time-keeper


ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke, a vintage soul in a new body

May 2025


ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke, a vintage soul in a new body

Originally designed for the French Navy in the 1960s, this new diver’s watch merges military pedigree with modern refinement. From its subtly patinated dial to the signature hexagonal case and vintage-style strap, every detail echoes the design of the original model with a retro feel.

T

he Grands Fonds Heritage is not just a diver’s watch, it embodies the soul of a bygone era and the meeting of tradition and innovation. Originally developed for the French Navy, this model GF381318 revives the daring spirit and heritage of the military divers of the 1960s. Today, this watch is not just a tribute to this iconic model, but a genuine reinterpretation, rarer, more exclusive and more captivating than ever.

The ‘tropicalised’ dial of the Grands Fonds Heritage embodies the meeting of past and present. Its subtly-worked patina echoes dial that have undergone the effects of time, giving each glance a unique, almost phantasmagorical sensation. This dial is not just a surface, it’s a journey through time. In the light, it transformed, revealing hues and nuances that recall the intensity of adventures lived.

ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke, a vintage soul in a new body

The emblematic hexagonal steel case, the Grands Fonds signature, retains all the authenticity of the original model while adapting to modern requirements. This bold design combines robustness, ergonomics and elegance: equally at home in the depths of the sea as in everyday life. The minimalist bezel completes this case with its instantly recognisable silhouette.

The ‘Tropic’ strap in sand-coloured FKM rubber completes this timeless look. Designed to offer both comfort and flexibility; while retaining a resolutely vintage aesthetic, it blends perfectly with the ‘tropicalised’ dial, creating a perfect harmony between tradition and modernity.

ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage Smoke, a vintage soul in a new body

Beneath this timeless envelope, the elaborate Sellita SW200-1 movement ensures precision and reliability. With a power reserve of 38 hours and an accuracy of +/- 7 seconds per day, it ensures that the Grands Fonds Heritage remains true to its military heritage while being a high-performance watch for modern-day adventurers.

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