The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

Iconic watch art prints. Made in Switzerland, lifetime guarantee

A sleek and understated watch that stands out for connoisseurs. Highly legible, with a vintage look, it pairs beautifully with a leather strap for certain occasions (for a more formal look) and also with a Milanese mesh bracelet for everyday wear (for a more casual look). The straps can be changed quickly and without tools.

I appreciate the raised numerals on the silver dial, the slimness, and the blued finish of the hands.

The frequency of the genuine 2824-2 COSC movement at 4Hz, which in my watch is accurate to within approximately +4 seconds per day, was the deciding factor in my choice.

Be careful of magnets in everyday life; otherwise, you might want to consider using a demagnetizer.

Thank you to Tissot for offering such high quality and accurate, certified timepieces for under €900.

Genuine 2824-2

In a collection that balances retro-modern elegance with purposeful tool watches, the Le Forban Rochelaise stands out as a watch with soul. Inspired by the French maritime tradition, this diver embodies the spirit of the Atlantic coast while remaining versatile enough for everyday wear.

At 39 mm, with its slim profile and ocean-green dial, the Rochelaise captures the vintage proportions you appreciate while offering a modern reliability through its Miyota 9039 caliber. Big fan of this Miyota that is a way more accurate than basics STP, SOPROD or SW for a lower price point. Mine is running within the COSC range after over 2 years of usage.

The tropical rubber strap feels ready for saltwater and sun, while the alternate chocolate leather brings warmth for more urban settings.

The inner rotating bezel operates smoothly, adding a touch of originality to the model. My only reservation is the red seconds hand, which I would have preferred to be a little more discreet.In my line-up — ranging from the squared boldness of a Bell & Ross to the heritage DNA of ZRC — the Rochelaise strikes a different chord. It’s not about pushing technical boundaries; it’s about wearing a slice of French history, interpreted for today. A reminder that a watch doesn’t always have to shout to be noticed — sometimes it simply whispers with charm.

For collectors who enjoy authentic stories behind their pieces, the Le Forban Rochelaise is exactly that: a tribute to French seafaring style, carrying its past into my present adventures.

Accuracy measured with normal usage: 2.6 to 5.1 seconds per day.

French diver with salt in its vein

As part of my 8-watches collection, the Concordia Nazaré GMT stands out as a watch that gets so many things right at a very fair price point. I love its clean yet characterful design, the subtle details like the red marker on the crown (when unscrewed), the second hand shape perfectly embracing the dial markers or the original color of the GMT dial. And of course the versatility of the GMT function in a 30 ATM watch at a very reasonable thickness. Its 40mm feels thoughtful and well-balanced on the wrist.

Not everything is perfect—personally I could do without the transparent case back, the accuracy could be sharper and I would have preferred a 60-click bezel. Never really get the point to have 120 clicks. But these are small trade-offs in the bigger picture.

What strikes me most is how underhyped Charlie Paris remains. The brand delivers strong design, solid specs, and great value, yet it still flies under the radar compared to many others French brands. It also gets a lot of criticism from the French YouTuber without real good ratuonale (other than the brand name). For me, the Concordia Nazaré GMT is proof that Charlie Paris deserves a lot more attention in the watch community.

An Underhyped Tool

Owning a modest but fairly diverse collection — ranging from neo-vintage pieces to modern tool watches and higher-end manufacture movements — inevitably raises the bar. The ZRC GF38213 is a watch I approached with high expectations, and overall, it delivers something genuinely distinctive in my lineup.

The first thing that stands out is the quality of the metallic components. ZRC clearly knows how to work steel. The case finishing is excellent for a professional dive watch: robust without feeling crude, purposeful without sacrificing refinement. It has real presence on the wrist, yet never feels overbuilt. The bracelet ecosystem deserves special praise. In addition to the original bracelet, the additional bracelet I purchased is outstanding. The machining, tolerances, and overall feel put them well above what is typically offered in this segment. Compared to several watches in my collection — the GF38213’s bracelets genuinely hold their own. The 60-click bezel is another highlight. While many modern divers go for 120 clicks, the 60-click execution here feels deliberate and historically coherent. The action is precise, confident, and extremely satisfying in daily use. It reinforces the tool-watch DNA and fits perfectly with the Marine Nationale heritage ZRC is channeling.

Accuracy is where the GF38213 slightly disappoints. While it has improved over time, it still does not consistently fall within the +7/-7 seconds per day specification. In a collection that includes very stable movements this becomes noticeable. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it is an area where sharper regulation would elevate the watch significantly. The date window is another small but persistent frustration. It is slightly off-center, and once noticed, it’s hard to ignore — especially for someone used to cleaner, more precise dial layouts. Finally, the dial feels a bit too busy. There is simply too much writing, which detracts from the otherwise strong visual identity. Given how confident the case and bezel design are, a more restrained dial would improve legibility and give the watch an even more timeless tool-watch aesthetic.

The ZRC GF38213 earns its place in my collection not because it is perfect, but because it is authentic. It feels like a real instrument, built by a brand with legitimate history and a clear vision. The exceptional metalwork, superb bracelets, and purposeful bezel make it a watch I genuinely enjoy wearing.With slightly better regulation, a more precise date alignment, and a cleaner dial, this could easily move from “very good” to “exceptional.” As it stands, it remains a strong, character-driven dive watch that brings something unique and refreshingly uncompromising to a my collection.

Accuracy after 5 months of usage: ~+9s per day

ZRC Grands Fonds - A tool watch with serious character

This little Seiko 5 is the first watch I ever owned. My parents gave it to me for Christmas 2022, and since then, my love for these little mechanical objects has only grown.

I immediately put it on a Seiko NATO strap in the brand's "sand" color, to better match its military feel and the ochre yellow of the Arabic numeral hour markers.

The dial is a very elegant blue gradient. The blue gradually darkens as you move away from the center. Depending on the light, the dial appears sometimes blue in the center and black at the edges, sometimes almost black/gray, and sometimes entirely blue. This dial works very well with the ochre color of the hour markers.

The case is simple with a sort of sandblasted/micro-blasted finish. This reflects the light beautifully and gives the watch a clean, understated look. It also complements its military inspiration. It's 39mm, a modern size. I would have preferred the 36mm versions, but if I remember correctly, they weren't available at the time, and this version wasn't (and still isn't) available in 36mm. This case remains perfectly wearable for my 16 to 16.5 cm wrist. The lug-to-lug measurement of 48mm is within the acceptable range for a wearable watch. Ultimately, it depends on personal taste and wrist size.

The hands are a slightly lighter yellow than the hour markers and lack the ochre tint. The overall design is very cohesive, and it's a pleasure to gaze at the dial with its striking black seconds hand featuring an orange arrowhead. Legibility is excellent, and the printed 13-24 hour scale adds a touch of military style. It's present but blends seamlessly into the dial. The lumibrite is also excellent. At the slightest exposure to light, it sparkles brilliantly once in a darker environment. This creates a beautiful interplay of colors between the dial, the hands, and the luminescent material.

The crystal is Seiko Hardlex. Personally, I love it. I love it because it brings that touch of warmth reminiscent of vintage plexiglass. It's a far cry from the coldness of sapphire. The crystal is also slightly domed, which creates a distortion of the elements when viewed from the side of the watch. It's a truly beautiful effect. For me, Hardlex is a definite YES. For a watch in this price range, it's frankly fantastic. I don't know, I just think it complements the overall design perfectly. It's simply warm and inviting.

The watch lugs are drilled, making it very easy to change the strap. A simple, small paperclip is all it takes. I recently put the original strap back on. A black leather strap, and frankly, it suits it perfectly. It's not the highest quality, but I think it does the job. In any case, it seems consistent with the rest of the watch, and I don't think it looks cheap. Personally, I'm happy with it. Plus, it goes very well with the dial when it's dark. Whether it's the sandblasted NATO strap or this black leather, both look fantastic.

In short, this military-inspired watch is superb for a small budget. It's a great entry point into watchmaking with something reliable, elegant, and very versatile. The whole piece works very well, and you can put lots of different straps on it to change its look. Simply top-notch. Personally, it's really the watch I wear when I don't want to overthink things and I want to be able to go anywhere. Plus, it's the kind of watch that can cover most of the "average" person's life today (in my opinion). The comfort, whether on the original strap or the NATO strap, is excellent. The watch is very lightweight, which I find a very important point. You forget you're even wearing it. Truly a great product. Seiko offers a wide variety of Seiko 5 models. A real winner in my opinion.

Just one point about the movement. I was lucky enough to get a really good one at +7 seconds per day. It was very accurate when worn daily and left face up overnight. Unfortunately, it fell from a height of one meter. As a result, the Hardlex crystal needed replacing, and the accuracy has never been the same since, despite a visit to my local watchmaker. It's now at -15 seconds per day, and I find it lacks consistency.

Too bad, that's life.

Seiko 5 sports - The first in an insatiable horological quest

The BB Pro Opalin is a watch I appreciate for its balance and coherence. Nothing is excessive: the proportions are perfect, the time is immediately legible, and the overall aesthetic remains true to Tudor's DNA, a blend of understated elegance and robustness. It's a piece that doesn't try to stand out, but rather commands attention on the wrist.

On the wrist, it feels wonderful. The watch exudes solidity and reliability, with a controlled presence that suits both everyday wear and more formal occasions. Every detail seems designed to last, without fleeting trends or unnecessary compromises.

Given to me at a significant moment in my life, it represents a well-considered choice, both for its horological qualities and for what it embodies: a watch made to stand the test of time, without ever growing tiresome.

The watch I will keep

<p dir="ltr">Created in <strong>2017</strong> by designer Nicolas Ducoudert, <strong>Beaubleu</strong> brings a new dimension to watchmaking by creating watches that are aesthetic, astonishing and deeply symbolic. The round hands, signature of the House, reflect singularity and sophisticated simplicity. Each model features a deliciously contemporary design, where every detail, every surface, interacts with light.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Breaking the codes of traditional watchmaking by providing <strong>a new vision of time</strong>, Beaubleu watches go off the beaten track by featuring round, hollowed-out hands, inspired by the work of Galileo in his understanding of the solar system. These hands poetically display the hours, which do not point to an index or a graduation, but which indicate a position, an instant from the center of the dial.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">What are the main models of the Beaubleu brand?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Beaubleu has just announced on June 5, 2024, the launch of a new limited series collection called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/seconde_francaise">Beaubleu Seconde Francaise</a>. A beautiful aesthetic and poetic innovation as the brand has the secret, with a flying seconds hand and a French caliber from France &Eacute;bauches. The Beaubleu Seconde Fran&ccedil;aise is one of the nominees for the 2024 GPHG (Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Gen&egrave;ve).&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">The collection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/ecce">Beaubleu Ecce</a> remains the permanent collection of the brand launched in October 2023. Despite its young history, Beaubleu has already marketed 3 collections in limited series:</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/b01">Beaubleu B01<br></a><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/union">Beaubleu Union<br></a><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/vitruve_date">Beaubleu Vitruvius Date</a> and<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/vitruve_gmt"> Beaubleu Vitruve GMT</a></p>
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Beaubleu watch cost?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The prices of Beaubleu watches change and differ depending on the model. <strong>Most cost between &euro; 800 and &euro; 1,600 according to the references</strong>. As an example, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/ecce/vesperal">Beaubleu Ecce Vesperal</a> is offered at &euro; 890 on the leather strap and the new collection&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/seconde_francaise">Beaubleu Seconde Francaise</a> is sold from &euro; 1,490 on a leather strap as well. All Beaubleu prices on the brand's website.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Beaubleu brand is independent and sells several thousand watches per year, all models combined. To choose the Beaubleu model that best suits you,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/beaubleu/why_customers_choose_beaubleu">owners' reviews on Beaubleu</a> are a valuable resource for evaluating the different models through the real experience of the brand's customers.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands"><span class="s2">ranking of the best French watch brands</span></a>, including Beaubleu.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

Having a luxury watch from a well-known brand on your wrist, no one except a budding thief will notice it. But when you wear a Beaubleu, your wrist becomes a curiosity, and everyone wants one.

I will admit, however, that after 40, my eyesight deteriorates, and it's impossible for me to always read the time on it. It's a very fun watch, very well-made, and eye-catching.

I enjoy having this watch in my collection and watching the hands spin, even though it most often ends up on my wife's wrist.

Bernard Schoeller could have designed it

I was looking for an original watch and I was attracted by this brand that offers watches with all the roundness. I hesitated a lot between the different models. The GMT models have two crowns and to integrate them, the shape of the case is different and loses its interest for me. On this Vitruve as on the non-GMT Ecce, the horns meet on the edges of the watch giving the impression that they "enclose" a round case. The dial is in brushed steel with circled holes as indexes. The edge of these holes looks like a thin, polished ring that contrasts with the brushed finish of the dial, creating interesting effects with the light. The hands are in the shape of a circle of course since it is the signature of Beaubleu, they are in polished steel and the seconds hand is blued. Unlike some people who find it difficult to read the time, I don't think so, I have no trouble reading the time and this is thanks to the dots on the hour and minute hands that allow you to locate the end of the "needle". The finishes are really beautiful, with an alternation of polished and brushed. The polish is magnificent, it's almost a mirror! The back is open to see the movement. There are engravings around the sapphire crystal that recall the brand, the collection, the serial number (limited series of 888 copies). The movement is a little decorated and without being an exceptional movement, I always enjoy seeing the movements of my watches. I chose the steel bracelet after hesitating with the leather strap. I don't regret it at all, the bracelet is beautiful and comfortable. It fits perfectly with the watch, is easily adjusted and it's an aesthetic plus!

Elegant

What a discovery thanks to you Xavier with your presentation on your channel which made us meet Nicolas the founder of the Beaubleu brand
An original way to read the time via its three circles which turn without necessarily being the most precise the blued second hand is beautiful
Bravo for this achievement the hammered Milanese mesh bracelet is beautiful with unequalled comfort
In short a poetry of all time I have a hard time not looking at it all the time to admire these moving circles
Only one downside is the readability especially when you get older

Vitruvian Poetry

<p><strong>ZRC</strong> est une maison horlog&egrave;re fond&eacute;e en <strong>1904</strong> &agrave; Gen&egrave;ve (Suisse) par Edmond Zuccolo et Joseph Rochet. N&eacute;e dans l&rsquo;univers des cha&icirc;nes de gousset puis des bracelets m&eacute;talliques extensibles, la marque s&rsquo;adresse aujourd&rsquo;hui aux amateurs de plongeuses-outils iconiques, rendue c&eacute;l&egrave;bre par sa Grands Fonds d&eacute;velopp&eacute;e pour la Marine nationale &agrave; partir des ann&eacute;es 1960.</p>
<h3>Couronne &agrave; 6 h, bo&icirc;tier monobloc et esprit Marine nationale</h3>
<p>Con&ccedil;ue pour r&eacute;pondre aux contraintes op&eacute;rationnelles des plongeurs-d&eacute;mineurs fran&ccedil;ais, la Grands Fonds adopte la couronne &agrave; 6 h, un bo&icirc;tier monobloc et des solutions maison comme l&rsquo;ECS (Easy Clean System) et le CPS (Crown Protection System). <strong>Dans la pratique, la couronne &agrave; 6 h et le CPS emp&ecirc;chent de porter la montre si la couronne n&rsquo;est pas parfaitement viss&eacute;e</strong>, limitant ainsi les risques d&rsquo;erreur avant immersion ; l&rsquo;ECS facilite le rin&ccedil;age pour &eacute;viter la cristallisation du sel sous la lunette.</p>
<h3>Grands Fonds et d&eacute;clinaisons contemporaines</h3>
<p>La collection actuelle d&eacute;cline l&rsquo;ADN historique (lisibilit&eacute;, ergonomie de terrain, silhouette &laquo; outil &raquo;) en plusieurs tailles et niveaux de performance. <strong>Quel que soit le mod&egrave;le, l&rsquo;architecture et la signature &agrave; 6 h rendent la lecture imm&eacute;diate et l&rsquo;identit&eacute; instantan&eacute;ment reconnaissable</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>ZRC Grands Fonds MN64 </strong>&mdash; Hommage aux sp&eacute;cifications Marine nationale, codes historiques de cadran et de lunette.</li>
<li><strong>ZRC Grands Fonds Heritage</strong>&nbsp;&mdash; Gabarit plus contenu (38 mm) conservant la signature de couronne &agrave; 6 h pour les poignets fins.</li>
<li><strong>ZRC Securicode</strong> &mdash; R&eacute;interpr&eacute;tation d&rsquo;un th&egrave;me de la fin des ann&eacute;es 1950/1960, avec &eacute;l&eacute;ments de style historiques.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Positionnement : outil pro, prix et distribution</h3>
<p>La marque revendique un positionnement &laquo; instrument de plong&eacute;e &raquo; au sein de l&rsquo;horlogerie ind&eacute;pendante suisse, avec volumes de production <em>non communiqu&eacute;</em> et diffusion s&eacute;lective (d&eacute;taillants sp&eacute;cialis&eacute;s et vente directe). <strong>&Agrave; titre indicatif, de nombreuses r&eacute;f&eacute;rences acier se situent autour de 2 500&ndash;3 000 &euro;, tandis que des versions techniques en titane d&eacute;passent 4 000 &euro;</strong> ; certaines &eacute;ditions sp&eacute;ciales ou m&eacute;taux nobles s&rsquo;&eacute;tablissent nettement au-del&agrave;. Pr&eacute;sence confirm&eacute;e en France avec des &eacute;taillants comme <a href="https://www.bijouterie-clouzeau.fr/fr/marques/zrc-1904">Clouzeau</a> ou <a href="https://www.berenger.fr/fr/horlogerie-berenger/marques/zrc-1904">Berenger</a>, et sur quelques march&eacute;s Asie/Moyen-Orient via un r&eacute;seau resserr&eacute;.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p><strong>ZRC s&rsquo;adresse aux amateurs de montres-outils au style imm&eacute;diatement identifiable</strong>, qui privil&eacute;gient la fonctionnalit&eacute;, la lisibilit&eacute; et une signature de design forte. Le choix se fera entre un usage polyvalent quotidien (Grands Fonds 300/38), une filiation historique appuy&eacute;e (MN64, Securicode) ou une approche plus technique et extr&ecirc;me (Grands Fonds 3000 Titanium). Les acheteurs sensibles &agrave; l&rsquo;ergonomie appr&eacute;cieront la couronne &agrave; 6 h et la s&eacute;curit&eacute; du CPS ; les puristes salueront la coh&eacute;rence d&rsquo;ensemble. Pour &eacute;clairer votre d&eacute;cision au-del&agrave; de la fiche technique, fiez-vous&nbsp;<strong>aux avis clients Dialicious</strong>, utiles pour comprendre confort, lisibilit&eacute; r&eacute;elle et ressenti au port&eacute;.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Ao&ucirc;t 2025)</p>

<p><strong>ZRC</strong> is a watch brand founded in <strong>1904</strong> in Geneva, Switzerland, by Edmond Zuccolo and Joseph Rochet. Born in the field of pocket-watch chains and later expandable metal bracelets, the brand now caters to enthusiasts of iconic tool divers, made famous by its Grands Fonds developed for the French Navy from the 1960s onward.</p>
<h3>6 o&rsquo;clock crown, monobloc case and French Navy spirit</h3>
<p>Engineered to meet the operational demands of French Navy mine-clearance divers, the Grands Fonds features a 6 o&rsquo;clock crown, a monobloc case and in-house solutions such as ECS (Easy Clean System) and CPS (Crown Protection System). <strong>In practice, the 6 o&rsquo;clock crown and CPS prevent the watch from being worn unless the crown is fully screwed down</strong>, reducing user error prior to immersion; ECS helps flush out salt to prevent crystallization under the bezel.</p>
<h3>Grands Fonds and contemporary variants</h3>
<p>The current collection translates the historical DNA (legibility, field ergonomics, tool-watch silhouette) into multiple sizes and performance levels. <strong>Whichever the model, the 6 o&rsquo;clock signature ensures instant readability and an immediately recognisable identity</strong>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>ZRC Grands Fonds MN64</strong> &mdash; Core diver inspired by 1964, 300 m, bold legibility for versatile daily wear.</li>
<li><strong>ZRC Grands Fonds Hertiage</strong> &mdash; Smaller 38 mm option retaining the 6 o&rsquo;clock crown signature for slimmer wrists.</li>
<li><strong>ZRC Securicode</strong> &mdash; Reinterpretation of a late-1950s/1960s theme with historical design elements.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Positioning: pro tool, pricing and distribution</h3>
<p>The brand&rsquo;s stance is that of an independent Swiss &ldquo;diving instrument,&rdquo; with production volumes <em>not disclosed</em> and selective distribution (specialist retailers and direct sales). <strong>As a guide, many steel references sit around &euro;2,500&ndash;3,000, while technical titanium pieces exceed &euro;4,000</strong>; special editions or precious-metal variants are significantly higher. Presence is established in Europe such as <a href="https://www.soprana.com/zrc-1904/?lang=en">Soprana</a> in Italy or <a href="https://junod-lausanne.ch/fr/collections/zrc">Junod</a> in Switzerland, and selected Asian/Middle-Eastern markets through a tight retail network.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>ZRC speaks to those who value immediately recognisable tool-watch design with functional clarity and a strong signature. Your choice will likely fall between versatile daily wear (Grands Fonds 300/38), an emphatic historical link (MN64, Securicode), or a more technical, extreme approach (Grands Fonds 3000 Titanium). Ergonomics benefit from the 6 o&rsquo;clock crown and CPS safety; purists will appreciate the overall coherence. To refine your decision beyond the spec sheet, rely on <strong>Dialicious customer reviews</strong> to understand comfort, real-world legibility and on-wrist feel.</p>
<p>(Updated August 2025)</p>

After much research, I chose this beautiful blue vitruvian date steel. A real favorite for this watch with its round hands, a worked bracelet, a neat quality, and this second hand which hypnotizes you with each turn of the dial, a great discovery for this French micro brand

anonymous's review on his Beaubleu Vitruve Date Acier

My first automatic

Where to buy your Beaubleu?

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Technical specifications of Beaubleu Vitruve Date Acier

Other Beaubleu Vitruve Date Acier owners' reviews

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Beaubleu
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Beaubleu
Vitruve Date
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Customize your Beaubleu with our selection of accessories:

Eagle Eye Watches

Iconic Switzerland

anonymous's review on his Beaubleu Vitruve Date Acier

My first automatic

Where to buy your Beaubleu?

Watchmakers United

Watchmakers United

YOU ARE :

Technical specifications of Beaubleu Vitruve Date Acier

Other Beaubleu Vitruve Date Acier owners' reviews

BeaubleuVitruve DateAcier

BeaubleuVitruve DateAcier

BeaubleuVitruve DateAcier

Customize your Beaubleu with our selection of accessories:

Eagle Eye Watches

Iconic Switzerland

Beaubleu
Vitruve Date
Acier

Beaubleu
Vitruve Date
Acier

Beaubleu
Vitruve Date
Acier