Zenith

Geneva Week 2018 Hands-On: Zenith Pilot Cronometro CP-2 Flyback in Aged Steel and Bronze

 

One of the immediately likeable and probably instantly selling novelties for the Geneva Week 2018 at Zenith is the new Pilot Cronometro CP-2 Flyback, which comes on two patinised case options, aged steel and aged bronze:



As additions to the 'Pilot' collection, and also as clear evolutions of the successful Cronometro CP-2 (hint: PuristSPro 15th Anniversary Watch...), they share the same basics as the original re-edition of 2016: A simple and clear aviation-inspired two-register dial and the case (diameter: 43 mm; opening diameter: 32.5 mm; thickness: 12.85 mm) - just like the original watch of 'Cairelli' fame which was issued to the Italian armed forces for about two decades until the early 1980s.

The first point of deviation from the strict tool-like original is found in the cases: aged steel and aged bronze. Let's start with the latter (reference: 11.2240.405/18.C801):



The case material gives a welcome warm tint to this watch, which is further enhanced by the bronze grained dial. The grain-structured surface is already known from other watches of Zenith's 'Pilot' line, and has the exciting effect of further kind of 'condensing' the watch's character:



The hands provide a splendid contrast with their polished and gold-plated surface.





Readibility remains excellent despite the aesthetic nods to the spirit of time, and thanks to a generous application of  Super-LumiNova® this remains so even during night:



The case, as mentioned above, is crafted from bronze and further patinised to make the piece look like it aready stood the test of time...





The caseback is made from aged steel, a choice which demonstrates Zenith's attention to the detail, as bronze tends to react chemically with the human skin.



In stark contrast to the normal Cronometro CP-2, the Flyback model is driven by Zenith's El Primero Cal. 405, which (quite naturally!) is the flyback version of the legendary chronograph. I personally welcome this choice for a number of reasons:

• first, a flyback function (also called ‘retour-en-vol’ or ‘instant restart’) makes much sense has as it enables a pilot to read the times for two consecutive events quickly without having to press two buttons several times; it is also very much fun to use.
• second, the flyback version of Zenith's chronograph movement has been neglected for too long a time.
• third, in contrast to a great number of other flyback chronographs the zero-reset button of the Cal. 405 does not feel exceedingly stiff to operate;
• last (but not least), the surcharge is very minor (more see below).

Despite the addition of a display back the water resistancy remains at 100m.

Finally, the watch is fastened with Zenith's new 'Pilot' tang buckle. The design is known from the Type 20 pilot watches, but has been revised and is much smaller now. Its also created in titanium.



On the wrist: In my view, the grained dial with its warm hue has a sexy effect on the entire watch. The strap is fantastically supple, and is sewn from oily nubuck leather in a matching brown tint:








Now, let's appreciate the second version in aged steel (reference: 11.2240.405/21.C773):



The dial is a déja-vu of Zenith's main 2016 novelty, the Pilot Type 20 Chronograph Ton-Up (see review here), and is fashioned in the very same grainy structure in slate grey:



You will easily note that this version is closer to the original Pilot Cronometro CP-2, and it retains the very same hands (polished steel for the main, white for the subdial hands):



Zenith, like with the bronze case, has worked out heavily on the case to create this well-used effect:



Again, a display back, framed by an aged steel bezel:



To carry on with the similarity to the standard version, it also retains the same olive-coloured oily nubuck strap:





For a comparison I summoned the two new versions and joined them with our own bespoke model, the Pilot Cronometro CP-2 created for PuristS' 15th anniversary:



The new Flyback is a very welcome addition to the Pilot line, in my view. The design, while being a clear fashion-oriented deviation from the clean line of its forebearers, is very likeable proposition, and will certainly attract a great number of watch lovers. This demonstrates trust into the Pilot line and makes the CP-2 appear less like a sole contender here (for this specific design, I mean, besides the Type 20 watches). I honestly cannot wait for a rattrapante ...

Quite logical for an aviation-destined timepiece, the inclusion of the Flyback version makes also much sense. The surcharge of the Flyback version is minimal, as both watches cost about € 7900, which is only incrementally more than the standard version. This, I think will make quite a few of the standard CP-2 owners scratching their heads: an updated version, technically expanded, for only a little bit more money... is the new unlimited version perhaps the better of them all?

Damn it! Its so little more that I consider sending my PPro-15 off to a bootcamp trip to Le Locle...   Am I jinxed?

Cheers,
Magnus

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