Bokey TimeHello everyone, this is Bokey Watch Industry. In this “Old Watch, New Talk” episode, we bring you the Zenith Bronze Big Pilot launched by XF Factory, with the official model being from the Pilot TYPE20 series. This bronze watch has been on the market for four or five years, and the version has been upgraded from V2 to V3. After the upgrade, the craftsmanship and texture of XF Factory’s Zenith Bronze Big Pilot have not disappointed watch enthusiasts, receiving relatively positive feedback. However, many newly introduced watch enthusiasts may not be aware of its quality. Below, Bokey will provide a comprehensive review and interpretation of XF Factory’s Zenith Bronze Big Pilot V3 upgraded version.
Official model: Zenith Pilot Series 29.2430.679/21.C753 (Bronze Big Pilot) Price: 54000
XF Zenith Bronze Big Pilot Watch Review:
First, let’s measure its exterior diameter. Through actual measurement, the case diameter is 44.8mm and the thickness is 14.2mm. The dimensions are almost identical to the original. It should be briefly noted that since this Bronze Big Pilot has a case diameter of 45mm, plus the onion-shaped large crown, the overall size appears quite large. Therefore, it is recommended for watch enthusiasts with a wrist circumference of 17cm or above. Those with a wrist circumference below this value should consider carefully.
In terms of the front appearance, I believe many watch enthusiasts, like Bokey, when seeing this XF Factory Bronze Big Pilot for the first time, might wonder, “Why does this new watch look old?” This is actually due to the unique properties of bronze. As a material prone to oxidation, bronze reacts with air and moisture, causing oxidation. Therefore, after wearing it for a period, the copper surface will gradually develop a patina with a greenish hue, and through long-term handling, a layer of patina will form on the surface, adding a unique charm to the watch. For this V3 upgraded Bronze Big Pilot, XF Factory uses imported bronze material, which ensures a more uniform oxidation effect on the case during later wear, addressing the previous V2 version’s defect of easy darkening and spot formation.
The front features an arched sapphire crystal glass with a blue anti-reflective coating, offering characteristics such as scratch resistance, durability, and high transparency.
When viewed from the side, it can be seen that the crystal of the XF Bronze Big Pilot slightly protrudes above the bezel, and the edges of the glass are also polished—both points are consistent with the authentic model.
In terms of dial details, the overall scales are composed of large Arabic numerals. Each numeral is highly three-dimensional, with a certain height when viewed from the side, and the edges of the scales are filled with black ink—previous versions used white, and XF Factory follows the authentic design.
Below the 12 o’clock position, the copper five-pointed star features sharp edges and corners, with no visible flaws even when magnified, exuding a strong pilot’s vibe. The font printing on the dial is neat, accurate, and clear. The hands adopt a simple large three-hand design, with the tip of the minute hand slightly curved downward. The brushing of the hands is extremely fine and precise, consistent with the original, and they are filled with super strong luminous material. It can be clearly seen that there is no overflow at the edges of the hands, which is very well-executed.
In terms of luminescence, the XF Factory Zenith Bronze Big Pilot V3 version uses Swiss C3 luminous powder, which delivers a very dazzling effect with high brightness and long-lasting duration!
On the side, there is a nameplate marking with consistent lettering size, and the shapes of the two rivets are also consistent with the authentic model. Meanwhile, the curvature of the lugs on both sides is the same as that of the genuine product.
Regarding the notch on the edge of the case back, many watch enthusiasts say it is the biggest flaw of XF Factory’s Bronze Big Pilot?
In fact, that’s not the case. Many watch models have such notches, which are specifically designed to facilitate opening the case back, and the authentic models are no exception. Watch enthusiasts who are interested can check the buyer reviews on WatchHome.
On the other side is a screw-down crown, a very classic large onion-shaped design, made of bronze. The size and texture are consistent, and even the circular groove on the top matches the original version.
Additionally, some watch enthusiasts may ask why the groove on the crown appears black on the authentic model, but XF did not make it black. In fact, this is the effect of bronze oxidation. A new watch requires a period of time to oxidize, and this is the same for a new authentic watch.
What movement does the XF Factory Zenith Bronze Big Pilot use?
The case back features a solid design, housing a Seagull 2824 movement inside. In previous versions, XF Factory used the Citizen 9015 movement, but later changed to the Seagull 2824 possibly due to numerous feedback about loud movement noise, which was significantly reduced. On the authentic side, the Elite 679 movement is used, so the time-setting method differs from the genuine model. The XF Factory Bronze Big Pilot has an extra empty position when adjusting time, requiring pulling the crown to the second position to set the time. Besides that, the Seagull 2824 offers very good quality and relatively accurate timekeeping.
Returning to the details of the case back, engraving Zenith’s aviation instrument logo on this titanium metal case back is slightly more difficult to process than ordinary patterns, mainly due to the fineness of the pattern. We can see that the overall reducibility is good, but compared to the authentic model, the processing fineness of the XF Bronze Big Pilot may not be as good. It will appear slightly rough when viewed with a magnifying glass. Of course, this is not a point that makes the XF Bronze Big Pilot obviously fake; it can only be said to have some flaws. After all, there is a difference between viewing with the naked eye and with a magnifying glass.
In terms of the strap, the XF Bronze Big Pilot uses a frosted cowhide strap, which offers a very good texture when worn. It is soft and comfortable, fitting the wrist perfectly. The back features a black rubber lining with enlarged ZENITH lettering printed on it, which is clear and neatly marked.
The buckle is made of stainless steel. The five-pointed star on the buckle is the same size as that of the genuine version, and the overall brushing treatment of the buckle is very meticulous.
In summary, the detailed review of the XF Factory Zenith Bronze Big Pilot above fully demonstrates the strength of this watch. This 45mm large-diameter military watch from XF Factory is more personalized than traditional watches. The retro bronze material paired with a brown cowhide strap perfectly showcases one’s unique style and taste. With its military-inspired design, it highlights uniqueness, and the super strong luminous effect ensures both appearance and functionality are not compromised, living up to its reputation. If you don’t want to have the same watch as others, this XF Bronze Big Pilot is definitely a great choice for you!
