This may or may not be a desirable quality. That material is a key part of the experience of wearing the Shadow, because it makes an already easy to wear case virtually disappear into nothingness on the wrist. But this one, unlike the A385 Blake reviewed awhile back that uses the same case design (I know, confusing), is crafted from micro blasted titanium and is not coated in any way. Based on a virtually unseen prototype that Zenith built in the 70s, the Shadow uses the truly excellent A384 case as its starting point.
This is a watch that’s been on my radar for quite some time, and while I’ve had the chance to try it on at watch meetups, getting the chance to live with it for an extended period of time is obviously an entirely different thing.
As is often the case, I was pretty much wrong about everything. Let’s put a pin in that assumption, because we’ll return to it later. But in my deliberation about which watch to sell to fund the next thing, I distinctly remember thinking I’d unload the Defy because it was just too niche, and opportunities to wear a black cased watch on a rubber strap might not present themselves as often as I’d thought. I ultimately sold that watch not because it no longer worked for me (I have nothing but good things to say about it) but because financial realities dictate that I, unfortunately, can’t keep them all. At the time I picked up that watch, I was looking for something unapologetically modern in its aesthetic, and the black ceramic case and skeletonized dial did the trick. Faithful readers may remember my review of another Zenith, the Defy Classic, back in 2020. The first time I plunked down serious money for a black watch, it didn’t stick. They always seemed more fun, and youthful. But of course even in that early stage before I fully understood what it was that I was looking at, I was drawn to the sleekness of a black watch. They were different enough that it fascinated me to think about the thought process of someone who would choose a black coated watch over something more standard, and seemingly more versatile. Before I was in any way a watch enthusiast, my eye would dart to blacked out watches in the Macy’s jewelry cases, and I’d always notice them when I saw them being worn out in public. The limited warranty does not cover bracelets, crystals,īatteries, or any damage to the case or movement caused by moisture that might have entered the watch as a result of improper handling, norĭoes it apply, on a more general basis, if there is evidence of misuse or abuse.On a certain level I’ve always found black watches appealing. Performed "in house" by Topper Fine Jewelers or at a repair facility of our choice. Topper Fine Jewelers will have sole discretion to determine whether the work for the warranty will be Service provided anywhere other than at Topper Fine Jewelers or a service center of the original manufacturer is notĬovered and shall void the warranty. As such, Topper Fine Jewelers will provide an additional non-transferable warranty for a period of one year.* This warranty begins when the manufacturer's warranty
Zenith a384 shadow free#
Toppers is excited to offer a free extended warranty on the purchase of new watches. And unlike the prototype from 1970, which feature a manual-winding chronograph movement, the Chronomaster Revival Shadow features the most prolific automatic chronograph ever made, the El Primero, visible through the display back. But instead of the traditional choice of stainless steel with a superficial layer of black coating, Zenith has opted for micro-blasted Titanium, bringing out the dark grey nuances of the lightweight yet highly durable metal with its completely matte finish. Inspired by the obscure black chronograph prototype from 1970, the Shadow is housed in a 37mm case, a faithful reproduction of the very first watch fitted with the El Primero, the A384. The Chronomaster Revival “Shadow” reimagines what could have been, rather than directly reproducing a historical Zenith timepiece. Many watchmakers and longtime employees of Zenith had heard of and even seen one of the rare prototypes, even though official records about this piece are extremely scarce. Only a handful of this spectral prototype was made, but the model was never officially produced or commercialized.
As the legend goes, in 1970, not long after Zenith debuted the groundbreaking El Primero calibre, the manufacture had produced a prototype of a manual-winding chronograph, housed in a blackened steel case – a rarity for the time. Its existence has eluded collectors and Zenith collaborators alike for decades.
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