: It's time to let go of one the rarest divers in my collection, the
: ZRC Grand Fonds Series III. The ZRC divers from the '60s are
: coveted by collectors for good reasons, not least of which being
: that they were serious tools. The French Navy used these
: watches, and they were designed with both creative and practical
: features. The most obvious was that the crowns were affixed at
: the bottom of the case, and protected from accidental shearing
: by both the case and bracelet. The bezels were also designed to
: ratchet counter-clockwise only, preventing accidental rotation
: which could have led to timing problems.

: Here is some further, interesting detail, taken from the recent
: introduction of the ZRC 300 re-edition:

: In the early 1960s, Louis BRUNET and the Annecy diving team
: with the support of local figures such as Louis SERVETAZ,
: launched plans for an affordable and efficient diving watch.
: Messrs. PASTRES & DIGNE, watchmakers in Toulon, diving watch
: specialists contributed wholeheartedly to the creation of the
: Grands Fonds 300 which will be immediately approved by the
: French Navy. After several months of tests, the Navy asked ZRC
: to “modify” few things such as the 3 o’clock crown too
: vulnerable during the underwater manipulations. The Navy as well
: asked for a “smart” sizable metal band system together with
: a mean to protect the crown without impeding wrist movement and
: above all, to ensure it could not open under water. The team set
: work and developed the famous 6 o’clock crown, connected to
: the case using an exclusive system consisting of a canon cut
: from a single block, making the Grands Fonds 300 the first watch
: to be equipped with a 100% Monobloc case. Furthermore, the case
: is machined in a particular type of steel reinforced with
: molybdenum that is completely antimagnetic (an absolute
: necessity for the Mine Clearance Divers’ group). All watches
: therefore underwent a test period, being trialed in all possible
: conditions of “military-related harsh use”. The STCM in
: Paris approved the new equipment and entered it into the general
: equipment catalog for the commissariat, attributing it the 6645
: family member for deep sea diving watch.

: Motored with the 2472 ETA movement, the GF300 is more than
: reliable. Its super luminous MAGNUM hands provide a perfect
: legibility underwater. Revolutionary watch under many ways, the
: GF300 was issued to the Paris fire fighter department as well as
: the French waterskiing team. But it was above all the watch of
: the French Navy (Toulon diving school, 3rd division of Toulon
: Mine Clearance Group, the Hubert Commando) as well as the
: Italian Navy. It was also adopted by non-military units
: supported by the French Navy, including the famous CALYPSO of
: Commander COUSTEAU, which took the watch around the world and
: firmly established its reputation.

: The watch that I am offering is in very good condition throughout.
: The case measures 36mm. The upper and mid-case are in excellent
: condition, while the back shows a few scratches from tools. I
: see no evidence of polishing, though the back shows signs that
: the watch has been well-worn over the years. The original
: anti-magnetic cover is present, as well as the interesting
: (copper coloured) piece that secures the cap in place when the
: back is screwed down.

: The dial and hand-set are in excellent condition. I would note that
: it is possible that there was a partial re-lume years
: ago. I am not at all certain of this, but while none of the lume
: appears new, the colors are not perfectly consistent.

: The screw-down crown is in excellent condition and working
: properly. The 21j ETA cal. 2472 (I believe) was recently
: serviced, and is working well.

: The bezel is in remarkably good condition for its age – one of
: the best that I have seen, and it frames the watch beautifully.

: The (presumably) original bracelet is in excellent condition, and,
: as a bonus, I will also include a correct NOS ZRC bracelet
: (pictured below)!

: These watches do not appear often in the market, and especially in
: very good or better all-around condition. I can find only one
: other for sale at the moment, with an asking price of ~4500€
: (and no offers accepted, apparently), with a less desirable (not
: sure if original) second hand. Here is a link:

:
: https://www.chrono24.co.uk/all/zrc-etanche-grands-fonds-300m-series-3-automatic-divers--id8179149.htm#gref

: I will consider offers above €3000. All offers will be considered
: seriously, but a strong offer will result in an immediate sale!

: I am well known on many vintage forums, and have many references. I
: am based in Portugal, so EU residents need not worry about
: customs duties. I will ship EMS express (insured), and FedEx is
: a possibility. I would prefer a bank transfer, and can accept
: either Euros in the EU, or USD equivalent in an American
: account. Paypal only with strong references and fees to be
: discussed.

: Please excuse the reflections in the crystal, as these type of
: watches are very difficult to photograph.

: Feel free to ask any questions!

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