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A High-Flying Collaboration

Le Locle, 18 October 2024: Zenith and the renowned Japanese bag brand Porter have teamed up for an unexpected yet perfectly coherent collaboration centred around the theme of travel. Together, they have reimagined two Zenith Pilot models in khaki ceramic, accompanied by a specially tailored bag made by Porter exclusively for Zenith: the Pilot Automatic and Pilot Big Date Flyback chronograph, each limited to 500 pieces.

The Art of Travel

Embracing the journey rather than the destination has been a core philosophy since the earliest days of aviation. Zenith has been a companion to those who viewed the open skies as a new frontier to explore, dating back to 1888 when founder Georges-Favre Jacot trademarked “Pilote” in French, followed by “Pilot”. The Zenith Pilot collection, the brand’s longest-running line, has significantly influenced the world of aviation watches. Porter, established by Japanese manufacturer Yoshida & Co. in 1962, is renowned for its minimalistic, functional, and meticulously crafted bags and accessories. Named after traditional luggage porters, Porter excels in using high-quality materials and attention to detail, heavily influenced by military designs. Their shared values and passion for travel made this collaboration a natural fit.

A Modern Classic Reimagined: Relaunched in 2023, the Zenith Pilot collection draws inspiration from the entire span of aviation history. The essential codes of durability, legibility, and intuitiveness are preserved in this modern reincarnation, making it the perfect canvas for this collaboration with Porter. Combining a utilitarian approach with contemporary design elements, the result is unmistakably Zenith. Now, across two limited editions, the distinctive Porter touch is added to these modern classics.

Pilot Automatic Porter Edition

The first piece in this collaborative limited-edition series features a 40mm case with a distinct flat-top round bezel crafted exclusively in khaki ceramic, with an olive tone reminiscent of Porter’s signature bag colours. The entirely matte-finished surface gives the case a rugged look. The black PVD steel oversized crown, a defining feature of Zenith Pilot watches, takes on an edgy angular form while remaining easy to grip and operate, even with gloves on.

The textured, grooved dial recalls the corrugated metal sheets of older aircraft fuselages. Done in a matching khaki tone, the dial is signed by both Zenith and Porter. For this special edition, the hour, minute, and second hands are in a bright orange tone, adding contrast and legibility while recalling the orange interior of many Porter bags, inspired by the reverse side of aviation jackets for rescue visibility. The oversized luminescent Arabic numerals are fashioned in a sleek font and applied as metal markers filled with white Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock, above the date window with a white-on-khaki date wheel, the luminescent hour marker takes the form of a flat white line, reminiscent of the artificial horizon instrument in planes. The dial is proudly signed “Pilot”, as Zenith remains the first and only brand to hold the rights to mark its dials with the term.

Visible through the black PVD steel case back and specially emblazoned sapphire crystal with the Porter logo is the El Primero 3620 high-frequency manufacture movement. Its power reserve of 60 hours is achieved by a blackened oscillating weight resembling an “artificial horizon” dashboard instrument, informing the pilot of the aircraft’s orientation relative to the Earth’s horizon.

Completing the look, the Pilot Automatic Porter Edition comes with two straps. The first, using durable nylon fabric supplied by Porter, is a khaki nylon strap with orange Velcro elements and the signature Porter stitched logo. The second is a khaki cordura-effect rubber strap with a black PVD steel folding buckle. The straps can be easily interchanged using the strap’s quick-release system, requiring no tools.

Pilot Big Date Flyback Porter Edition

The second part of this sky-high collaboration is the Pilot Big Date Flyback Porter Edition. In the same aesthetic as the three-hand version, the 42.5mm matte khaki ceramic case is set with black PVD pushers and crown. Equipped with the latest generation of the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, this version, made exclusively for the Pilot model, is endowed with two functions highly prized by aviators: the big date and the flyback function.

Designed with easy readability in mind, the textured khaki dial features orange hands for the timekeeping and chronograph functions, with the chronograph’s 30-minute counter featuring alternating orange and white outlines to distinguish between the 5-minute marks. The oversized date display with white numerals on khaki disks is operated by a cutting-edge patented compliant mechanism, advancing and stabilising both of the Big Date’s wheels in less than 0.03 seconds. Originally conceived for aviators who wore thick sheepskin gloves, the flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset to zero and restarted with a single push of a button, simplifying the pilot’s operations and offering the possibility to record consecutive times without having to stop and restart.

The El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre with its “artificial horizon” rotor is visible through the display back with the rectangular Porter logo on the underside of the sapphire crystal. Like its three-hand counterpart, the Pilot Big Date Flyback Porter Edition comes with both a khaki nylon Velcro strap by Porter and a khaki cordura-effect rubber strap with a black PVD steel folding buckle, both fitted with a quick-release attachment.

A Unique Accessory

This historic collaboration wouldn’t be complete without a bag or accessory by the Japanese brand. Exclusively for Zenith and these two limited edition Pilot models, Porter designed a new messenger bag into which the watch box is fitted. In the brand’s signature khaki colour on the outside, the interior was developed exclusively for Zenith in the Manufacture’s signature blue, recalling the night sky. The bag is signed by both Porter and Zenith.

The Pilot Automatic Porter Edition and Pilot Big Date Flyback Porter Edition are limited to 500 pieces each, available exclusively from Zenith physical and online boutiques worldwide.

 

About Porter

Founded in 1935 by bag craftsman Kichizo Yoshida, Yoshida & Co. launched its own brand “Porter” in 1962. Under the motto “Heart and Soul into Every Stitch”, it continues to produce bags made in Japan. The brand name honours the porters who handle luggage in hotels or cloakrooms, recognising their expertise in understanding the quality of bags.

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