RZE and Vario Team Up to Create the UltraHex Titanium Trench

Vario and RZE have found each other, and that is not so surprising. Both brands have roots in Singapore, but that is not the only thing that they have in common. Innovation is equally part of their brand's DNA, but while doing that, they like to keep their prices accessible. Those have also been the key ingredients when the two brands teamed up to create the UltraHex Titanium Trench.

Trench watches are an essential part of the DNA of Vario. While it is not the only thing they do, it is the type of watch with which they have made quite a name for themselves. RZE has often a more modern approach to design, but when you bring those two things together, you get something that is nothing short of magic. The UltraHex Titanium Trench Lumed Carbon Fibre watch perfectly showcases what happens then. It is instantly recognizable as a trench style watch, the ones worn on the brutal battlefields of World War I. Its dimensions are kept modest, with a case diameter of 37mm and a thickness of 10mm. The stepped case design offers a lot of charm, while the fixed lug (so no springbar in between) makes it clear that this watch is no poser. 

While it might look vintage, with its bold font and charming old-style hands, it is a pleasantly modern creation. The sapphire crystal is double-domed and treated with an anti-reflective coating on the inside. The collaboration with RZE means that the case is made from UltraHex titanium, which has a hardness of 1200 Vickers, which is about six times as hard as the 316L stainless steel commonly used in watchmaking. Its matte tone makes it almost look like aluminum, and matches the dial nicely.

That dial is another surprise as it is made of forged carbon. Its unique texture adds, in a rather subtle way, another layer of character to this collaborative watch. That carbon fiber is infused with luminous material, making for quite a spectacle in low-light conditions. The white subdial adds a bit of contrast and also hides the RZE logo, which we also find on the charming onion crown. 

It is details like this that make the UltraHex Titanium Trench Lumed Carbon Fibre watch a treat. Even the screw down caseback is decorated with the flag of Singapore. The crown itself is screw down as well, because this Vario x RZE timepiece is water-resistant up to 10ATM/100 meters. It is connected to an automatic Miyota caliber 82S5, a fine performer that also offers hacking seconds as well as hand winding. 

The Bund-style straps underscore the heritage of these types of watches, while attention is even paid to the buckle. The strap is very comfortable on the wrist and also has the benefit that it makes the watch wear slightly larger than it actually is. The packaging of this watch is equally fun, as it is presented in a bright red Toyo toolbox, quite fitting for a watch of this pedigree. 

When adding all the features of the UltraHex Titanium Trench Lumed Carbon Fibre watch up, including that only 100 will be made, it is hard to understand why it only costs $499,-. Granted, this is without any duties and taxes, but it does include worldwide express shipping. For that amount, you get a charismatic and sophisticated watch, with a few tricks up its sleeve and with attention paid to every detail. For those of you who prefer something a little different, Vario and RZE also crafted this watch with a Timascus dial, where two or more titanium alloys are layered and heat-bonded to give a spectacular effect. This watch is also limited to 100 pieces and priced at $499,-. If you want a bit more color, Vario and RZE also offer the watch with a bright yellow enamel dial, a feature that RZE also incorporates into its own watches. This watch is even slightly cheaper at $439,- but also limited to just 100 pieces.

For more info, visit Vario x RZE, here.