Zeno 44mm Pilot Watch

[padi56]

At 44mm, this watch is now the in fashion size. The 3 piece case is machined from 416L surgical grade stainless steel. It has a nice polished finish, which is evident over the entire case, including between the lugs, and on the rear bezel that surrounds the view back. The finish is very even, and is executed in a workman like manner. The case, including crystal, is 13.7mm thick, though the diameter of the case makes it look thinner. The lugs are 22mm apart. The case back, which comprises a stainless bezel into which is set the view crystal, pressure fit into the case back,the watch is water resistant to 30m. The crown is signed with Zeno's Swiss cross, inside a shield. This appears to be acid etched, and is a nice touch.

Movement:Unitas 17 jewel hand winding, calibre 6497/8
They do a 47mm version as well.



The watch is fitted with an ETA/Unitas stem wound pocket watch movement of lignes (36.6mm) in diameter. It is 4.5mm high. It is Incabloc shock protected, has an autonomy of 46 hrs,
This brute of a movement, which has been around since 1950s, has powered many fine and extremely expensive watches. However, in this iteration, it looks to be what it is, a workhorse movement, no more, no less, and completely undecorated. It ticks away strongly under the view crystal, with the huge balance wheel looking as though it would tow a truck!! There is not even any evidence of polishing on the plates, no blued screws, just a few of the 17 rubies glowing somewhere in that great mass of a movement. It should however prove to be a strong and reliable movement, which at this price, is all you can ask!

Dial and crystal



Extremely busy, best describes the dial of this watch!! There is minutes chapter with Arabic numbers around the outside of the dial, which can be read at 100 paces!,Hands are white lacquered fils tipped radium style and are filled with Luminova compound. The sub seconds hand is plain white lacquered fils. The minutes chapter, and the main hands are coated with Luminova, which glows strongly when exposed to light. From my experience of Zeno watches, I would expect them to give off sufficient light to remain readable for at least 8 hours. The markings are printed directly onto the dial. The covering of luminous compound is thick and even, and under magnification the whole effect is crisp, without overprinting or blurring. I have always liked the quality of Zeno's dial printing. Other manufacturers could learn a thing or two, and a few should feel ashamed!! There are mineral crystals front, and rear. The front is cambered, and the rear is flat. Both are acceptable for a watch of this price, but sapphire would be my material of choice. Neither shows any sign of a glare proof coating.

Strap:

The strap is unusual it flatters to deceive! The 22mm black waxed leather strap LOOKS for all the world like an expensive item, ala Panerai. It appears to be hand stitched, perhaps it is, and is extremely imposing, but on closer examination, it is not quite what it seems! Leather, yes, hand stitched, probably, handsome, definitely!, but not expensive. It is perfectly adequate, well made, and would fit a 12inch wrist, and I prefer it to the brown calf item normally fitted to this watch. (The tan strap, is an option, but free to special order) It is fitted with a well made manufacturers deployment clasp, which is push button operated, and has the benefit of a safety lock. Overall, at this price, an excellent bit of kit. I like it!!

Documentation, box and packaging:

The watch is delivered in a good quality wooden (looks like cherry) box, adorned with a bronzed Zeno medallion, about 45mm in diameter on the lid. A really nice touch for a watch of this price! It has a white cardboard slip case. The instruction leaflet, warranted document is not a big production, but nevertheless, adequate. A fine, good quality package, which at this price point is deserving of high praise!!

Conclusion: for the price £265 very good value for money
Timing out of the box around + 4 secs 24 hours very good.

A big watch, with shed loads of character,if you like this kind of thing (and I do), it is probably the best watch of its type at the price period. Were it to bear other manufacturers names, you would be happy to pay £1000/£1500 for it. Its quality is evident, in feel,looks, and execution. It will attract attention and admiration.

[JJ Irani]

Like ORIS, Zeno too are very good value for money.

When you compare their relatively low prices with those of other high-end Swiss manufacturers, it makes you really wonder what the profit margin is on those high-end watches.

JJ

[padi56]

About 350% JJ

[J.Wong]

very nice piece there padi, its got all the details of a great timepiece, with only a fraction of the price!! ( i outta find something like this, something that i can afford )

[padi56]

John Zeno quite a old Swiss company,very good value for money.The price in some of the so called high end brands,dont always buy you the best quality.

[Rockrolex]

JJ, at 44 mm, this is your kind of watch.

So when are you getting one? LOL!!

[JJ Irani]

That OMEGA PO was an exception to my collection. It's gonna be ONLY Rolex, Rolex and Rolex henceforth.

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

That OMEGA PO was an exception to my collection. It's gonna be ONLY Rolex, Rolex and Rolex henceforth.

So the PO is going to get stuffed for a black ExpII, huh?

I wonder... who buys up JJ's hand-me-downs?? If I was a collector in Auckland, I'd wait until JJ has found the next best thing and buy it when he trades in. LOL I'd save a tonne of $$ off retail and get a LNIB watch.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Atomic

So the PO is going to get stuffed for a black ExpII, huh?

I wonder... who buys up JJ's hand-me-downs?? If I was a collector in Auckland, I'd wait until JJ has found the next best thing and buy it when he trades in. LOL I'd save a tonne of $$ off retail and get a LNIB watch.

Who said anything about selling anything? If and when it happens (???), the black Exp-II will be an addition to the family!!

JJ

[padi56]

Yes much as I like my Rolex watches and always will,there are still brands of lesser
pedigree, that I like and collect as well..

[wkolger]

Padi, after reading your review on this watch im going to buy one of these shortly. This is a far better value than the Hamilton imho. Any other thoughts
on this since this writing?

Bill

[padi56]

Originally Posted by wkolger

Padi, after reading your review on this watch im going to buy one of these shortly. This is a far better value than the Hamilton imho. Any other thoughts
on this since this writing?

Bill

Bill the watch is great value for the money,think they do a 47mm model as well.Keeps great time as well,and the beauty is every high street good watchmaker can service, get parts if needed.Would have liked it to be 100m W/R instead of the 30m but its not a problem.

[wkolger]

30 meters was a question for me too. I called their Dallas office and ask
about just wearing it in a pool or at the beach, they didnt have a problem
with it.

Master pilots auto 44mm

Peter, didn't you get an RXW Marina Militaire a while back?

If so, how's that holding up?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Peter, didn't you get an RXW Marina Militaire a while back?

If so, how's that holding up?

Must admit have not worn it a lot lately,still keeping time as good, if not better than a few Rolex I have.Infact someone wanted to buy it a few weeks ago, for more than what I paid for it,I was tempted but said no.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by wkolger

30 meters was a question for me too. I called their Dallas office and ask
about just wearing it in a pool or at the beach, they didnt have a problem
with it.

Master pilots auto 44mm

The problem with the Master Pilot is that the date window is much too small for the dial. It gets lost in there.

[wkolger]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

The problem with the Master Pilot is that the date window is much too small for the dial. It gets lost in there.

Yes i agree it is rather small, but for the money i can live with it. I would also
like to thank everyone for their help and advice. This is an excellent forum

Bill

[Mrdi]

Originally Posted by wkolger

Padi, after reading your review on this watch im going to buy one of these shortly. This is a far better value than the Hamilton imho. Any other thoughts
on this since this writing?

Bill

The Zeno is:

Hand wound Bill.
But it comes with a CO2 cartridge encased, to inflate the enclosed PFD.
It is, after all, 44mm.
Great when you are out on those big oil rigs.

I think thier quartz model comes with an EPERB unit,
even better.

[wkolger]

Mrdi.....the PFD is what sold me