ZRC Grands Fonds 1964 Spirit 300m French Navy Automatic Dive Watch Review

Let's take a look at this beautiful funky dive watch that doesn't really get that much attention.
Join the Family:
Facebook: / prestigesyndicate
Instagram: / simucomreviews
Discord: / discord
Tommy Big Time: / tommybigtime
Trapvision 3D: / trapvision3d
John Gangi: / johngangxw9johnandad
Not a Watch Snob: / notawatchsnob1
Email: [e-mail]
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Price
1:17 - Dimensions & Weight
2:00 - General Info
4:39 - Lumeshot
5:05 - Dial
7:17 - Bezel
8:40 - Crown
11:57 - Bracelet
12:56 - Caseback
13:13 - Finishing
13:39 - Overall Thoughts
#zrcwatch #divewatch #watchcollector #swissmade #militarywatch #applewatchultra #jawa42bobber #watches #digitalwatch #casiowatch #gshockwatch #gshock #grandseiko #rolexsubmariner #tissotprx #hublotwatch #casiovintagewatch #omegaseamaster300 #gshocktimeadjust #tudorblackbay58 #seiko5 #timexwatches #bestdigitalwatch #casiogshock #automaticwatch #mechanicalwatch #casiof91w #seikoalpinist #hamiltonkhakifieldautomatic #casioak #hamiltonwatch #seiko5automatic #timex #timexexpedition #gschokga2100
apple watch ultra
jawa 42 bobber
watches
digital watch
casio watch
g shock watch
g shock
grand seiko
rolex submariner
tissot prx
hublot watch
casio vintage watch
omega seamaster 300
g shock time adjust
tudor black bay 58
seiko 5
timex watches
best digital watch
casio g shock
automatic watch
mechanical watch
casio f91w
seiko alpinist
hamilton khaki field automatic
casioak
hamilton watch
seiko 5 automatic
timex
timex expedition
g shock ga2100

[@tarasmathers7423]

The "beads of rice," pairs perfectly w/ it IMHO. Always was a fan of this one. Thanks for sharing it bro

[@degenerateWA]

It really does. I was surprised how well it worked. The retro vibes from both the case and bracelets amplify the whole 60's/70's look.

[@BCallum]

Cool watch DK. Truly. Never heard of them until you posted previously. Really like the crown.

[@degenerateWA]

They aren't covered too much anywhere but there is a very strong unpublicized following for them. There are too many criticisms for this to be a logical purchase but it's so cool that I have to overlook all of my complaints

[@bradfoust50]

love the watch, and I agree with your takes.

[@degenerateWA]

Great to hear!

[@alexprendido2023]

Love the bracelet

[@degenerateWA]

You know your boy's got style😎

[@Trapvision3D]

I like the case design and the hands.

[@degenerateWA]

This one wins all the points for the unique award

[@daved2822]

Very interesting watch, must check this one out🤔🤔 good review

[@degenerateWA]

If I can share a watch that Dave D hasn't seen before then that's a win for me

[@Trapvision3D]

I completely understand the frustration of not knowing what's powering your timepiece. Seeing the price, I need to know everything!!!

[@degenerateWA]

For real. Its like they have no idea what true watch enthusiasts want. It's like buying a car and not caring about what size motor in under the hood.

[@watchsixto]

Awesome watch definitely has it's pors and cons to it

[@degenerateWA]

it's quirky for sure, but there's a good reason why they have such a diehard fanbase

[@exkal215]

Cool looking piece. I agree that the customer should get info on what they are purchasing especially more detailed info when at that price point.

[@degenerateWA]

Exactly brotha. Its like talking to the car dealer and he's like "its either a v6 or v8, not sure"

[@drbobsnightmare2521]

This watch has been competing with the Doxa, for the spot of my next Grail dive watch purchase. This has to be the best review on Ewe2oobz and I've seen quite a few. You've earned yourself a new sub. Don't blame your sausage fingers, you have to remember it's French. Have you seen the way they designed cars in the 60s?

[@degenerateWA]

GD french engineers and their dainty little fingers...😁😜

[@paradoxstudios6639]

I think the French made the best clock movements in Europe long ago, the overall form of the movements used thick plates, tiny pivot holes and gears, nothing rickety or flimsy.

[@Trapvision3D]

I see you trendsetter!!!!😎

[@degenerateWA]

It's what I do brotha. It's a blessing.... and a curse....

[@malthus101]

I bought one new back in 2015 or something, been in the box ever since! I never could understand how to adjust the metal bracelet it came with for smaller wrists? And how did you add you 3rd party bracelet, if it has that protruding crown at 6 o' clock? I'm assuming you leave on the crown-guard end-link and and attach the bracelet to the spring bar that's in THAT? Thanks!

[@degenerateWA]

Wow you have some legendary self control to leave that beauty in the box all these years. As far as installing aftermarket bracelets, it can support 24mm straight-end bracelets. The crown side is via a spring bar and the upper side is via screw pin.

[@bechwalid]

Hi! Great video and a very good looking watch ! How did you get the BOR bracelet ? Could not see it on their website ?

[@degenerateWA]

It is an aftermarket BOR bracelet. Are you in the market for a ZRC? (no pressure of course but I am considering selling mine. My email is in the description if you want to discuss).

[@Trapvision3D]

That crown placement looks great, but after seeing you struggle with the crown, I'll just buy a Tudor!

[@degenerateWA]

Once you get the hand of it it's easy, but you shouldn't have to "figure it out" at that price.

[@PeepingTime]

The crown is easy

[@paradoxstudios6639]

My questions are, is there a ghost function in the crown on the non-date dials for this watch ?, also, is this watch 100% Swiss ?, is the case machined in Switzerland ?

[@degenerateWA]

There is no ghost crown position. Not sure about where the case is machined at. It's a French company so I would imagine in France but I honestly have no idea.

[@MuscleAKAOzzy]

you are wrong with the crown its deliberate done that way its accessible by dropping the Bracelet lol Truly a unique stunning diver❤

[@degenerateWA]

Not at all. The end link remains in the way. Do you own one? When the end link is all the way down, as shown in the video, it still hinders access to it.

[@sleepfokkervapez1883]

i just bought the tangerine love it!! and yes gotta screw down crown all the way, then u can wear band comfortably.. its a safe mechanism for divers.. lock system ..love it

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Very unique design... Its nice but that price is a bit heavy though.

[@degenerateWA]

agreed. Way too overpriced, but gawdam is it cool.

[@johanvandersandt8904]

@@degenerateWA Thanks for sharing man! I love unique stuff like that!

[@degenerateWA]

@@johanvandersandt8904 always appreciate the positive feedback

[@tockingwatches2377]

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think this is over-priced. Perhaps I’m accustomed to purchasing more expensive watches, or perhaps a number of folks in this thread purchase less expensive watches, but for its uniqueness and quality (according to other reviewers), these seems like a value.

[@degenerateWA]

Its all relative sure. Im basing my opinion on the fact that its a generic movement for $3kUSD. To me it is on par with a Marathon GSAR in the fact that they share essentially the same specifiations, military background, and hardware. The unique design, to me, does not justify an almost $2,000 difference in price. For roughly the same price i purchased my Tudor Black Bay which i believe is objectively better by a semi-significant margin even not taking into consideration resale potential (which i normally dont, but it is still something to consider)

[@tockingwatches2377]

@@degenerateWA It truly is relative. When I look at the ZRC, then at the Sub on my wrist, I question the Rolex value more than the ZRC.

[@degenerateWA]

@@tockingwatches2377 the sub is definitely not a good reference for value. For resale sure, IF you're in the community and you have a network of trusted buyers. but for pure functionality as a watch, and any watch in the same caliber, the returns diminish exponentially. For example, my Patek does not do anything significantly better than my other more entry level luxury watches; after a certain point it really just becomes a personal desire to own such things

[@michaelkilbride2927]

Lovely watch but I can a steinhart 300m diver same movement for 600 euro very expensive for what it is

[@degenerateWA]

It is expensive for sure. It's definitely more for the diehard collector.

[@Sclavus]

@@degenerateWA Toooooo Biiiiiiiig!!! Toooooo Expensiiiiiive.

[@PeepingTime]

👀

[@degenerateWA]

there it is again!

[@sleepfokkervapez1883]

where did u order the band from

[@degenerateWA]

I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure I got this one from Strapsco on Amazon

[@sleepfokkervapez1883]

ok but i dont know what i need to install the thing. cuz the tubes are too big and i ordered from strapsco too.. how did u get it to fit

[@sleepfokkervapez1883]

do u need some kind of adapter.. i bought the tangerine model came with the rubber strap..

[@daved2822]

That's so wrong 😂😂

[@degenerateWA]

Lol what is?

[@termit520]

Maybe a reason for a lack of attention is a fact that thing is heavy overpriced Sim...I mean, stainless steel thing with an ETA 2824 or SW200? 700 USD bracelet ?????? Those guys are making that bracelet from gold? That's some joke Sim. That's really too much, maybe it's a better idea to buy some Hamilton, or that nice Invicta ProDiver with a Sellita SW200, that sounds much better to me, despite I'm really not impressed with 2824 or with SW200. That watch is one of very rare watches where I can say that a nato strap would probably ruin it, it would be disbalanced on a wrist. You said one thing very good..''in this price range I think that customers deserves exact details what's inside their watch''...I would say that in other way - in that price range (or less) customers deserves to get a Sinn, Fortis, or some other nice watch without any ''doubts'' what's inside that watch. In terms of usability under water, I think that good old Casio Frogman, doesn't matter, digital or analog, would eat that thing for a breakfast. In my opinion this is only a pure example of form over function watch with some elements of some good diving watches. Like as usually

[@degenerateWA]

it's definitely not a logical purchase. There are countless other watches I would recommend over this one yet I still love how funky it is.

[@PeepingTime]

This is a beautifully designed wristwatch. Unique and packed full of patented features. Not another Seiko. 🥸