ZRC was founded in 1904 in Geneva, Switzerland, originally as a watchmaking and bracelet manufacturing company. Though it began as a family-run business, ZRC quickly earned a reputation for precision engineering and innovation.

In the 1960s, ZRC made history with the development of the Grands Fonds 300, a professional dive watch created specifically for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Built to military specs and tested under extreme conditions, the GF300 became a legendary tool watch—trusted by combat divers and naval specialists.