Zenith ICONS: Pilot – Act 1: Historic Pilot References in New Capsule Collection
Zenith is expanding the ICONS programme with a new capsule collection composed of three historic pilot’s watches. As part of Zenith’s HORIZ-ON CSR initiative, dedicated to building a circular economy for the manufacture’s historic watches, the ICONS programme offers original references that have been examined, certified and restored by the heritage department, respecting the original materials and components. The Zenith ICONS: PILOT capsule collection consists of three timepieces from the late 1960s and 70s.
The TIPO CP-2 CAIRELLI
The Zenith produced the TIPO CP-2 CAIRELLI for the Italian military between 1968 and 1972. The Roman dealer A. Cairelli was then responsible for distribution. A particularly remarkable example of this series, recognisable by the engraved military A.M.I serial number, bears witness to its direct connection with the Italian Air Corps. Inside is the calibre 146 DP, a hand-wound movement produced by the Martel Watch Company. This manufacturer also produced other chronographs for the Italian army before Zenith bought it up.
The A3821
The A3821 or Ref. 01.0180.415 combines the readability of a pilot’s watch with the characteristics of a diver’s watch, including a water resistance up to 300 metres. The reference A3821 features a dark, deeply recessed dial with luminous indices and a voluminous case. This watch, one of the first Zenith Pilot models to be powered by the legendary El Primero movement, was part of the very first production line in 1972 and also comes with an integrated “lobster” bracelet from Gay Frères.
The Ref. 01.0230.415
At first glance, the reference 01.0230.415 resembles the A3821. However, this is the first El Primero chronograph with a see-through back. The hybrid of pilot and diver has a typical space-age design and also features a rotating bezel with minute scale. Inside, meanwhile, is the automatic El Primero 3019 PHC that also includes a date function. The matt black dial of this model is part of a limited edition of just 50 pieces. It comes with an integrated “lobster” bracelet from Gay Frères.
The Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives announced its first winner yesterday, on February 6, 2024, with Raúl Pagès and his RP1 - Régulateur à détente winning the inaugural holding of the competition. Raúl Pagès received a silver spiral trophy inspired by a balance wheel – the essential element for the precision of a…
With its new model the watch manufacture Breguet ties in with a line of ultrathin previous models. As well the new Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395 (Ref. 5395BR/1S/9WU) is equipped with the only 3 mm high calibre 581 made of 18-karat gold including a tourbillon. By skeletonizing the movement the manufacture now makes the mechanical system of…
Patek Philippe has developed a broad spectrum of calendar functions, from the simple aperture date to the extremely complex secular perpetual calendar that is preprogrammed into the 28th century. At this years Baselworld 2019, Patek Philippe introduced a new function for calendar watches: the weekly calendar. The Calatrava Weekly Calendar (Ref. 5212A-001) is a semi-integrated mechanism that…
A modern timepiece powered by an original movement from 1913 OMEGA is a company known for its craftsmanship. Now, for its latest creation, the brand has reintroduced a piece of technology from its past. The “First OMEGA Wrist-Chronograph Limited Edition” is a new collection comprising of just 18 watches, which house an original “18’’’ CHRO…
Cartier is introducing three new complicated watches into its Fine Watchmaking Collection. This includes the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon, the Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious Hour Skeleton, and the Rotonde de Cartier Grande Complication Skeleton watch. All three timepieces are housed in an 18-carat pink gold case, while the matching crown incorporates…
At Watches & Wonders 2024, Montblanc is presenting a new 1858 The Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph, whose movement has not only been built into the case upside down, but can also be fully admired by the wearer from all angles through openings in the case. Dial and case Five openings have been worked into the…
Inspired by one of the brand’s most famous pocket watches, which already won a gold medal in 1889 on the Paris world fair, Girard-Perregaux now introduces the La Esmeralda Tourbillon in white gold. Since developing the first tourbillon in 1860, the manufacture kept innovating new techniques and over time created a mechanism, that was not only functional…
The iconic Big Bang from Hublot, with its bold design and integrated bracelet, is appearing for the first time as a 38 mm version at this year's Watches & Wonders 2024. Previously, there were smaller Big Bang models in 33, 38 and 39 mm, but only with diamonds and therefore more aimed at Hublot's female…
Since 2017, future car owners of selected Porsche models have had the option of having their own Porsche Design chronographs, made to match their sports car. The latest version: the 911 GT3 RS Chronograph. Porsche Design is launching the new 911 GT3 RS Chronograph exclusively for buyers of its high-performance sports car. The watchmakers at…
At this year's Watches & Wonders, Tudor is presenting new variations of its Black Bay series, which first launched in 2012 and has been equipped with a manufacture movement since 2016. The new additions include a GMT model, a Black Bay 58 in full yellow gold, a new monochrome version with a METAS certified movement,…
Louis Vuitton's very own Metiers d'Art is introducing three new 'Cabinet of Wonders' pieces, all of which are Escale models. The very special watches are limited editions of a mere twenty pieces each. The romantic trio of Escale watches, which appear to take inspiration from Japan, are titled Koï's Garden, Snake's Jungle, and Dragon's Cloud.…
At this year's Watches & Wonders 2020, Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis introduces a brand new Excalibur watch – the Excalibur Diabolus in Machina. Unusually, the 45 mm watch's case and caseback are made with the alloy CarTech Micro-Melt BioDur CCMTM. Meanwhile, the skeletonised timepiece's functions include a minute repeater and a single flying tourbillon. The…
The Master Control collection from Jaeger-LeCoultre has been around since 1992, and to mark its 30th anniversary, the Maison is presenting new dials for the Master Control Date and Master Control Calendar. Until now, the two models were only available with silver-grey dials. Now, however, they appear in deep blue with a sunburst finish and…