JOIN ZRC NEW EXPEDITION
ZRC South Adventure
STARING
Frédéric Presles and Cristian Donoso
South Adventure
Return to Campana 1840 - 2022
BY PURCHASING
THE ZRC SOUTH ADVENTURE,
OFFICIAL WATCH
YOU DO NOT ONLY PARTICIPATE TO THE FINANCING
OF THIS NEW ADVENTURE,
YOU WILL BE PART OF IT !
BY PURCHASING
THE ZRC SOUTH ADVENTURE,
OFFICIAL WATCH
YOU DO NOT ONLY PARTICIPATE TO THE FINANCING
OF THIS NEW ADVENTURE,
YOU WILL BE PART OF IT !
ZRC OFFICIAL SUPPLIER
& PARTNER OF THIS EXPEDITION
It is through Jean-Maurice ESPARBES in charge of the search for Sponsors that Frédéric PRESLES gets in touch with Georges BRUNET CEO of the brand Horlogère ZRC. Passionate about Adventures, a former sailor of the French Navy, he quickly joined the project and decided to accompany Frédéric PRESLES as the main sponsor.
After North Adventure in 2018 alongside Alban MICHON ZRC, a new challenge is launched: ZRC South Adventure, return to Campana (1840-2022) with Frédéric PRESLES and Cristian DONOSO.
A TAILOR-MADE TOOLWATCH TAILORED FOR ADVENTURE …
The ZRC South Adventure is not just a watch… This is the extreme toolwatch capable of handling the worst conditions that will accompany Frédéric and Cristian throughout their journey…
Made in the best materials and with a particular attention to detail, the ZRC South Adventure has been the focus of attention:
• Pressure resistance tested at 1000 m
• Steel/ceramic bezel
• Single-piece housing
With its “Tropicalzed” dial, its Glassbox‑type glass and its brass embossed indexes, it exudes a very strong identity marked by Adventure.
In a deserted and unexplored region, the ZRC South Adventure as well as the specific compass, will be the essential equipment for Frédéric and Cristian to keep the course and orient themselves during their navigation, in the tumultuous waters of the fjords of Chilean Patagonia.
With this limited edition, ZRC provides financial support to the explorers who will be able to raise the necessary funds for the preparation and realization of the expedition. They will also be able to take on board the necessary equipment to carry out the scientific missions entrusted by the Underwater Archaeological Institute of Chile and its partners in the various sectors that all revolve around the environment.
A real logbook will be made, accompanied by a harvest of images (photos and films) that will show what they saw and lived during this crossing.
It will be impossible for them to communicate before arriving on the island of Chiloé 5 to 6 weeks later…
THE ORIGINS OF THIS ADVENTURE?
In 1840, Cap-Hornier «La Delphine» sank on a deserted island on the coast of Chilean Patagonia. A thousand kilometers from first aid, Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE, the 21-year-old lieutenant, will save lives of his 19 crew members after a journey of almost 8 months through one of the most hostile regions of the planet.
Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE
1819-1895
Illustrated by: Dominique Serafini, columnist and drawer of the Calypso with Commander Cousteau
SOUTH ADVENTURE RETURN TO CAMPANA (1840-2022)
WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT ?
Frédéric PRESLES and Cristian DONOSO, two explorers, as well as Georges BRUNET,
invite you to relive the journey of Lieutenant BUOT de l’EPINE:
Reach, the south
of Campana Island
to Chiloé,
between the screaming 50°
and the roaring 40th,
on one of the most
tumultuous coasts
on the planet,
located in the heart
of Chilean Patagonia.
Navigate on
instruments,
without any mapping
of the seabed,
explore the local
flora and fauna
that has remained untouched
since 1840.
Reach, the south of Campana Island to Chiloé, between the screaming 50° and the roaring 40th, on one of the most tumultuous coasts on the planet, located in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.
Navigate on instruments, without any mapping of the seabed, explore the local flora and fauna that has remained untouched since 1840.
Frédéric PRESLES, the great-great-grandson of Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE, a member of the “Société des Explorateurs Français”, will conduct a thorough investigation over the years to try to find the exact location of the sinking. In 2019, fate gives him a boost allowing him to identify the island. He then decided to set up an expedition to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious grandfather.
After many preparations including the negotiation of exploration authorizations with the Chilean authorities, the preparation of the logistics of the expedition as well as the search for Sponsors, a date has been set: October 2022.
Once this mission of exploration of the island is completed, Frédéric PRESLES and his team-mate Cristian DONOSO, considered as the expert of Patagonia, will repeat the nearly 1000 kms sailing route through the south of West Patagonia, that Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE and his companions had followed some 180 years earlier, leaving precisely from the bay that sheltered the castaways.
Frédéric PRESLES and Cristian DONOSO will sail aboard a boat similar to the one used by Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE. This journey will allow them to make an environmental observation through time thanks to the manuscript left by his aieul Alfred, where he describes in detail not only the conditions encountered at the time, but also the entire ecosystem crossed.
Scientists have also entrusted them with the task of taking samples, but also of collecting what they will see and identifying certain places in the region that still intrigue historians because this part of the western side of Chile has remained unexplored…
Retro planning
1st meeting
between Frédéric Presles
and Georges Brunet
Planning of the expedition
and resources,
obtension of the Chilean
government approvals
2021
JUNE
1st meeting
between Frédéric Presles
and Georges Brunet
JULY TO DEC.
Planning of the expedition
and resources,
obtension of the Chilean
government approvals
ZRC South Adventure
watch development
Planning of the expedition
and launch of the subscription
Production launch
Delivery of the prototypes
that will take part in the adventure
Return to CAMPANA expedition
2022
JANUARY TO MARCH
ZRC South Adventure
watch development
APRIL TO SEPT.
Planning of the expedition
and launch of the subscription
MAY
Production launch
SEPT.
Delivery of the prototypes
that will take part in the adventure
OCT. TO DEC.
Return to CAMPANA expedition
Layout of the adventure book
and making of
the film
Delivery
2023
JANUARY TO MARCH
Layout of the adventure book
and making of the film
APRIL
Delivery
PRODUCED IN 360 COPIES IN LIMITED SERIES (ONE WATCH PER DEGREE SYMBOLIZING THE COMPASS GRADUATION), THE NEW ZRC SOUTH ADVENTURE WILL BE OFFERED IN A “VINTAGE” WOODEN BOX WITH THE ADVENTURE COMPASS TO BE USED BY FRÉDÉRIC PRESLES AND CRISTIAN DONOSO.
A complete package of goodies will accompany the timepiece including a keychain, an adventurer’s hat, a scarf and the Adventure book.
THE SOUTH ADVENTURE LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- The watch produced in 360 copies (incremented from 001/360 to 360/360).
- The armored 3D stamping case back.
- The exclusive compass.
- The varnished Solid wood box cased in Alcantara,
- The leather pouch containing: the specific user manual,
- The watch book and an adventurer’s notebook
- The 2 years warranty.
- The disassembly kit + 1 vintage brown leather strap size M.
- The Goodies (hat + scarf + float keychain + Logbook)
If like us you are passionate about Adventures, incredible and epic stories do not hesitate this new ZRC is for you!
DETAILS OF THE SOUTH ADVENTURE PACK
THE WATCH & ITS ACCESSORIES
- Mat ceramic bezel insert
- Timer
- 3D index
- 60 divisions unidirectional rotating bezel
- Super watertight case (1000m). 316L antimagnetic stainless steel
- Black Nato strap
- Worldwide patent n°1462496 ECSTM (Easy clean system)
- Super luminous Indexs and hands
- Tropicalized dial with date
- 4mm sapphire glass box type anti-reflection padded glass
- Cap-Hornier “La Delphine” silhouette
- 6H double O’ring crown (Crown protection system)
Case back
Antimagnetic shielded
3D stamping
Black Nato strap
+ Vintage leather strap (M size)
+ Specific tool
COMPASS
Compass designed and created for the «South Adventure» expedition.
The route is plotted on an old map inside the compass.
At the request of explorers, it was designed to be unsinkable thanks to a cork float.
A “snap hook” ensures the safety of the compass on any support.
* Submersion resistance has been tested
Exclusive presentation box
Solid varnished wood box
Goodies
Hat
Scarf
Vintage leather pouch
Key-ring
The sinking of the cap-hornier
"la delphine"
In 1840, the young 21-year-old lieutenant Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE was rushed to the shores of Chilean Patagonia (a scenery that resembles the Alps falling sharply into the ocean) where, following a terrible storm and a night of fog without a moon, he will be shipwrecked with the ten-year-oldnine other crew members from Cap-Hornier La Delphine. They will remain prisoners of this desert island of barely four kilometres by three, for almost eight months…
Left to their own devices with the only link to humanity, the remains of their rowboat stranded on the beach that will take weeks to restore. Finally secured Alfred and 6 other members of the Crew set off to attack the waves of the South Pacific and try to reach Chiloé in order to mount a rescue expedition and recover the rest of the crew exhausted, left on the desert island.
After thirty-five days of privations and astronomical sailing in a rowboat, they reached Chiloé where Alfred BUOT de L’EPINE and his six companions of misfortune managed to charter a frail wooden boat still made today. They will again brave the elements for ten days, carried by favorable winds to make the journey of RETURN to CAMPANA and rescue their comrades left on the spot: the feat is incredible but they will still need forty-nine days of sailing to get everyone back to port!
All carefully recorded by Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE in an extremely detailed manuscript that will be “lost” in a chest for nearly 120 years… until 1963, when Alain PRESLES, Frédéric’s father, got hold of it and decided to have it published on his own account for the sole use of Alfred’s descendants. A story rich in twists, with the detailed description of the characters, the precarious situation, unexpected encounters somewhat frightening for some protagonists. There is also the pariah, the providential man, promiscuity, hunger, but especially the extreme will to get out!
THE CAP HORNIERS
OF THE 19th century
At the beginning of the 19th century, steamboats were already sailing, but the heavy consumption of coal by the machines of the time imposed sailing rather than steam for the transport of products over long distances. And since the Panama Canal will not be open to traffic until 1914, Cape Horn is the obligatory passage for European sailing boats “load” going into the Pacific Ocean.
The Cap-Horniers armament ports in France are few in number: Le Havre, Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, La Rochelle and Bordeaux.
Sailors – except officers – have no right to go ashore! Journeys last from eight months to two years.
The crew was divided into two crews (two planks) alternately on duty for manoeuvres, but, when the conditions of navigation required it, everyone was on the boat’s deck to assist.
Expedition members
Frédéric PRESLES : EXPLORER
Welcomed as a member of the Société des Explorateurs Français, he continues to share his exploration and passions with the public in the form of books, documentaries or lectures.
A Parisian by birth, he set out early on to become a photographer, before becoming a director and producer of animal documentaries and now a publisher without abandoning his explorations.
Since 2019, he has been preparing a new expedition, which will give birth to a book, a film, while already lectures are given about the story of this extraordinary shipwreck, of which one of the protagonists is none other than his great-great grandfather… shipwrecked eight months on a deserted island of Chilean Patagonia in 1840 whose coordinates he found and on which he will go in 2022 to explore it, and in turn, escape from it in order to better understand this story that has animated him since he was a teenager…
Welcomed as a member of the Société des Explorateurs Français, he continues to share his exploration and passions with the public in the form of books, documentaries or lectures.
A Parisian by birth, he set out early on to become a photographer, before becoming a director and producer of animal documentaries and now a publisher without abandoning his explorations.
Since 2019, he has been preparing a new expedition, which will give birth to a book, a film, while already lectures are given about the story of this extraordinary shipwreck, of which one of the protagonists is none other than his great-great grandfather… shipwrecked eight months on a deserted island of Chilean Patagonia in 1840 whose coordinates he found and on which he will go in 2022 to explore it, and in turn, escape from it in order to better understand this story that has animated him since he was a teenager…
Cristian DONOSO : ADVENTURER
With more than 50 large-scale expeditions to Patagonia, Antarctica and the Arctic, Cristian relives the same heroic tradition of the journeys that inspired explorers of past centuries. Research of the unknown, extreme preparation for the disciplines that will allow to face the situations. His projects are distinguished by their environmental sustainability, since his travels are powered only by human energy.
Also the meeting with Frédéric around the investigations on the extraordinary adventure of Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE and the sinking of La Delphine, was a real love at first sight of explorers, who pooled their knowledge-To do once again a single project that no one has done so far.
2022 will be the year that will allow him to follow in Alfred’s footsteps! A story that brings together all his passions.
With more than 50 large-scale expeditions to Patagonia, Antarctica and the Arctic, Cristian relives the same heroic tradition of the journeys that inspired explorers of past centuries. Research of the unknown, extreme preparation for the disciplines that will allow to face the situations. His projects are distinguished by their environmental sustainability, since his travels are powered only by human energy.
Also the meeting with Frédéric around the investigations on the extraordinary adventure of Alfred BUOT de l’EPINE and the sinking of La Delphine, was a real love at first sight of explorers, who pooled their knowledge-To do once again a single project that no one has done so far.
2022 will be the year that will allow him to follow in Alfred’s footsteps! A story that brings together all his passions.
Christophe POLLET : SEARCHER
Christophe Pollet, and the other two researchers of the Chilean organization IANS, well known for their work investigating the wrecks, follow in Frédéric’s footsteps, to discover the lost island.
Christophe; the scientific leader of the expedition stressed from the outset of his collaboration with Frédéric that the story is a true historical treasure, and that in this respect it deserves to be documented in situ.
Also after having determined the means that allow to go there, Christophe asks Pedro the specialist of the detection of sunken wrecks, and Alfredo, specialist of the ethnic groups of the region, to join him in carrying out an initial archaeological field assessment, in order to verify the elements of the story.
A first, in this area where for the moment no such mission could be organized…
Christophe Pollet, and the other two researchers of the Chilean organization IANS, well known for their work investigating the wrecks, follow in Frédéric’s footsteps, to discover the lost island.
Christophe; the scientific leader of the expedition stressed from the outset of his collaboration with Frédéric that the story is a true historical treasure, and that in this respect it deserves to be documented in situ.
Also after having determined the means that allow to go there, Christophe asks Pedro the specialist of the detection of sunken wrecks, and Alfredo, specialist of the ethnic groups of the region, to join him in carrying out an initial archaeological field assessment, in order to verify the elements of the story.
A first, in this area where for the moment no such mission could be organized…
Vincent DELMOTE
The director cameraman
Frederic and Vincent met a long time ago, kind of by chance on a plane going to Mexico. They shot documentaries together many times together, know each other well. Vincent is a gifted image, and anticipation. He knows how to find the perfect angle to best render as faithfully as possible all the details captured by his expert eye.
Romain LAMARCHE
The photograph
Frederic and Romain recently met around a book on which they worked together. Impressed by the quality of his terrestrial & underwater images, the explorer entrusts to the young photographer who is also an engineer programmer of underwater drones and who immediately accepted to take care of making images of the expedition. Frédéric always relies on his instinct and therefore naturally proposed to Romain to accompany him…
Pedro PUJANTE
sunken wreck
detection specialist
Pedro, the sunken wreck detection specialist, will have the difficult task of trying to find the anchors of the Delphine at the presumed site of the sinking about 1km northwest of CAMPANA. He will also be responsible for the detection of wrecks in the Strait of Magellan. Equipped with powerful sonars that the team hopes to submerge between two storms.
Alfredo PRIOTE
Specialist of
the ethnic groups
Alfredo, is THE specialist of the ethnic groups of the region, he comes not only to carry out a first evaluation on this ground that no one has ever trod outside the castaways, but also to verify a theory that the manuscript seems to validate him… But he can only be sure of it once he’s done his work !
