3 pilots - Type XX, Fleiger and Tipo CP-2
I know divers are a more popular category among general public but I have realized through my watch collecting journey, thanks to this Zenith Pilot Type XX, that I am all about the pilots... I got it into my head that I wanted to own all three types and that they all needed to be of some historical and horological significance. And finally all three are here - my Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Care to guess which one is which?
Zenith - the first pilots' watchmaker, early days of aviation, Louis Bleriot's flight over the English Channel in 1909, Types 20 and XX, trademarked "Pilot" on the dials early as 1888...
Laco - one of the original five fleiger makers for the luftwaffe... Historically correct sterile dial with straight lugs and oversized crown, bearing FL 23883 nomenclature on the case
And back to Zenith with Italian military roots - A. Cairelli of Roma, an Italian military materials distributor who ordered and supplied these chronographs to the Italian armed forces.
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Nice trio. Here's 3 of my "fliegers" (many people don't know/forget that the Benrus was actually a combination Navigation/Dive watch, hence the 12-hour bezel).
Nice trio. Here's 3 of my "fliegers" (many people don't know/forget that the Benrus was actually a combination Navigation/Dive watch, hence the 12-hour bezel).
Beautiful Vixa there. Does it have the Hanhart Cal 42 or 43 in there?
Beautiful Vixa there. Does it have the Hanhart Cal 42 or 43 in there?
The Vixa definitely has a Hanhart movement, but the official designation is unclear, some call it the 42/51, others the 4054. It’s basically the same movement that was in the 417ES for the W. German Luftwaffe (made famous by Steve McQueen), only without shock protection (not part of the French military requirements).
Good looking set of fliegers. That Zenith Flyback is chef's kiss 🤌. I too lean pretty heavy into the pilots watch direction. Sinn 857 UTC VFR which is DIN8330 certified, Marathon SSNAV-D created at the behest of the US Air Force, Hanhart 417ES Red Lion bundeswehr chrono, and the CWC GS SubHunter, though a field watch, takes quite a few cues from old Hamiltons supplied to the RAF.
Good looking set of fliegers. That Zenith Flyback is chef's kiss 🤌. I too lean pretty heavy into the pilots watch direction. Sinn 857 UTC VFR which is DIN8330 certified, Marathon SSNAV-D created at the behest of the US Air Force, Hanhart 417ES Red Lion bundeswehr chrono, and the CWC GS SubHunter, though a field watch, takes quite a few cues from old Hamiltons supplied to the RAF.
Nice quartet amigo. Well thought through. Me gusta! Yes the fly back is a new addition and is the most embellished of the trio IMHO.