The watch maisons of the LVMH luxury group (Moët Hennesy-Louis Vuitton) take center stage in the horological universe this week, unveiling their newest models for 2020 at an exclusive event in Dubai. Among the presenting watchmakers is Zenith, whose new releases include two new variations on its popular, vintage-influenced Pilot Type 20 collection, the Pilot Type 20 Rescue and Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Rescue.
Both watches, like the Pilot Type 20 pieces that preceded them in the collection, draw their influences from dashboard instruments made by Zenith in the early days of aviation, with 45-mm cases in brushed steel; a large fluted crown; broad Arabic numerals at the hour markers; stylized, period-appropriate rhodium-plated hands for the hour and minute; and a vintage “Zenith Flying Instruments” logo engraved on the solid caseback. The dials of both new models are in a sunray-patterned, slate gray tone, and their numerals are fashioned entirely from Super-LumiNova for ideal luminosity in a dark cockpit. They derive their “Rescue” name from the bright yellow highlights applied to the dials and the straps. Zenith Pilot Type 20 Rescue (Ref. 03.2434.679/20.1010)
The time-only Type 20 rescue contains Zenith’s automatic Elite 679 caliber, which beats at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and amasses a 50-hour power reserve. The Type 20 Chronograph, which records 30 elapsed minutes on a subdial at 3 o’clock and displays the running seconds on a subdial at 9 o&...