The auction, which ran for 10 days on the online platform invaluable.com, raised a total of 200’000 AUD, with Zenith’s sale contributing 10’600 USD to the cause.
The auction featured 24 watches from 22 brands, including a unique Zenith Pilot watch. For this occasion, Zenith created a unique piece based on its recently launched Pilot Type 20 Rescue line, the Pilot Type 20 “Australian Rescue”. An appropriate model for this great cause and dedicated to the brave individuals who fearlessly face the devastating bushfires to lend a helping hand.
The slate-grey sunray dial, with the signature oversized Arabic numerals entirely made out of Super-LumiNova®, combines a sleek contemporary look with a distinctly vintage charm. Giving a sense of urgency, yellow is a recurring color in the world of aircrafts that grabs the attention for vital controls and information.
The unique piece is the first and only one to be crafted in a bronze case instead of steel, with a specially engraved steel case back depicting a Canadair CL-415, an amphibious aircraft used for water-bombing fires.
Securing this rugged model firmly to the wrist is an aged black calfskin leather strap recalling the classic shearling leather flight jacket, with rivets and a titanium pin buckle as well as a distinctive tab recalling those seen on vintage pilot helmets.
100% of proceeds from the auction will be distributed across five charities; two rural fire services groups, two wildlife rescue groups and one fund created specifically for the south-east region of Victoria, which has been particularly hard-hit. Immediate family members of Time+Tide Watches founder Andrew McUtchen live in this area and continue to endure very difficult conditions at what is only the beginning of the bushfire season proper.
