Hands-On With The Zenith Pilot Big Date Special (Live Photos)
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Though the first watch we showed you from Zenith 2012 was a relatively simple piece (the Espada, Zenith's first non-chronograph El Primero), the year is all about the Pilot's watch. The simplest of the three (we'll show you the other two down the line) is the Pilot Big Date Special, which is a vintage inspired chronograph (an El Primero, of course) with the addition of a big date at 6 o'clock.
This 42mm steel watch comes on both a stitched, aged leather strap or mesh bracelet (which is surprisingly awesome - see pics below), though, the big date execution here is the not the slickest we've seen - notice how the numerals are on dramatically different planes? So much so that you can almost see a shadow of one on the other. Still, as with most of Zenith's, the value ratio here is very strong. The Zenith Pilot Big Date Special will sell for $6500 on leather and $6900 on bracelet. Not bad for a nice looking watch with an in-house chrono movement from a very solid brand. More details here.
Click through for more live pics of the Zenith Pilot Big Date Special on both leather and steel mesh bracelet.
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5 Comments
Reader Comments (5)
Planes not plains.
I got this watch a few weeks ago. As you point out, it represents great value. The El Primero movement is solid and accurate and the watch looks great. The dial is gorgeous in my opinion. My only complaint has to do with the big date feature. Not the different plains that you note, that's quite common. My problem with it is that the date windows are too small which hinders legibility a bit. But that's a minor quibble with an excellent timepiece.
Ewww. See what you mean about the date. Font's grim too. Not one of Zenith's best I'm afraid.
It's plantains, people!
bravo to Zenith for gradually moving their designs back to their own heritage. I really like the vintage military look, and the parings of the straps & bracelet are just spot on. I think they goofed on the date; ironically, if the watch was 45mm like a "big pilot" watch, there might've been enough room to make the date display better. nevertheless, if they offer it without date, the watch would work as well or even better.