Hands-on with Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow

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Zenith launched at the end of the spring a new interesting watch in their Chronomaster Revival series. The new wristwatch, the Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow features a dark theme in shades of grey and black. Let’s discover it together.

Review Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow

The story of the Chronomaster Shadow starts in the ’70s when Zenith produced a blackened steel case prototype featuring a manual-winding chronograph. The watch has never seen the commercial light. Even the brand’s documentation is poor when it comes to this rare piece.

The 50th anniversary of the legendary El Primero chronograph calibre led to new searches in the secret walled-off attic of Charles Vermot. Between other marvels, the original prototype of the “Shadow” was discovered. And what better time for finishing this project if not now?

The COVID19 situation has seized the occasions for earlier encounters. But this week, Wednesday, it was possible to have in my hands this faithful reproduction of the historical Zenith timepiece. The new Chronomaster Revival Shadow is a very cool watch, regardless of the decade. But the modern capabilities and the fifty years old design make a fantastic team together.

Below a short clip with the wrist-roll and a look at the chronograph movement:

A Chronomaster “classic”

As I mentioned in the review of the Chronomaster Revival El Primero A384, the 37mm tonneau-shaped case depicts the 1969’s legendary piece. Instead of using steel and any sort of black coating, the brand decided for an ultra-modern micro-blasted Titanium. The manufacturing process promotes the natural dark grey shades of the metal.

The case’s lines are familiar, but the dark satin finish changes the view quite dramatically. Even the chronograph’s pushers and the crown are manufactured in finished in the same material and manner as the case.

The result is a finger-print resistant look, an excellent grip and good overall feel of the crown and pushers. Of course, the Zenith star highlights the domed crown.

Mention: The watch presented was not particularly cleaned or prepared for the shooting and presents (or not) all the wear of several hands. The watch was "molested" during a Zenith press event. It is the perfect oportunity to see how it behaves in time. I am particularly curious to find how the scratches will develop in time. From my personal expirience with my personal micro-blasted titatnium pieces, the case will by very scratch resistant and the marks will be minimal.

Chronomaster dial

The Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow is presented with a two-tone “reversed panda” chrono style. Instead of two complementary colours, the dial uses two close shades of grey. The contrasting factor is given by the white printing, hands and registers.

We find the classic displacement: running seconds on the left, 30-min chrono counter on the right and the 12 hours chrono counter at 6 o’clock. The sub-dials are recessed and further decorated with a circular pattern.

The dial has, as expected, the same dial configuration as the A384 revival. The tachymeter scale occupies the outer dial side. The volumetric hour indexes with the strong luminescent make a good pair with the hour and minute hands. The hands are the same as in the A384 with the exception of the colour in white and the chronograph’s seconds in white (instead of red).

El Primero 4061 Automatic

Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow is powered by an El Primero Calibre 4061. The movement features the high frequency 36,000 VpH (5 Hz) hearth and offers 50 hours of power reserve.

The Calibre 4061 is beautifully adorned, aesthetically and technically. The movement features the modern silicon lever and silicon escape wheel. A few blued elements highlight the chronograph’s components.

Compared with the dark themed case, the movement is full of life and colours. The calibre presents the typical behaviour of the El Primero movements.

Final notes

Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow is a magnificent modern beast with the character traits of its 50 years old brother (father?). The classic appearance is highlighted by modern touches. The lack of date is just a matter of personal preferences. As a big fan of the date complication ( and enchanted by the classic A384 dial with date), I was not really disturbed by its missing.

The wrist presence is pleasant, enjoyable. The lightness of titanium is accompanied by the black “cordura effect” strap. The Chronomaster Revival Shadow is a beautiful wristwatch. For those looking for a special piece, the Shadow is a very interesting proposal. The watch is available at the official boutiques and authorised dealers with a recommended price of 8400 CHF.

Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow Technical Specifications

Reference: 97.T384.4061/21.C822

Key points:

• Original 1969 case with 37mm diameter,
• Automatic El Primero column-wheel chronograph

Movement:

• El Primero 4061 Automatic

Frequency:

• 36,000 VpH (5 Hz)

Power reserve:

• min. 50 hours

Functions:

• Hours and minutes in the centre.
• Small seconds at nine o’clock.
• Chronograph: central chronograph hand, 12-hour counter at six o’clock, 30-minute counter at three o’clock.
• Tachymetric scale.

Case:

• 37-mm

Material:

• micro-blasted titanium

Dial:

• Black dial with grey counters and tachymeter scale

Water-resistance:

• 5 ATM

Hour-markers:

• Rhodium-plated,
• faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1

Hands:

• Rhodium-plated, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova®SLN C1

Bracelet & Buckle:

• Black “cordura effect” strap and white stitching.
• Microblasted titanium pin buckle.

Price:

• 8400 CHF