Zenith Revives Its Iconic Poker Chip Watch

Lindsay Judge   |   17-11-2021

Zenith has revived its iconic “Poker Chip” watch in a collaboration with SJX watches. Inspired by the El Primero G383 the Chronomaster Revival “Poker Chip” is considered one of the most intriguing models in Zenith’s archives.

 

Affectionately nicknamed “Poker Chip” by collectors for its poker chip appearance the original G383 was first introduced in 1969 and is among the rarest and most sought-after iterations of the early El Primero variants. Developed in partnership with one of Zenith’s trusted dial suppliers at the time, the dial immediately stood out with its boldly alternating colours.

 

 

Singapore-based watch magazine SJX Watches, reached out to Zenith’s Director of Product & Heritage, Romain Marietta in 2020, with a proposal to revive the G383 with a distinctive, modern twist. The goal for the pair was to reproduce the key elements of the G383, while injecting a sleek, contemporary flavour. That gave birth to the Poker Chip, a design that relies on shades of grey and a generous helping of Super-Luminova to recreate the G383 in daylight – and in darkness.

 

“I’ve long admired the El Primero for its longevity, and Zenith for its rich heritage,” explains SJX, “I wanted to do something that would combine both the movement and its history, but rather than a remake, I wanted something that might sound like a paradox: a design immediately recognisable as the G383 but unmistakably novel and different.”

 

 

The Poker Chip dial comes in dark grey with printed segments in matte black and Super-Luminova. More “lume” can be found on the hour markers and chronograph scales, as well as the radial patterns around each register. In a nod to Zenith’s landmark wristwatch, it uses the same 38 mm case as the El Primero A386, but executed in micro-blasted titanium, giving it a finely grained, dark-grey finish that echoes the colours of the dial. Within the titanium case – and visible through the sapphire back – is the El Primero movement, essentially the same calibre that made history in 1969.

 

Each Chronomaster Revival Poker Chip is delivered with two fabric straps, one in matte black and the other in pale green coated with Super-Luminova and is limited to 200 watches, available at Zenith boutiques and e-commerce worldwide and via SJX Watches.

 

 

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