BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
Most brands have been focusing on the idea of remaking past watches for the present times. One of the most determined of these brands currently is Zenith which has been pumping out barrel-shaped re-issues left, right and centre. Recently, we showed you the revived A3817, but this new model is based on the A384, but it’s been changed slightly.
The watch features the same general outline that you’d expect from a Zenith historical piece. The case measures 37mm in diameter and is made from titanium, a super-lightweight and super-strong metal, more resistant to scratches and dents than stainless steel. It’s been microblasted by hand and tinted for a dark semi-matte appearance that offers a unique appearance; it also appears on the star-embossed crown and pump-style chronograph pushers.
This Zenith chronograph forgoes the usual multi-coloured chronograph subdials of Zenith pieces for a simple black backdrop. With the dark khaki green of the dial, they would look extremely out of place.
Zenith hasn’t forgotten to be practical with this one, and there are touches of SuperLumiNova on the hands and baton markers to keep the watch legible. Perhaps the best part of the dial is that Zenith has matched the coloured backdrop of the date window to the colour of the dial. Most manufacturers can’t be bothered to do this, so we appreciate it.
Inside the watch is the calibre 400, a high-frequency automatically-wound El Primero calibre. It has a 5Hz beat rate to make it more precise than most of the market, but it also has an integrated chronograph which means the movement has been built around the chronograph instead of the chronograph being added in like an afterthought. It has a column-wheel keeping controlling things in there as well, and a 50-hour power reserve keeps it ticking for a while.
Suppose you want the latest in a long line of historically-mostly-relevant watches. In that case, the new Chronomaster Revival Safari costs $9000 and is available in Zenith boutiques and online right about now.
Visit Zenith here.
