In the mid-19th century, Swiss watchmaking operated under the traditional établissage system, where components were produced separately before final assembly. It was during a formative journey to the United States that Georges Favre-Jacot discovered a radically different approach. Struck by the efficiency and modernity of American industrial organization, this experience became a defining catalyst for his vision. Determined to rethink the very structure of watchmaking production, he set out to bring together all craft under one roof—laying the foundations for the first fully integrated Swiss watch Manufacture and redefining standards of precision and consistency.
At only 22 years old, Favre-Jacot drove this vision with remarkable entrepreneurial determination. He expanded the Manufacture far beyond conventional boundaries, developing tools, machines and entire infrastructures to support production. His ambition was clear: to create the “perfect watch”, where technical mastery and refinement would exist in complete harmony. This enduring commitment to mechanical integrity remains deeply embedded in ZENITH's identity today.
The CHRONOMASTER Revival Liberty II revisits one of the Manufacture's most emblematic references, the A384 from 1969, faithfully reproducing its distinctive 37mm tonneau-shaped case. Crafted in stainless steel and offered alongside an ultra-limited forged carbon version, it stays true to its original design while embracing a contemporary edge.
Its white-lacquered dial with blue counters is accented by a striped chronograph hand drawing inspiration from the American flag, featuring 13 alternating red and white stripes in reference to the original colonies. The tachymeter scale is rendered in blue throughout, with the “250” and the “4” on the date disc highlighted in red — subtle touches that echo both the colours of the American flag and the symbolic date of independence.
At its heart beats the El Primero 400 calibre, a direct descendant of the world-renowed 1969 movement, the world's first automatic, integrated high-frequency chronograph. Operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz), it enables precise measurement to the nearest tenth of a second, with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. Visible through the transparent caseback, the movement reflects the Manufacture's expertise and legacy.
The CHRONOMASTER Revival Liberty II is released in two exclusive versions: a stainless steel edition limited to 250 pieces, echoing the anniversary it celebrates, and a forged carbon edition limited to just 25 pieces, offering a more contemporary interpretation. The stainless steel model comes with two strap options: a stainless steel ladder bracelet and a blue Cordura-effect rubber strap prioritizing comfort and adaptability. In contrast, the carbon edition is offered solely with the blue Cordura-effect rubber strap. Both editions are exclusively available in the United States.
With the CHRONOMASTER Revival Liberty II, ZENITH celebrates more than a historic milestone. It reflects a defining moment in its history: when a journey across the Atlantic helped shape a vision that continues to guide the Manufacture's pursuit of precision to this day.
