Zenith Unveils Its Fourth 'Lupin The Third' Chronomaster Watch

The watch, restricted to 200 pieces, will be available from November 26.

Zenith/ Monkey Punch/ TMS/ NTV

Zenith's partnership with Monkey Punch's renowned anime series, Lupin The Third, commenced in 2019 with the introduction of the Chronomaster A384 "Lupin The Third," a timepiece nearly fifty years in the making. Inspired by the fictitious watch of Daisuke Jigen, Lupin's esteemed associate in the renowned Japanese anime series, the launch initiated a trilogy of limited editions that actualized an envisioned design.

The association between Zenith and Lupin The Third originates from 1969, when the company launched the innovative El Primero caliber within the A384, merely two years prior to the anime's premiere. In the anime, Jigen was portrayed wearing a Zenith watch on two occasions: initially with a black dial and subsequently with a silver one; nevertheless, the watch did not exist outside of animation until Zenith produced it decades later.

The trilogy was characterized by exceptional creativity: the inaugural edition in 2019 was a steel model limited to 50 units, including a black dial and gilded accents, alongside a unique item auctioned by Phillips that accurately reflected the anime's portrayal. In 2020, Zenith released a 200-piece steel chronograph with a "panda" display, combining a white background with black subdials. The third edition, released in 2021, amalgamated both designs onto a one asymmetrical dial, integrating the black and silver variations into one striking creation. Each edition captivated collectors and anime enthusiasts, merging horological tradition with pop culture narratives in a manner few collaborations have accomplished.

Zenith/ Monkey Punch/ TMS/ NTV

The most recent chapter, the Chronomaster Revival Daisuke Jigen Edition, enhances the tribute by more closely fitting with the manga depiction. Constructed within a 37mm matte black microblasted titanium case, it showcases a beige dial complemented by contrasting black chronograph counters, a tachymetric scale, and beige Super-LumiNova® highlights, evoking a warm, vintage-inspired aesthetic. The El Primero 400 calibre, a direct successor of the 1969 movement, provides tenth-of-a-second precision and a 50-hour power reserve at its heart.

The watch is complemented by a reimagined titanium ladder bracelet, originally crafted by Gay Frères in 1969, merging tradition with contemporary practicality. The edition, restricted to 200 pieces, will be accessible at Zenith’s Isetan Shinjuku pop-up on November 19, prior to its global release on November 26. For additional information, consult the official website of the watch brand.