Ornatus-Mundi introduces the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Lady, a 40mm timepiece adorned with 0.95 carats of diamonds, challenging traditional perceptions of tool watches. His review, part of the 'Zenith Coffee House Tales' series, meticulously examines how Zenith successfully blends serious watchmaking with feminine elegance. The post highlights the watch's distinctive features while sparking a discussion on gendered watch design.
It is summer, the time of vacations, and thus
Miss R and myself decided to make this a very
light topic (perhaps in contrast to our
previous instalment ) - Miss R brought along her personal summer watch, the
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Lady, a 40mm watch delicately set with
0.95 carats of top-quality diamonds:
Being a bit sceptical towards 'feminised' tool watches but on the other hand curious because of Miss R's infallible horological taste and expertise, I 'dared' to take closer look.
Like its 'male' (or original) counterparts the lady's version boasts all the ingredients of Zenith's pilot's line - just in a bright light and surrounded by an orbit of sparkling diamonds:
One characteristic element is the 'cathedral' hands...
... which like in the remaining Type 20 line are brushed on the metal surfaces:
Also, the numerals cut out of solid
SuperLuminova are there:
Same holds true for the oversized but very easy to grip crown. I always thought that this crown has a slight feminine touch to it, now I am sure about that ;-)
Zenith puts a screwed-on plate with an individually engraved number on each Type 20 watch:
Typical brushed and screwed-on lugs:
Despite the coveted Zenith Elite movement the brand choose a solid case back, quite excellently engraved with its aeronautical emblem;
Strapped on it certainly adorns the wrist of a powerful woman ;-) Honestly, I think this watch has just about the right size and combines
serious watchmaking with with a female attitude. The mix of both I think has been marvellously defined:
If I could voice just one little criticism: exchange the diamonds against baguettes, and it would look even more irresistible (probably except for this who would have to fork out the funds..)!
Bottom line:
The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Lady does the remarkable feat of bridging the world of tool watches with those of elegance and luxury. It does not look gaudy or gimmicky nor does it distract (too much) from its original conceptualisation.
I can imagine however that the target audience for such a watch is quite a niche: the watch does not enjoy the instant recognition of e.g. a Rolex or an Omega (that might be a plus as well as a minus, deepening on circumstance) nor do I think that such a watch has a universal appeal to a large group of women. Those however who are looking for a true and refined manufacture watch with pedigree, a watch that conveys an image of sophistication and accomplishment with a touch of luxury (a lady who made a career in a 'typical' male environment/business/trade, e.g. as a director of a scientific or otherwise technical institution, comes to mind), those might be well served here!
Thanks for reading,
Magnus
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Our location: Café AIDA (Gersthof branch), Vienna
A true Viennese institution, the Café AIDA looks back to the year 1913 when Rosa and Josef Prousek bought the confectionery Bonsaing at Porzellangasse 47 in Vienna’s 9th district and founded Chocolaterie u. Gross-Konditorei "AIDA" Prousek & Co. Up until the Gewerbesperre (trade ban) in 1934 Aida opened several new sales outlets, but only one of the 11 shops was run as a coffee house.
All the branches survived the WWII and AIDA started producing gingerbread-like cookies for the AKH (General Hospital). Aida handled a big order of a few hundred cakes for the Soviet Army to celebrate their success in the „Siege of Budapest“. In the fall of 1945 the Americans came to Vienna and requisitioned the business for the American Red Cross. Donuts and ice cream were produced.
In 2001 AIDA operated 26 branches when the management changed hands to Felix Prousek, grand-son of the company's founder.
As of 2013 AIDA is expanding internationally with branches opening in Zagreb (Croatia), Krakow (Poland), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The chain is positioning itself in these countries as a luxury confectionery shop with 100 years of tradition. Dominik Prousek entered the family business and established the fourth generation Prousek in management.
This message has been edited by Ornatus-Mundi on 2014-07-31 12:02:58 
