Field watches are easily one of the most approachable styles of timepieces, and since they are inherently straightforward and simple creations, ample options now exist on the affordable side of the spectrum. However, RZE specializes in producing value-driven timepieces crafted from surface-hardened titanium, and field watches are a natural part of the company’s DNA. Within RZE’s lineup, the Valour 38 is positioned as the brand’s least expensive mechanical model, and it represents a modernized expression of the classic field watch concept. Although the RZE Valour 38 has been around for a couple of years, a new generation was recently introduced earlier in 2024, and it features several updates and enhancements that expand upon an already highly compelling go-anywhere, do-anything timekeeping companion.

Despite being RZE’s single most affordable mechanical timepiece, the Valour 38 is actually positioned as somewhat of a mid-tier offering within the brand’s current field watch portfolio. The solar quartz Urbanist is RZE’s true entry-level model, while the Resolute Pro is the brand’s top of the line field watch that features a 4 Hz automatic movement and an enamel dial. Sitting in the middle (although it is priced closer to the entry-level Urbanist) is the RZE Valour 38 field watch, which runs on a 3 Hz automatic movement with a standard printed dial. While RZE’s Resolute models are tangibly more elevated timepieces that feature applied hour markers and time-only displays, the Valour 38 adheres to an inherently more utilitarian design ethos, and the latest generation of the RZE Valour 38 now includes a date display, which is something that is absent from both its Resolute and Urbanist field watch siblings.

Just like all of RZE’s timepieces, the Valour 38 field watch is crafted from grade 2 titanium covered in brand’s proprietary UltraHex surface coating, which makes it approximately eight times more scratch-resistant than traditional stainless steel. Additionally, while the surfaces of its components feature contrasting finishing techniques, there are no high-polished elements on the RZE Valour 38 whatsoever, and the entire watch is either brushed or sandblasted to retain a more utilitarian overall appearance. A flat sapphire crystal (with anti-reflective treatment on its interior surface) sits within a smooth fixed bezel, while a solid screw-down caseback seals up the reverse side of the watch with an upgraded Viton gasket, and sitting between two angular guards at the 3 o’clock location is a signed screw-down crown that helps support the 100 meters of water resistance that is offered by the Valour 38 collection.

Regarding its dimensions, the official specs for the RZE Valour 38 are listed as being 38mm in diameter by 11mm thick, with a lug width of 20mm and an overall lug-to-lug profile of 45mm. However, when I measured the watch with digital calipers, I found it to be about half a millimeter thicker (measured at the center of the watch), and nearly a full millimeter larger in diameter (measured at the narrowest point of its case). That said, since the Valour 38’s middle case has somewhat of a tonneau-shaped profile that extends to form its crown guards and lugs, there isn’t a way to physically measure the watch without including at least some of its crown guard structures. However, 38mm ultimately feels like an appropriate description of the Valour 38’s size, and it even wears a bit smaller than many other 38mm watches, simply due to its case geometry and compact lugs.

At the time of writing, the RZE Valour 38 collection spans four colorways that include Carbon Black, Medallion Yellow, Slate Gray, and Calcite. While the Carbon Black and Slate Gray colorways are rather self-explanatory, Medallion Yellow is RZE’s signature hue of ultra-saturated goldenrod yellow, and the Calcite model (featured here) is the fully luminous version, which has a cream-colored dial punctuated by black markings and small Medallion Yellow accents. Regardless of their colors, all of the Valour 38 dials offer the same fundamental design that follows the blueprint of the classic mil-spec-derived field watch. Syringe-shaped hands display the time against a printed set of Arabic numeral hour markers, while a smaller 24-hour scale appears along the interior perimeter, and on the Calcite colorway featured here, the frames of the hands are finished black to provide additional contrast against the dial.

On the original time-only Valour 38 models, RZE’s logo was placed within the minute track below the 6 o’clock marker, although it has been relocated to top of the secondary 24-hour scale on this latest generation, and a date window (with a color-coordinated calendar disc) now takes the place of the 6 o’clock index. Since the Calcite dial is fully luminous, the clever decision to give its surface a cream-colored appearance helps prevent it from exhibiting the sickly green hue that often characterizes full-lume dials. However, the hands and the entire surface of the dial both still emit a bright green glow in the dark, while the small orange accents within the minute track glow in a contrasting shade of dim orange. Although non-glowing hands would have provided superior contrast, an entirely black-finished handset would have appeared disproportional in the daylight, and the distinct profile of their syringe-shaped tips provides plenty of legibility in dark conditions.

Due to the addition of their date displays, the updated RZE Valour 38 watches are powered by the calendar-equipped versions of what can be found inside the original time-only models, and they are fitted with the venerable Seiko Caliber NH35A automatic movement. Running at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 41 hours, the Seiko NH35A is one of the most commonly used self-winding movements within the entire watch industry, and it offers the usual conveniences of hacking and hand-winding with a quick-set mechanism for its date display. Aside from featuring a color-coordinated calendar disc, the NH35A movements inside the Valour 38 watches are otherwise identical to what can be found inside countless other timepieces, and while the Seiko NH35 is hardly noteworthy from a horological standpoint, it is the definition of a reliable and proven design.

Since its case is made from titanium, the RZE Valour 38 is a fairly lightweight timepiece at just 44 grams, although this will inevitably increase once you factor in a strap or bracelet. In its standard configuration, the Valour 38 comes equipped with a black version of RZE’s HexaFlex rubber strap, which features a curved two-piece design and tapers from 20mm at the lugs down to 18mm on the underside of the wrist. While the lugs of the RZE Valur 38 feature drilled holes to accept a wider range of spring bars and straps, the brand’s HexaFlex strap also includes integrated quick-release springbars to facilitate tool-free strap changes. The outer surfaces of the HexaFlex strap have a simple raised line running down their centers, while the underside surfaces are textured to promote air-flow, and completing the strap is a simple tang-style buckle that is made from the same UltraHex-coated titanium as the case.

The fact that RZE goes the extra mile of fitting its HexaFlex rubber strap with a matching hardened titanium buckle is certainly a nice touch, although I do wish that the tang for the buckle was slightly wider (or the gap for it was made narrower) so that the tang would have less lateral movement. That said, this is a truly minor nitpick that you will only ever notice when lining up the tang to place it through one of the sizing holes, and since the material used for the strap is ​​100% fluoro-rubber (FKM), it offers a noticeably more substantial feel than the hard resin or silicone straps that you frequently find on budget-friendly sports watches. Realistically speaking, if you find yourself nitpicking about the amount of lateral play on a tang buckle, the rest of the watch must be fairly free from any major shortcomings, and nitpicks aside, I have a feeling that most buyers will be reasonably content with the included HexaFlex rubber strap.

Alternatively, RZE also offers the Valour 38 with a matching UltraHex-coated titanium bracelet, although it is the brand’s universal straight end-link bracelet, which is compatible with anything that has 20mm lugs, including even something like an Apple Watch (when using lug adaptors). Featuring an angular H-link design with solid machined components and single-sided screws for the removable links, the bracelet tapers from 20mm at the case down to 16mm on the underside of the wrist, and it has an entirely brushed finish with integrated quick-release springbars built into its straight end-links to enable tool-free changes. Additionally, the bracelet’s clasp is a very well-considered piece of engineering, and it maintains a fairly compact overall profile, while still including a double push-button release and an integrated extension system with five positions of incremental adjustment that are accessed by pressing a lever within the interior of its structure.

I’ve always felt that field watches are a style of timepiece that is best enjoyed on the affordable side of the spectrum, as their minimalist features and inherently utilitarian designs simply don’t warrant a highly luxurious level of execution. A field watch is intended to be a rugged and care-free timekeeping companion, rather than a precious object only worn on special occasions; however, most watch enthusiasts want something that feels a bit different and more considered than what exists among the various standard-fare offerings, and this is exactly where RZE excels. With an official retail price of $349 USD in its standard configuration on a rubber strap (add an extra hundred bucks if you’d prefer the titanium bracelet), the RZE Valour 38 is entirely free from the mental baggage that accompanies more expensive watches, and it manages to stand out as a highly compelling offering within an incredibly competitive category of timepieces. For more information on the RZE Valour 38, please visit the brand’s website.