The brand pursues its adventure as it celebrates its 120th anniversary with the launch of a new collection of versatile timepieces boasting really alluring features.

The first two Securicode Diver300 watches, vintage-looking, up-to-the-minute reinterpretations infused with the stylistics of the first timepiece produced in 1958, stand out as affordable items for entering ZRC‘s marine-themed world. Both have been imagined around a 316L steel case, waterproof to depths of 300 meters thanks in particular to the programmed deformation caseback. Their solid guilloché-engraved brass dial takes on black and navy blue hues. Time data can be read in a flash under any conditions of light in this ocean-colored backdrop. The Magnum-type hands and “lollipop” direct-drive, all covered with beige or green Super-LumiNova^® depending on the version chosen, hover over an hour chapter comprising stylized teardrop-and-dot markers fringed by a flange adorned with a minute scale.

All the data is driven by a Sellita SW-200-1 caliber, in its elaborate version. This selfwinding movement delivers a power reserve of at least 38 hours. Reference SC39163 is characterized by its unidirectional rotating bezel crafted in the same metal as its case and with its bracelet fashioned with extensible steel links that gift it with a resolutely retro-chic personality. The SC39208 is set apart with a date placed at 3 o’clock, its bezel boasting a black ceramic insert and its rubber strap. No matter which one you choose, these Securicode Diver300 models have got everything it takes to be your faithful friend throughout your day-to-day adventures.

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A watch may tell the time yet it also serves to promote an attitude, a style. And, this newcomer will dress up any wrist that wishes to stand out from the crowd.

The latest Grands Fonds collection has constantly turned on the charm since it was launched with its really savvy variations. With its GF 38 Heritage GF38213, ZRC succeeds once again, this time round with deliciously-vintage adornments. Ivory hues add a dash of dazzle to the deep black dial. They decorate the hour and minute hands, the Lollipop direct-drive, as well as the hour-chapter markers. This color also sets off the graduated scale of the unidirectional rotating bezel. In addition to the visual appeal of this staging, everything fulfills its wearer-practical role by delivering excellent time-data readability, even when it’s dark thanks to the use of powerful grade X1 Super-LumiNova^®.

Time data is driven ever-so accurately by the Sellita SW-200-1 caliber, in its sophisticated version. This selfwinding movement offers a power reserve of 38 hours. It nestles inside the iconic 39 mm-diameter, hexagonal mono-block, satin-brushed steel case, with its screwed crown sitting at 6 o’clock. Like all the references in this range, the case, tested to depths of 1,000 meters and boasting waterproofness to 300 meters undersea, is topped by a sapphire-crystal glassbox enhanced with yesteryear’s plexiglas curves. What’s more, to emphasize the GF 38 Heritage GF38213‘s resolutely-vintage personality and to center stage its versatility, this model is worn on a supple Milanese mesh-style metal bracelet. ZRC reminds us that Life is Adventure, so best thing to do is travel our paths every day in elegant style.

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Heading off the beaten track, be it near your home or on the other side of the planet, is a mindset. Thanks to this new watch, you can enjoy it on a daily basis, on land and out at sea.

ZRC, in keeping with its motto “Life is Adventure”, supports expeditions initiated by enthusiasts around the globe. With its GF41208SO reference, the brand champions Back to Campana led by Frenchman Frédéric Presles. His goal? To follow the itinerary taken by La Delphine, a ship that sunk in 1840 on the desert island of Campana. To reach this hostile land, his crew set sail from Chiloé Island then pursued its route between the Furious Fifties and the Roaring Forties, along the Chilean Patagonia Coast, then navigated without any instruments, without seabed mapping to rediscover the fauna and flora of this geography that had been forgotten since 1840. The GF 300 1964 Spirit South Adventure stands out with its tropicalized dial boasting gradient-toned sepia hues reminiscent of those on a map of buried treasure.

To tackle the harshness of the weather conditions encountered, every detail was imagined to optimize the watch’s sturdiness. In a nutshell, its 41.5 mm mono-block case and its crown at 6 o’clock feature outstanding waterproofness to depths of 1,000 meters. Time data is driven by the Sellita SW-200-1 caliber, in its advanced version. This Swiss Made selfwinding mechanical movement, beating at a standard frequency of 28,800 vibrations an hour (4 Hz), delivers a power reserve of at least 38 hours. And, just like all the Grands Fonds, this model, rolled out in just 100 pieces, embraces the brand’s latest innovations.

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Since 2015, ZRC has left its mark on the watchmaking landscape. How would you assess these years of growth?

The results are beyond positive. In 2015, ZRC rose from the ashes like a Phoenix. Since then, the brand has become firmly established in France through 50 exclusive partnerships established with the best watchmakers in the country. Growth remains extremely consistent. Despite social unrest and the health crisis, the future holds great promise, especially as the brand approaches its 120th anniversary in 2024, when a new historical model signed ZRC will be launched.

What are your upcoming areas of development?

ZRC needs to clearly target the European market in the same way as it positioned itself in France and Switzerland. Italy, Germany, England, and Spain are key markets that we cannot ignore. Unfortunately, two years of COVID considerably slowed down our efforts to expand the brand. We also need to come up with a more “democratic” model than the emblematic Grands Fonds MN64 with its crown at 6 o’clock in order to seduce a wider public.

ZRC watches are becoming more colorful. What’s behind this aesthetic shift?

As a matter of fact, as early as 1969, the release of the Spatiale ZRC had already explored colored dials and bezels. This represents a logical continuation of proposing color palettes in order to revitalize the collections and especially to break away from the eternal black dial! Without necessarily succumbing to the canons of “fashion at any price” we would prefer to be subtle, by adding a touch of color to both the dials and the wristbands.

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Beyond is the sole frontier. That which impels people to explore. After backing Alban Michon on the ice floe in 2018, ZRC headed out again at the end of last year to support the Return to Campana (1840-2022) challenge led by Frenchman Frédéric Presles. The objective? Follow the route of La Delphine, a vessel that was shipwrecked in 1840 on the deserted island of Campana. To reach this hostile territory, his team departed from Chiloé Island, between the Howling Fifties and the Roaring Forties, along the coast of Chilean Patagonia, then navigated without instruments or seabed maps in order to rediscover the fauna and flora of a geography long forgotten since 1840. Without instruments? Almost, actually, the explorers wore a GF41208SO watch on their wrists that was designed for this challenge.

With its tropicalized dial in sepia tones, this timepiece from the 1964 Spirit collection has the look of a treasure map. To withstand the rigors of the harshest weather conditions, every detail was designed to optimize the ruggedness of the watch. Thus, the monobloc case provides increased water resistance to a depth of 1,000 meters. Available in a limited edition of only 100 pieces, the GF41208SO incorporates all the technical features inherent in the original model’s inspired line. It also offers all the new features present since 2015: unidirectional rotating bezel in steel with ceramic insert, Easy Clean System^TM, and Crown Protect System^TM. Together with excellent legibility of the temporal data, this watch is ready for any adventure.

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One approaches the heights, the other the depths. And yet, they both enter into a symbiotic relationship with the same element: water. For Catalin Preda, a permanent member of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, the aerial ballet has to be excellent every time. In Paris as well as in Mostar in 2022, he took the Cliff Diving win with the highest score ever achieved in competition. From his diving platform situated 27 meters above sea level, his vision of the world differs significantly, as does his notion of time. Each dive requires flawless timing. In a matter of seconds, the figures unfold fluidly one after another. Having started competing at the age of 7, he is now taking high altitude diving to its most demanding level. Throughout the 2023 season, he will have ZRC at his side, with whom he shares the same values – exacting standards and the quest for perfection.

The Romanian diver joins Stephane Tourreau. Born in the foothills of the Alps, he never resists the call of the Big Blue. The Frenchman became in 2016 vice world champion in constant weight mono-fin. He dove down to a depth of -111m during the World Cup Vertical Blue organized in the Bahamas in 2021. Being one with the marine environment, ZRC shares this passion with freedivers. Since 2015, the Geneva-based brand has thus backed all his efforts by equipping him with diving watches capable of withstanding the extreme pressures encountered at great depths. A shot of pure adrenaline for one, a seamless exploration of a fascinating undersea world for the other. With ZRC, life becomes an adventure, with challenge as the only horizon.

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With this new incarnation in the Marine Nationale 64 collection, ZRC delivers a purely dynamic take on its iconic all-purpose watch. The Grands Fonds 300 MN 64 Tangerine pairs an orange dial with a comfortable matching rubber wristband. The colorful attributes of this seductive combination stimulate the senses, energizing the personality of the timepiece. The GF41199 invigorates the owner’s overall style on all occasions with its warm hues and chic attitude. On the strength of its elegant design and exemplary finish, the Grands Fonds becomes the ideal companion for a daily life free of all convention. Life is all about adventure!

As with all the MN 64 line references, this model features excellent legibility and technical improvements developed and patented by ZRC. The unidirectional rotating steel bezel with its ceramic insert is equipped with the Easy Clean System^TM, enabling the removal of salt crystals. Thanks to the Crown Protection System^TM, the wristband cannot be closed unless the crown is fully screwed in. Meanwhile, the hour and minute hands, as well as the “lollipop” type second hand, are all coated with Super-Luminova^® and are precisely driven by the Sellita SW-200-1 caliber in its highly developed version. In keeping with all ZRC watches, the GF41199 incorporates the latest research on programmed material deformation. Thus, its emblematic steel hexagonal case, 41.5mm in diameter, offers increased water resistance to a depth of 300 meters, guaranteed by tests conducted down to -1,500 meters. The very best of technique and style are on display!

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Since June 2015, more than 9,000 dives were made in the waters of the Big Blue, offering professional and amateur divers from all walks of life the opportunity to test ZRC watches under actual conditions. Located on the Var coast in France, the Lavandou Diving Club, run by Laurent and Frank Augustin – CMAS 3-star level instructors, has thus become the brand’s primary Dive Test Center. On average, 900 underwater excursions are made each year involving the five watches supplied to the club, at depths of between 30 and 60 meters in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea renowned worldwide for its biodiversity, with each entrusted model returning to its natural environment. Instructors and club clients can strap on a watch of their choice over their neoprene wetsuit, from the Grands Fonds 300 collection. They can also test a GF 3000 able to withstand extreme pressure or even the brand new GF 38 Heritage. They are then able to assess the degree of comfort, the level of legibility, as well as the various functionalities.

Upon returning from a dive in the Port-Cros National Park, a change of scenery takes place. Here, these lovers of underwater explorations and beautiful watchmaking get together for an evening to appreciate the models tested in situ on the dive. In this relaxed setting, a ZRC watch is worn the same way one would expect on a daily basis. More than simply a dive club, the ZRC Dive Test Center provides a place for the general public to meet and exchange ideas with experienced users, whether or not they are diving professionals.

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While capable of handling extreme depths, the GF 3000 Titanium collection also brings a touch of elegance to dry land. To deliver such versatility, ZRC skillfully blends contemporary appeal with the original design specific to the Geneva-based brand and the excellence of its diving watch expertise. As a result, the new GF50699 stands out with a refined combination of colors. On its intense black dial, the numbers 3, 6, and 9 stand out in orange for optimal readability. This same vibrant color enhances the Magnum-type minute hand. The overall look is further accentuated by the luminous contribution of the unidirectional bezel with its black glossy ceramic insert. With its fresh, sporty look, this model with its decidedly chic appeal can be worn over a thick neoprene wetsuit just as well as with a casual outfit in town.

Underneath this seductive scenography lies a genuine tool capable of handling all underwater excursions. Light and robust, its 42mm diameter grade 2 titanium case is equipped with a 5mm domed sapphire crystal and an armored 316L steel caseback. This strongbox is perfected thanks to the advanced studies in the programmed deformation of material and without helium valve, offering exceptional waterproofness. It is guaranteed to be watertight to a depth of 3,000 meters after tests carried out at a depth of less than 5,000 meters! At its heart, an elaborate Sellita SW200-1 automatic caliber precisely orchestrates the time data. Life is all about adventures. Simply choose yours!

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For the first time, the Geneva-based brand is introducing a navy blue dial together with a two-tone bezel. This colorful modification adds vitality to the sporty-chic look of the new GF38 Heritage reference.

As the third major timepiece in the GF 38 Heritage collection, ZRC is stirring up emotion with a strikingly attractive look. Inspired down to the last detail by the models of the late 1960s and early 70s, the watch combines a unidirectional, black and red bezel with a magnetic blue dial. In this delightful setting, the GF38293 firmly enhances its intrinsic qualities. All of the line’s distinctive elements can be found on this watch, such as the “lollipop” second hand as well as the hour and minute hands coated with Super-Luminova® grade X1. A date window at 3 o’clock completes the time information.

The emblematic hexagonal monoblock case in satin finished steel measuring 39mm in diameter, topped by a glass box sapphire crystal featuring the curvature of the Plexiglas of yesteryear, incorporates an elaborate Sellita SW200-1 automatic caliber offering 38 hours of power reserve. The watch is worn on a metal wristband that can easily be replaced by either a rubber or fabric alternative. As with all the references in this collection, tested at 1,000 meters below sea level, this eye-catching watch is guaranteed water-resistant down to a depth of 300 meters. Versatile by nature, the GF38293 also benefits, as did its predecessors, from the research carried out on programmed material deformation technologies. As the ZRC motto reminds us, life is an adventure. Might as well be properly accompanied!

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With their versatile diameter and vintage look, these Grands Fonds are the perfect choice for men and women of action in their dynamic lives, both at sea and on land.

The ZRC adventure continues with another exciting season. On the agenda: two models conceived to pay homage in every detail to the design of the historical models developed for the French Navy in the 1960s! The 316L steel one-piece case of the Grands Fonds S2 (GF38163) and S3 (GF38263) has a diameter of 39mm that is smaller than that of current diving watches. Nevertheless, we find the signature 6-sided shape and the crown located at 6 o’clock. On the dials, the Magnum-type hour and minute hands and the indispensable “lollipop” second hand point, depending on the references, to an hour circle composed of four cardinal numerals and elongated hour markers, or to a precise minute track. Similarly, their bezel distinguishes itself by the presence of circles embedded in the ceramic or a 60-minute aluminum graduated scale. A date at 3 o’clock further graces the Grands Fonds S3. Whichever model is selected, a sapphire glass box with the curvature of the Plexiglas of yesteryear tops off these ultra-readable arrangements.

Like all other ZRC watches, the Réédition 38 benefit from research into programmed material deformation technologies. The case, waterproof down to a depth of 300 meters, effectively protects the Sellita SW200-1 self-winding caliber in its advanced version. For added versatility, the GF38163 or the sporty-chic look of the GF38263, ZRC combines them with a steel wristband identical to the original, yet now effortlessly interchangeable. The depths can also be explored in style.

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With its ever-so daring colored personality, its unusual design and its high-tech talents, this monochrome variation rubs shoulders with the abyss and dry land with style.

Given its total black look, reference GF50678 from the GF3000 Titanium collection definitely stands out from the crowd! Reading time data on its 42 mm-diameter DLC-coated titanium case is child’s play thanks to the use of blue Super-Luminova® that dresses the numerals, indexes and hands. And, like all ZRC-imagined divers, this model boasts the latest innovations, fruit of advanced studies carried out on the programmed deformation of materials to ensure compromise-free waterproofness down to depths of 3,000 meters.

This timepiece is also equipped with the Easy Clean System (ECS^TM). This system rolls out an effective rinsing solution inside the unidirectional rotating bezel after a dive. It ensures salt crystals, which can prevent the bezel from working correctly, aren’t formed. Your underwater explorations are perfectly safe thanks to the Crown Protection System^TM. The comfortable rubber strap can’t be clasped if the crown set at 6 o’clock isn’t totally screwed. With its adjustable clasp, the strap also boosts the watch’s optimized wearer-friendliness. Its design means the sporty-chic-looking GF50678 can be worn anytime, anywhere. Like all the brand’s watches, the hour and minute hands as well as the “lollipop”-type direct-drive are driven by the Sellita SW200-1 caliber, which offers a power reserve of 38 hours.

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Its exclusive style and the quality of its craftsmanship make it wonderfully appealing.

“Passion delivers compelling arguments for overcoming obstacles”. This quote from French businessman Antoine Riboud (1918-2002) has in all likelihood driven a whole generation of entrepreneurs. Georges Brunet is one of them. When he joined the 1904-created family-run firm in 1997, the company hadn’t produced any timepieces since the 1980s. However, amongst ZRC’s creations, a phoenix was waiting to rise, the Grands Fonds. This dive watch, imagined back in 1964, met the requirements of the French National Navy’s specifications. It was resistant and reliable and would accompany clearance divers for two decades. The brand’s 111^th anniversary provided him with the opportunity to give it a new lease of life with a limited edition that reiterated the philosophy of the original model and was enhanced with shrewdly-chosen innovations. The strength of the piece’s one-of-a-kind design, hexagonal case and crown at 6 o’clock, added the final touch to the watch’s success.

Since then, ZRC has relaunched its production and is forever expanding its catalogue. La Grands Fonds 300 is proposed in a wide array of dial colours. It has also been joined by the GF3000 Titanium, the only watch without a helium escape valve that’s waterproof to depths of 5,000 m. Most of the development focused on programmed deformation of materials. Basically, titanium, the caseback’s steel armour, the sapphire crystal and ceramic don’t behave in the same way under pressure or under temperature variations. It took the Swiss firm nearly 18 months of research to finetune this delicate assembly. These upgrades were then incorporated in the latest GF300 generations. All the 41XXX references boast them and embrace the collection’s technical particularities. We discover the Crown Protection System^TM, which prevents the strap from being attached and closed if the crown isn’t screwed correctly. The Easy Clean System^TM that effectively prevents salt from crystallizing between the bezel and its mount. The addition of a ceramic insert makes it even more efficient. User-friendliness has also been optimized. The unidirectional bezel is aligned with the inner side of the case chamfering to ensure it isn’t unintentionally turned. The Super-LumiNova®-coated Magnum-style hands are combined with a “lollipop” direct-drive. The automatic Sellita SW200-2 calibre in its sophisticated version drives, depending on the variations, a date set at 3 o’clock. Its exclusive style and the quality of its craftsmanship make the GF300 wonderfully appealing. Whether it’s under the oceans or on firm ground!

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This model, whose style is inspired by div watches of yesteryear, boasts the latest innovations developed in-house by the Swiss brand to ramp up its sturdiness when immersed in ocean depths.

ZRC meets all the expectations of vintage dive watch aficionados with this novel 2021 edition. With its details, the Grands Fonds 300 GF 41218 perpetuates the philosophy of the 1964 Spirit model. As such, on its brown-hued dial, the beige glows of the “Old radium” luminescent material set off the Magnum-type hands, the hour chapter indexes and the rounded markers placed on the unidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel featuring the ECS^TM system and the crown equipped with the Crown Protection System^TM, have been adjusted to ensure optimal grip. The incredibly 60s style of this reference is enhanced even more through the presence of a “lollipop” direct-drive adorned with a red tip. A date aperture at 3 o’clock completes the time data.

Although the lines of the iconic steel case, now flaunting a 40.5 mm diameter, haven’t changed, the timepiece embraces all the most up-to-the-minute developments such as the consolidation of its caseback with a clamp ring. The case therefore protects the Sellita SW200-1 caliber in its sophisticated version perfectly. This Swiss Made selfwinding mechanical movement, beating at a standard frequency of 28,800 vibrations an hour, delivers a power reserve of at least 38 hours.

To be totally in tune with our times geared to exploration yet wishing to pursue its attachment to elegant style, the Grands Fonds GF 41218 comes complete with a textile strap whose pattern somewhat conjures up the traditional NATO design. The novel screw system offers the wearer the opportunity to swop straps ever-so easily.

Price: CHF2,790 zrc1904.ch

By Dan Diaconu

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