RZE are one of the front runners when it comes to the production of accessible titanium tool watches. Watches not meant to be locked away in display cases but to be worn out in the world, having adventures. Their latest timepiece, a limited production collaboration with Fratello, is the RZE x Fratello Resolute Pro “Contour”, a robust tool watch dedicated to the lost art of adventuring.
Starting with the case, it’s based on the Resolute Pro, RZE’s highest spec field watch. It measures 40mm in diameter with a thickness of just 10.5mm, which is great size for being legible while also not being so large that it gets caught on the rocks and debris as you gallivant around the countryside. Plus, you don’t have to worry about scratches on the titanium thanks to RZE’s Ultra-Hex coating with 1,200Hv hardness.
What makes the RZE x Fratello Resolute Pro “Contour” unique is the dial made from forged carbon sheets and steel powder. Forged carbon is similar to the carbon fibre used in motorsport except that instead of having a rigid structure to the layers, the structure of forged carbon is totally random. This creates wiggly lines and shapes that can never be replicated. The resulting pattern is reminiscent of the contour lines of a map, which show a region’s terrain elevation and are a tool vital to exploration. I really like the creative use of a material’s natural properties to create a cool and thematic design.
The contour-line pattern is also replicated on the watch’s solid titanium caseback, surrounding the Fratello logo. The caseback itself protects the Miyota 90S5 movement housed inside, an automatic calibre with a 42-hour power reserve and equipped with central hours, minutes and seconds. It’s a really solid Japanese calibre and it has good specs for the price.
Speaking of price, the RZE x Fratello Resolute Pro “Contour” is €679 excluding VAT (approx. £580). It’s an incredibly tempting offer for a watch that features one of the most interesting uses of forged carbon I’ve seen in a long time. In terms of availability, the watch is technically a limited edition. However, instead of having a preset number of watches that are available from the start like a traditional limited edition, they’re operating with a made-to-order system. They will simply produce as many watches as are ordered during the 4-day order period that begins March 14th 15:00 GMT and ends on March 21st 15:00 GMT.
Price and Specs:
More details at Fratello.
