Watch Paparazzi

Chef George Calombaris spotted wearing Zenith

Season 11 of MasterChef Australia brought Nigella Lawson to the judging table alongside regulars George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, and Matt Preston — but sharp-eyed watch spotters found their gaze drifting to Calombaris's wrist, where a bronze Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special sat comfortably against his casual grey V-neck. It was a fitting contrast: understated television wardrobe, serious horological choice.

The Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Bronze references the oversized cockpit clocks Zenith supplied to the French Air Force in the 1930s. The case measures 48mm — an intentionally imposing diameter that echoes the original dashboard instruments — in bronze, an alloy that oxidises uniquely on each wearer's wrist. The matte black dial features large luminous Arabic numerals, a red-tipped seconds hand, and the distinctive Zenith star at 12 o'clock. The onion-shaped crown, sized for use with gloved hands, is one of the most immediately recognisable signatures of the line. Inside sits Zenith's Elite 679 automatic movement, offering 50 hours of power reserve and beating at 28,800 vph.

The Type 20 Extra Special occupies an interesting collector position. It is unambiguously a tool watch by heritage and design, yet the bronze execution elevates it into lifestyle territory — the patina story appeals to enthusiasts who want a watch that changes over time. Among aviation watch collectors, the Zenith reference holds its own against IWC's Big Pilot and A. Lange & Söhne's more rarefied offerings, delivering Swiss manufacture credibility at a considerably more accessible price point.

Calombaris has long demonstrated a preference for watches with character over status-symbol pieces. The Type 20 Extra Special fits a chef's lifestyle well: robust, legible, and indifferent to kitchen heat and the occasional splash. It reads as a genuine personal choice rather than a styling exercise.

On the grey market, the bronze Pilot Type 20 Extra Special trades close to or slightly below its original retail of approximately $7,900 USD, reflecting solid but not speculative demand. For collectors seeking an authentic piece of aviation watch history from a manufacture with a 150-year legacy in Le Locle, the Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special Bronze remains one of the most compelling propositions in its segment.