Zenith Takes GPHG “Petite Aiguille” Prize

The prestigious “Petite Aiguille” prize at this year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève was won by Swiss watchmaker Zenith for their Pilot Big Date Special timepiece on November 15 of this year.

The annual event which takes place in Geneva, Switzerland took place in the city’s Grand Théâtre.  A total of 70 watches were competing in 11 categories, and the Pilot Big Date Special was selected by the jury as the best in its category.

The prize reinforces the watchmaker’s stellar reputation in the field of aviation chronographs.  For a long time now the brand has been a partner in aviation history by producing watches to assist pilots in flying aircraft and the products made by Zenith have included onboard counters.  Precision and reliability have been the hallmarks of Zenith since the company was founded in 1865.

The new Pilot Big Date Special echoes watches produced between 1960 and 1990.  Functionality is the prime characteristic, and the watch is a discrete 42mm in diameter, with polished and satin-brushed finishes to give elegant details.

A sand-blasted black matte dial features a seconds counter at the 9 o’clock position, with a 30-minute counter on the opposite side at 3 o’clock.  Purposely styled to look masculine and powerful, the watch contains an El Primero 4010 calibre, and finishes can be seen through the sapphire caseback.    A thin Côtes de Genève-decorated winding rotor completes the timepiece in the purest tradition of watchmaking.

The elegance of this unimpeachable chronograph is most certainly deserving of the Grand Prix “Petite Aiguille” trophy.

Story and photo source:   LVMH Watch Jewelry