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Watches and Wonders 2023 takes off with the new Zenith Pilot and DEFY novelties

Zenith launches new versions as part of their coveted Pilot and DEFY collections - revealed at Watches and Wonders 2023.
Zenith adds two new editions to their Pilot collection – revealed at this year’s Watches and Wonders 2023 – the Pilot Automatic and the Pilot Big Date Flyback.


1. Pilot Automatic
The 40mm Pilot Automatic comes in an entirely new case design with a distinct flat-top round bezel fixed on top of the rounded case. It is available in two versions: vertically satin-brushed stainless steel with polished chamfers and micro blasted black ceramic giving a matte finish – both with an angular crown on the right. 
The black opaline dial features Zeniths' signature oversized Arabic numerals in a modern font applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. The luminescent hour marker takes the form of a flat white line at 6 o’clock providing instant understanding as to the orientation of the watch. 
ZENITH Pilot Big Date Flyback

Signed “Pilot” on the dial, the Pilot Automatic comes equipped with the El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement offering a 60-hour power reserve and is visible through the sapphire display back. The edition is available with two strap options complimenting the two models: the black ceramic version sits on a stealthy black Cordura-effect rubber strap as well as a more utilitarian khaki Cordura-effect rubber strap. The steel model is also fitted on the same black Cordura-effect rubber strap, but its second strap is crafted in brown calfskin leather.
The straps can be easily swapped without the use of additional tools using the quick-release mechanism integrated into the back of the straps. 


2. Pilot Big Date Flyback 
Powered by the newest version of its El Primero 3600 calibre – the El Primero 3652 – the new chronograph of Zenith’s Pilot collection comes in two distinct 42.5mm versions. The first Pilot Big Date Flyback is a stainless-steel version with orange central chronograph seconds and chronograph minutes hands - reminiscent of the original "Rainbow Flyback" editions. The second is a black ceramic with luminescent white markers and hands on the opaline black corrugated dial. 

Combining the Big Date and Flyback functions, the calibre features a next-gen patented compliant mechanism that advances and stabilizes both of the big dates’ wheels in less than 0.03 seconds. You can view the “artificial horizon” rotor of the movement from the display caseback. 
Zenith’s Pilot Big Date Flyback offers a black and khaki Cordura-effect rubber strap for the ceramic version and an additional brown leather strap for the steel version. 

3. The DEFY Revival Shadow 
The latest addition to Zenith's DEFY Revival collection is a modern recreation of a vintage silhouette. Presenting the new DEFY Revival Shadow. 
Zenith DEFY Revival Shadow

Following the footsteps of the DEFY Chronomaster Revival Shadow, the novelty comes in the signature angular case crafted in titanium and a fourteen-side bezel that is micro-blasted for a matte finish. The dial is a similar matte black offering a vintage look topped with cream-coloured hands filled with Super-LumiNova and applied square hour markers with horizontal grooves, polished and finished in rhodium. 
Zenith DEFY Revival Shadow

The DEFY Revival Shadow comes equipped with the automatic Elite 670 manufacture movement that operates at a 4 Hz frequency and offers a power reserve of 50 hours. It is visible through the sapphire display caseback. 

4. DEFY Skyline Ceramic and DEFY Skyline Skeleton Ceramic
Introduced for the first time in 2022, the new DEFY Skyline collection welcomes two novelties. The Skyline Ceramic and Skyline Skeleton Ceramic take on an alluring all-black look crafted in black ceramic from the case to the bracelet. 
The DEFY Skyline Ceramic features a sunray-finish black galvanic dial with a geometric pattern that is bought on by Zenith's four-pointed stars sunken into the dial with sharp inward facets, evoking the feeling of a starry night sky.
Zenith DEFY Skyline Ceramic

The DEFY Skyline Skeleton Ceramic comes with an open dial featuring a blackened four-pointed star element that reveals the skeleton movement with black bridges, a black main plate, and a 1/10th of a second indicator. 
Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton Ceramic

The DEFY Skyline Ceramic and the Skyline Skeleton Ceramic models are powered by the El Primero 3620 automatic high-frequency manufacture movement beating at a frequency of 5Hz. The movement provides a 1/10th of a second indicator, comes with an automatic bi-directional winding mechanism, and offers a 60-hour power reserve. 
Zenith DEFY Skyline Ceramic

Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton Ceramic

Both launches come with faceted polished hands and applied indices filled with white Super-LumiNova. They sit on a black ceramic bracelet that can be swapped with the patterned rubber strap with a blackened steel folding clasp - also included in the box. 

Images Courtesy: Zenith 
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