displays the second time zone, the only available complication next to small seconds.
Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Tribute to Aviazione Navale Watch Front
Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Tribute to Aviazione Navale has a solid metal case back which, among other things, such as a screw-locked crown, contributes to its 100 meter waterproofness. The case back features several engravings and inscriptions. Apart from the special centenary and the regular logo of the elite force, there are also several inscriptions in Italian. Among them are the watch’s name in Italian – Orologio da Aviatore Tipo 20, “Flying Instruments” or “Strumentazione di Volo”, as well as “Centenario Aviazone Navale”.
Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 Tribute to Aviazione Navale Watch Back
Inside the large housing of the newcomer there is proprietary Zenith Elite 693 caliber with automatic winding. The mechanical movement which integrates 26 jewels in its construction is comprised of 186 components in total. Its diameter is 11 1 lignes (25.6 mm), while its thickness measures to 3.94 mm. It should be said that the movement beats at the frequency of 28,800 vph and includes a power storage that lasts for about 50 hours. As for the finishing, there is a Cotes de Geneva motif on the oscillating weight which, unfortunately, cannot be seen, since the watch has a solid metal case-back. Zenith Pilot Montr d’Aeronef Type 20 Tribute to Aviazone Navale is coupled with a blue tech-fabric strap which locks with a steel pin buckle. The watch from the 50-piece series by Zenith is sold at the price of about $10,325.
