A Small Package That Packs a Punch: Hands-On with the RZE Urbanist
With its 36mm Urbanist, RZE Watches is not only making an hommage to the classic field watch, but also reinventing it in the process. Field watches have, in general, several universal characteristics: they are relatively small, robust, and highly legible. The Urbanist checks them off with ease and style, with its design and execution both packing a serious punch.
The watch's sense of style comes mainly from its angular cut bezel, which matches nicely with a case that also features a similar style. Together, the watch takes on a technical look that fits the modern interpretation of the field watch. The color is also a perfect match, and RZE calls it 'Prairie Tan.' This color is Cerakote, a ceramic-based finish mainly utilized in the automotive and aerospace industry that offers superior corrosion and abrasion protection. While you might expect RZE to make the case underneath out of stainless steel, they opted instead for their signature grade 2 UltraHex™ titanium. This makes the Urbanist tough as nails yet light as a feather.
This particular version of the Urbanist is dedicated to the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, also known as STARS. This Canadian non-profit helicopter air ambulance organization serves as a lifeline for the rural, remote, and indigenous communities across Western Canada when they need help the most. RZE commemorates them with a modest engraving in the caseback and a 15% donation of each watch sold.
The Urbanist has to be the first watch that I have reviewed in a long time that didn't have any writing on the dial. Even the brand name is boiled down to a single stylish R. This does help with legibility, as it paves the way for a clean dial design with plenty of details to delight you. The dial itself has a grainy texture that gives it a matte look. Do take out your loupe, as then you really get to appreciate the Arabic numerals which are placed on thick and light up like a Christmas tree when it gets dark. The same goes for the hands, which are white for extra legibility yet filled with Super-LumiNova that matches the color of the dial.
The display is protected by a thick slab of sapphire crystal. Here, RZE also shows how serious they take watch design, as the sapphire crystal is cut at an angle so that it is far less likely to damage on impact. It also creates a halo effect, which is a visual treat. It is AR coated, yet only on the inside, as RZE knows that when you also put it on the outside, damages on the coating easily appear and are hard to remove.
In terms of the movement, RZE opted for a Miyota solar-powered movement. This gives the watch great autonomy, as there is no battery that can run out as long as the dial is regularly exposed to light. Especially when you are exploring the great outdoors, this is comfortable to know. The same goes for the 100 meters/10 ATM water resistance, which RZE surprisingly achieves without a screw-down crown. This allows them to nicely tuck the crown in between two solid crown guards while it is still easy to operate.
RZE also didn't cut any corners when it came to the hardware on the nylon strap. To fit into the theme, it all features a black DLC coating, matching the finish of the crown and the screw-down caseback. The shape of the buckle is even quite intricate for a field watch and goes well with the design of the case and the bezel. All this combined makes the price of $279 for this specific model very tempting. Even more so, as 15% of this amount is donated to STARS, making you feel even better buying this Urbanist. RZE also offers this model in different configurations, with prices starting at $259 for the Grade 2 Titanium coated with UltraHex™ cased models.
For more info, visit RZE, here.
