Zenith Pilot: Type 20 – the 6 C-type?

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Zenith’s Pilot: Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 with full pavé dial and bezel. Diameter: 60mm. Priced at around US$200,000 or 150,000 euros or slightly above S$250,000. Photo: © TANG Portfolio, at BaselWorld 2013

Zenith’s Pilot: Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 with full pavé dial and bezel. Diameter: 60mm. Priced at around US$200,000 or 150,000 euros or slightly above S$250,000. Photo: © TANG Portfolio, at BaselWorld 2013

If you enjoy huge aviator-type wristwatches, then Zenith’s Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 from the brand’s Pilot collection is worth consideration.

With its diameter of 57.5mm, you simply cannot miss it.

Though large in size, one thing is for sure, you will not spot many because the Zenith Pilot Montre D’Aéronef Type 20, launched in 2012, is a limited edition model; 250 pieces in titanium and 75 pieces in rose gold.

There is an obvious reason for the size of the Zenith Type 20 wristwatch. It is powered by the manual-winding Calibre 5011K movement, a descendent of Zenith’s 5011 pocket watch movement from the 1960s.

The Zenith Type 20 is large is size but has a slow heartbeat, beating at half the rate of its famed El Primero 36,000 vibrations per hour movement.

Running at the frequency of 2.5 Hertz or 18,000 vibrations per hour, the Zenith Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 offers 48 hours of power reserve after being fully wound.

Do take note that the image of the Zenith Pilot Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 shown above is an atypical example. This is an “off-catalogue” white gold piece made for those who wish to sport a super large bling watch and have US$200,000 or 150,000 euros to spare (priced at slightly above S$250,000).

This diamond timepiece is not only larger with a diameter of 60mm, it also features skeletonised hands for better viewing and appreciation of the precious stones. We suspect one reason for the larger diameter is to accommodate the diamonds.

We had the opportunity to have a take a look at this special watch during the 2013 BaselWorld watch fair in April. There is unconfirmed talk that only five such pieces will be made.

In fact, from what we know, there has already been one request for a customised full-pavé diamond set Type 20 wristwatch with baguette diamonds from a gentleman watch collector based in Southeast Asia.

For us, the full pavé Zenith Pilot Montre D’Aéronef Type 20 can also be known as a 5C-type simply because of the diamonds. The 5Cs for assessing the quality of diamonds being carat, cut, clarity, colour and certification.

Well, then again, maybe it should be a 6C-type. Why? This Zenith Type 20 is also COSC-certified, hence the sixth “C” – the “chronometer” label on the dial (seen on the power reserve indicator).

Azimuth: Jade-d?

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Azimuth’s Round-1 White Jade. Printed on the dial: the hour numeral eight, “fabrique en Suisse” meaning “Swiss Made” and “Azimuth pour Jade Culture” or “Azimuth for Jade Culture”. The dark stain between the nine and ten o’clock positions is a natural blemish on the stone. Estimated pricing at around US$5,600 or S$7,000. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Photo taken with a Leica D-Lux 5

Azimuth’s Round-1 White Jade. Printed on the dial: the hour numeral eight, “fabrique en Suisse” meaning “Swiss Made” and “Azimuth pour Jade Culture” or “Azimuth for Jade Culture”. The dark stain between the nine and ten o’clock positions is a natural blemish on the stone. Estimated pricing at around US$5,600 or S$7,000. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Photo taken with a Leica D-Lux 5

It is relatively easy for watch collectors to suffer from “dial fatigue” especially when visually “dulled” by models that seem to undergo only slight modifications to their dials year after year.

Well, for “jaded” souls, how about a full jade dial? That is exactly what Azimuth will be launching in July 2013.

The entire dial is cut and produced by jade specialist Jade Culture in collaboration with Azimuth. What is striking is the use of white jade, hence the name: Azimuth Round-1 White Jade.

The jade dial shown to us was creamy milk white and it was simply attractive. [Yes, we do love milk.]

The name “jade” is derived from the Spanish words piedra de ijada which means “hip stone” in English. Piedra means stone while ijada refers to a side or flank. This is because the “hip stone” or jade is perceived to be a protection against and cure for kidney diseases, according to the comprehensive book Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann.

The estimated pricing for the Round-1 White Jade is around US$5,600 or S$7,000. From what we understand, only 20 pieces will be made.