Whether fitted with a meteorite dial (Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot watch), housed in a bronze case (Pilot Type 20 Extra Spécial) or displaying a breathtakingly light architecture (Pilot Type 20 Squelette), each of the new timepieces is heir to the onboard instruments developed by the Manufacture during the infancy of aviation. They are endowed with the main attributes of their legendary forebears: a high-precision movement, an imposing diameter, a broad ratcheted screwed-in crown, as well as large Arabic numerals swept over by finely crafted hands.
Today, we take a closer look at the Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot watch.
Crafted in a five-piece limited edition, the new Pilot Type 20 Hommage à Louis Blériot features a 60 mm-diameter case carved from a block of sapphire, water-resistant to 30m, and topped by a bezel, lugs and large ratcheted crown in white gold.
Its deep grey meteorite dial is graced with a natural motif forming interlacing ribbons against a finely sandblasted background. This is a fragment of the Muonionalusta asteroid, discovered in 1906, which sped through the atmosphere and fell to earth between Sweden and Finland.
Beneath the imposing domed sapphire crystal, the display provided by characterised oversized Arabic numerals and stylised hands enhanced with a phosphorescent material ensures optimal read-off for all its functions.
At the heart of the timepiece beats the entirely hand-engraved Calibre 5011K. Driving hours and minutes hands along with small seconds at 9 o’clock and a power-reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, Calibre 5011K operates at the rate of 18,000 vibrations per hour and enjoys 48 hours of autonomy.
Having set impressive precision records in its category, including the 1967 Neuchatel Observatory award for the most accurate chronometer ever presented, this legendary mechanical movement equipped maritime chronometers and pocket watches before enjoying a second lease on life in the wristwatches of the Pilot collection. A number of original 5011K calibres found in the archives of the Manufacture, duly restored and decorated, now equip several Pilot Type 20 models , including this Hommage à Louis Blériot model.
The transparent case-back reveals an engraving work depicting Louis Blériot’s cross-Channel flight in 1909 aboard the Blériot XI plane, his Zenith watch firmly on his wrist.
The watch is completed with a black alligator leather strap with protective rubber lining, secured with a white gold pin buckle.
