The New ZRC Grands Fonds MN64 Titanium Editions, in Full Titanium and Titanium Rubber

Founded in 1904 in Geneva, ZRC first specialised in bracelets and waterproof cases before entering the world of professional dive watches in the late 1950s. The big change came when ZRC was contracted by the French Navy and created the Grands Fonds line, robust, highly engineered instruments designed for underwater use. Defined by their unconventional construction, with the signature crown at 6 o’clock and the Crown Protection System (CPS), these watches became trusted tools for military divers for decades. Revived in the mid-2010s under Georges Brunet, ZRC has since focused almost exclusively on diving watches, refining its historical concepts with the application of modern materials and engineering. The latest interpretations of this unique legacy are the pair of new Grands Fonds MN64 Titanium editions that bring a slightly refined, almost luxurious dimension to the concept.

Models like the Grands Fonds Réédition and Heterium reintroduced the brand’s distinctive identity: functional, slightly brutalist, and packed with clever technical solutions such as the ECS (Easy Clean System) bezel and the brand’s approach to case construction using “programmed deformation” to achieve extreme depth ratings without excessive thickness. These new models follow that same path and come in either titanium on an FKM rubber strap or on a full titanium bracelet.

The instantly recognisable case measures 41.5mm in diameter and retains the angular geometry and crown at 6 o’clock design that defines the collection. The use of grade 5 titanium changes the experience significantly; the watch is lighter on the wrist yet highly resistant. ZRC has also refined the ergonomics, reducing the thickness by 1mm compared to previous iterations. The bezel continues to rely on ZRC’s ECS system, allowing water to flush through the mechanism to prevent salt buildup.

The watch remains as serious as ever, with water-resistance rated to 3,000m and tested far beyond that, reportedly exceeding 5,000m in controlled conditions. The ZRC’s patented caseback system, inspired by submarine hatches, distributes pressure more efficiently. Combined with the CPS system, which prevents the watch from being worn unless the crown is fully screwed down, the MN64 remains one of the most purpose-driven dive watches on the market.

The MN64 Titanium is presented in two versions. The Full Titanium features a sunray black dial with applied markers, offering a restrained, almost monochromatic look. The Titanium Rubber has a gradient blue-to-black dial. In both cases, applied metal indices and prominent hands filled with Super-LumiNova (SLN 3D Lumicast for the indices on the gradient blue) provide strong legibility, while the overall layout remains clean and functional, with the addition of a date window for the Full Titanium.

The watch is powered by the Sellita SW300-1 (Elaboré grade), with a date or no-date configuration. It operates at 28,800 vibrations/hour, offers a 56-hour power reserve, and is regulated to approximately +/- 5 seconds per day. For the black-dialled Full Titanium version, the ladder-style bracelet is entirely in titanium. The second, Titanium Rubber reference, is worn on a yellow FKM rubber strap. The price is CHF 4,590 for the Full Titanium and CHF 3,990 for the rubber strap version.

For more information, please visit ZRC1904.com.