Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback (2023 model)

Quick specs Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback
Price:
Steel: € 12.300 | CHF 11’400 | $ 11,500 | £ 10,100
Ceramic: € 14.500 | CHF 13’400 | $ 13,500 | £ 11,900
Size: 42.5 mm
Reference:
03.4000.3652/21.I001 (steel)
03.4000.3620/21.I001 (ceramic)

With the Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback you somehow go back to the 1900s when the Swiss brand already makes watches for pilots. In fact they registered the French term “Pilote” in 1888 and in 1904 they did the same with “Pilot”. At the time pilots were flying in planes made from wire and fabric, but already in 1909 Zenith shows how marketing works.

They sponsor the French aviator Louis Blériot when he was the first to fly across the English Channel in 1909. With a Zenith around his wrist. And now, 112 years later, the brand still plays a role in the pilot watch segment. Something every watch brand tries to, by the way.

The dial from the steel version of the Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback is a little different

For 2023, Zenith unveils a couple of pilots, like the Zenith Pilot Automatic. And this is the latest Pilot Big Date Flyback, which comes in steel or black ceramic, both 42.5 millimeters. Apart from the case color they look very similar, however, the steel one has a Rainbow Flyback containing the colors of the rainbow around the 30-minute counter. And the chronograph hand is orange.

Both have a black dial with horizontal grooves just like the Pilot Automatic, and both have hands and numerals filled with super-luminova. At 6 o’clock is a big date window and the watch has a water resistance of 100 meters / 330 feet.

Inside the Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback is an El Primero caliber 3620. An automatic with a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. Both watches come with two straps – see the Technical Data for the colors and specs.