Titanium watches are becoming more popular for a reason. Titanium is noticeably lighter and stronger than the typical 316L stainless steel found on most watches, but it typically costs more. What RZE Watches has done with its newest offering, the Fortitude, is nothing short of awesome. The 41mm case of the modern pilot’s watch and the tapered bracelet are made from titanium, which is coated with the brand’s UltraHex PVD Coating that serves dual purposes. It prevents the typical oxidation of untreated titanium and then also hardens the surface to 1200 Vickers, or about eight times that of stainless steel. The textured fumé-like sandwich dial is a visual delight, and details such as the red crown tube, the turbine fixed bezel, and the large crown with embossed logo make the package seriously attractive. The Fortitude is powered by a tough Seiko NH35A automatic movement with 41 hours of power reserve. Additional features include AR-coated sapphire glass, 20,000A/m anti-magnetic resistance, a 100-meter depth rating, and Swiss Superluminova BGW9 lume that’s the perfect night-time intensity. It’s also tremendously comfortable on the wrist, and it’s sure to get the attention of pilots and non-pilots, alike.
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