by Brent Robillard

Happy Anniversary

Five years ago, I picked up one of the very first RZE Resolute watches. At the time, I was simply curious about this young brand making hardened titanium field watches out of Singapore. It felt raw, ambitious, and determined—much like its founder and his team. In the years since, I’ve watched RZE grow into something more than just another microbrand. It has become part of the broader EDC culture, carving out a space for itself among enthusiasts who value durability, utility, and design with purpose.

I still own the Endeavour, the brand’s well-loved dive watch, and I’ve handled nearly every release in between. So when the new Resolute Stratos landed, it didn’t feel like just another model update. It felt like a marker in a journey—for both RZE and, in a way, for The Calibrated Wrist. We’re both five years in, and while the road hasn’t been straight, it has always been forward.

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Key Features of the RZE Resolute Stratos

The Stratos Dial

The headline feature here is, of course, the dial. RZE has taken the angular, stripped-down utility of the Resolute Pro platform and paired it with something more refined: a deep enamel finish inspired by the shifting blues of the upper atmosphere. In person, it’s rich and glossy, catching light in a way that makes the indices stand out even more. There’s a surprising elegance to it, which contrasts nicely with the ultra-toolish titanium case. Like the upper atmosphere, it can be at once a vibrant blue and, then a moment later, abyssal midnight blue.

Applied indices and divided cardinal markers keep legibility high, as does the generous helping of lume. And while enamel dials are usually the territory of much higher price brackets, RZE’s interpretation feels right at home in a watch designed to be used, not babied.

Built on the Pro Platform

The Stratos may have dropped the “Pro” from its name, but it hasn’t lost any of the upgrades introduced in the 2023 refresh. You still get the Grade 2 titanium case hardened with UltraHex (~1200Hv), radial and straight brushing, a slim 10.5mm profile, and a bracelet fitted with RZE’s QUIKCLIQ™ system.

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At 40mm wide and just 46mm lug-to-lug, it sits comfortably on the wrist, lightweight but never insubstantial. With the bracelet, it weighs in around 120g—still featherlight compared to most steel counterparts. The screw-down crown, Viton® gasket, and 100m water resistance make it more than ready for real-world use.

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Inside is the Miyota 90S5 automatic, a movement I’ve come to respect for its reliability and low-maintenance character. No frills, no pretense—just a solid calibre that lets RZE keep the price accessible while delivering everything you actually need.

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On the Wrist

Wearing the Stratos, I was struck by how far the Resolute has come in five years. My original model felt like a promise; this one feels like a fulfilment. The proportions are excellent, the finishing sharp, and the dial… well, that’s where the poetry comes in.

The enamel isn’t overbearing. It doesn’t scream for attention. Instead, it quietly shifts with the light, a reminder that utility and beauty don’t have to be at odds. This balance makes the Stratos more versatile than its predecessors. It’s still a go-anywhere, do-anything field watch, but one that can also slip under a cuff or carry itself in more polished settings.

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Specs

Case	Brushed Titanium /w ULTRAHex Scratch-Resistant Coating 40mm Diameter 46mm Lug to Lug 10.5mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screwed-down Crown and Case Back 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Flat Sapphire /w AR Undercoat Heated Enamel Dial Applied Indices Swiss Super-LumiNova
Movement	Miyota 90S5 28 800bph 24 Jewels 42-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Titanium H-Link /w On-the-Fly Micro-adjust & QUIKCLIQ™

RZE Resolute Stratos

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Final Thoughts & Pricing

Anniversary models can sometimes feel like exercises in nostalgia or marketing. The RZE Resolute Stratos doesn’t fall into that trap. Instead, it represents evolution. It shows how far the brand has come, and how much refinement can be added without losing the tool-watch DNA that made the Resolute compelling in the first place.

Both RZE and The Calibrated Wrist turn five this year, and while neither path has been linear, both have been driven by curiosity, resilience, and a shared belief that the best journey is the one that keeps moving forward.

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Pricing & Availability

For $840 USD (eco-packaging) or $860 USD (with travel pouch), the Stratos sits in a sweet spot: still accessible, still built for adventure, but with just enough artistry to remind you that watches are as much about inspiration as they are about function. For more information, please visit the brand website.

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About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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