Zenith have lied to us. Back in late 2021 / early 2022 they released the Chronomaster Revival Lupin the Third – Final Edition, the capstone to a trilogy they stared back in 2019. However, it is not in fact the “final edition” because as of now Zenith has unveiled a fourth chapter. Before we continue let me assure you that any indignation at such deception is entirely mock as this is one of the most fun collections Zenith have produced and I’m glad to see it return. The new model is the Zenith Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition.
If the words Lupin the Third and Daisuke Jigen mean nothing to you, listen up. Lupin the Third was a Japanese anime adaptation of the manga of the same name released in the 1970s, a stylish animated show about a thief called Lupin III. Daisuke Jigen was Lupin’s right-hand man and an expert marksman. He was also, and this is the important part, a canonical Zenith watch enjoyer. Twice during the show, he is depicted wearing fictionalised versions of the El Primero A384, which was released just two years before the show began airing. Those watches were the inspiration behind the original Zenith trilogy I mentioned above, bringing the fictional watches to reality.
For the new Zenith Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition, Zenith have imagined what one of those fictional panda style watches from the 1970s with white dial and black subcounters look like today. Essentially, a faux-vintage version of a faux-watch. Instead of a white dial we have a warm, aged beige tone. As if weathered by time and sun exposure. It looks great paired with the snailed chronograph counters and peripheral tachymeter scale.
Aside from the new dial, the case has also been given a revamp that’s strangely at odds with the concept of this being a vintage timepiece. Instead of steel, it’s made from dark grey, matte titanium. A more modern, lightweight material. I suspect this is more due to the popularity of models like the Revival ‘Shadow’ and it being a cool aesthetic rather than for a more meaningful or conceptual reason. And it does look great, contrasting with the dial. At a stretch I suppose you could argue that the colour represents Daisuke’s signature dark suit as the beige colour is not dissimilar to his skin tone.
Rounding out the design of the piece is the ladder bracelet integrated into the 37mm case. As with most things in the watch industry, ladder bracelets are somewhat controversial as on one hand some collectors like the vintage, historical accuracy of them and on the other hand some people don’t want to see more wrist than bracelet. I tend to fall in the latter camp.
Inside the Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition is the El Primero 400 calibre, the descendant of the original El Primero movement housed in the A384 back in the 1960s-70s. It’s a high frequency movement operating at 5 Hz with a 50-hour power reserve. It’s visible through an exhibition caseback decorated with an outline of Daisuke.
The watch is a limited edition of 200 pieces that will initially be exclusive to a Zenith pop-up in Japan before going on global sale on November 26th. It’s priced at CHF 10,400 (approx. £9,935). Even if you’re not a fan of the anime, it’s a cool rendition of the Chronomaster Revival. Judging by the fact that they’ve brought it back four years after the “final edition” it’s evidently a popular sub-collection too.
Price and Specs:
More details at Zenith.
