by Brent Robillard
Compact confidence in titanium
There’s a fascinating sense of satisfaction in watching a brand evolve and grow—not change direction entirely, but refine what it’s always done well. That’s exactly what’s happening with RZE and the new Resolute 36. Five years after the original debuted, the brand’s rugged UltraHex™ titanium field watch has been distilled into something leaner, lighter, and dare I say, more mature—without losing the grit that made RZE such a hit in the first place.
The model I had in for review was the Tempo Red, and it’s a colourway that immediately feels alive. It’s confident but not loud, vivid but still grounded in RZE’s utilitarian DNA. In many ways, it’s the perfect example of what this new 36mm platform is all about: compact strength with a refined pulse.
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Key Features of the RZE Resolute 36
A Familiar Shape, Sharpened with Restraint
The first thing you notice when strapping on the Resolute 36 is just how well the proportions work. At 36mm wide, 9.5mm thick, and just 42.3mm lug-to-lug, the case hits that sweet spot where modern wearability meets old-school sensibility. It’s light—ridiculously light—thanks to Grade 2 titanium treated with RZE’s proprietary UltraHex™ coating, which brings the surface hardness up to an impressive 1200Hv.
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At only 36 grams (head-only), the watch practically disappears on wrist. And frankly, can’t we give the brand a prize for creating a 36-gram watch in a 36mm shell? Just saying. Nonetheless, despite its featherweight build, there’s nothing delicate about it. The sharp, faceted lugs and brushed surfaces maintain the tool-watch geometry we’ve come to associate with the brand. RZE’s designers clearly didn’t want to lose the toughness that’s been central to the Resolute’s identity—they just reimagined how that toughness could feel at a smaller scale.
The polished edge bezel is a subtle but important change. It catches light beautifully and adds just enough contrast to give the watch a more elevated presence, without drifting into dress-watch territory. It’s a detail that shows RZE’s growing confidence in design language — not just building durable watches, but good-looking ones too.
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Tempo, defined
The Tempo Red dial is, simply put, fun. There’s a warmth and energy here that you don’t often find in titanium tool watches. It’s not a gloss or sunburst finish—rather, it’s a multi-layered construction that plays with light in a soft, almost velvety way. The applied indices, crisp minute track, and bold hands (filled with Super-LumiNova®) make for excellent legibility, even when that deep red tone might suggest otherwise.
The name “Tempo” fits perfectly: it feels rhythmic and balanced, designed for motion rather than stasis. On the wrist, it’s a dial that doesn’t demand attention but naturally attracts it, much like the beat of a song that keeps you tapping your foot without realizing it.
It should be noted that there are three other colourways up for grabs this time, as well: Waypoint Black, Halcyon Blue, and Mojito Green.
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Movement and Materials
Inside beats the Miyota 9039, a reliable, no-date automatic movement that RZE has used effectively across several models. It’s thin, accurate, and easily serviceable — a practical choice that suits the watch’s ethos perfectly.
Flip the watch over, and you’ll find a solid titanium screw-down caseback with a VITON® gasket, ensuring 100 metres of water resistance. The sapphire crystal with inner Super-AR coating keeps the view clear from glare, while the titanium QUIKCLIQ™ bracelet system adds everyday versatility and comfort. RZE’s finishing work on titanium continues to impress — crisp transitions, smooth articulation, and a reassuring sense of engineering precision.
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Everyday Adventure, Refined
RZE likes to remind people that “adventure isn’t just out there—it’s right here.” The Resolute 36 embodies that perfectly. It’s not shouting about extremes or chasing specifications for their own sake. Instead, it’s built for real life: the desk, the commute, the hike, the dinner. It’s the kind of watch you forget to take off because it simply fits into every part of the day.
That’s a remarkable feat for a watch originally born from adventure-tool DNA. In shrinking the case, RZE didn’t lose its personality—it just became more versatile, more wearable, and arguably, more desirable.
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Specs
| Case | Brushed Grade 2 Titanium with UltraHex™ (~1200Hv hardness) 36mm Diameter 42.3mm Lug to Lug 9.5mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down & Case Back 100m Water Resistance | |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Sector Dial Applied Indices Sabre-styled Hands Super-LumiNova | |
| Movement | Miyota 9039 24 Jewels 28,800vph 42-Hour Power Reserve | |
| Strap | Titanium Bracelet /w Microadjust |
RZE Resolute 36
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Final Thoughts
With the Resolute 36, RZE hasn’t reinvented the wheel—it’s just built a better one. The smaller size brings the design into sharper focus, highlighting how thoughtful the brand’s evolution has been over the past five years.
The Tempo Red model, in particular, feels like RZE at its best: bold, functional, and just a little unexpected. It’s proof that you don’t need to go big to make a strong impression.
If the original Resolute was about proving that titanium tool watches could be affordable and tough, the Resolute 36 is about showing that they can also be elegant. And that’s an adventure worth taking every day.
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Pricing & Availability
At USD $599, it’s also hard to argue with the value proposition. You’re getting a full-titanium, sapphire-equipped, automatic field watch that’s lighter than most quartz models, and one that looks this good? That’s compelling. And it’s available as of today from the brand website. Shipping November 3rd.
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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