Quick BaselWorld 2018 Live Pics: The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton Up Black (with aged steel case)

Well in line with Zenith's more recent vintage-inspired watches, and also squarely in the eye of the current trend towards patinised watch lies this novelty of Zenith, the Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton Up Black housed in a 45mm case made of aged stainless steel:

A well-known face with different make-up, the matte dial of the watch now comes in dark anthracite (just like the new Cohiba limited edition, just without the golden accents around the arabic numbers):

The "new aged stainless steel " case (yes, I had a good laugh at the press release text...) is certainly an attractive one, and one that is quite involved to create: a standard stainless steel case is first brushed, then DLC treated, and afterwards brushed a second time to achieve the desired patina effect in short time...

Not bad at all on the wrist, and despite its solid diameter of 45mm actually really wearable:

We had a healthy debate, not only here, on the merits of artificially aged watches, a genre we saw so many times this past BaselWorld (-> fauxtina). I myself reside within the camp of those who prefer patina on vintage watches, but at the end of the day this all comes down to taste: de gustibus ...

A watch like this Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton Up Black is therefore probably not for me, but on the other hand it does not consume substantial development resources to create. It certainly will find its clientele, which is a good thing: more success for Zenith means more resources for product development, and this ultimately means: more, better watch developments for all of us!

What is your take on this?

Cheers,
Magnus