The Pilot Automatic has a flat-top bezel for the 40mm case, a black opaline dial, featuring horizontal grooves that bring to mind corrugated metal sheets from vintage aircrafts. The watch as a construction is rather beautiful, however, the dial does not rank high among my preferences. Movement-wise, the Pilot Automatic is powered by the El Primero 3620, with up to 60 hours of power reserve.

The Pilot Big Date Flyback has a new El Primero 3652 automatic high-frequency calibre. The 42.5mm case is beautifully proportioned and I like the way it encompasses all time indications, featuring ”large luminescent Arabic numerals and coloured indications for easier reading,” the brand added. The timepiece is delivered ”with interchangeable black cordura-effect rubber and brown calfskin leather straps. A second strap is offered to fully experience the interchangeability of the watch.”

I have mixed feelings about the DEFY Revival Shadow, a modern uptake on the DEFY watch from the late 1960s. The case is now crafted in titanium with a tetradecagon bezel. Quite an eye-pleasing silhouette, however, the ladder bracelet can look either very well or really badly on the wrist. The original design was by the Gay Freres company in 1969, an exclusive to Zenith. The bracelet is also in titanium.