Zenith’s history in aviation watches is especially storied. When French aviator and engineer Louis Blériot became the first man to fly the English Chanel in 1909, a Zenith pilot’s watch was on his wrist.

In May 1912, Blériot wrote to Zenith, providing the following quote for use in the brand’s advertising, “I am very satisfied with the Zenith watch, which I use regularly, and I cannot recommend it highly enough to people who value accuracy.”

Beyond pilot’s watches, the company also built cockpit instrumentation, including stopwatches and dash clocks used by the French air force.

Zenith completed this particular Pilot “Special” watch in summer of 1934 according to the archive extract, but the black porcelain dial looks as good as new despite being over 90 years old. The design formed a template that remains recognizable a century later as an aviator’s watch.

One detail that often distinguishes real military and pilot’s watches from modern imitations are the lugs. Rather than by flimsy spring bars, the strap is held to the case by thick wire lugs soldered to the case.

The watch is equipped with an oversized and protruding crown for easy use while wearing leather pilot’s gloves. The aggressively knurled bezel is similarly easily gripped with gloves. Pilots used the luminous arrow attached to the rotating bezel to track flight time navigating using visual reference points on the ground.

Inside is the Zenith manufacture cal. 15 N.S.I, an improved 15-ligne savonette (hunter) movement. Even back then Zenith made its own movements, which were very good as the firm’s 2,333 observatory prizes for chronometry attest.