Aviation and horology were inextricably connected for much of their early history, with advancements in pilots’ watching and the features they possessed steadily evolving in response to the ever-changing needs of the era’s pilots. One such timepiece was the Zenith Type 20 Berliot, a watch developed by Zenith for French pilot Louis Blériot, who in 1909 became the first-ever aviator to successfully cross the English Channel by plane. While Zenith’s horological offerings have hugely progressed and evolved over the company’s nearly 160-year history, its latest flagship pilot watch continues to pay tribute to and draw inspiration from Blériot’s Zenith watch from 1909. Wanting to get a better feel for the Swiss luxury brand’s next-generation of flight-ready timepiece, we’ve gotten a hold of one to put to the test in this hands-on review of the Zenith Pilot Automatic watch.
At A Glance
Zenith Pilot Automatic Specs
Case Size: 40mm
Lug to Lug: 49.6mm
Case Thickness: 12.85mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Case Material: Ceramic
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement Type: Automatic
Power Reserve: 60 Hours
Movement: Zenith El Primero 3620
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Crystal: Dual AR-Coated Domed Sapphire
Strap: CORDURA-Effect Rubber Strap
Getting Acquainted With A Future Classic
First Impressions Of The Zenith Pilot Automatic Watch
Right out of the box, the Zenith Pilot Automatic impresses on several levels. First off, the watch has a simple yet attractive design that’s contemporary through and through, while still boasting some obvious vintage plot watch influence — along with some light field watch vibes. In typical Zenith fashion, the Pilot Auto’s material selection, build quality, and fit and finish are all nothing short of world-class, with an appearance that screams “Swiss luxury watch.” Despite it generally modern visual theme, this timepiece’s roots can still be traced directly back to the brand’s first pilot watch from 1909.
Taking a less-is-more approach, this simple and straightforward pilot watch epitomizes the notion of cohesive design, with a spartan matte black case contrasted via white Arabic numerals set on a black corrugated dial. What’s more, aside from its lineage and historical ties to early aviation, Zenith’s cockpit watch also happens to be the only one on the market that actually says the word “Pilot” on the dial — a fact owed to Zenith trademarking this word for use on its dial way back in 1888. And, while it is largely owed to the Zenith’s choice for the watch’s bracelet or band, the use of a CORDURA-effect rubber-lined straps genuinely results in one of the most comfortable watches that we’ve ever tested.

Ceramic Simplicity
The Zenith Pilot Auto's Case
Zenith is by no means a stranger to using high-end and exotic constructions for its watch cases. In 2019, the Le Locle label introduced its first-ever watch to feature a completely ceramic case with the DEFY series, which it has now followed up with the matte black ceramic-cased Pilot Auto. Sporting field watch-levels of minimalism and simplicity, this elegant case has been capped off with a fixed bezel and knurled oversized crown — the latter of which is a modern nod to the ornamented onion crowns found on early Fliegers. Measuring 12.85mm thick, this all-matte-finish ceramic case also boasts an exhibition case back window that puts its in-house movement on full display. And, while we feel it’s admittedly a bit less impressive, Zenith does offer a version of this watch with a stainless steel case construction.

Corrugated Face
The Zenith Pilot Auto's Dial
Housed inside the black ceramic case is a matching corrugated black dial that’s neatly contrasted via large luminescent Arabic numerals at every hour — with the exception of 6 o’clock which has been jettisoned in favor of a small framed black date window displaying white text. Sitting beneath a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatings inside and out, the dial also sports a white hand-set that, like the numerals, have been hit with a generous coats of lume paint. Branding and text on the dial is also decidedly sparse, consisting of just a classic Zenith and five-point star logos just below 12 o’clock, and the word “Pilot” just above the date window. Though it is decidedly simple, this dial remains true to early pilot watches in its ability to easily be read upon just a quick glance — whether in a cockpit or not.

El Primero Excellence
The Zenith Pilot Auto's Movement
Keeping the Zenith Pilot Automatic watch ticking is the Swiss brand’s own in-house developed and built Zenith El Primero 3620 movement. Beating at 36,000VPH, this high-frequency manufacture movement is comprised of 218 components — 27 of which are jewels. Also found inside of Zenith’s Defy Skyline references, this automatic self-wining motor features an impressive 60-hour power reserve — offering the ability to take the watch off at the start of your weekend, leave it off until Sunday night, and strap it back on, all without the Pilot Auto ever skipping a beat. It’s also worth mentioning that this top-shelf in-house movement plays a substantial role in determining its overall pricing.

Cockpit-Ready Comfort
The Zenith Pilot Auto's Strap
Though it’s sadly not currently offered with the option of a steel bracelet, the Zenith Pilot Automatic watch does ship with a great set of straps. Boasting a 20mm measurement, this dual set is crafted from a combination of rugged CORDURA nylon fabric and ultra-supple calfskin. With its ballistic-grade outer layer and ultra-soft leather-lined interior, the Pilot Auto’s straps offer the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and durability. Both straps also feature black PVD-coated hardware including a triple-folding clasp with a quick-release mechanism integrated directly into the back of the straps. With a standard 20mm sizing, finding replacement bands and straps for this Swiss-made pilot watch should be a breeze.
Coming Full Circle
Our Final Thoughts & Take On The Zenith Pilot Automatic
At the end of the day, the Zenith Pilot Automatic does a superb job of keeping one foot firmly planted in the past and the other squarely in the future, with this watch pulling off a delicate balancing act combining modern visual themes with aesthetics and design language from over a century ago. And, as you’d expect from any watch powered by Zenith’s absolutely stellar El Primero 3620 auto movement, the Pilot Automatic offers true workhorse capabilities in a precise and well-rounded package. Additionally, every surface of the watch boasts the world-class level of fit and finish one would expect on a five-figure timepiece — or really on any watch from Zenith for that matter. In closing, while it is a stunning-looking, expertly-crafted Swiss luxury watch, the Zenith Pilot Automatic’s greatest feat may just be how thoroughly excited we now are to see the firm’s new generation of pilot watch slowly evolve over time — just like the Type 20 Berliot before it.

Recap
Zenith Pilot Automatic
Drawing inspiration from its first pilot watch in 1909, the Pilot Automatic marks Zenith’s first addition to its next-generation family of aviation-style horology. With a stunning matte black ceramic case, an elegant and easy-to-read corrugated dial layout, and a new version of Zenith’s tried and true El Primeroo movement, the Pilot Auto lays the foundation for the Swiss brand’s next century of pilot watch making.
Pros
- Made by Swiss brand w/ a 110-year history of making pilot watches
- Case crafted from matte black ceramic
- World-class build quality & fit & finish
- Corrugated dial sits under dual AR-coated domed sapphire crystal
- Powered by auto Zenith El Primero 3620 movement packs 60-hour reserve
Cons
- Lacks versatility
- Expensive price
- Not offered w/ steel bracelet
The Best Pilot Watches For Aviation-Style Horology

Want to check out some of our other favorite contemporary flight-ready references? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the overall best pilot watches for a curated look at the industry’s latest and greatest cockpit-worthy watches.