By Brent Robillard
Modern Titanium Pilot Watch
There has to be something enduring about a Type A flieger dial. Afterall, it hasn’t changed much in the 80 years since its creation. The formula is brutally simple: big numerals, a bold minute track, and that unmistakable triangle at 12 o’clock that tells your eye exactly where to land. These watches were born out of necessity during the Second World War, designed for Luftwaffe pilots who needed to read the time instantly, often under pressure and in less-than-ideal conditions. It isn’t a romantic story. But it is one of clarity.
RZE’s new Resolute Type A taps into that visual language in a way that feels natural for the brand. This isn’t their first time flirting with pilot watch DNA. The Fortitude collection leaned into aviation with its turbine-inspired bezel, and the Ascentus carried subtle cockpit cues as well. The Resolute Type A, however, feels like the most distilled version of that idea. No decorative flourishes, no GMT complication, no visual noise. You get the triangle at 12, vintage-leaning sword hands, an inner 12-hour scale, and a bold outer minute track with baton markers. It reads like a flieger at a glance, which is the whole point.
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Key Features of the RZE Resolute Type A
On brand
At the same time, this is clearly an RZE watch. The case is Grade 2 titanium with the brand’s UltraHex surface treatment, giving it a scratch resistance rating of around 1200Hv. On the wrist, that translates to a watch you don’t feel precious about. You wear it, you knock it around a bit, and you keep moving. The Resolute measures 39.5mm across, 46mm lug-to-lug, and 11.5mm thick, which lands in a sweet spot for everyday wear. Historic fliegers were famously massive at 55mm. This one slips easily under a cuff and disappears on the wrist in a way those originals never could. The titanium case keeps the weight down too, coming in at 46 grams on strap and 99 grams on bracelet.
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White dial
There are a few deliberate departures from the historical Type A template that actually make the watch more enjoyable to live with. The chapter ring is raised, the hour markers sit proud of the dial, and the dial itself is multi-layered with lume integrated into the chapter ring. The white dial variant, in particular, hits hard. The two-tone full lume layout gives it a proper tool-watch vibe, and in low light it turns into a glowing instrument panel on your wrist. Among the three colourways being launched, this is the one that feels the most confident and the most fun. Dare I even say… sexy?
A few firsts
One of the more interesting changes here is on the back of the watch. For the first time, RZE has added a display element to the caseback. There’s an open portal that lets you see the skeletonized rotor of the Miyota 82S0 as it swings around, paired with a subtle engraving of a stylized aircraft and jet stream on the lower half. It feels on-brand without being heavy-handed. The caseback is secured with four screws, another first for RZE (?), and the watch still maintains 100 metres of water resistance thanks to a screw-down crown and a proper gasket system. This is a pilot-inspired watch, but you can take into real life without babying it.
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Workhorse calibre
Powering the Resolute Type A is the Miyota 82S0 automatic movement. It’s a modern workhorse calibre with solid reliability and easy serviceability. This version also has a hacking seconds. No one is pretending this is haute horlogerie, and that honesty suits the watch. This is about function, durability, and value.
A sapphire crystal with inner-side anti-reflective coating keeps the dial legible in bright conditions, and the custom sword hands loaded with Super-LumiNova do their job when the lights go down.
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Fits right in
Founded on the idea of travel with purpose, the name RZE comes from “reise,” the German word for journey. Over the past five years, the brand has carved out a clear niche with titanium tool watches built for people who actually use their gear. The Resolute collection has always been the backbone of that philosophy, and dropping a Type A into this family feels like the right move. It reinforces what the Resolute line stands for: tough, legible, no-nonsense watches that fit into daily life.
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Specs
| Case | Grade 2 Titanium 39.5mm Diameter 46mm Lug to Lug 11.5mm Thickness 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown Display Caseback 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Applied Markers Sword Handset Full Lume Dial Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Miyota 82S0 21 Jewels 21 600vph 42-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | TecTuff Strap, or Titanium Bracelet /w Micro-adjusting Clasp |
RZE Resolute Type A
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Final Thoughts & Pricing
At USD $499 on the TecTuff strap and USD $699 on the HexLink bracelet, the Resolute Type A lands right where RZE tends to shine. It offers a clean, thoughtful take on a classic design language, wrapped in a modern, lightweight, travel-ready package. Don’t expect a museum piece. This isn’t a wartime instrument. It’s a flieger-inspired watch for people who want something legible, wearable, and built to keep up with everyday adventures. In the broader RZE catalogue, the Resolute Type A feels right at home. Be sure to check out the brand website for more details and order information.
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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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