Ubik
1871
Unusual vintage diver by ZRC
I was shown this diver recently - not mine - and the owner did not know
what the internal dial markings were for or how it might be used.
I've seen a couple of divers by ZRC and I believe the brand might have been used by the French miltiary.
As a very novice diver I'm going to take an absolute guess and I
wondered if it was to do with timing the decompression waiting times
as you finish a dive? Any thoughts?
The outer bezel is fixed and the inner dial does not rotate, but I
believe the hour hand rotates underneath the central dial, it has a
screw down crown which
screws the reverse way to most others.
Unusual vintage diver by ZRC
I was shown this diver recently - not mine - and the owner did not know what the internal dial markings were for or how it might be used. I've seen a couple of divers by ZRC and I believe the brand might have been used by the French miltiary. As a very no...
Very cool.
This is not a dive watch per se, more a dive timer with No Decompression Limits (time underwater before you take on a decompression obligation) on the dial. From the picture below, it would seem that the minute hand just rotates around, and you move the i...
Cool stuff, Ben and Eitan.
Didn't know this one, even if ZRC is a brand I know a bit, but I thought they made watches, only. Best, Nicolas.
That bezel is...
...reminiscent of the DSA. The ZRC I am most interested in is that crazy 300m with the crown at 6....
As per a coincidence, I saw this very same watch a few months ago.
In the real, an impressive one! Will try to ask his owner to bring it to me, next time I see him. Best, Nicolas.
There's the inevitable...
...internet proclamations that it was used by 'French military' or 'French Navy divers' or 'naval fire fighters"....but never seen one with any issue markings.
No marking, indeed, BUT much better ...
I saw several ZRC noted in the Marine Nationale Register, where all the repairs and the services on the watch were mentionned. So, yes, I can tell you that the ZRC was used by the French Marine. Best, Nicolas.
Intrigued...
...what register is it? One for issued watches or an equipment list. The ZRCs, as far as I know, were used, but maybe not issued by the MN and associates...
The ZRC were used by the French Marine, for sure.
The Register of the Marine Nationale is a document where were listed the watches used by the French Military Marine. These watches ( the ZRC but not only, as the Tudor and the Rolex, too ) were used by the M.N, not issued for the M.N. Here is the cover of...
Can you send scans?
Does the document just list watches or other equipment, too? I love that kind of thing.
I don't have it anymore, as it came with the watch, and the watch has gone to
a Friendly home. I know you love this kind of things. Maybe you will see more pics of this document on the post I made about this watch. Best, my friend. Nicolas
Great info Nico
So are you saying that this was a list of approved watches for the MN? Or a log book showing the details of specific watches?
This register gives us the evidence that
The M.N used some watches, like Tudor, Blancpain, Rolex, ZRC, Triton, and that these watches were featuring in this document when they were serviced, with: 1/ The Nr of the watch, 2/ The brand of the watch, 3/ The Date of the service / repair. 4/ The part...
Thanks - great answer
That's perfect. From the advert it does look like the bezel should rotate - maybe this one was just stiff. Like you I'm a fan of this diver with the crown at 6. They do come up from time to time.
I have a rule...
....which is: Unless it is VERY special, I will no longer get a diver that I cannot get wet. That's like a chronograph that you can't press the buttons on.... Keeps me sane, and helps my wallet. Given that these ZRCs have strange construction and sealing ...
I woudn't own any divers then :)
as they are all vintage and I wouldn't dream of getting them wet. I do totally understand your rule, I have a variation of it for vintage chronographs - if the service cost of the Chrono is more than the chrono itself, best leave it.
I have divers...
...that I cannot get wet, generally for want of crown seals, I have 35 year old divers that I happily dive with. Looking at the ones I cannot get wet makes them seem useless and toylike compared to the ones I can use. Hence my rule of no more unusable div...
I admire your bravery, Ben.
There are so many weak points on a Vintage Diver, that I wouldn't take any risk with it: Crown, case back and plexy, mainly. But I know someone who is diving with his Fifity No Rad... This gentleman is a watchmaker, and with some precautions, he uses his ...
I guess...
...I am optimistic. Once I've ensured the sealing surfaces are good (flat, no pits), the seals/o-rings are new (and right size etc, which is most difficult on crowns) and the watch pressure checked....I can do no more. This qualifies some watches and defi...
It's what I love about collecting vintage watches
that they are still great, usable and wearable after so many years. Any underwater vintage wristshots?
The only one I can...
...find in my hard drive is this one of a '75 Seiko 6105: Freezing cold dive in Port Phillip bay....
interesting piece. just met one of my neighbours who's a commercial diver
i must show it to him as we talked about dive watches for about an hour this afternoon. G
he was wearing a citizen...
he was wearing a citizen and has several of them as they are excellent dive watches. he's recently aquired a planet ocean which he uses in some dives. we were at the council refuse depot at the time so it was difficult to spend too long talking. G
Do you know what model...
...Citizen it was? Their dive watches with depth and temp gauges/timers are the business as proper dive back-ups. I've got a few including my favourite; a PVD'd titanium thingy from the mid-90's. Ask your neighbour if he's ever had the joy of this...yes i...
i dont know all that...
i dont know all that stuff Ben. it wasnt the spanish inquisition i'll have another chat with him one day and let you know. i do know that his company are contracted by the MOD(ministry of defence) so he's not doing oil rig work. he did mention a limited e...