When most people think of modern watches, they envision one of two things. The first is the type of watch I usually review: luxurious mechanical watches intended primarily for enthusiasts or those who appreciate the finer things in life. The second is simple watches made for accuracy; think cheap Casio watches at Walmart. In reality, they're more accurate than mechanical watches.
The RZE Valour watch represents the best of both worlds. The meca-quartz movement provides the precision of quartz watches along with the timeless appeal of a mechanical chronometer. It's not quite a luxury watch. The rubber strap and utilitarian case prevent it from falling into that category. It's a high-quality tool watch that also suits more formal occasions. You can wear it while driving on the track and leave it in a chic restaurant in the evening.
RZE watches are a relatively new brand, founded in Singapore just last year. Their cohesive team has already released two successful collections: Resolute and Endeavour. The release of the Valour watch is scheduled for July 31, but I managed to take an early look. Here's what I found.
Hybrid Meca-Quartz Movement
A meca-quartz movement is one that combines the functions of quartz and mechanical movements. In everyday use, the quartz movement controls the timekeeping. This ensures maximum accuracy without the need to restart the watch every few weeks, as is the case with mechanical movements. It also allows for a much thinner watch design, keeping costs low and increasing durability and reliability. Finally, quartz movements are much cheaper and simpler to maintain than mechanical ones.
However, quartz movements lack soul. That's why watch enthusiasts love mechanical movements, despite being objectively less accurate. They have an element of craftsmanship and a soothing "tick-tick-tick-tick" that you won't hear in quartz watches. The meca-quartz movement includes a mechanical chronograph module that controls the stopwatch. This provides the feel of a mechanical chronograph without its drawbacks.
The RZE Valour watch is equipped with a Seiko SII VK64 meca-quartz movement, which offers exceptional accuracy compared to any mechanical movement. You might need to restart the watch once a year. The watch is powered by a replaceable battery rated for three years. Frequent use of the mechanical chronograph will reduce the battery life. But what's the point of having a meca-quartz watch if you're not going to use it?
Durable Titanium Case
Most watch cases are made from either steel or gold. Both materials are corrosion-resistant, and while steel is more affordable, gold is actually easier to work with. The RZE Valour case is made from titanium, which is not only corrosion-resistant but also stronger and lighter than steel and gold. The case is medium to large size, with a diameter of 42mm, ensuring a secure fit on the wrist. Despite the diameter and large bezel, the case thickness is only 12.5mm, which is surprisingly thin. This is largely due to the meca-quartz movement. The crystal is scratch-resistant sapphire, with an anti-reflective coating on the inside.
The case is not just practically indestructible. It is also water-resistant to 200 meters. This technically makes the watch suitable for diving, although it is not intended for underwater swimming. The screw-down crown ensures it won't accidentally open and let in water. The screw-down case back is not only easy to service but also easily reinstalled without compromising the seal.
Modern Salmon Dial
There are three versions of the RZE Valour model: with a salmon dial and regular titanium case, with a white dial and black bezel, and with a black dial and black case and bezel. All three models feature black sub-dials, large applied indices, and super-luminova paint on both indices and hands. All three models also have a tachymetric scale on the bezel.
The two sub-dials help perform the chronograph function. On the right is a 24-hour sub-dial, and on the left is a 60-minute sub-dial. When the chronometer is activated, it simply moves the second hand from the main dial. Additionally, at the "six o'clock" position, there is a date window. I liked this layout, as it doesn't interfere with the subtle placement and doesn't disrupt the balance of the dial.
Simple Strap
The watch strap is quite simple, made of smooth rubber without any imprints or stiffeners. It doesn't draw much attention, which is perfectly fine, as it wasn't made for aesthetics. It's durable rubber that bends when you need it to and doesn't break or tear. To damage it, you'd have to deliberately use scissors. The clasp is also sturdy, made of grade 2 titanium like the case, so it's much stronger than any steel clasp.
To sign up for the early release of the RZE Valour, visit their official website.