Zenith Continues Its Lupin The 3rd Series With The Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition
Talk about releases you didn’t see coming! When Zenith released the third model of the much-praised Lupin the Third series in early 2022, it looked like the remarkable trilogy was complete and the series had concluded. But more than three years later, Zenith surprises us with a fourth model! The new Zenith Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition is a brilliant continuation of the collection inspired by the Lupin the Third anime. This lightweight fourth model combines a sandblasted black titanium case and bracelet with a stylish beige dial. Let’s find out more.
If Zenith’s Lupin the Third series does not immediately ring a bell, you will remember what at least one of the watches looked like. The third model in it was a Zenith Chronomaster Original that combined the dials of the first two. What that turned into was a remarkable version of the classic A364, featuring a diagonally split black and white dial that combined the aesthetics of both its predecessors. Brandon reported on the Lupin the Third – Final Edition and the previous versions that inspired it. I absolutely adore that wacky third model in the series, and it perfectly shows that the creative team at Zenith is up for a good challenge. Additionally, the panda-dial Second Edition is one of my favorite modern A384 models.
The story of the Zenith Chronomaster Revival Lupin the Third series
But let’s take a step back to create some context. As Brandon explained, the first two Zenith models in this series took their inspiration directly from the popular Lupin the Third animation. The designs of both the black-dial first version and the panda-dial second one were seen on the wrist of Daisuke Jigen, sidekick and best friend to the titular character, Arsène Lupin III.
The trio of Zenith Chronomaster Revival Lupin the Third Editions
The third watch was a bold take that immediately stood out. Because it was called The Final Edition, it seemed like the series had come to an end. Zenith ensured that it went out with a bang, as the diagonally split dial is an acquired taste. I love it because it is bold and unexpected. Whoever came up with the idea to create this dial deserves endless praise.
The Zenith Chronomaster Revival Lupin the Third – Second Edition and its inspiration
As mentioned, the Second Edition is one of my favorite Chronomaster Revival A384 models. However, Zenith has now further optimized the watch to more closely resemble the one Daisuke Jigen wore in the anime. After seeing the images, I can say that this 200-piece limited edition is a brilliant fourth installment to the series. And yes, it does resemble the watch you see on Jigen’s wrist better.
The story of the Zenith Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition
For the Daisuke Jigen Edition, the Zenith team created another surprising version of the Chronomaster Revival. The modern A384 features the characteristic blocky case in matte black microblasted titanium. The case has a 37mm diameter, a 12.6mm thickness (including the crystal), and a 47mm lug-to-lug. It is paired with a matte black Gay Frères-style ladder bracelet. In the images, the color appears to be a dark gray, which looks really good. I would love to see one in the metal to find out how dark the matte black actually is.
Especially paired with a beautiful beige dial with contrasting black sub-dials, the case and bracelet look super stylish. I would almost be a little bummed out if it is darker than in the images. Contrasting the black sub-dials are white printing and hands. The date window sits at the 4:30 position and features a black disc with white printing to match the sub-dials. The indexes and hour and minute hands are plated with ruthenium and filled with beige Super-LumiNova, matching the beige dial. Lastly, the central chronograph hand is black and also features the same beige lume.
A 200-piece limited edition
Powering the watch is the in-house Zenith El Primero 400 caliber. This high-beat column-wheel chronograph movement operates at 36,000 beats per hour and offers 50 hours of power reserve. It is also visible thanks to the sapphire window in the case back. As you can see, the sapphire display is emblazoned with the unmistakable silhouette of Daisuke Jigen. It’s a nice touch that adds to the story of the watch.
Zenith will produce 200 pieces of this limited-edition model, each with a price of CHF 10,400 / ¥1,430,000. The watch debuted exclusively at the Zenith pop-up at Isetan Shinjuku on November 19th. It will also be available worldwide from November 26th in Zenith boutiques, on the brand’s online platform, and through select authorized retailers. I suppose you will have to act quickly if you want one of these rare Zenith Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Editions. I love this new version of the watch, and I can see that it looks even closer to the watch in the series. It makes me wonder if we can expect even more surprises in the future. If they are as good as this new Daisuke Jigen Edition, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
