Zenith Pilot Watch worn by Louis Bleriot in 1910
The Zenith booth at Baselworld had an entire wall of early Zenith models going from the oldest 1910 pilot watch shown above, to their pilot watch called the Doublematic with the El Primero 4046. This watch has it all, including big date, GMT hand, and an alarm! It’s interesting to see the evolution of the Zenith pilot and how it has become what it is today. One can only image what it will be like tomorrow.
Zenith British Air Force Military Watch
Zenith Hand Wound Compass Chronograph from 1950
Zenith World Time Military GMT watch from 1955
Zenith British Flying Corps Altimeter
Zenith Italian Air Force on-board watch by A. Cairelli
Zenith Italian Air Force watch from 1960 with calibre 146 DP
Zenith Pilot's Watch with early El Primero from 1972
New Zenith Pilot Doublematic El Primero 4046 at Baselworld 2012
New Zenith Pilot Doublematic El Primero 4046 at Baselworld 2012
I love the “Zenith British Air Force Military Watch.” I wonder what the extra crown is for??
The early examples of these pilots watches were amongst the most well travelled timepieces in the world, as pilots navigated over oceans and continents. The Zenith pilots watch was a durable and dependable instrument, considered as a ‘co-pilot’ by most aviators of the day.