ZRC Grands Fonds 300 1964 Spirit "South Adventure" automatic tropical dial NATO bracelet 41,5 mm

The story

When elsewhere is the only frontier, the explorer in us never stops pushing his limits. Always a little further! This motivation led Alban Michon to the ice floe in 2018. ZRC accompanied him flawlessly with an exceptional watch. At the end of last year, the Swiss brand was back on the exploration trail, supporting the remarkable "Retour à Campana" challenge led by Frenchman Frédéric Presles. The objective? To follow the route taken by La Delphine, a ship wrecked in 1840 on the desert island of Campana. To reach this hostile land, his team left the island of Chiloé, then, between the Howling 50th and the Roaring 40th, along the coast of Chilean Patagonia, then sailed without instruments, without mapping the seabed in order to rediscover the flora and fauna of a geography forgotten since 1840. Without instruments? Almost, because the explorers wore on their wrists a GF41208SO watch cut out for the exploit.

A bespoke toolwatch cut for adventure...

The ZRC South Adventure is not just a watch... It's the extreme toolwatch capable of withstanding the worst conditions and which accompanied Frédéric PRESLES and Cristian DONOSO throughout their journey...

Like all references in the collection, this declination features the emblematic 41.5 mm-diameter monobloc case machined from non-magnetic 316 L steel, with massive beveled lugs. Inside, an elaborate version of the high-performance Sellita SW200-1 caliber is at work. This Swiss Made self-winding mechanical movement, with a standard frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, delivers a power reserve of at least 38 hours. Like all Grands Fonds 300s, this South Adventure features enhanced water-resistance, tested to -1500 meters, guaranteed to a depth of 1000 meters.

Once again, the overall ergonomics of the case benefit from the latest research into programmed deformation of materials and ZRC's signature innovations. The case's hexagonal Allen screw system has been modified to offer greater flexibility when assembling and disassembling the bracelet. All screws are independent of each other. All operations can now be carried out easily using a single tool. This update underlines ZRC's determination to provide a concrete response to its customers' desire for customization.

The box's strength has also been enhanced by the integration of a two-part base. One in armored stainless steel, fixed and centered on 2 pivots, keeps the engraving straight in the 12h-6h axis. A steel clamping ring closes the whole without any risk of pressure on the case-back gasket. The risk of water leaking inside the case has completely disappeared. In the same spirit of optimization, a number of elements have been redesigned to perfect the Grands Fonds 300. The Crown Protection SystemTM, which prevents the bracelet from closing if the crown is not screwed back in, remains present to secure an immersion.

With the identical desire to modernize the design of this new generation, the 60-division notched unidirectional bezel has been redesigned. To prevent unintentional rotation, the bezel is now aligned with the inner side of the case chamfer with a 2/10th indent to avoid the risk of accidental rotation. Particular attention has also been paid to noise, to give the bezel a melodious clicking sound.

The bezel insert also benefits from an update. Now in ceramic, it is ideally resistant to corrosion and oxidation. The Easy Clean SystemTM is even more effective. This innovative patented system prevents salt crystallization between the bezel and the case by circulating clear water inside the bezel during cleaning.

A limited series of 100 pieces!

The GF41208SO reference, available in a limited edition of 100 pieces, encompasses all the intrinsic technical advances inspired by the original model as well as all the new features deployed since 2015. With its optimal readability of time data, this watch, true to ZRC's motto, "Life is Adventures", is designed to tackle the world's most hostile conditions or simply complement a sporty, casual style on any occasion.

A "Full Set" truly "Full Set"

This new ZRC South Adventure will be offered in a "vintage" wooden box with the adventure compass to be used by Frédéric Presles and Cristian Donoso. A full package of goodies will accompany the timepiece including a keyring, adventurer's hat, scarf as well as the adventure book.

The package includes:

• The armored, embossed stamped bottom.
• The exclusive compass.
• The varnished solid wood and alcantara case.
• Leather pouch containing: specific user manual, watch book and adventurer's notebook.
• The 2-year warranty.
• The disassembly kit + 1 brown vintage leather strap size M.
• Goodies (hat + scarf + float keyring + journal)