by Tyler Frederick
Supporting local services
In the Canadian watch industry, few brands exhibit a stronger commitment to supporting local services and businesses than RZE. Through initiatives such as Project Forest, their sustainability efforts, and their recent collaboration with STARS—an air ambulance service that has provided critical care to rural, remote, and Indigenous communities—RZE demonstrates exemplary leadership in community engagement and support for the dedicated individuals working to enrich the fabric of Canada.
On our mission to build tough titanium tool watches for the everyday adventurer, we’re introducing the Urbanist, a modern interpretation of the field watch. The Cerakote® Prairie Tan Special Edition is inspired by the infinite stretches of golden grassland of Western Canada and dedicated to the adventurers at STARS who help provide the best hope in a worst-case scenario.” –RZE
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Western Canada’s Lifeline in the Sky:
Following a tragic incident in a rural community that resulted in the loss of a pregnant mother, Dr. Greg Powell recognized the situation as preventable. Drawing on his previous experience during the Vietnam War, where he witnessed the effectiveness of rapid helicopter evacuation and air ambulance services for critical care patients and soldiers, he founded the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS). STARS took to the skies for the first time in December 1985, and never looked back.
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STARS would evolve from a single-helicopter operation into a comprehensive team of highly-skilled professionals dedicated to providing care to those in need, whether from the air, on the ground, or virtually. STARS is one of the most reliable medical systems for critical care patients in Western Canada, capable of operating in diverse locations and terrains. Their vision is to expand further, shaping the future of critical care and raising standards not only for Western Canada but for all of Canada.
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From Wrist to Rescue: The RZE x STARS “Prairie Tan” Urbanist
In April 2024, RZE launched their Urbanist line of watches, which represents a contemporary interpretation of the traditional field watch. This collection features a compact 36mm coated titanium case (available in UltraHex or Cerakote), Japanese Miyota solar movements, durable fabric straps, and highly legible dials across all variations. The Urbanist line is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a rugged and reliable watch for outdoor adventures, as well as for those on the frontlines of life-saving efforts across Canada. This brings us to the newest variation in collaboration with STARS: the RZE Urbanist Prairie Tan.
The Prairie Tan edition upholds the same build quality as other Urbanist models, featuring an elegant beige Cerakote case complemented by a brown dial and contrasting tan numerals, creating a distinctive and highly legible addition to the Urbanist line. Among the various models offered by RZE, the Urbanist stands out due to its practical “get up and go” design philosophy, making it an ideal choice for professionals who require a reliable timepiece while on duty in the air, navigating through rugged terrain, or responding to distress calls.
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“Since our very first mission in 1985, providing critical care, anywhere has been our North Star – our guiding light in everything we do.” –STARS
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Wear Your Support
RZE has clearly stated that this is not a limited release and will continue its commitment to support STARS for the foreseeable future. Each Prairie Tan Special Edition Urbanist features a unique caseback engraving dedicated to STARS, along with a fabric patch, to signify and extend your support.
Furthermore, 15% of the proceeds from each Prairie Tan Special Edition Urbanist sold will be donated to STARS to assist in their mission to protect and serve communities in Western Canada for years to come. In the future, patches will also be available for purchase, with each sale contributing to the acquisition of fundamental supplies, such as oxygen tanks.
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About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
This article was originally published in Volume 1, Number 2 of The Calibrated Wrist.
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