A-1 'Skyraider'
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was one of the last few propeller driven attack aircraft to enter service. It arrived late for World War 2 and during the start of the Jet era, yet it enjoyed one of the longest careers in the US Air Force. Despite being outclassed in speed and technology by the latest jetfighters, the Skyraider held its own with a heavy payload and agility.
The Skyraider served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and it proved invaluable in providing close air support; for which jets were unsuitable.
Zelos 'Skyraider'
We christened our latest flieger the 'Skyraider' as it was developed around the handwound ETA 6498 movement. Much like the aircraft, this ETA movement is an anachronism that has been use since the 1950s. The first flieger watches featured large and easily legible dials and hands. They were also powered by handwind movements and hence we set out to design a watch with these principles but with our own touch.
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ETA 6498
The ETA 6497/6498-1 ( model number denotes difference in subdial position ) features a power reserve of 44 hours and 17 jewels, with a beat rate of 18800bph. It started out as a Unitas pocket watch movement, but it went on to be used in a variety of watches, most notably in Panerai pieces.
In this day and age of automatic movements and ultra accurate quartz, the handwound movement brings a level of involvement with your timepiece that's absent from the newer watches.
With the rotor absent, the ETA 6498 movement is available in its full glory from the display back. We have decorated these movements with a circular Côtes de Genève engraving on the main plates, and an Anthracite PVD finish. The ratchet wheel has a 'turbine' engraving while the crown wheel features a circular pattern. All screws are blued for the final touch. Each and every movement has been engraved with the Zelos logo as well, and the non-skeleton versions are engraved '1 of 200' to denote the exclusivity of this series.
Dial and Case
The Skyraider features 3 different dials in either CUSN8 bronze or titanium. The 'Atmosphere Blue' dial is stamped with a turbine pattern and a blue color which gradients to black at the edges. This is meant to echo the blue sky which fades to black as seen from much higher altitudes.
The Meteorite dial is cut from an actual Muonionalusta meteorite which fell in Sweden around a million years ago. Each and every dial has a different pattern which makes your watch a one-of-a-kind timepiece.
The Skeleton version of the Skyraider is a beauty to behold. Bridges and components have been painstakingly cut out to reveal the inner workings of the movement. You will be able to see the beat of the escapement and pallet fork, its steady pulse is mesmerizing to watch.
Swiss Superluminova is also generously applied across all models, with a mix of BGW9 and C3 lume to help with visibility in the dark. The thick lume application on the hands also improves visibility for the skeleton models, making time reading a breeze.
Specifications
Case: 42.5mm and 13mm thick. 50mm Lug to Lug Length. CUSN8 bronze or GR5 Titanium
Water Resistance: 50m without screw down crown for easy winding
Crystal: Sapphire Front and Back
Movement: ETA 6498-1 Fully Decorated
Lume: Superluminova BGW9 and C3. Lumed Crown Logo
Power Reserve: 44 Hours
Package: Wooden Gift Box, Leather Travel Roll. 2 straps included: Horween Chromexcel Brown leather and Military Grey Canvas with Horween backing.