Bokey TimeHello everyone, I am Bokey. Today, I will introduce a distinctive and uniquely personalized bronze wristwatch: the XF Factory Zenith Pilot Type 20 Khaki Green V3 upgraded version. The main upgrade of this model lies in the movement—previously using the 9015 movement, while the V3 now employs the Seagull 2824 movement, with other details remaining consistent with the previous V2 version. Below, let’s briefly discuss this bronze Pilot Type 20. Zenith’s Pilot series itself is a highly practical wristwatch, affectionately known by watch enthusiasts as the “bronze Pilot Type 20.” One of its most distinctive designs is the large onion-shaped crown made of bronze, originally intended to allow pilots to operate the watch easily while wearing gloves, and now clearly has become a classic element of this timepiece. In terms of appearance, the Zenith Pilot wristwatch features a retro and high-value style, with a broad dial that is perfect for stylish men!
This watch model is the Zenith Pilot Series 29.2430.679/63.I001, with an official price of over 50,000 yuan, which is quite affordable. The 45mm diameter is very imposing, and the brand-new “khaki green” grained dial close to a military style is unforgettable. Why do many watch enthusiasts prefer this bronze Pilot Type 20? First, in terms of bronze material, a watch made of bronze can give people a simple and steady feeling. Bronze also has a characteristic: its surface will oxidize with the change of time and environment, giving the watch a unique charm. Second, the khaki green dial reflects the saying “green is always popular” in the watchmaking industry, highlighting the status of green. Therefore, this “khaki green” bronze Pilot Type 20 not only meets most people’s pursuit of bronze materials but also satisfies the aesthetic appreciation of the watch’s appearance.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at today’s protagonist: the XF Factory V3 upgraded Zenith Bronze Pilot Type 20. This watch has gained recognition and praise from aviation professionals for its robust, reliable, and precise performance. The first impression it gives is simple and elegant, with a striking Zenith five-pointed star logo, large Arabic numeral scales, and a prominent crown, presenting a combination of modern and retro styles. The entire case is made of bronze, with a unique vintage color that, after the precipitation of time, develops a distinctive copper-green patina full of retro charm, adding a unique allure to the watch. Due to the oxidizing and color-changing properties of bronze, each bronze watch can develop a unique aged patina, and the longer it is worn, the more beautiful it becomes. It clearly shows signs of aging yet does not lose its elegance; instead, it adds a unique charm.
The watch mirror uses sapphire glass with anti-glare blue film coating, which is scratch-resistant, durable, and highly transparent. When observing the dial under light refraction, it presents a blue-green changing color. The unique khaki green dial has an excellent texture that is not too serious, and the embedded three-dimensional Arabic numerals create a dynamic and vibrant dial structure. Below 12 o’clock is Zenith’s exclusive “star” icon and letter logo, which is highly three-dimensional and sharply cut. The middle features a three-hand design, with the hour, minute hands, and Arabic numeral hour markers filled with imported luminous material, offering super-strong luminous effects for easy time reading in different environments.
From the dial details, it can be seen that both the hands and numerical hour markers are filled with high-quality luminous material, ensuring clear time reading even at night. The brushing effect is excellent, with impeccable texture. The English logo “EXTRA SPECIAL” is not only clear but also proportioned perfectly, reflecting meticulous attention to detail. The outermost seconds track and the small golden markers every 5 seconds are well-proportioned and maintain a strong three-dimensional feel.
In terms of size data, it is directly 44.8 mm in diameter, 14.3 mm in thickness, and 117.9 grams in weight, with overall minimal differences from the genuine product.
The side of the tin-bronze case has a strong sense of hierarchy and is crafted with a brushing process, resulting in a delicate and refined finish. The “HB-313” on the side is the identification number of the watch body, exuding a strong military atmosphere.
The lugs are welded from the inside, consistent with the original. You can see four square holes extending from the lugs for strap attachment, which fit the wrist very comfortably. The entire crown is exquisitely carved with a strong sense of stripe hierarchy, allowing watch enthusiasts to adjust the crown smoothly without any discomfort.
The most recognizable feature of the XF Zenith Bronze Pilot Type 20 is its large onion-shaped crown design. With a screw-down crown structure, its advantage lies in water resistance and high sealing performance—simply tighten the crown, and the watch can be worn for swimming and snorkeling. This design is intended to allow pilots to easily adjust the time while wearing gloves.
The case back adopts a solid design and is engraved with an exquisite pattern of a vintage airplane, commemorating the legendary story of Louis Blériot wearing a Zenith watch to cross the English Channel in 1909. The polishing craftsmanship of the case back is extremely delicate, with accurate and consistent positioning of the patterns without any misalignment. Despite the large-scale engraving, the back shell remains flat for comfortable wear. Additionally, the watch is equipped with a Seagull 2824 movement, which has significant advantages in terms of stability.
The strap is made of khaki green oily genuine leather, full of military style, with a rubber protective lining on the inside to prevent sweat from corroding the leather strap—this kind of craftsmanship detail is really thoughtful. Paired with a pin-shaped buckle, a delicate small five-pointed star is engraved on the buckle, which is very beautiful.
Conclusion: The reason why the XF Factory Zenith Khaki Green Bronze Pilot Type 20 is popular is that it captures the hearts of watch enthusiasts with its high aesthetic appeal, strong 辨识度 (distinctiveness), and precision. In the face of the pilot watch trend, Zenith takes retro style as its main theme, incorporating a large number of elements from pilot watch models to create this bronze green dial pilot watch. Each bronze watch, after being tempered by time, leaves a sense of historical weight and great charm, which is the allure of bronze watches.
