Beyond the friendships that unite Romain Rea and Georges Brunet, our shops are points of sale of the ZRC brand which provides solid and reliable watches with a unique design: an essential tool for diving enthusiasts!
What was your first watch?
I started to passionate about watches at the age of 18 when my father offered me my first beautiful watch. It was an Omega Seamaster Valve Hélium. But the first watch I had was a flulc, when I had to be 12 years old ... She did not spend the summer!
Your journey: How did you come to resume ZRC?
My parents made me follow a fairly classic school curriculum of "son of a business manager" BAC B then BTS International Trade then BA and MBA in FAULIDE and finally a CSA. The study of languages of course English, German and Spanish. Between 1995-96 I engaged in the army and left almost 2 years in Djibouti. I wanted to get involved in the marine commandos but I knew that I would take the family company at a given moment. Ultimately, when my father started to lose sight of and could no longer ensure his work and my mother asked me to return. In 1997 I entered ZRC as a purchasing assistant then I went through all the services: export, marketing, executive assistant then product and marketing director to finally become DG in 2004.
What is your vision of ZRC's story through your family prism?
This is the idea of continuity that drives me and that pushes me to stick to the brand's DNA in its history but while being able to be open so as not to stagnate on a niche market. More generally, I have a 3D vision: to continue the family adventure started here in Geneva in 1904; Improve the product and our service without ever distorting it; Trying to become a brand recognized in our world of the "Sport Marine" watch
What are the links between ZRC and the adventure world? What developments would you consider beyond the diving watch?
Already in the 1970s, my father, sponsored the French water ski team, rally drivers etc ... Originally the ZRC was born on tender of the French Navy. I do not think that we will leave our DNA as a diver, but revenge we must evolve a bit as done so well Rolex. We will strengthen our brand image while offering new functions or using other materials. A ZRC chronograph would make sense, a great depth diver, a power reserve etc ... But above all it takes a strong, identifiable, sustainable and attractive brand. This is what we have set out to develop since 2015.
Why have you associated with Romain Rea?
I met Romain a little by chance, when the watch is launched in 2015, when I presented the ZRC to him. Combining was above all a question of "feeling" because we have a lot in common. He is an honest person, very competent in his community and atypical. He "gable" and, during the rebirth of ZRC, he immediately trusted me and played the game immediately.
Which ZRC do you like to wear?
My original zrc, that of my grandfather! A sort of tribute: who knows, if paradise exists, maybe that he will be proud to see what we have accomplished, since in 1960 the watch was referenced to the MN.
Why buy a ZRC?
For history and look: the two are inseparable. This is a "favorite" brand: we like it or not. Its angular look and vintage forms brings it closer to a tower of Char 'assault than a watch; Its crown at 6 am as well as its expandable bracelet make it a unique piece in the watchmaker landscape. At the same time, it has incredible technical innovation such as the DHW system which is in the process of obtaining its global patent. Think that the case was designed to withstand more than 1000m! Finally its quality/price ratio is also very interesting for a Swiss made.
Do you have a heritage department within the manufacture?
Yes of course. Since 2004, I have been collecting vintage ZRCs. I have refined the brand's reintroduction for 10 years. I have practically been able to bring together all the vintage models: I just have to be 2. I also accumulated a lot of period equipment, tools, brochures, advertising, demo articles etc ... We have something to open a small museum. It is essential to be able to show the greatest number what ZRC is: where the brand comes from, how it was born and developed between 1958 and 1980.
What have you planned for 2020?
ZRC was born in 1904 in Geneva, so in 2020 we will celebrate our 116 years. The watch will be 67 years old because the 1era ZRC was launched officially in 1953 - even if MN homologation dates from 1960 for the Grand Fund 300 model. We have planned a good novelty: a model derived from the GF300 under the evocative name of "Deep Blue Project".
On the wrist of Georges Brunet
Beyond the friendships that unite Romain Rea and Georges Brunet, our shops are points of sale of the ZRC brand which provides solid and reliable watches with a unique design: an essential tool for diving enthusiasts!
What was your first watch?
I started to passionate about watches at the age of 18 when my father offered me my first beautiful watch. It was an Omega Seamaster Valve Hélium. But the first watch I had was a flulc, when I had to be 12 years old ... She did not spend the summer!
Your journey: How did you come to resume ZRC?
My parents made me follow a fairly classic school curriculum of "son of a business manager" BAC B then BTS International Trade then BA and MBA in FAULIDE and finally a CSA. The study of languages of course English, German and Spanish. Between 1995-96 I engaged in the army and left almost 2 years in Djibouti. I wanted to get involved in the marine commandos but I knew that I would take the family company at a given moment. Ultimately, when my father started to lose sight of and could no longer ensure his work and my mother asked me to return. In 1997 I entered ZRC as a purchasing assistant then I went through all the services: export, marketing, executive assistant then product and marketing director to finally become DG in 2004.
What is your vision of ZRC's story through your family prism?
This is the idea of continuity that drives me and that pushes me to stick to the brand's DNA in its history but while being able to be open so as not to stagnate on a niche market. More generally, I have a 3D vision: to continue the family adventure started here in Geneva in 1904; Improve the product and our service without ever distorting it; Trying to become a brand recognized in our world of the "Sport Marine" watch
What are the links between ZRC and the adventure world? What developments would you consider beyond the diving watch?
Already in the 1970s, my father, sponsored the French water ski team, rally drivers etc ... Originally the ZRC was born on tender of the French Navy. I do not think that we will leave our DNA as a diver, but revenge we must evolve a bit as done so well Rolex. We will strengthen our brand image while offering new functions or using other materials. A ZRC chronograph would make sense, a great depth diver, a power reserve etc ... But above all it takes a strong, identifiable, sustainable and attractive brand. This is what we have set out to develop since 2015.
Why have you associated with Romain Rea?
I met Romain a little by chance, when the watch is launched in 2015, when I presented the ZRC to him. Combining was above all a question of "feeling" because we have a lot in common. He is an honest person, very competent in his community and atypical. He "gable" and, during the rebirth of ZRC, he immediately trusted me and played the game immediately.
Which ZRC do you like to wear?
My original zrc, that of my grandfather! A sort of tribute: who knows, if paradise exists, maybe that he will be proud to see what we have accomplished, since in 1960 the watch was referenced to the MN.
Why buy a ZRC?
For history and look: the two are inseparable. This is a "favorite" brand: we like it or not. Its angular look and vintage forms brings it closer to a tower of Char 'assault than a watch; Its crown at 6 am as well as its expandable bracelet make it a unique piece in the watchmaker landscape. At the same time, it has incredible technical innovation such as the DHW system which is in the process of obtaining its global patent. Think that the case was designed to withstand more than 1000m! Finally its quality/price ratio is also very interesting for a Swiss made.
Do you have a heritage department within the manufacture?
Yes of course. Since 2004, I have been collecting vintage ZRCs. I have refined the brand's reintroduction for 10 years. I have practically been able to bring together all the vintage models: I just have to be 2. I also accumulated a lot of period equipment, tools, brochures, advertising, demo articles etc ... We have something to open a small museum. It is essential to be able to show the greatest number what ZRC is: where the brand comes from, how it was born and developed between 1958 and 1980.
What have you planned for 2020?
ZRC was born in 1904 in Geneva, so in 2020 we will celebrate our 116 years. The watch will be 67 years old because the 1era ZRC was launched officially in 1953 - even if MN homologation dates from 1960 for the Grand Fund 300 model. We have planned a good novelty: a model derived from the GF300 under the evocative name of "Deep Blue Project".