The Crown Jewel: The ZRC Grands Fonds
When people talk about vintage ZRC, they are almost always referring to the Grands Fonds (French for "Great Depths") model, first introduced in the early 1960s.
1. The Defining Feature: The "Turtle Case" and Reversed Crown
The ZRC Grands Fonds is instantly recognizable due to its revolutionary case design.
· The "Turtle Case": The case back is not flat; it's a large, domed, and sculpted piece that curves dramatically to fit the wrist. This unique shape gives it the nickname "Turtle Case" among collectors. Its primary function was ergonomic—to provide extreme comfort and stability on the wrist, preventing it from spinning or catching on equipment.
· The Reversed Crown at 6 O'Clock: This is ZRC's masterstroke. By placing the winding crown on the bottom left side of the case (for right-handed wear), they completely eliminated the chance of the crown digging into the back of the hand. More importantly, it protected the crown from accidental impacts and ensured a perfect seal against the case, as water pressure would push the crown into the gasket, rather than trying to force it out. This required a specially designed case with an internal tunnel for the crown stem.
2. Historical Context and Military Pedigree
ZRC's design wasn't just for show; it was born from professional need.
· French Combat Divers: The ZRC Grands Fonds was officially adopted and issued to the legendary French Combat Divers (Nageurs de Combat) of the French Navy, notably the Commando Hubert unit. This elite military pedigree is a huge part of its appeal and authenticity.
· Rigorous Testing: The watch was built to withstand the demands of military use. Early advertisements and military documents highlight its testing to depths of 300 meters (and later 500 meters), which was exceptional for the era.
· A Tool Watch in the Truest Sense: Every aspect of the Grands Fonds was designed for function: the highly legible dial, the robust bidirectional bezel (often with a prominent grip), the screw-down case back, and the ultra-comfortable case.
3. Key Characteristics and Evolution
Vintage Grands Fonds models can be categorized by their era:
A. Early Models (c. 1963 - Late 1960s)
· Reference: Often known as the Type 1 or "No Feet" model.
· Bracelet: The most iconic feature is the integrated ladder-style bracelet that seamlessly integrates with the turtle case. The early versions had bracelets that attached directly to the case without visible "feet" or end-links.
· Dial: Typically black with tritium markers, often with the text "ZRC" and "GRANDS FONDS." The "ZRC" logo was usually applied.
· Bezel: Often a serrated, bidirectional bezel without a pip.
B. Later Models (Late 1960s - 1970s)
· Reference: Often called the Type 2 or "With Feet" model.
· Bracelet: The design evolved to include visible end-links or "feet" that the ladder bracelet attached to. This made the bracelet more versatile but less visually seamless.
· Dial: Similar to early models, but you might find "500m" added to the dial text.
· Caseback: Often featured engravings of the Commando Hubert insignia (a swimming frog holding a dagger) and the text "Nageurs de Combat Commando Hubert."
C. The "Spatiale" (Space) Model
A rarer variant featured a gradated blue "ombré" dial, often referred to as the "Spatiale." This is highly sought after by collectors due to its unique and beautiful appearance.
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Summary
A vintage ZRC Grands Fonds is more than just a watch; it's a piece of French military history. It represents a brilliant, no-compromise solution to a specific professional problem. Its radical design, elite military connection, and relative rarity make it a grail for serious dive watch collectors who appreciate engineering and history over brand recognition.
For anyone interested in the "big three" of quirky, purpose-built vintage divers (alongside the Rolex Sea-Dweller and Omega Ploprof), the ZRC Grands Fonds is an essential and arguably the most ergonomic of them all.
Monday, July 03, 2017
Vintage ZRC series 3
Lately, I have been asking myself what should be my focus. Given the high prices of vintage Rolex sports models, it does not make sense to buy them at such prices any more. As such, I have decided to collect some small micro brands with history as my core collection and the ZRC is my current focus as I love the design and the diving history it has with the French divers.
This is a vintage ZRC series with date in leather strap from one of my regular dealer from France. The overall condition is quite nice with clean dial and a relatively clean bezel as well as many of the bezels tended to have scratches owing to usage. This watch will fit nicely with my small ZRC collection consisting of the ZRC Spartiale, ZRC series 2 and another series 3 without date. Given the rarity of the ZRC, I couldn't resist getting this. Just wondering if I should get a bracelet to upgrade it as a project or leave it as it is?
This shall be my last watch for the year unless I can sell off some watches.
This shall be my last watch for the year unless I can sell off some watches.
Monday, May 29, 2017
Vintage ZRC dive watches journey
I have started to collect the rare ZRC vintage Diver watches one year ago with the first with the ZRC Spartiale 300, as a reward. The vintage ZRC is a cult brand and the hunting for it has been a tough one as not many vintage watches are out there for sale. Many collectors tended to hold on to them as the distribution was limited to France in the past.
Moreover, these are the tool watches used by professional divers, not many are available to people who are non divers. These were sold in the professional diving equipment companies and therefore has limited circulation. In addition, as a result of its small circulation, be prepared that the parts such as the hands, bezels etc may have been switched as the owners (Not collectors) then were not particular of the state of so called originality of the watch as long as it was usable and functioning. My ZRC Spartiale is a NOS in full original mint condition while my series 2 had the hands changed. As a vintage watch collector, I am fine with these changes as if anyone wants all perfect watch should get a re-issued ZRC instead. One way is try to find NOS spare parts for them, which is a fun and challenging project.
Moreover, these are the tool watches used by professional divers, not many are available to people who are non divers. These were sold in the professional diving equipment companies and therefore has limited circulation. In addition, as a result of its small circulation, be prepared that the parts such as the hands, bezels etc may have been switched as the owners (Not collectors) then were not particular of the state of so called originality of the watch as long as it was usable and functioning. My ZRC Spartiale is a NOS in full original mint condition while my series 2 had the hands changed. As a vintage watch collector, I am fine with these changes as if anyone wants all perfect watch should get a re-issued ZRC instead. One way is try to find NOS spare parts for them, which is a fun and challenging project.
Later, I have managed to find the ZRC Series 2 from France.
Thursday, June 01, 2017
Z.R.C. étanche grands fonds series 2
The vintage ZRC was a niche micro tool watch brand from the 1960s. I was fascinated by its history and I have been looking for the etanche grands fonds watch series 2 for a long time. After searching for more the a year, I have finally found one from France. This is one of my favorite watches as at one stage, I was even contemplating of getting the reissued version. Lucky, I have waited.
This is a series two with the much desired dotted Bakelite bezel and larger hour and minute hands. Among the plethora of "diver's watches" this ZRC has the unique design features of having luminous dotted bezels, extra large hands and winding crown at the 6 o'clock position and is a definitely a refreshing alternative to the Submariner and its legion of clones and derivatives.
This is a series two with the much desired dotted Bakelite bezel and larger hour and minute hands. Among the plethora of "diver's watches" this ZRC has the unique design features of having luminous dotted bezels, extra large hands and winding crown at the 6 o'clock position and is a definitely a refreshing alternative to the Submariner and its legion of clones and derivatives.
As a small tool watch brand, I see there are variations in the hands.
The photos of the nice ZRC from the net seconds hands look similar to mine
http://militarywatch.over-blog.com/pages/Vintage_divers_watches-5284026.html
The watch model and design looks like the second one form the left:
Source: http://forumamontres.forumactif.com/t151433p30-resurrection-zrc-grands-fonds
https://monochrome-watches.com/cousteau-and-the-timepieces-of-the-calypso-team-part-2/
http://monochrome-watches.com/cousteau-and-the-timepieces-of-the-calypso-team-part-3/
Photo below showing the Re-edition:
http://houseofchronos.com/brands/adventure-gives-rise-revolutionary-product-zrc-grands-fonds-300/
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Vintage Le Jour ZRC 300 diver watch
I love the vintage ZRC watches and I have just found a rare LeJour branded ZRC 300 divers watch for the American market. ZRC has a strong following for french and diving watch fans. What makes this reference so desirable is the beautiful sunburst dial, this one being in excellent condition with perfectly matching patina on the dial and hands. Combine that will an all red day/date wheel and a faded two tone bezel and this makes for one uncommon, stunning vintage tool watch. I have always love restoring watches and I am now waiting for the watch to arrive and install a NOS bezel for it to bring it back to its previous glory.
I have already owned a ZRC spartaile but there are several differences:
The Day is in English while the other one is in French.
This one is named LeJour while the other is ZRC Spartiale
One is with 17 jewels and another 25 jewels
One more unique feature is that there is a spelling mistakes for this as it is spelled Self "Wimding", instead of Winding.
In addition, look at the advant garde design for its watch case, which makes it a timeless beauty. The constructions adhere to the principle of Forms follows Function and these are tools watches made for diving and very few of these watches were made and it took me years to find another piece.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Restoration Project 3: NOS Bezel Ring for ZRC series 3
My earlier ZRC series 3 is in good condition except for the used and aged ZRC bezel insert. Actually, it looks quite alright for a tool watch used for diving.
I was surfing and looking through the instagram and came across a rare NOS bezel for my ZRC from Switzerland. As the ZRC watch is quite rare plus it is not easy to find a NOS spare part for the ZRC, I have decided to to upgrade the watch with original part to bring it to its former glory. One of my hobby is to find original parts of vintage watches and upgrade them. Next is to look for a set of NOS hands...
After installing the NOS bezel and NOS hands
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
ZRC variations
ZRC variations
Photos from the net. Recent addict...😊 ZRC diver watches were sold at diving shops and these are real tools watch used by divers. As a result, many ZRC bezels and parts get changed in the life of the watch, which add history and colors to the watch. Not your usual watch bought from watch boutiques..
Photos from the Internet
My ZRC
Friday, September 16, 2016
ZRC Diver watches
Vintage ZRC diver watches
These French diver watches were made famous by Jacques-Yves Cousteau ; commonly known in English as Jacques Cousteau & his team of divers. He was a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. He co-developed the Aqua-lung, pioneered marine conservation and was a member of the Académie française.
Cousteau described his underwater world research in a series of books, perhaps the most successful being his first book, The Silent World: A Story of Undersea Discovery and Adventure, published in 1953. Cousteau also directed films, most notably the documentary adaptation of the book, The Silent World, which won a Palme d'or at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. Besides the ZRC, there are many other interesting diving watches worn by the team
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
NOS Bezel for ZRC
I have traded my rare ZRC hands for a NOS ZRC bezel in preparation for the coming ZRC Spartiale diver watch. Finding spare parts is always a challenge.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Z.R.C. étanche grands fonds series 2 part 2
Z.R.C. étanche grands fonds series 2 part 2
https://moonphase.fr/le-retour-de-la-zrc-grand-fond-marine-nationale-la-montre-des-hommes-du-commando-hubert/
Buying vintage watches is like forced saving for me. I take it as my little investment for the future. This is another all original Z.R.C. étanche grands fonds series 2 from Belgium. I was having a long negotiation with the collector and finally succeeded in an agreement. I believe Keith will like this watch when he starts to work after his University as this watch has its own character. As a small tool watch brand, it has the innovation of its time as well as form follows function. It will be nice when father and son can wear the same design watch! : )
https://moonphase.fr/le-retour-de-la-zrc-grand-fond-marine-nationale-la-montre-des-hommes-du-commando-hubert/
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