The Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG)) is one of the most reputed venues for watch makers and watch aficionados to come and interact with each other. Here, these people discuss about the direction of the watch industry, its future prospects, any adverse happenings in the industry etc. in great detail. This grand prix is an occasion to recognize the talent and contributions of watch makers who have contributed to the watch making industry throughout the years. Every year, the grand prix give prizes for a variety of categories including Aiguille d’Or Grand Prix, Special Jury Prize, Ladies’ Watch Prize, Men’s Watch Prize, Innovation Prize, Jewelry and Artistic Crafts Watch Prize, Best Complicated Watch Prize, Sports Watch Prize, “Petite Aiguille” Prize, Best Watchmaker Prize and Public Prize. This year, the Zenith Pilot Big Date Special watch got its due at the 2012 event and was given the “Petite Aiguille” Prize.

Zenith came up with the Espada watch in the year 2012. But, their Pilot model is the one that was in the lime light. Zenith got the inspiration to come up with the watch from stylish vintage watches. The Pilot Big Date Special featuring the prominently displayed date window at 6 O’ clock position is the simplest and most loved one of their latest watches.

The Big Date has a steel case with 42 mm diameter size, and has two options of straps. You can choose from either aged leather strap or amazingly crafted mesh bracelet. Of course, you may have seen better executed big date functions in other luxury watches. The numbers are not perfectly aligned and that is not something to be expected in a watch from a prominent watch maker. May be they have other ideas in mind. The overall design of the watch is pretty good. The polished and stain brushed surfaces are quite pleasing on your eyes and comfortable on your wrists. The perfectly matte dial gels with the overall ambiance of the watch. The positioning and design of the chronograph registers are very well done too. The watch has hour, minute and seconds hands in its center. It has the thirty minute chrono counter at 3 O’ clock position and small seconds at its 9 O’ clock position. Black ruthenium and lume are applied on the hour and minute hands to give it a macho look and feel. An automatic mechanical El Primero 4010 caliber is responsible for handling the watch operations. You can watch the caliber in action through the transparent sapphire crystal case back.

It will cost you $ 6,500 for the leather strap version and $ 6,900 for the steel mesh bracelet version. Considering the brand name and chronograph watch movement created in house, this is a great deal for the money spent on it.

The “Petite Aiguille” Prize won by the Zenith Pilot Big Date Special at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix 2012 is a good recognition for the watch maker to grow ahead further.