A384 Revival - just in awe after a week on my wrist

I reckon most people frequenting this Zenith Forum know all there is to know about the Zenith A384 Revival, so I'm posting this mostly for people who end up here via Google when looking for reviews on this little gem of a watch.



I love beautifully designed objects, and the tonneau-shaped A384 was just as avant garde, attention-grabbing and unconventional in 1969 as it is today, over 50 years later.

The beautifully alternating brushed and polished flanks play with the light and have impressively sharp edges. The finishing is exquisite, a quality Zenith is known for.




While the shape and the design in itself are pretty simple, nothing feels basic or boring about the watch. The radial brushing on the top surface of the case never makes you feel a traditional bezel is missing. In fact, this is a watch to just stare at see how it transforms from all angles.



The smoothly domed crystal contrasts nicely with the sharp facets of the case, and creates some beautiful distortions when you angle the watch.




The dial is a classic panda dial. Many brands have one in their collection. But this is one of the best ever made. The proportions of the subdials, the typography, the contrast between tachymeter scale and white dial and the red chronograph hand are all spot on.



I've been timing the El Primero calibre 400 movement for a week. It has been a very consistent -0.7 spd, which is above expectations for a classic movement that is not COSC nor METAS certified.

The movement is not loud. You only subtly hear the rotor when you hold the watch to your ear (unlike Valjoux chronographs) and when you do, you can also hear the escapement ticking away frantically with 10 vibrations per second. In a way it's a pity the seconds hand is so small that you can't really appreciate the smoothness of the sweep unless you activate the chrono (which I rarely do because chronographs are mostly decorative complications for me).



The biggest surprise is how perfect the watch sits on the wrist. It's a diminutive 37mm diameter case (with a 46mm lug to lug). But thanks to the case shape and the ladder bracelet it offers a ton of wrist presence.

This watch attracts attention, without being shouty. It has a huge personality in a modest case. I love that in a watch.

My wrist is 7.25" and I think it's absolutely perfect for me - but also for a wide bandwidth of smaller and larger wrists.



This Zenith Revival has been my dream watch ever since I first saw it (when it was rereleased for the 50th anniversary of the El Primero). I never thought I would actually own one, but now I do - and I feel very fortunate. This is an iconic watch, with an iconic movement and for me it's the crown on my modest watch collection.

Many congrats on your new acquisition!!

Like you, I’ve admired Zenith’s tonneau case for ages. And finally, I went to try it on at an AD yesterday, the panda just like yours. what a stunner of a watch, beautiful interplay of brushed and polished surfaces.

Enjoy it in good health for years to come 👍