Zenith began producing pilot’s watches at the beginning of the twentieth century. When Louis Blériot, a French aviation-pioneer, became the first pilot to hover across the English Channel in 1909, he had on his wrist a Zenith pilot’s watch, embarking the manufacturer’s century-long history as a leader of aviation timepieces.

For the present example, Zenith imbibed the earliest style of pilot's and military watch and reinvented it for a wondrously modern timepiece. With luminous Arabic numerals in a stylish Art Deco font as well as the bronzed lettering “Extra Special” above 6 o’clock, the dial amply embodies a simple yet classic design that is complemented by the tan warm hue of the case. The case is further equipped with features of a traditional pilot’s watch, with a large onion-shaped screw-down crown and wide welded lugs. The crisp and mint case back, engraved with Zenith flying instruments logo, further conveys a sense of unmissable military chic.