Pilot Big date Special reliability issues?

[paulreso1]

Hi,

I like the design & size of the new Zenith Pilot Big Date watch. I read that at least one forum member has had reliability issues with it - I appreciate that this watch is very new to the market, but are there any views on whether reliability of this watch is OK, or are many owners suffering quality issues? What are forum members' experience with the previous Pilot chronograph model?

thanks
Paul

[Hartmut Richter]

Welcome to the forum. The movement in the Pilot Big Date is the basic Cal. 400 extended by the big date mechanism. The basic movement is one of the best you can get. At the same time, the issues mentioned by the member in question relate to the chronograph, not the big date function. It sounds as if all the parts are OK but they don't coordinate very well. This is more of an assembly problem than a manufacturing one. Still, a problem is a problem and I appreciate your being worried. I only have a 1996 El Primero Cal. 410 and never really had any problems with it so there are actually some satisfied customers.....

Hartmut Richter

[CH-dmath]

I think it's my watch that is being discussed. I'm not a dissatisfied customer. Yet. If they get it right this time, I'll be very happy. These things happen. On the other hand, if I have to send it in again anytime soon, I'll be a little ticked-off.

For what it's worth, I think Hartmut is right -- the main parts of the watch are fine. My guess is that the chrono seconds hand isn't securing properly to the post (sorry, I don't know the technical terms) and thus doesn't reset to 0 as it should. The watch keeps good time and so far there are no problems with the big date complication (knock wood). Then again, what do I know, maybe the entire movement is hosed.

[D N Ravenna]

Paul, It is a good question to ask. By and far, movement issues are rare. I once had an original Seamaster GMT that had the dropping hour hand issue. Outside of that, it has been more of an error at the plant. To date, I have had to send watches from Omega, Sinn, Revue Thommen, and Ulysse Nardin back for 'fixing'. But only Omega for actual movement defect.

If you decide to go in that direction, the EP will serve you well.

Cheers!
Dan

[Hartmut Richter]

I think that CH-dmath's watch has a problem with the reset and chrono brake coordination. The brake probably engages just a touch too soon, before the thing resets to exactly zero. Depending on which side of the 12:00 mark it comes from, it settles either to the left or right of it. This is clearly more of an assembly problem - the parts don't coordinate - and not so much a parts problem. OK, so one part might be just a tad too big and therefore no amount of adjusting will fix it until that part is replaced, but chronos are difficult things that need a fair amount of adjusting so my guess is that the problem lies mainly there.

Hartmut Richter

[paulreso1]

Dear all

thanks for all the responses. I hope that CH-dmath gets the watch sorted this time. I am still interested in this model (I know it's completely different, but I also am interested in the Nomos Tangomat datum, which I tried in London recently - very nice watch). I'll need to choose between these options
cheers
Paul