ZRC Securicode Diver 300 Men’s Professional Swiss Watch | 39mm 316L Stainless Steel Case with Steel Bezel, Black Guilloché Dial and Retro Expansion Bracelet (SC39163)

Securicode: A 120-Year Heritage of Marine Innovation

The ZRC Securicode Diver 300 Steel (SC39163) is a profound tribute to the brand’s 120-year history and its legendary 1958 S1 model. While ZRC is world-renowned for the Grands Fonds 300, the Securicode collection represents a more versatile, “retro-chic” approach to professional diving. This specific reference, the SC39163, is the most faithful re-edition of the original 1958 aesthetic, eschewing ceramic and bronze in favour of the raw, industrial beauty of 316L stainless steel. For the South African collector, this watch offers a distinct alternative to mainstream divers—a timepiece with deep-sea military DNA that transitions seamlessly into contemporary urban life. It is an instrument of precision that carries the weight of history on the wrist.

Visual Audit: The Depth of Black Guilloché

Our visual audit reveals a dial designed for both beauty and technical utility. The Black Dial is crafted from a brass base with a double-layer guilloché finish, creating a sun-ray effect that interacts dynamically with natural light. The central textured portion is surrounded by an angled flange featuring a printed minute and seconds track. The hour markers are applied faceted indices, with a prominent double index at 12 o’clock for rapid orientation. The handset is the signature ZRC “Magnum” type—broad, luminescent, and impossible to misread—paired with a lollipop seconds hand. The 39mm case is finished with a meticulous circular brushed effect on the lugs and bezel, exactly mimicking the tool-finish of the early French Navy models.

Technical Specifications

Mechanical Functionality: The Submarine Case Back

The SC39163 is engineered for the abyss, featuring ZRC’s patented Programmed Deformation Case Back. Unlike standard watches, this two-part system—consisting of a clamping ring and a shielded case back—mimics the door of a submarine airlock. As the diver descends and pressure increases, the seal actually tightens, ensuring that while the watch is rated at 300m, it can comfortably withstand pressure tests up to 800m. Internally, the watch is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 Elaborated calibre. This automatic movement is adjusted in three positions for superior accuracy and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). This specific all-steel model follows the “No-Date” purity of the original 1958 diver, removing the date window to ensure maximum symmetry and mechanical robustness.

The Iconic ZRC Expansion Bracelet

A standout feature of the Securicode SC39163 is the Stainless Steel Expansion Band. Originally developed for French Navy divers to allow their watches to be worn over thick neoprene diving suits without manual adjustment, this “stretch” system remains a marvel of ergonomic design. For the modern wearer in South Africa, this means the bracelet automatically adapts to the swelling of the wrist during hot summer afternoons in Gauteng or after active physical exertion. Constructed from non-magnetic 304L stainless steel, the bracelet provides a unique “retro-chic” look that is instantly recognisable to watch enthusiasts as a hallmark of ZRC’s technical heritage.

Designed for the South African Coastal Environment

The ZRC Securicode SC39163 is built to endure. The 316L stainless steel is surgical grade, offering total resistance to the corrosive salt air of coastal regions like the Eastern Cape or Western Cape. The 2.9mm thick padded sapphire crystal is exceptionally robust, and its blue anti-reflective coating ensures perfect legibility under the bright South African sun. With a case diameter of 39mm, it offers a refined, vintage-proportioned fit that sits comfortably on a variety of wrist sizes, making it an ideal choice for the professional who requires a timepiece that transitions from the boardroom to the coastline with ease.

Key Benefits of the ZRC Securicode Diver 300

• Historical Authenticity: A faithful re-edition of the 1958 S1 naval diver, offering timeless vintage appeal.
• Extreme Engineering: Programmed deformation case back tested to 800m for absolute security.
• Supreme Comfort: The patented expansion band provides a custom fit that adjusts to your movements.
• Swiss Precision: Elaborated-grade movement offers higher accuracy than standard mechanical watches.
• Investment in Rarity: ZRC is an independent manufacture with limited production, ensuring long-term exclusivity.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Steel and History

The ZRC Securicode Diver 300 Steel (SC39163) is a celebration of mechanical purity and industrial design. By rejecting modern trends in favour of historical accuracy, ZRC has created a watch that feels like a discovery from a golden era of exploration. It is a watch that doesn’t just tell time—it tells the story of the brave divers of the 1950s. Delivered in a luxury presentation box with a 3-year international warranty, this Securicode is a robust, reliable, and deeply charismatic asset for any serious collection. For the South African gentleman who prizes engineering over marketing and heritage over hype, the SC39163 is the definitive choice. Whether you are exploring the Indian Ocean or the streets of Sandton, this watch ensures you do so with a piece of horological history on your wrist.