By Jovan Krstevski
Zenith’s 160th birthday bash has landed and front and center is this monochrome blue bruiser, the Pilot Big Date Flyback 160th Anniversary Edition. The watch is loud; not in a crass way, but it definitely doesn’t show up to whisper in the corner. With its all-blue ceramic suit and enough presence to hijack a wrist shot, it’s very clear this piece isn’t built for wallflowers. Limited to 160 pieces, it commemorates Zenith’s 160 years. But the question is, does all that noise amount to something genuinely worth strapping on?
Case
Zenith went full ceramic, which is either a brave or risky move depending on how you feel about wrist real estate looking like a Pantone swatch. The case clocks in at 42.5mm by 14.25mm and while that sounds chunky on paper, it actually wears surprisingly level thanks to the lugs that don’t fight your wrist. The finish is matte, so you’re not blinding passers by, but make no mistake, this thing pops. Titanium pushers and crown break up the sea of blue just enough. Durable, sure. But subtle? Not remotely. The 100-meter water resistance is standard fare, not extravagant, but more than enough unless you’re planning on going deep-sea diving with a flyback chrono strapped on.
Dial
If you thought the case was shouty, the dial is positively screaming in harmony. Blue on blue, corrugated like a shipping container and bold Arabic numerals that look like they were pulled off a WW2 cockpit; just modernized and bathed in SuperLuminova SLN C1. You’ve got subdials at 3 and 9, and a hulking big date window crashing the party at 6 o’clock. It’s legible, sure, but almost aggressive about it. I wouldn’t call it elegant, but it’s damn confident.
Movement
Inside, the El Primero 3652 is the real MVP here. This high-frequency movement (36,000vph) is known for its precision and it brings some real firepower with the flyback chronograph and big date complication. That date jumps in 0.007 seconds, both discs move near simultaneously, which is surprisingly satisfying to watch in action even if you don’t particularly care about big dates.
Then there’s the flyback function. Hit the pusher while timing and the chrono hand zips back to zero and starts again, no questions asked. It’s a chronograph nerd’s playground and thankfully, it feels as sharp in action as the specs suggest. With a 60-hour power reserve, it’ll keep ticking through the weekend even if you take it off Friday night.
Strap
Zenith throws in not one but two cordura-effect rubber straps, in blue and white. The swap system is idiot-proof, which is ideal for people like me who hate fiddling with spring bars. The strap’s comfort is good but not life changing. Think practical, not plush. It’s clearly built to hold up, not hug you.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? The Pilot Big Date Flyback 160th Anniversary Edition is loud, it’s very blue and it doesn’t try to blend in. But it’s also thoughtfully built, genuinely fun to wear and technically well executed. With only 160 pieces out there and a price tag of €16,500, it isn’t exactly an impulse buy. Still, for those who like their aviation themed chronographs with a bit more modern verve and aren’t shy about color, it makes a compelling case.
