Besides when you’re a hardcore dive watch fanatic, ZRC may not instantly ring a bell. And but, it’s a slightly necessary identify for divers, significantly in France. An outdated firm that when created a look ahead to the French Navy and delivered them for an excellent 35 years, the entire idea was introduced again to life in 2014, and particularly the slightly peculiar Grands Fonds watch. Just lately, our resident diver and dive watch geek Derek took the top-of-the-line, modernised ZRC Grands Fonds Heterium for a take a look at, and this could positively be an article to learn earlier than persevering with this story. As we’re now about to introduce the model’s newest creation, the ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke.
Whereas the watch we examined a few months in the past, in Floridian waters, was the bigger, extra fashionable version of the Grands Fonds, the watch we’re taking a look at in the present day is a part of the Heritage assortment. And whereas specs-wise this doesn’t change a lot to the general capabilities to go deep underwater, there are some notable modifications a for the design and proportions. As you’ve guessed by the identify, this Heritage mannequin will get nearer to the unique Nineteen Sixties Grands Fonds fashions, respecting as a lot as potential the model and form of this area of interest hidden gem of French army watchmaking.
As such, the ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke is housed in a barely smaller hexagonal case that measures 39mm in diameter, with an total thickness of roughly 14mm. There’s no mistaken the GF for one more watch, largely attributable to its crown configuration, which is positioned at 6 o’clock, withing an articulated module that acts as a safety towards shocks and makes certain the screw-down crown can’t be operated as soon as the watch is strapped across the wrist – one thing Derek defined in his article. Despite the fact that vintage-oriented, it retains a stable 300m water-resistance (minimal assured, as ZRC claims exams at 1,500m) and a 3mm cambered sapphire crystal.
Transferring right down to the brand new components of design, the undirectional bezel, with its uncommon diving scale composed of luminous dots, is fabricated from black ceramic with the lume plots rendered in classic eggshells SLN. The case is fabricated from stainless-steel – stated to be anti-magnetic – and features a caseback with programmed deformation.
The primary novelty within the context of this Smoke mannequin is the dial, which comes with a so-called tropicalised color scheme. A gradient impact is right here mixed to a light-weight brown color that modifications in direction of nearly black on the periphery. Basic printed markers and numerals are achieved in white, paired with patina-like luminous dots inside the centre of the dial. Lastly, outsized pencil palms – a signature of the model – and a lollipop seconds hand point out the time, once more with a considerable amount of SLN. This classic look is bolstered by an FKM tropic rubber strap in sand color.
Contained in the case is a traditional motion, the Sellita SW200-1 (a substitute for the ETA 2824) that’s been adjusted to +/-7 seconds/day. The remainder of the specs are identified: 4Hz frequency, HMS show with stop-seconds and 41h energy reserve.
Obtainable as a part of the everlasting assortment, this characterful storied dive watch retails for CHF 3,090. For extra particulars concerning the ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke, seek the advice of zrc1904.com.
