Zenith has launched the Pilot Type 20 “Australian Rescue” timepiece  dedicated to the brave individuals involved in putting out the bushfires. Designed in aid of the Australian bushfire crisis which began in July 2019,  only one of these watches were ever created in a bronze case instead of the steel, unlike the others from the Maison’s Type 20 Rescue line range, with an engraved steel case back depicting a Canadair CL-415, an amphibious aircraft used for water-bombing fires. This rugged timepiece, with its slate-grey sunday nail, signature oversized Arabic Super-LumiNova ® numerals and aged black calfskin leather strap reminiscent of the classic shearling leather flight jackets, with rivets and a titanium pin buckle, complete with a distinctive tab recalling those seen on vintage pilot helmets – all of which give the watch an old-world charm.

I am not aline, in fact I am probably in the majority, in being touched by the terrible 2019/2020 fires around Australia. Receiving images of my family sleeping in their shop opposite a river so they could escape into the water should the fires sweep through town was surreal and stressful. Not to mention the over one billion animals who have died. For an animal as common in Australia as the koala to now be on the cusp of the endangered animals list is unthinkable ~ Andrew McUtchen, Time+Tide Watches ~

Having sold recently in Melbourne for USD 10,600 during the Time + Tide Watches Watch & Act! Watch Auction in aid of the national bushfire crisis, 100% of proceeds from its sale will be distributed across 5 charities: 2 rural services groups, 2 wildfire rescue groups, and 1 fund created specifically for the region of Victoria.

Images courtesy of Zenith