Zenith is unveiling a new co-creation initiative called the Double Signed Program this week with a new G.F.J. collaboration with independent Japanese watchmaker Naoya Hida & Co. The aim is to revive something of a golden era of watchmaking, as the program “invites select creative partners to reinterpret celebrated Zenith references through a shared lens of craftsmanship and innovation”. Right off the bat, they’ve made a strong impression by working with Naoya Hida to reveal a new double signed G.F.J. in what feels like a natural and complimentary collaborative effort.
The G.F.J. was first introduced in 2025 as a nod to Zenith’s 160th anniversary. The platinum case and stone dial featured a bevy of interesting and intricate details that honored the brand’s illustrious past, not least of which was the use of the legendary hand wound caliber 135 within. The watch was a revelation, and it was expanded upon earlier this year with new dials and case materials. There’s clearly a great platform represented here, and one worth building on as it showcases a very different side of the brand than we’re used to seeing in the Defy or Chronomaster collections.
Zenith is also no stranger to collaborations, having worked with artists to other watch publications in the past. None of those have been co-signed, however. This G.F.J. with Naoya Hida & Co. is a different kind of collaboration, done with another watchmaker, representing an alignment of philosophy and visual identity. As such, this watch transcends what we typically expect in a collaboration. It’s more in the realm of the Ulysse Nardin x Urwerk vein, where two watchmakers with distinct identities come together in a holistic manner, resulting in something that feels organic to both parties.
This G.F.J. is most certainly that. This watch showcases the craft of both Zenith and Naoya Hida in a manner that is intentional and harmonious, and it’s exactly as beautiful as you might imagine. The watch uses a familiar stepped 39.15mm platinum case housing the caliber 135 boasting a massive balance wheel visible through an open case back. The dial is hand engraved by master artisan Keisuke Kano, and uses a deep blue Japanese Urushi lacquer finish. The design is unmistakably Naoya Hida & Co. in nature, and it feels right at home within the G.F.J. Finally, both brands are represented at the top of the dial.
If this is the first step, I’m excited to see what’s in store from this program from Zenith. The G.F.J. done with Naoya Hida & Co. will undoubtedly be a difficult act to follow. Just 10 examples of this watch will be produced, each paired with a trio of straps crafted from locally sourced materials: rare Himeji Kurozan leather, Wagyu leather produced by the artisans of Kyoto Leather, and a Japanese non-stretch denim created by the renowned Kaihara Denim Mill in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. Price is set at $75,500. Zenith / Naoya Hida & Co.
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