You’ve probably guessed by now that we at Fratello are fans of RZE. The brand’s titanium watches are affordable and all have an explorer spirit. The RZE Fortitude GMT is a serious pilot’s watch that can track additional time zones. Today, the new RZE Fortitude GMT-S debuts. We think the capital “S” stands for “Sunburst,” because both the new gray and blue versions feature glossy sunburst dials. Let’s take a look at these new additions to RZE’s Fortitude GMT collection.
I’ve been wearing the RZE x Fratello Resolute Pro “Contour” for a few days and I’m impressed with its details and comfort. To be honest, the styling of the RZE isn’t really my style. It’s a bit too rough and modern for me. But I can certainly understand why these watches are popular. The features for the price are great and the design is very consistent. Plus, sometimes it’s nice to actually try a watch that’s not necessarily your favorite. It helps you see things from a different angle. So, here are my thoughts on the new RZE Fortitude GMT-S.
RZE Fortitude GMT-S
The RZE Fortitude is the brand’s pilot watch. Its 41mm case is made from grade 2 titanium, as is its three-row bracelet. Its 12mm thickness is quite impressive, considering that it’s an automatic watch with the flyer GMT complication. What’s more, with a lug-to-lug length of 47mm, it fits very well on a range of wrist sizes. For example, it fits my 17cm wrist well, and its light weight makes it very comfortable.
The case and bracelet have a brushed satin finish and are coated with a scratch-resistant UltraHex coating, which has a hardness of 1,200 Vickers, making it eight times harder than 316L stainless steel. This means the watch is shock-resistant and can be worn anywhere. Unfortunately, however, for those who like their watches to age gracefully over time, the RZE Fortitude GMT-S will remain youthful forever. The diagonal knurling on the bezel is reminiscent of an airplane engine and matches perfectly with the original design of the bracelet links.
I also like the large 8mm screw-down crown at the 3 o’clock position, which suits the Fortitude’s tool watch character and is very easy to grip and operate. The red crown tube, which warns you when the crown is not fully screwed in, is a nice addition.
Proper flyer GMT
An easy-to-use crown operates the Miyota 9075 movement inside. As a flyer GMT, it features an independently adjustable 12-hour hand that can be set to match the time zone you’re currently in. Additionally, a fourth hand allows you to track another time zone (usually your home time). The automatic movement runs at 28,800vph and has a generous power reserve of 42 hours. In terms of accuracy, the movement operates between -10 and +30 seconds per day. The case back is made entirely of titanium and screws down into the case, maintaining the Fortitude GMT-S’s 100-meter water resistance.
So, what’s new?
If you’re already familiar with Fortitude, the above won’t come as a surprise. However, I’ll mention the capital “S,” which in my opinion stands for “Sunburst.” Both new versions of the RZE Fortitude feature a very vibrant sunburst effect on the dial. I say “vibrant” because there are subtle sunburst dials and not-so-subtle sunburst dials. These Fortitude dials are very lively. This is most evident in the blue version, where the color is very electric and bright.
But the sunburst effect is very noticeable even in the grey version. When you move these watches and play with the light, the dials have a lot of depth, in part because the brushed hands and indexes play nicely with this play of catching the light. I was surprised at how sharply everything on the dial is finished; take a look at the applied RZE logo, for example, or the frame around the asymmetrical date window at 6 o’clock. Some luxury brands could learn a thing or two from this.
The hands of the RZE Fortitude GMT-S are also more consistent than the previous model. They are all skeletonized and match the applied hour markers nicely. Combined with the sunburst finish, the RZE Fortitude GMT-S looks more refined than its predecessor.
The “S” stands for “sophistication”
Overall, I feel that the RZE Fortitude GMT-S is a very well put together package, especially considering its price point. You get an all-titanium watch with a scratch-resistant coating, a flyer-style GMT movement, and a very attractive tool watch design, all for well under 1,000 euros. Oh, and did we mention that the bracelet also has quick-release spring bars and tool-free micro-adjustment? Nice. I also like the new Fortitude GMT-S model a bit more than the previous version, simply because it’s a bit easier on the eyes and more uniform. My favorite is the model with the dark gray dial. The color matches the titanium case and bracelet very well, and I love how it combines with the ochre details.
As it turns out, maybe the “S” actually stands for “refined,” but we’ll never know for sure. What I do know is that the new RZE Fortitude GMT-S, available in blue or grey, is on sale now for $679 (excluding tax) and will ship on October 10. For more information on the two new models, head over to the brand’s official website
Let us know what you think of the new RZE Fortitude GMT-S in the comments section below.
