Discovering The Magic Of The Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical
If you are a regular Fratello reader, it will come as no surprise that I am a Zenith fan. The brand’s Chronomaster Revival A384 is my current favorite watch. There is nothing out there like it, and every time I put it on my wrist, I feel a mix of excitement and reassurance about how much I love that piece. But in all fairness, it’s not just about the one reference. After all, the modern Chronomaster Revival A384 kick-started a wonderful series of watches built on the same silhouette. The latest addition to that steadily growing catalog is the Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical. It’s a wonderful modern take on an aged vintage A384 from the late ’60s. It’s a simple idea, but the A384 Tropical proves that such ideas can lead to brilliant results.
Zenith has shown time and again that the A384 design is a great platform to do wonderful things. It’s been proven through the classic reissues, like the A385 that Tomas reviewed, and the vintage version was also part of the original El Primero trio in 196. Furthermore, it was the foundation for the steel, titanium, and carbon A3818 Cover Girl versions made with Revolution Magazine and based on the classic that graced the cover of Manfred Rössler’s Zenith book, as well as the wonderful A3817 that I reviewed, which uses the A384 case and signature A386 dial with brilliant results. Alongside those, the Zenith creative team has gone wild, creating a wild array of modern versions based on the A384 canvas. Just a few highlights are the original A384 Lupin The Third series, and the related Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition, the Chronomaster Revival Safari, or the stealthy Chronomaster Revival Shadow.
The story of the Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical
What always stays the same is the canvas. All the watches feature the same blocky 37 × 47 × 12.6mm case. It’s a modern remake of the original case from 1969, and for me, it’s one of the best cases ever. Zenith has mixed materials and finishes across the different versions, resulting in great, sometimes surprising timepieces. The angular case has a vintage charm without losing its modern-day relevance. On top of that, it is often intricately finished, revealing the wonderful design in great detail.
For the new Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical, Zenith resorts to the standard stainless steel case, matched with a brushed stainless steel Gay Frères-style ladder bracelet. The case features a wonderful mix of finishes. First, the sunburst-grained facade extends the dial’s widening visual feel perfectly. It is paired with a high-polished finish on the bevels and lug tops for extra visual brilliance. On the right side of the case, you will find the push/pull crown and the pump-style pushers that start, stop, and reset the chronograph.
The tropical dial of the new Chronomaster Revival A384
But the big story of this new release is, of course, the tropical dial. For this, the Zenith designers took inspiration from the naturally aged tropical dials of the vintage El Primero A384 models from the late ’60s and created a modern version. The vintage dials showed discoloration, turning the black sub-dials and the peripheral tachymeter scale into a warm shade of brown. This gradual fading of color transformed the watches’ appearance, making them highly desirable among collectors.
Zenith recreated these classic tropical dials with a new “chocolate panda” configuration, as the brand calls it. It consists of an off-white lacquered base combined with a warm brown peripheral tachymeter scale and sub-dials. Additionally, the applied hour markers and handset are filled with Old Radium Super-LumiNova.
The charm is in the smallest details
All the elements combined create a wonderful, warm dial that mimics vintage watches beautifully. On top of that, I love all the little details, like the applied Zenith star, the classic typography, the bright red chronograph seconds hand, the concentric-grained sub-dials contrasted by the white hands hovering over them, and the quirky position of the date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock markers. I even find charm in the numerals and markers that bleed over from the chapter ring into the center of the 12-hour totalizer.
That same charm can be found in the aesthetic of the iconic ladder bracelet. Now, admittedly, I have gone on record saying I would prefer an Oyster-style bracelet like the one Zenith uses for the Chronomaster Original and Sport. It simply adds modern-day construction and quality.
Don’t get me wrong; I adore the ladder bracelet and see it as a big part of the vintage charm of the A384. But in terms of quality, it isn’t the best bracelet out there. The clasp, in particular, feels a bit flimsy. But what it lacks in quality, the bracelet makes up for in ’70s charm and comfort. It helps make the A384 Tropical wear like an absolute dream. But we will get to that.
The Zenith El Primero 400
First, let’s look at the El Primero 400 caliber powering the watch and visible through the case back’s sapphire display. Caliber 400 is the modern successor to the legendary El Primero 3019 PHC that powered the initial El Primero trio from 1969. This automatic integrated chronograph movement operates at 36,600 vph and provides a 50-hour power reserve. It also comprises 278 parts, including 31 jewels, a column wheel, and a horizontal clutch.
It’s always fascinating to see this caliber in action, as it is part of watchmaking royalty. As most of you will know, Zenith participated in (and some would say won) the race to introduce the first automatic chronograph movement. Seeing a modern version of the legendary El Primero 3019 PHC is always special. On top of that, the current version looks the part. With its openworked rotor with large text and a mix of finishes, the caliber has a contemporary presence that perfectly fits a modern take on the classic A384.
Wearing the Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical
Once you put the Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical on the wrist, you’ll notice how comfortable the ladder bracelet is. Thanks to its flexibility and open structure, the bracelet wraps smoothly around the wrist. Additionally, the comfort of these ’70s-style bracelets is almost unmatched. Combined with its relatively low weight and slender profile, the A384 Tropical is a joy to wear. On top of that, every time I wear a Chronomaster Revival, I have the feeling that it was made just for me. The size and proportions are perfect for my 18.5cm (7.3″) wrist.
While the watch is modest in size, its presence is grand. The new dial design is an impressive take on the vintage pieces that inspired it. I love that fact because the vintage ones can sometimes look a bit beat up and scruffy. Finding one in great condition also comes with a high price to match. So this new Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical is a clean yet charming take on the vintage appeal of the classics.
Final thoughts on the new Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical
On top of that, it is a variation of the standard Chronomaster Revival A384 with the black-and-white panda dial. As a result, this new A384 Tropical feels surprisingly fresh. Add that to the great comfort, the legendary caliber, and the overall iconic looks of the A384, and it’s no surprise that I quickly fell in love with this new Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical, which retails for €10,000.
But it’s more than just loving the feel of wearing the watch or admiring its looks. Every time I put a Chronomaster Revival model on my wrist, I am reminded of my love for the classic Zenith models. I recognize it by staring at the watch numerous times during the day and all the little details that stand out.
I can talk for hours about the case design, the dial proportions, the typography, the detail of the different scales on the dial, the fascinatingly small numerals and text on the tachymeter, the firm clicks of the two chronograph pushers, or the red-lacquered central chronograph hand.
It’s a fascination and excitement I feel with only a few watches. Not surprisingly, two others are the Chronomaster Original and Chronomaster Sport. As you will understand, it’s time for me to jump on the Zenith train. This brilliant Zenith Chronomaster Revival A384 Tropical is simply more proof of that.
