Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/05/14/zenith-pilot-doublematic-reviewed-by-tim-mosso-its-a-grail-watch-for-him-if-only-he-had-a-bigger-wrist/
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Zenith’s tandem of chronograph and world time has been shared by brands as disparate as Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre, but the addition of an alarm makes this Doublematic a true original.
Wound, set, and armed with the crown at eight o’clock, the alarm sings a sweet song against a floating gong. This is no case-striking “frog” or “cricket.”
Critically, the volume is loud enough to wake a sleeping person; this is a mandatory quality for many alarm watch devotees.
Zenith complicates the alarm through the inclusion of two supporting functions. Owners can arm or disarm the alarm using a trigger co-axial with the alarm crown; on or off status is visible in green and red, respectively, at the nine o’clock position.
Not only does Zenith incorporate a power reserve for the alarm barrel, but it does so with a display that orbits madly around its axis while changing from green to red. A fully charged alarm displays “FULL” on a green base while a discharged red reserve reads “LOW.”
Despite its defining qualities of size and complexity, the Doublematic packs a gratifying number of delightful details. Numerals on the dial appear printed at first glance, but they are three dimensional blocks of luminant material cut in the shape of numbers.
The strap surprises on two counts. First, alligator leather is a significant upgrade over the calf skin often used on pilot’s watches.
Second, the strap features a wonderfully supple rubber inlay on its underside; it’s smooth against the skin and promises to preserve the leather against sweat and grime. Beneath the crown, a tiny kerf readily admits probing fingernails when it’s time to set the machine.
Often, I’m asked whether it’s possible to own a single watch that could fulfill all needs. And just as often, I’m asked this question by precisely the kind of people who could never stop at just one watch. However, water resistance aside, the Zenith Pilot Doublematic is big enough to fill that gap in a collector’s life.
If the collector, in turn, is big enough to wear the watch, he might find this a viable one-and-only. As for me and my 16cm wrist, we’ll look on forever in admiration, never to drink from this grail.
Quick facts: Zenith Pilot Doublematic
Reference Code: 03.2400.4046/21.C721
Case: Stainless steel; 45mm diameter; 15.7mm thick; 53.3mm from lug-to-lug; 50-meters WR; 22mm between lug horns; push down crown
Clasp: Stainless steel folding clasp: double deployant with trigger release
Dial: Black with grande date, world time, alarm power reserve, alarm on/on, chronograph, solid block Super LumiNova numerals
Movement: Caliber El Primero 4046; automatic with 50-hour power reserve; two barrels inc. one for alarm; 5Hz beat rate; quickset date; column wheel with lateral clutch; alarm; alarm on/on; alarm power reserve; world time
Functions: Hours, minutes, grande date, chronograph, world time, alarm
2012 Retail Price: $13,200
2024 Preowned Price: $9,950
* Tim Mosso is the media director and watch specialist at WatchBox/The 1916 Company. You can check out his many videos at www.youtube.com/@WatchBoxStudios/videos.
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Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/05/14/zenith-pilot-doublematic-reviewed-by-tim-mosso-its-a-grail-watch-for-him-if-only-he-had-a-bigger-wrist/