Imo the most important watch at Basel 2012

[unknown]

It took me a few weeks to decide which watch impressed me the most...

Patek had some wonderfull pieces, but these are way above my budget
Rolex ? Well I'm not a fan of the sky-dweller. The ceramic sub no date is nice but a prefer the sub with date
The deepsea challenge is impressive but it won't be made for the market. and a 2.7 cm thickness is just too much. Nevertheless, a great watch

Panerai at SIHH was a not as good as last year. The 449 was expected and the 448 is just another Cali. The 399 is nice but because of the Minerva movement way too expensive

A brand which got my attention was Zenith. Their Pilot watches offer some great pieces for a VERY acceptable price. Compared to IWC, JLC and other competitors I would say they are damn cheap


Anyway, to promote their pilot series they made a very special watch.
The Montre d'Aéronef type 20


And the more I look at it or read about it, the more I love it














The most important might be the movement. This 5011K is a very special movement for Zenith. It was made in the 1950's / 1960's and was the most accurate movement at that time. In 1967 it was named the most accurate chronometer ever tested by the Neuchatel Observatory. And probably it still holds this record

The movement was made for Marine deck clocks and Pocket watches. The movement is big .... 50 mm
So yes, the watch has to be big too and 57.5 is big. For some it is to big to wear but
such a piece of history is imo a must have.

Some pics of the impressive movement











I'm convinced !

But how do you feel about it ?


As a last note.... if you want one , good luck because it seems to be sold out.

[redsubmariner]

This watch would not tickle my fancy, however, of all the watches I saw at Baselworld, it is a Zenith that I liked most: The Doublematic

[Signore Rossi]

Wow! Absolutely awesome!

[DS-XELOR]

Impressive movement and nice watch, but 57.5 mm is defenitly too big for my wrist .

[adriano22]

Modified ETA 6497 ! No ETA discussion ! I know, sorry !!!

Adriano22

[Chefcook]

It has the looks but the size kills it. The movement can be as impressive as hen's teeth but at that size it is not interesting anymore.

[unknown]

Modified ETA 6497 ! No ETA discussion ! I know, sorry !!!

Adriano22

Hugh ??
modified ETA ?
This 5011K is a 100% inhouse made Zenith movement


Movement: mechanical with manual winding, caliber 5011K, 50mm diameter, 10mm, thick, 134, elements, 19, jewels, 18,000, vib. / Hour, 48, hrs electrical reserve 48 several hours

[adriano22]

At first glance I thought ETA because of the position of the crown wheel, the ratch wheel,center wheel, the third wheel etc. But diameter is different, ETA is 44 mm ! So maybe I´m wrong.

Adriano22

[Chefcook]

Wrong again, ETA 6497 / 6498 is 16.5''' which is 36.6 mm

[adriano22]

So I better shut up now !!
Good night ! Adriano22

[unknown]

I thought it was an important watch, and I'm not the only one LOL
they'l make 250 in titanium and 75 in red gold .... Mr Arnold Schwarznegger (also a famous watch collector) bought both !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIItzV_vaDg

[klobi]

An impressive watch. I would like to see a wrist shot. 57 mm is rather something that a pilot wears over his jacket I suppose....

I like the design though....

[unknown]

An impressive watch. I would like to see a wrist shot. 57 mm is rather something that a pilot wears over his jacket I suppose....

I like the design though....

the person on the left is the CEO, and he wears the watch

[Agent0815]

Ah a Zenith Pilot - I thought it´s a Poljot

[Koenig Kurt]

This Watch fits the stupid thumbs up gesture perfectly. Everything else looks kinda kinky. But, who knows, maybe the CEO will grow with it?