Reply With QuoteMark XX fan here ... I wear it most days.
If you do buy one buy it on the bracelet as its excellent ...
Hot on the tail of my MN FXD GMT - I have in mind a pilot style watch but with decent wrt. I’ve been eyeing up these two.
Comments from owners and others welcome. The only gripe about the Zenith is the slightly strange date window at 6pm and it has more than a hint of the Aquanaut about it (I could kick myself for selling mine but hey ho).
IWC has a history of pilot watches I think Zenith less so. There is quite a difference in MRP but less so on the second hand market.
Anyway. Comments please!!
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Mark XX fan here ... I wear it most days.
If you do buy one buy it on the bracelet as its excellent ...
Sinn 856 is the best all round Flieger, saves some money as well.
Thank me later ;)
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
Predictable, but the IWC. The Zenith isn't bad at all, and is a more original choice. But a flat bezel never wears well (as in, shows wear quickly). And I think "PILOT" on the dial is a bit off. I know, I know, Submariner and all that, but somehow it seems a bit... Walt?
If it's history you want, Zenith is steeped in history when it comes to Pilots' watches. Yes, in watch production terms, there was a long period away where IWC continued to be associated with pilots but in terms of brand history...well, there's a reason you don't see the word "pilote" or "pilot" on any other brand's watches.
https://swisswatches-magazine.com/hi...9;%20in%201904.
oops! I should have remembered that. Having owned the CP2 LE. Thanks for the correction.Originally Posted by tobywatches
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Ive love learning new stuff and this is something I was unaware of.
Thank you for sharing the link.
Cheers,
Ben
..... for I have become the Jedi of flippers
" an extravagance is anything you buy that is of no earthly use to your wife "
Zenith for me. Ryan had one for sale last year that sold on eBay. I’ve had a Mk XII before but never owned a Zenith and I remember it catching my eye as a great looking pilot three hander.
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...t=zenith+pilot
I don’t read it like it’s announcing you are a pilot any more than a diver watch says you are a pretending to be a diver. It’s just a word describing a style of watch. If it said something like “Red Arrows” on the dial, I see that as a bit walt-ish but not the generic term pilot.
The history was interesting, and they do have the trademark, so I can see why they resurrected it. Walt is probably the wrong term, but it just feels a bit off to me. Perhaps the old thing about if you have to tell someone you are a gentleman, you are not. The 1950s version looks nice though.
Just my view, I suspect I'd be delighted with either, but opinions were sought.
A lot of people will tell you the IWC is overpriced for what it is - but don’t many of the watches we buy fall in that category? I recently handled a few IWC Mark XVIII at shops here in Tokyo and my impression was that they were very high quality. I also agree that the date window (or at least the thick white line above it) on the Zenith is weird.
So easy decision for me - IWC. BTW, you can still get a new Mark XVIII new from Jomashop.
Zenith for me. Amazing movement. I owned a mk18 emperor prince and it was lovely and own a zenith pilot big date flyback at the moment.
The zenith above is to my eye a great design and the movement is superb. Also the image of the zenith doesn’t capture the applied hour markers with high polish surround. They really are nice.
To be honest though, both are great. Especially how IWC have updated their movement and now also have quick change straps.
If you go IWC get it on the bracelet. Best clasp I have ever used and massively comfortable bracelet design.
Last edited by Stuno1; 3rd February 2025 at 14:47.
I do have difficulty with Pilot on the dial, I have a similar difficulty with Flieger on the dial of the Sinn 356 too. If I was a pilot, which I’m not, I would probably be OK with it.
D
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You can’t go wrong, having had both in hand, I think the Zenith is a slightly better watch, but the IWC pilot is more iconic.
I own a mk XVI and I wouldn’t upgrade but if owned neither, I’d get the Zenith.
Millions of people walking around with Submariner on the dial ...
Edit: just checked ... over 4 million it would seem ...
Last edited by Montello; 3rd February 2025 at 17:45.
Hard to argue with that.
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IWC all day long.
Also an IWC fan, but I'm not keen on any of the Marks since the XV and I'd have the Zenith. Handsome watch, but distinctive. A bit different.
I must see if San Martin or Pagani have made one.
Nice! IWC has such a rich history.
Wempe make some nice pilot watches. They might be worth a look and seem to have lots of heritage too.
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On looks alone (how shallow am I?!) it would be the IWC for me. I don’t like onion crowns and I couldn’t get on with that massive featureless bezel either.
Simon
OK, just taken a closer look and realised it’s not an onion crown. Still don’t like the Zenith, though.
Simon
I have had a bit of a soft spot for that style. . .
If only I had a Time Machine. I even received it sealed direct from Patek Service!
Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 3rd February 2025 at 23:08.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
My Zenith Tipo CP2 is without doubt the best watch I have ever owned.
But I also love my IWC Tribute 1945 these watches should all be like mine with RAF hands.
My new to me Marathon stainless steel pilot/navigator pales in comparison to them both (for snobbery reasons), yet I also love it and it cost a whole lot less than either of those above.
Go with your Heart.
Zenith, imho.
I think it would wear well; those who have tried it on/wear it will have more informed views.
Heritage is interesting and as pointed out, Zenith have an impressive history for producing pilot watches (including officially and as I recall likely predating IWC).
The IWC MK XX is attractive, but to my eye the hands jar. Perhaps that is because I prefer MKXI styling (and hand sets).
Good luck! An exciting prospect.
BTW, a good even bespoke leather strap can look particularly good with a pilot watch, imho, e.g., in chestnut brown or black-grey.
Have no experience with either. But IWC leaves me a bit cold, not keen on the style & visually find the Zenith more interesting
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I’ve had the Zenith Pilot Ceramic since the end of 2023 and it’s got a lot of wrist time. I find it incredibly comfortable.
I went for the Ceramic over the steel, initially thought I’d made the wrong choice but I don’t think that now. The dark case means attention is all on the dial and something photos don’t show is how nice the numerals are, in certain lights they really pop and it’s difficult not to stare at them.
It also looks brand new after 14 months of mostly daily wear thanks to the ceramic.
Unfortunately I will have to part with it soon to fund a house move, I will miss it greatly!
^^^
That does look niceI’m not averse to ceramic for your reasons given.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
For me it has to be the IWC (owner of an XX, albeit white dial)
Not perfect as I'd prefer it without the date but a small compromise, the bracelet and strap options make it a very versatile watch.
I was tempted by Ryan's Zenith on SC last year but once I'd looked into them, there was a small issue that I knew would bother me,
the quotation marks and (Latin?) 'I' with the dot above of the PILOT text, I new would annoy me
I've had both, the Zenith is immeasurably higher quality but is more of a sports watch than the flieger style pilot watch IWC. But if it was my choice I'd go for the Zenith again in a heart beat - it's a superb watch, far higher quality than the IWC and looks super cool, again in the context it's a pilot watch only in name.
BTW the photo you shared of the Zenith does it no favours - in the metal it 'pops' and the dial texture is superb. It's a brilliant watch and periodically WOS etc have 20% off etc at which point dive in. It's not a routinely discounted model yet.
Else buy on C24 from Japan - with import duties you'll get it at around £5.5k vs UK RRP of £7k.
Last edited by ryanb741; 4th February 2025 at 21:22.
Of the two I'd definitely be going IWC. Really not keen on the thick bland bezel on the Zenith. Looks odd. I'd save myself a fair few quid and seek out a used MarkXVIII. I have the Saint Exupéry edition and its a cracker. In fact it the longest standing watch in my current collection.
I like the IWC pilot watches I have been able to handle them which always will give a better idea of the actual watch. There is something about them when holding them in your hand.
Are there cheaper variants yes, but I don't have a way to compare side by side and the IWC's leave a big impression.
The Black ceramic pilot looks stunning. Was also very close to buying Ryan's last year and had I been in and around the London area at the time I would have definitely had a closer look
Sinn 857 UTC. Even better, slightly less in savings though.
Very helpful points, imho.
Regarding the Zenith being 'a pilot watch only in name', I think it may be a bit harsh as it has key elements of a pilot's watch (and regarding how military specifications for them developed): centre seconds and arabic numerals, and an accurate movement. It is also legible as well as stylish.
Sometimes, I think IWC has sought to give the impression that it came up with the concept and design of pilot watches (not to mention its advertising giving the impression it supplied the RAF with pilot watches in WWII, which it did not; it was supplying the other side!).
Br,
AP.
I checked in my watch box and realize I should be happy with what I have already in terms of pilot style watches I have this 7234G-001 37.5mm diameter that wears more like 39mm :
FacePalm :-(
What was I thinking..
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Checked my watch box and forgot I had a Patek! Very nice. Yeah, I don’t think you can justify getting one of the others if you own that.
I deserved that! ::thumbs up::
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
Press on with another watch! I would (!)
Just checked my watch box … no forgotten Patek unfortunately:-(…
Last edited by Montello; 6th February 2025 at 18:00. Reason: Typo
IWC for me. Prefer the case shape and hands.
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:lol:
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