Watch given to me by my wife for the birth of our son in 2008.

I had hesitated for a long time with the blue version and since my father-in-law had it I didn't particularly want to have the same one as him, but I was especially afraid of getting tired of it, regretfully because it's still not the same as James Bond's.

It's really beautiful, I find it very versatile both in sports mode and well dressed for an event, a very comfortable, reliable and functional chic sports model.

I wear it quite often because it's a perfect diver, quite thin because it's a quartz version, top lume, superb wavy dial, domed sapphire and approved by Bond.



The 007 watch in black version

Watch given in 2000 by my wife 25 years ago and still functional.
I wore it frequently for almost 8 years but since then it has been stored in my watch box and it very rarely returns to my wrist.
At the time I loved wearing red in my outfits, so it seemed obvious to have a watch of this wrist color.
It is an unpretentious watch, it is fun with its flashy red dial color, always precise and very practical with its chronograph.
It will always remain in my collection because sentimentally irreplaceable.

The first in my collection

A fundamental piece in my collection now. Acquired recently second-hand, it was necessary to take a financial step for this GF Black Phantom from 2016 but I could not know the disappointment because its design had really marked me several years ago.
Original and sober at the same time, this black monochrome version gives it an elegant and stealthy side as well.
I love it!!

A GREAT FOND..AMENTALE

Being a diver and wanting to acquire a diver's watch, I naturally turned to the emblematic models of several brands. Having bought it without trying it on, I was initially surprised and in doubt as to its diameter (36), it is ultimately the watch that I wear most often.

An experience in its own right

A bit of poetry with this superb SBGE305 whose dial is inspired by the Hotaka mountain!
Beyond poetry, this dial is just incredible and goes from sunburst red to matte burgundy in the blink of an eye.
In addition to that, proportions for a diver that suit my chicken wrist and above all a well-respected balance.
The movement is not left out with the famous Spring drive of the Japanese house.
And yes, Grand Seiko also knows how to make sports watches!

GMT in Japanese style!

I feel a certain peace of mind in owning my Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. It is a faithful ally in everyday adventures and life's unexpected events, during which it never lets me down! (And vice versa!)
Its robustness is no longer in doubt. Although it takes care of my diver, it sometimes happens to face here and there corners of furniture, rocks, my wife's rings and roughness of everyday life, which it continues to overcome with valour. The quality of the sapphire crystal makes it almost scratchproof, while its deep and captivating black dial (to the depths of the abyss?) contrasts with the clear and luminous character of the indexes. Visibility is excellent. When I think about it a little, I almost see an explosion of fireworks in the dark night, or the light of an anglerfish of the abyss! I like its deep character, without the waves of the very latest versions that I find less successful. After all, don't they say "Less is more"?
The date window at 3 o'clock (in black) fits very well into the dial without distorting its harmony. The skeleton sword hands are particularly easy to read and pleasant to look at, while the vermeil tip of the second hand recalls the "Seamaster" applique on the dial: the primary contrast "black / white / red" is all the simpler and more striking. We find circles, triangles (end of the minute hand) and rectangles in an ode to geometry.
The shape of the wave bezel reminds me of a ship's helm, it is both precise and handy, perfect for measuring a time interval to the nearest minute. The robustness of the case and the complementarity of the bezel / date functions make this Seamaster Diver 300M a particularly practical watch for everyday use. Its 41 mm diameter (47 mm lug to lug) could make it seem sturdy, but it is not. In reality, it fits very well on an average wrist, the work on the curvature of the lugs and the birth of the bracelet make it much less thick than it seems. Its thickness of 13 mm allows it to slip easily under a shirt sleeve or a sweater.
It fits very well with its original steel deployant bracelet that I would describe as very well made and of rare comfort. Its diving extension allows it to be put on or taken off quickly and easily, and this is far from being anecdotal for those who have wide hands. Its passage on a NATO bracelet immediately gives it a very good maritime and summery side, and it obviously takes without problem a swim in the Pacific, a dive in the Mediterranean or simple lengths in a swimming pool.
Its stylistic adaptability allows it to evolve in different casual, smart-casual and business-casual clothing styles... Even business formal for the most daring of those who would like to break the codes like 007! (Although I personally wouldn't risk it, out of respect for the codes of masculine elegance. Not everyone can be James Bond...) 
Unless you wear a full suit all week, it's an incredible "daily". If I hesitate between several watches before starting my day, it's definitely the one that will be the lucky one of the day.
Its daily deviation is measured at +1 sec/day to +2 sec/day, for a monthly deviation of less than a minute. A largely tolerable drift, the time adjustment can thus be carried out every two months (or even 3 months after July/August/September) with the date reset to 1. The Seamaster Diver 300M is striking in my eyes, in an explosion of simplicity (and not simplism) and emotion. It is a fantastic watch to wear every day.

Adjectives that qualify it: adaptable - readable - simple - practical

Diving into everyday life in complete decompression

I was looking for a beautiful all-purpose diver's watch that I could wear every day. So I went to a boutique in Paris known for its large selection and, after trying several, set my sights on this superb Ocean Star 600. Its magnificent, slightly sunray blue dial and its ceramic bezel complementing this dial in a very harmonious way seduced me right away, the COSC certification drove the point home, and hey presto, I kept it on my wrist! It is still imposing but ultimately fits very well on my 17 cm wrist which, thanks to a perfect finish of the case and an excellent quality bracelet with its mirror-polished links in the center, gives it an elegant look while remaining sporty. Concerning the precision, it is amazing, the drift is almost non-existent. The extreme water resistance of 60 ATM was not essential for me, 20 ATM would have been enough, the helium valve is useless for me, but the beauty likes to show her muscles and ultimately it is rather reassuring to know that she is not going to drown during a few serious swimming sessions. I did not find any negative point to this watch that I wear regularly.

She is imposing

This is the first complicated watch that I bought for myself when my first book came out. At the time, I didn't know much about watchmaking other than the most famous brands. I first thought about buying a skeletonized Tissot with manual winding, but I saw in the store that for the same price, I could have other complications in addition, such as the date and the moon phase. That's what made me fall for this Frederique Constant Classic Heart Beat Moonphase.

The case is made of yellow gold-plated steel. Its silver dial is decorated with a clous de Paris motif, an ornamentation obtained by guilloché that has the shape of pyramidal nail heads with small grooves between each nail. It is partially skeletonized with a round opening at 12 o'clock called "Heart Beat" and which allows, as its name suggests, to see the heartbeat of the watch. At 6 o'clock, there is a moon phase window. The indexes are equipped with printed Roman numerals and the hands are Breguet type, recognizable by their small eccentrically hollowed-out circles. The case back is open and allows you to see its rotor with Côtes de Genève finishes, a famous pattern composed of a series of wavy streaks. Finally, the strap is made of calfskin with crocodile pattern.

The strong point of this watch is its value for money. It is rare to see so many complications in this price range. Its vintage side is pleasant but can be a little old-fashioned. It is not a watch that can be worn on all occasions. On the negative side, I deplore the imprecision of the indexes. There is a circular railway but it does not correspond to the minutes. In addition, the inscription of the dates all around the dial as well as its pointer can be confused with the minutes.

specs:
Hours, minutes, seconds, date pointer, moon phase, Heart Beat

Diameter: 40 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Power reserve: 38 h
Year: 2017
Ref: FC-335MC4P5
Depth: 60 m


poetic neo-vintage

I find myself looking at my watch for long minutes, my beating heart is visible thanks to the openwork dial, the central guilloche is magnificent which gives depth to the dial. The hands are very beautiful, of the Breguet type (hands with a hollowed-out apple), the moon phase is also very well done.

The charm of the jigsaw

The OsterQuartz model 17014 is a treasure in several ways:
36mm. of white gold, the bezel shines brightly, fluted for connoisseurs, the 3 hands also in white gold, the small detail that changes everything to my taste, the rest, case, Jubilee bracelet and clasp are in steel, the shape of the avant-garde case, since already on the Rolex market in the 1930s, then 1940 under the names of Rolex Viceroy, then the Oyster Imperial, so the OysterQuartz with its 1977 design is a relatively young model in comparison.
Imagine the Rolex philosophy is totally respected from 1977 to 2002 years of production, its design has not changed, only a few details have arrived, such as the engravings on the flange (the crown at noon, Rolex, Rolex, Rolex, Rolex going all the way around the flange then the serial number at 6 o'clock).
The Luminova, replaced the tritium, and then that will be it. 
The OysterQuartz DateJuste is so incredible for me who swore only by mechanical movements with automatic winding or manual winding, and one day in an article I came across a model reference 17000 the simplest model, but by no means a low-end model, all Rolex are precious watches and all exceptional, then while searching, because it is not very easy to find this model, I came across a model that at first seemed dull to me, since the dial is black, but what class, on the wrist it is absolutely sublime, the settings are super simple. In short, the 5035 quartz movement is at the cutting edge of all points of view. Technologically, a 32KHz oscillator and a thermo-compensated quartz movement. For those who know the beast, it is the Holy Grail, for the others, explanation; This means that the watch is incredibly precise (crazy for 2024), because the quartz is kept at a constant temperature. In terms of finishing, you have to see it to believe it, but the Oysterquartz movement is finished like a mechanical movement, with Côte de Genève, perlage, and so on. It works with a battery that will be changed between 24 and 36 months, with the gaskets changed, for its water resistance, this little job is done at Rolex to be sure that the watch is and will remain 100% water resistant. 
If I had to convince some of the readers, I would simply say that it is a Rolex, brand connoisseurs will understand, the others too bad...!! 
But what an immeasurable pleasure to have the honor of owning such a model.

Comfort beyond the visual

Looking for a bronze watch at a reasonable price, I naturally turned to this aquascaphe
Beautifully engraved case back with a diver, we are in the codes of Baltic
Original chocolate color with a nice smoke especially in good weather
Crown easily handled with a crown protector
The patina is done very quickly in less than 15 days we go from gold to black quickly, don't panic ☺️
Two downsides the bracelet is not comfortable to avoid and the marks of the bracelet which are visible on the case back, a known problem at Baltic

Tanning yours - affordable price

Here is a watch that is inspired (at least its case) by the OP in 36mm. But it adds its share of history by also (and especially) drawing inspiration from the Smiths A454 used in the 50s during trans-Arctic expeditions. It takes up most of the dial with its Arabic numeral indices, superbly made and with the necessary photoluminescent material, and its blue syringe hands as well as the red second hand. The 36mm case was the challenge of this purchase: to validate a contained dimension on my 18cm wrist. And the challenge is successful as this watch is pleasant to wear while remaining very present. The case benefits from polished domed sides reminiscent of the OP of the famous brand with the crown of Bienne, brushed horns and a fully polished bezel: that's for the presence on the wrist. The cream-colored dial is very readable (super-luminova on the indices and hands, including the Lolli-pop second hand.
The dimensions: 36mm in diameter, 43.5mm high, 11.3mm thick, 20mm strap width.
The watch comes with a triple-link bracelet in a mix of Oyster/BB58 style with the most beautiful effect (it suits it perfectly) and a vintage suede leather with a buckle that is unfortunately too coarse.
The movement is a serious Miyota 9039, 100m waterproof, screw-down crown, 20000A/m anti-magnetism.
This is the watch I wear the most, proving that its small 36mm is more than enough. Other PRS-25s to come, so this one suits me!


PRS-25 Everest Expedition - 36mm

All the design of the Polerouter from Universal Genève in very trendy color variations!
The drip-feed production of TimeFactors in Sheffield delivers these little gems with serious characteristics: Miyota 9039 movement, antimagnetism of 20000A/m (or 250 Gauss, for a Polerouter you need at least that, but we are far from the 1000 Gauss of the eponymous Rolex), screw-down crown, 100m water resistance, dimensions well balanced on my 18cm wrist (38.5mm diameter, 20mm bracelet width, 46.75mm height, 12.3mm thickness). And what about the characteristic aesthetics of Gérald Genta's sublime model? This watch is superb, only the rice grain bracelet is a little too pompous for this watch, but it looks great on a good number of leather bracelets!
Its major flaw comes from the somewhat poor readability of its dial: the polished hands contrast poorly with the sunburst dial (at least in its sky blue version that I have). The absence of lume also confines this watch to a dress watch role, somewhat spoiling its adventurous origins.

Tribute to the Polerouter

Not particularly attracted by the models with integrated strap, this Direnzo DRZ04 Mondial v2 is nevertheless one of my favorite watches. We find the quality of the brand (the alternations of brushed and polished surfaces, this small chamfer clearly delineating the shape of the case), an original design with many details specific to the designer (the raised indices perfectly integrated into a dial with the particular shape of a hollow plate - brilliant). The thinness of the case (10.8mm) and its superb strap contribute to excellent comfort. Another superb achievement by its designer Sergio. 
The additional rubber strap transforms its classy personality into an elegant sports watch. 
I only regret having fallen for the Tiffany blue trend after hesitating for a long time with the yellow version, the latter making the Mondial even more exclusive!

Direnzo Mondial Tiffany blue

A superb diver with a neo-retro design combining perfect dimensions (40 in diameter, 48 from lug to lug, 20 in strap width, 12.5mm thick).
The dial uses the eclipse principle with the second hand running around the periphery of the inner circle and hiding the date at 6 o'clock. The flange is curved like a hollow plate, and the raised indices are perfectly finished. These white indices as well as the white markings on the bezel (both luminescent) contrast perfectly with the gray/black tones. The finish of the case is also of very good quality: the brushed sides stand out thanks to a polished chamfer with the most beautiful effect.
The "Oyster" type bracelet is also well finished and fits perfectly with the rest of the design.
The watch exudes a general quality well beyond its price while remaining very discreet. A success!

Beautiful neo-retro diver

A discovery of a micro brand that immerses us in the codes of vintage with a contained price
The hands and the dial and the gilt offer plunge us directly into the 60s
The bracelet with screws is easy for a small adjustment as well as 3 micro adjustments if necessary
The package provided is up to the mark pouch as well as tube provided to remove micro scratches on this hesalite glass
In short a great discovery
Screwed crown adjustment very easy to access compared to much more expensive watches

Diving into the past

I have owned this Baltic Aquascaphe for a year and a half now. I don't part with it anymore, I wear it daily and I am absolutely delighted with it. Its proportions are ideal and it is very robust and gives you confidence when you wear it daily.

I was seduced by its design and its proportions which are close to vintage divers with the bonus of the reliability of modern watches.

A good alternative when the budget cannot reach the big watchmaking houses.

The ideal toolwatch

The Michel Herbelin Odyssée is a quartz watch with a 3-hand date model. Its case measures 41mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 10 ATM. Its hexagonal bezel, integrated bracelet and visible screws remind us of a certain Royal Aok. Although it is not the most expensive and original watch in my collection, it is a watch that I wear regularly. Its bracelet is quite comfortable and the case is relatively thin. It sits rather well on the wrist.

Michel Herbelin Odyssey Reference 12230

One of the most successful dials at ROLEX defines this extraordinary diver, 44mm and 210gr on a mini wrist of 17.5mm, it's tough! Brutal and massive, but not only that, one of the most successful bracelets, thin before the arrival of its replacement 126660, too wide for my taste, this exceptional piece produced 4 years between 2014 and 2018, benefits from technological advances (the adjustment of its buckle, the depth to which it could accompany a dive, its robustness and its precision (the famous 3135 COSC)), it is a reference having lost its splendor with the 136660 (3rd generation of Deep-sea). It made me dream, it is super comfortable, readable and recognizable without its cyclops. A must!

Captivating!

After acquiring a ZRC GF41163 I am happy to present you a much more confidential model. My new ZRC GF300 GIGN 1000 meters —/50 . Family ties are respected but it is so different in the details. It is a primitive watch in modernity.
I let you dissect it…

adventurous diver in action

This Tool Watch is perfect on the deck of a sailboat and when fishing. Very light and thin, it is forgotten during maneuvers, but maintains excellent readability. It is noticed when the sleeves are rolled up, because it has a look. On the other hand, the anti-reflective coating of the glass is poor, it makes a lot of noise and it moves quite a bit. We forgive it for these few small defects, given its low price.

Light, very readable and perfectly waterproof watch.

I bought this watch in 2019 at a time when there were still a few models at A.D.
Pleasant to wear, like all Rolexes, I find it a little big. Although I have a wrist that can accept good-sized watches (18 cm), I prefer small watches. The ideal size for me is 36 mm.


Pretty Rolex with rhodium dial

This is a 16600 from 1995 in its N.O.S 'juice', a sober and efficient piece, a tool that has become a collector's item, all the characteristics of the Rolex family of divers with the 3135 in its box, a date without cyclops, a small size more on the 39 than the 40mm, about ten grams more than a Sub date (count 144g), a pleasure on the wrist, tritium indexes that have acquired a patina over time, pierced horns, an aluminum bezel, what charm!...

Hypnotic

The Deepsea Challenge is a collector's item representing what Rolex technically does best in terms of diving watches and yet it seems useless as it is disproportionate.
It is also a tribute to James Cameron's dive in 2012 when he went down alone to 10,898 meters deep in the Mariana Islands (Pacific) in the Deepsea Challenge, a 7m3 and 11T8 submarine with the support of Rolex which positioned on an arm, a Deepsea Challenge steel 12000 (2h36 of descent and after a few hours spent in the abyss to take some samples of the underwater nature, the ascent lasted 70mn) a solo record had just been set.
This commemorative piece released in November 2022 is made of grade 5 titanium for 250g compared to 211g for a 44mm Deepsea (which reduces its weight by 30% compared to the steel version used in 2012), this makes it the first piece produced by Rolex entirely in titanium, it is equipped with the mvt 3230 for 70 hours of power reserve, its diameter of 50mm makes it an extraordinary watch that is difficult to wear by ordinary mortals. As a collector, it is a real pleasure to own such a piece and to be able to compare it to the Sub, SD and deepsea.

Excess

Probably one of the most readable dials in the chronograph range offered by TUDOR, the sobriety of the indexes, the hands that stand out well, tritium generation, the date and the cyclops, the bidirectional Explo 2 type bezel, its ETA movement of formidable precision (when it is maintained and adjusted to perfection), a 30mn and 12hour chronograph. We are here with the so-called transitional generation, it follows the Big Block 94XXX and 79XXX marked Oysterdate and precedes the Princedate. We are therefore in 1995 with a Rolex winding crown and case back but the bracelet already has the Tudor logo and during 1998, this series will have adopted the Tudor logos on the crown and the case back before switching to a jubilee bracelet at the end of the decade. A historical piece in a contained 40mm size that is often associated with the Daytona, yet it is not the same case. Its weight is contained (135g) like a Sub. This piece is a treat for the eyes and for chrono enthusiasts like me.

OysterDate Chrono

I was looking for an elegant watch that could be worn daily regardless of the outfit. It blends into the decor without going unnoticed, it is simple but elegant. It is exactly what I needed. It may be comfortable to wear in hot weather because of its strap, but there are other alternatives.

Simple, effective

Sobriety, the warmth of titanium, its gold indexes, its anthracite dial and a COSC quality movement, here is Longines returning to the forefront.
It seems since the appearance of this Spirit range that this illustrious manufacture, which has become one of the brands of the SWATCH group, wants to once again be part of the elite of watchmaking and compete with TUDOR. This model, before its open dial, gives the impression of being larger than its 40mm and the weight (less than 100gr) is disconcerting, for those who like to feel their watch on their wrist, move on!

Legible!

Having lost a pretty 16610LV a few years earlier, I decided when my daughter was born in 2016 to treat myself to the 116610LV (the famous Hulk). This Submariner must be put into context at the time: it was criticized, few people found it desirable and its sales represented 1 LV for 8 Subs. The shift taken by watchmaking in 2017 (social networks, the growing demand from women for this type of model, etc.) has considerably reshuffled the cards to the point that the Hulks saw their demand increase until it exploded second-hand when it was replaced in 2020 by the 126610LV. It is necessary to take the characteristics of a Sub Date LN (150gr, 40mm, Oyster, mvt auto 3135 48h of power, cerachrom bezel, water resistance to 300m) with a fundamental difference, its beautiful green sunray dial and its green cerachrom bezel, the latter has become a star among divers and in particular a reference in the range of Sub.
A day will come when my daughter will inherit it.

Hypnotic!

When it was released in 2017, this new SD 126600 came to replace 50 years after the appearance of the first SDs (an entire generation of successful divers in 40mm) and especially, the recent 116600 released barely 3 years earlier.
External signs: 43mm, a red signature and a cyclops, why these changes, the cyclops did not seem to me to have its place here, was not the signature of the extreme divers found in the fact that they had a date without cyclops?.. and the 40mm were perfect.
Yet 4 years later, I acquired this new generation of SD and I now admit to really liking it, technically very accomplished (183gr, 1220m, a very pleasant and easily adjustable oyster bracelet, a mvt allowing to go to 70h of power reserve and a cyclops very useful for those who do not see well), in the end this diver is robust, readable, precise and marks the change probably to satisfy the American and oriental markets. I recommend this model to those with a minimum wrist of 17.5.

Convincing!

This ceramic SD 116600 appeared in 2014 (40mm for 165gr) and surprisingly, Rolex removed it from the catalog barely 3 years after its release. This makes it one of the Rolex produced for the shortest number of years. It benefits from its own case (waterproof to 1220m) and bracelet with an automatic movement common to the Sub date of the time. More resistant to shocks than the 16600 thanks to its ceramic bezel, the latter should not suffer the ravages of time. It has a personality of its own with a sapphire that stands out slightly above the ceramic marked every minute, an impression engraved on the case back unlike the Sub. A model with dimensions appropriate to European morphologies, a precision beast and designed to reach the inhuman depths of the oceans. Originally developed with COMEX divers, particularly for technicians diving in saturation on oil platforms based in the high seas. Another exceptional model produced by the Rolex manufacturer.

Balanced!

The ZRC brand was created in 1904 by Edmond Zuccolo and Joseph Rochet in Geneva, Switzerland. The brand ZRC was first specialized in the manufacture of chains for pocket watches and then of expandable metal bracelets. In 1917, she won the Geneva Grand Prix for industrial innovation for the creation of metal bracelets.
It was only then that ZRC developed its activity by producing cases in the 1920s before specializing in the design of diving watches, notably with the ZRC Grands Fonds 300 in 1960. Designed by divers for divers, the model crown was moved to 6 o'clock. The final version of this model was used by the Italian Navy, the French Navy from 1964 to 1982 and approved by NATO.
To differentiate itself from these competitors and make their watches safer, the brand has integrated innovation into these watches. They first created an extensible bracelet and a system making it impossible to immerse the watch if the crown is not completely screwed in. In the brand's range, there are several models such as the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/grands_fonds_300"> ZRC Grands Fonds 300</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/grands_fonds_3000_titanium"> ZRC Grands Fonds 3000 Titanium</a>, the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/north_adventure">ZRC North Adventure</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/grands_fonds_by_stef"> ZRC Grands Fonds By Stef</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/grands_fonds_heritage"> ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage</a>. In 2016-17, the brand also produced a series of 50 ZRC-FOST watches dedicated to active submariners of the French Navy.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a ZRC watch cost?</h2>
The prices of ZRC watches sold on the brand's website are changing between CHF 2,790 And CHF 4,490 depending on the models and finishes. Count CHF 2,990 for one<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/grands_fonds_spirit_1964"> ZRC Grand Fonds Spirit 1964</a> And CHF 3,190 for one <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/zrc/grands_fonds_38_heritage">ZRC Grands Fonds 38 Heritage</a>.
The brand ZRC is now owned by Georges Brunet and produces several thousand watches per year, all models combined. The brand is part of the ranking of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the most popular Swiss watch brands</a>. To choose a ZRC that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
(Updated Octobre 2024)

It was through the ZRC Fan Facebook page that I discovered this brand that was relaunching and it is one of my favorite divers. I love its massive hands and its refined dial. Its metal bracelet is a work of art in itself, although a little complicated to put on, be careful not to drop the watch when taking it off! As soon as spring comes, I switch it to the super comfortable and more practical rubber strap. Mine is equipped with the 2824-2 with remarkable precision, less than 2s per 24 hours. A brand that deserves to be better known!

An original and little-known diver!

This ZRC Bronze limited to 170 copies is the same but enormously different from the other ZRCs, the hand-patinated brass dial is unique each time, the hands are also different from the other ZRCs, the Bronze which evolves and changes color over the years also has a unique side. This watch amazed me

Gorgeous 

This ZRC diving watch with its crown at 6 o'clock changes everything, it gives it a look that is different from other watches and you don't have this crown that fits into your hand, even if this technical specificity was made for divers (I'll let you find out about that) an exceptional watch

A crown at 6 o'clock changes everything

For my 50th birthday in 2022, I was planning to buy my watch Grail, a very high-end diver (…), but the vicissitudes of life forced me to postpone this project. So it was a bit gloomy, during a walk in the West of my island (Reunion), that I decided, curious, to visit my local AD. 

Keen on aquatic activities, my attention turned to the ZRC Grands Fonds 300. It had just arrived and although, already on my radar; I had never had the opportunity to try it. 
And there, I put it on my wrist, and as a certain Xavier would say: I crack! Love at first sight was immediate. Black dial, 3 hands without date, the crown at 6 o'clock, satin-finished case, non-magnetic steel: simple, sober, efficient, balanced. 41.5mm of perfection! 
The readability is exceptional, probably its anti-reflective treatment; the black of the dial seems deep and the magnum indexes and hands stand out powerfully. The sapphire seems invisible.
Later, I will also note that the lume is beyond comparison. Even that of my Panerai Luminor lasts less long…

For the divers' bracelets, my preference goes to rubber. But for this model, in my opinion, the metal bracelet gives it a real personality. First, it is particularly well integrated, and a triangular screw securely binds it to the case. Then, it adjusts thanks to a spring system embedded in the mass. Finally, the largely openworked links give it a unique look.

Be careful, under a versatile appearance, this is still a radical watch: "made by divers, for divers". Thus, the safety clasp, exclusive to ZRC, seems extremely reliable, but is also delicate to handle.
Same for the double waterproof screw-down crown with reverse thread.
I use it as an all-terrain watch, but against all expectations, it is perceived by those around me as a luxury watch. The Submariner effect?
It is true that certain details, such as the polishing of the beveled edges of the satin-finished case, bring it closer to models from other brands, sold more expensively...
This watch achieves the feat of meeting all the standards of diving watches, but with a clear difference.


She didn't steal her crown!

A watch with character, the finishes are top notch. To start with, the back is slightly scratched, which allows for slight golden flashes by playing with the light, which is accentuated by the fact that the "Magnum" hands are semi-full. I found the bronze a bit flashy, but over time the magic happens! The bronze tarnishes like the instruments of an old sailing ship.

the return of bronze

La marque Ollech &amp; Wajs a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 1956 par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs &agrave; Zurich en Suisse. Albert &eacute;tait charg&eacute; de la conception, de l&rsquo;ing&eacute;nierie et de la fabrication des montres, tandis que Joseph s&rsquo;occupait du marketing et de la vente au d&eacute;tail. Avant de cr&eacute;er leur propre montres sous la marque Ollech &amp; Wajs, ils ont commenc&eacute; leur activit&eacute; en 1954 en fabriquant des bracelets en acier pour d&rsquo;autres marques.
La marque est connue pour avoir distribu&eacute; des montres &agrave; des unit&eacute;s de l&rsquo;arm&eacute;e am&eacute;ricaine pendant la guerre du Vietnam et pour avoir gagn&eacute; sa renomm&eacute;e aupr&egrave;s des plongeurs et pilotes du monde entier.
Apr&egrave;s 12 ans de n&eacute;gociation et apr&egrave;s avoir &eacute;t&eacute; son distributeur pour le march&eacute; fran&ccedil;ais, en 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, un passionn&eacute; d&rsquo;horlogerie, rach&egrave;te la marque. La gamme actuelle comprend des mod&egrave;les comme la Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph">Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> et la Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2>Combien co&ucirc;te une montre Ollech &amp; Wajs ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Ollech &amp; Wajs &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre CHF 1,500 et CHF 2,000 selon les mod&egrave;les et les finitions. Comptez CHF 1,456 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI et pr&egrave;s de CHF 2,300 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronographe. Le march&eacute; de l'occasion est &eacute;galement une opportunit&eacute; &agrave; regarder pour acheter une Ollech &amp; Wajs moins ch&egrave;re. Les mod&egrave;les Vintage notamment les Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron et&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, sont tr&egrave;s pris&eacute;es des collectionneurs et ils convient de bien se renseigner sur le vendeur avant de franchir le pas de l'acquisition d'une vintage.
Ollech &amp; Wajs est une marque de montres ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une Ollech &amp; Wajs qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_suisses">Classement des meilleures marques de montres suisses</a> dont Ollech &amp; Wajs fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Octobre 2024)

The brand Ollech &amp; Wajs was created in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs in Zurich, Switzerland. Albert was responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the watches, while Joseph handled marketing and retail sales. Before creating their own watches under the brand Ollech &amp; Wajs, they started their business in 1954 making steel bracelets for other brands.
The brand is known for distributing watches to units of the American army during the Vietnam War and for having earned its reputation among divers and pilots around the world.
After 12 years of negotiations and after having been its distributor for the French market, in 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, a watchmaking enthusiast, bought the brand. The current range includes models like the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> and the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an Ollech &amp; Wajs watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Ollech &amp; Wajs watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,000 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay CHF 1,456 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI and close to CHF 2,300 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronograph. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Ollech &amp; Wajs. Vintage models including the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, are very popular with collectors and they should find out about the seller before taking the step of purchasing a vintage one.
Ollech &amp; Wajs is an independent watch brand and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an Ollech &amp; Wajs that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
Consult the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> of which Ollech &amp; Wajs is part.
(Updated October 2024)

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