In 2015, ZRC resurfaced with a largely faithful re-issue of the original classic, but like most heritage models out these days it was sized up and given modern, robust specs. Rated to 30 atm, the Grand Fonds 300 has a unique hexagonal steel case with a crown positioned at six o’clock. It also features a black bezel with large lume dots for easy reading (the original insert was acrylic; the re-issue sapphire) and a proprietary, built-in cleaning system (more on that below). Oversized, lume-filled, paddle hour and minute hands and a familiar lollipop second hand set off the black dial.
The crown at six is definitely unique, but it’s not just an aesthetic choice. The idea is that the bracelet end-piece that fits around the crown not only protects it, but also if the crown is not screwed down properly the bracelet will not be able to clear it, preventing one from accidentally swimming with an open crown. It’s actually rather clever. So, that brings us to the ZRC Kickstarter project. Georges Brunet and Alexis Meyer, ZRC’s CEO and GM, respectively, have teamed up with explorer Albon Michon to fund his solo crossing of the Northwest Passage—a nearly 1,500-kilometer expedition spanning the area that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the Arctic and northern Canadian region, which today is threatened by global warming and increased commercial activity.
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