ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage - References, Prices and Owners' Reviews

It was first the design that caught my attention. Then, it was the story. Finally, it was the fidelity to the original, right down to the bracelet, that finally made me decide to try it on to confirm my choice. When I tried it on at a distributor in Toulon, I was also able to try on the GF42163, but I found it far too thick and heavy. I didn't see the adjective, but the one that suits it best, in my opinion, is SHARP, given the sharp angles of the horns. The positives of my GF38 are the design, the extraordinary light, the comfortable and stretchy bracelet. The negatives are that you need a knack for closing the bracelet, and the downside of the protection is that the crown is not very accessible.

For a few years now, I have been looking for THE 3-hand diving watch that would stay on my wrist and that I would not get tired of after a few weeks. Among the contenders that I acquired and unfortunately did not stay: • the iconic submariner date and no date (more of a bucket list effect: yes I had them, but in the end meh) • the black and blue Tudor BB58: nice fashion effect but nothing more • a blue Bell&Ross diver: impeccable finish but the magic did not work for long • 2 green and blue hydroconquest: simple, effective but without emotion. Then finally I came across ZRC. I never took the plunge because the 41mm model is too imposing in my opinion. And this year the 39mm version came out. As usual, love at first sight in the photo and I went to try it in store. Confirmed by the test. It has a crazy charm and you feel like you have a NOS watch from the 60s. I love: the magnum hands, the lolipop seconds hand, the total symmetry with the crown at 6 o'clock (and the patented ZRC protection system), the bracelet with a link on each side equipped with a spring for diving, the hardware side of the bracelet with its archaic link attachment system from the 60s and finally the satellite indexes. The only downside is the use of this good old SW200 tractor. But hey, you can't have everything. In short, it's a little gem that has style and can announce to other divers: veni, vidi, vici.

Seduced by the originality of the classic Grands Fonds 300, I waited for the launch of the GF 38 in 39mm format to take the plunge. I chose the model with baton indexes and roulette date (even numbers in red). A unique watch with its crown at 6 o'clock, fine when worn. The only downside is the precision: +10/11 seconds per day for an elaborate Sellita SW200, but within the standards for the brand I contacted and which offered me an adjustment for €160... for a watch worth just over 3K, a fine workshop adjustment would have been welcome.