Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903

Kong · 2014-01-09T01:48:31Z

Discover the Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903, a limited edition honoring the Wright brothers. Learn about its aviation heritage and unique design features.

Kong

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Since its founding in 1865, the Manufacture Zenith has been part of all the dreams and daring endeavours that transform utopian dreams into reality. Among the human adventures that have punctuated its history, there is one particular conquest that the brand accompanied right from its beginnings in the early 20th century: that of the SKIES. Driven by the same enterprising spirit as these pioneers who gave life to Icarus’ dream of flight, Zenith pays tribute to the Wright brothers through a watch issued in a 1,903-piece limited edition: the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903.

In their bicycle shop in Dayton Ohio, Wilbur and Orville Wright dreamed of wide-open spaces and freedom. These natural-born inventors conceived a first glider that they launched on the Kitty Hawk dunes in North Carolina. At the same time, they built a wind tunnel to study various technical aspects such as the profile of the wings. Constantly perfecting their prototypes, they installed a stabiliser at the front of a second glider, and then a steering rudder at the back of a third that could thus be controlled: a world first in the field of aeronautics! After hundreds of trials, the two brothers decided to move a step forwards by equipping their glider with an engine. Lying face down on the lower wing of the twin-propeller aircraft named “Flyer”, Orville Wright achieved the first powered, heavier-than-air controlled flight in history, on Kitty Hawk beach. The young man covered a distance of 40 metres at a height of 60 centimetres off the ground. The date was December 17th 1903. Representing a major milestone in aviation history, the year 1903 now gives its name to a timepiece created by Zenith as a tribute to the Wright brothers: Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903.

PARTNERING SKYBORNE HEROES SINCE THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Zenith was one of the first watch manufacturers to create flight instruments to equip various aircraft and spaceships manned by the aviation pioneers. Known for their precision and exceptional ability to withstand vibrations, magnetic fields and variations, Zenith’s altimeters, onboard watches and chronographs, as well as its wristwatches, became extremely popular with pilots, who were thus accompanied in their feats by the brand with the guiding star. In just over a century, Louis Blériot, Morane and more recently Felix Baumgartner, have fulfilled their destiny and put their name in the history books with a Zenith instrument on their wrist or on their cockpit controls.

PILOT MONTRE D’AÉRONEF TYPE 20: A LEGENDARY MODEL
A cult watch among collectors, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 played a key role in the burgeoning airmail business, and was fitted as of 1939 on the instrument panels of a number of aircraft, such as the Caudron trainer planes used by the French airforce. What could be better than this aeronautical legend to inspire a timepiece paying homage to the Wright brothers? Drawing upon these historical roots, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 features a case made of black DLC-coated titanium that is therefore ultra-light despite its 48 mm diameter. The ratcheted crown typical of historical aviator watches ensures a perfect grip even with pilot’s gloves. The five-times sandblasted black dial reproduces the generous original Arabic numerals ensuring perfect readability by day or night. The luminous glow of these delightfully vintage figures stems from a first “old radium” treatment covered with a more classic Superluminova treatment. The effect is fascinating and the resulting appearance truly unique, since this ingenious combination creates a creamy shade enlivened by tiny retro accents that cannot be identically reproduced from one watch to the next. Each dial thus becomes unique and further heightens the exclusive character of the 1,903-piece limited edition, with the individual number appearing on a special plate screwed to the side of the case middle, like an aircraft rivet.

Actively partaking in all manner of dreams and adventures, the Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 is also an invitation to travel thanks to a second time-zone indicator powered by an accurate and reliable automatic movement: Elite Calibre 693. Finely adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif even though it remains hidden from sight, it ticks off time at the rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 50-hour power reserve. Beneath this elegant mechanical heart, the case-back is adorned with a stamped insignia depicting Orville Wright aboard the “Flyer”, with his brother Wilbur running along Kitty Hawk beach to follow the feat being accomplished on December 17th 1903.

Will this Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903 (limited to 1903 pieces) be another hot favourite ?

About the Zenith Pilot Ref. Type20GMT1903

The Zenith Pilot Type 20 GMT 1903, reference Type20GMT1903, is a notable edition within the brand's Pilot collection, distinguished by its tribute to the Wright brothers. This specific reference integrates a GMT function, enhancing its utility for travelers and collectors who appreciate multi-time zone displays. It represents a contemporary interpretation of historical aviation timepieces, aligning with Zenith's long-standing association with early flight endeavors.

The watch features a substantial case crafted from a specific material, housing a self-winding mechanical movement. The large diameter and robust construction are characteristic of pilot's watches, ensuring legibility and presence on the wrist. A domed sapphire crystal protects the dial, providing clarity and scratch resistance, while the movement offers a considerable power reserve, suitable for extended wear without frequent winding.

This reference appeals to collectors interested in aviation-inspired watches and those who value Zenith's historical contributions to chronometry and flight instrumentation. Its limited production status often contributes to its desirability on the secondary market. The combination of a GMT complication with the distinctive Pilot Type 20 aesthetic makes it a unique offering within the broader Zenith catalog, appealing to enthusiasts seeking a blend of historical homage and practical functionality.

Specifications

Caliber: Elite 693

Case: Bronze

Diameter: 48mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 100m

Crystal: Sapphire

The Discussion

AnthonyTsai

Jan 9, 2014

Looks great IMO

I'm not sure about the gladiator wristband strap so I hope it comes with a regular strap as well. - AT

Bruno.M1

Jan 9, 2014

both

the ugly bind strap is only a part of the strap which you can remove. And than you'll have a strap like any other strap :-)

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Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT 1903

About the Zenith Pilot Ref. Type20GMT1903

Specifications

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