RZE Takes To The Skies With The Fortitude, A New Pilot-Designed Aviator’s Watch

The RZE model was established with the purpose of making exceptionally high-quality titanium watches that function each technical software and classy companion on any journey. Constructing on the success of and suggestions from its first three releases, RZE is now launching the Fortitude, a purpose-built pilot’s watch designed by the model’s founder {and professional} airline pilot, Travis Tan. The Fortitude combines conventional pilot’s watch design cues with a particular twist that’s all RZE. Being designed by a pilot with first-hand information of the wants of aviators and the brutal circumstances to which their watches are subjected, the Fortitude is actually professional-grade. That includes an anti-magnetic case and RZE’s signature UltraHex coating that gives ~1,200Hv of hardness, RZE’s trendy and ultra-robust tackle a pilot’s watch is offered to order now.

Whereas many manufacturers will sometimes make use of titanium in watchmaking, few manufacturers are as dedicated to the fabric as RZE. And why not? Titanium presents a plethora of benefits over conventional supplies like 316-L stainless-steel — 45% lighter, but even stronger, than stainless-steel, it wears gentle on the wrist and is able to withstanding the pains of life within the cockpit (or on no matter journey you select). Coupled with titanium’s distinctive gunmetal hue, watches crafted from the fabric appear to visually announce their purpose-built intentions. The Fortitude is RZE’s fourth watch crafted from titanium, and the model has realized a factor or two alongside the way in which.

In its first three releases, RZE opted for bead-blasted finishes — it is a widespread method for titanium watches, largely as a result of it supplies the watch with knowledgeable, tool-like end. Nonetheless, in creating the Fortitude, RZE went with a satin end that gives a extra versatile and refined demeanor. Doing so isn’t any straightforward activity, as titanium ending requires totally different gear and methods in comparison with stainless-steel, as a result of materials’s distinctive properties. Fortunately, the ending will proceed to look recent and new, as RZE has completed the Fortitude with its signature UltraHex coating, which ups the hardness to an impressive ~1,200 Hv hardness.

Designed round a 41mm case (48mm lug-to-lug, 12.45mm thickness, and 20mm lug width), the Fortitude clocks in with dimensions that may match a variety of wrist sizes, whereas offering loads of actual property for the dial to shine. Wanting on the case, your eye is immediately drawn to the milled turbine bezel — a transparent indicator of the watch’s aeronautic intentions. In a nod to custom, the Fortitude additionally contains an oversize crown, a characteristic made commonplace through the pioneering days of aviation when pilots wanted to have the ability to simply grip and switch the crown whereas carrying thick, padded gloves. Nonetheless, RZE has taken issues a step additional with its HexCrown; come out the crown to set the time, and also you’re met with a brilliant purple crown tube impressed by the “Take away Earlier than Flight” tags present in cockpits which might be eliminated as a part of the takeoff process. In case you can see the purple, that’s a fast and clear signal that you have to screw down the crown.

As a result of the RZE Fortitude was developed, in the beginning, as knowledgeable pilot’s watch, RZE ensured that the Fortitude may greater than stand up to the sturdy magnetic fields that pose a continuing problem for aviators. Titanium already supplies a level of anti-magnetic safety; nonetheless, RZE takes this a step additional with an anti-magnetic cage that gives the Japanese NH35 computerized motion with anti-magnetic safety as much as 20,000 A/m. That’s 5 occasions the ISO commonplace for wristwatches. Even when you’re not piloting an plane at 40,000 ft, the anti-magnetic safety ought to add some peace of thoughts, offering safety in opposition to the day by day barrage of electro-magnetic fields generated by smartphones, computer systems, and different digital units.

The RZE Fortitude is complemented by a titanium bracelet that incorporates a modified three-link design with angled outer hyperlinks. Listening carefully to suggestions from its prospects, RZE has outfitted the Fortitude with an upgraded flip-lock buckle that permits for straightforward launch. Completed with satin brushing, the curves and sides on the bracelet and case work collectively to subtly seize and mirror gentle, including an additional contact of class to the watch.

For a pilot’s watch, legibility is vital and the Fortitude supplies it in spades. RZE makes use of a sandwich dial that permits the amply utilized Grade A BGW9 Tremendous-LumiNova to shine by the hour marker cutouts within the dial (that sample is reversed within the full-lume dial Cruiser White colorway). Paired with the outsized arms and crosshair dial, studying the time is instantaneous. To take performance a step additional with out impairing legibility, the Fortitude options Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals throughout the rehaut, together with 13-24 numerals inset from the hours for shortly and simply telling navy time.

The RZE Fortitude is available in 4 colorways: NightHawk, Nimbus Gray, Turbo Teal, and the full-lume dial Cruiser White. The primary of the three every characteristic a extremely textured dial, set off by a black rehaut, with the Turbo Teal and Nimbus Gray additionally fading to black in direction of the periphery of the watch, making a fumé-like impact. Every colorway additionally incorporates a color-matched date wheel — only one extra little element RZE was certain to get proper.

The RZE Fortitude was created by knowledgeable pilot, for skilled pilots—or anybody else that’s on the lookout for a dependable, well-crafted titanium timepiece to accompany them on any journey. The Fortitude is now out there for order, with costs beginning at $499 USD. To study extra about RZE and place an order for the Fortitude, go to the model’s web site.

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