Even as someone who is a big fan of RZE, I must admit that I was slightly skeptical when I first heard that the brand had plans for a digital watch. RZE consistently makes quality products, but operating within the digital space means going head-to-head with some of the industry’s biggest names, and it is an uphill battle for an independent brand to compete with the economies of scale that are enjoyed by manufacturing giants that produce everything from watches and calculators to musical instruments and robots. With that in mind, even when compared to the big-name brands’ offerings, the RZE UTD-8000 undeniably represents a rather compelling value proposition, and it offers a shock-resistant titanium case with a digital movement backed by a lifetime warranty, yet it costs less than a standard MoonSwatch.
RZE already has a solid lineup of analog tool watches, although its latest venture into the digital realm stemmed from its desire to create the most durable timepiece possible. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I think most people would agree that digital watches are inherently less sexy than their analog counterparts. However, when it comes to achieving the maximum levels of durability, every road leads back to digital. With no moving parts to break (or even a set of hands to knock out of alignment), digital timepieces are inherently more resistant to impacts than traditional analog watches, and factors such as lubrication and friction simply do not play a role in the performance of their electronic modules. Given a sufficiently durable housing, a digital module is capable of withstanding an extreme amount of punishment, and this is exactly the concept behind the RZE UTD-8000 digital watch.
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Before we get into the details of the UTD-8000 itself, it’s impossible to have a proper conversation about highly durable digital watches without drawing comparisons to the legendary Casio G-Shock. As the spiritual grandfather of this entire genre of timepieces, the G-Shock serves as the gold standard for durability in wristwatches, and ever since the Japanese manufacturer first set the bar back in the 1980s, few brands have even attempted to match the G-Shock. My initial skepticism about the RZE UTD-8000 was simply because I originally (and incorrectly) thought the model was trying to directly compete with Casio on a 1:1 level at its own game. However, rather than being a direct competitor of the G-Shock, the UTD-8000 really exists more as an alternative, and it represents a tangibly different expression of a digital watch engineered for maximum durability.
Casio produces an incredibly wide assortment of G-Shock models, but more elevated materials are almost always bundled with expanded functionality, and buyers who want a G-Shock with a full-metal case will also be getting movement with additional features like extra modes, solar charging, and Bluetooth connectivity. Consequently, G-Shock watches with titanium cases and sapphire crystals represent some of Casio’s top-of-the-line creations, and since they offer advanced feature-packed movements paired with luxury-worthy levels of finishing, these high-end models are often priced well above a thousand dollars. On the other hand, the RZE UTD-8000 embraces a fairly minimal set of features (at least by modern standards), and it is very much a classic digital watch that has been designed for durability and rendered in the same highly resilient materials that RZE uses for the rest of its models.
Similar to other RZE watches, the case of the UTD-8000 is crafted from grade 2 titanium with a matte sandblasted finish, and it is treated with the brand’s property UltraHex coating, which increases its surface hardness up to 1,200 Hv (around eight times greater than traditional 316L stainless steel). Additionally, the UTD-8000’s case is formed by a surprisingly complex multi-component structure, and you can see an exploded-parts view of the case in our article that first announced the model. Protecting the display is a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on its interior surface, while operating the watch is achieved with four titanium buttons located along the side of its case, and sandwiched between the upper bezel and the middle case on the RZE UTD-8000 is an anodized aluminum ring that corresponds with the colorway of each model.
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For anyone worried about the aluminum ring impacting durability, the UTD-8000’s titanium bezel connects directly to its middle case, with the anodized aluminum ring simply serving as a cosmetic spacer to highlight the case’s multi-component architecture. Meanwhile, the reverse side of the RZE UTD-8000 receives a solid titanium caseback to help provide it with an ample 200 meters of water resistance, and securing the caseback at the corners are four small Torx screws, which is a detail that has been implemented to comply with various nations’ regulations regarding products that contain coin-cell batteries. One minor difference between the prototype photographed for this article and the final production models is that the caseback of the prototype features an embossed RZE logo, while the emblem will appear in relief on the examples that will be delivered to customers, and the casebacks will be engraved with each watch’s individual serial number.
The case of the RZE UTD-8000 measures 42mm wide, although its bezel is slightly smaller with an outer diameter of 41mm. Meanwhile, its thick angular lugs are set 20mm apart with an overall lug-to-lug profile of 49.5mm, and they feature drilled springbar holes that are positioned far enough from the case to accommodate most pass-through style straps. At 13.4mm thick, the UTD-8000 is hardly a thin timepiece, and this is a direct result of its internal shock-absorbing movement holder that cradles the digital module to further protect it from impacts. Despite having the same on-paper height as a standard “square” G-Shock, the UTD-8000 does a less elegant job of hiding its thickness within the geometry of its case; however, its extensive use of titanium helps to create a lightweight overall package, and the watch comes in at just 52 grams (not including a strap or bracelet).
The UTD-8000’s display consists of a large-format LCD screen, which is surrounded by a colored dial plate that horizontally segments the information into three distinct sections. At the time of writing, RZE offers the UTD-8000 in three different colorways, which include black, blue, and the brand’s signature “Medallion Yellow” hue, which is the version featured here. Unlike the blue and yellow models that receive standard LCD screens, the black version is fitted with an inverted screen, and its dial plate is given small red, blue, and yellow accents, which I can only imagine is a subtle nod to the inaugural G-Shock model from 1983. The center section of the UTD-8000’s screen is used to display the most important piece of information for each of its different modes, and while the large bold numerals aren’t especially elegant, they undeniably provide generous levels of at-a-glance legibility.
Protected by a shock-absorbing mounting system inside the UTD-8000’s titanium case is a custom digital module, which runs on a single CR2032 battery (one of the most common coin-cell sizes) that provides it with approximately three years of autonomy given normal daily use of its various functions. A solar-powered movement would have undeniably been a welcome addition, although I also understand RZE’s desire to nail the basics with its first digital module, and adding solar charging to the equation comes with its own list of obstacles and potential issues. The big-name manufacturers that have mastered light-powered technology tend to keep their best designs for themselves, and since RZE’s goal for the UTD-8000 was simply to create a rugged digital watch that could withstand an extreme amount of punishment, I ultimately agree with the brand’s decision to not yet venture down the path of unproven solar technology.
Maybe I’ve become a bit jaded by the immense amount of functionality that is offered by today’s smartwatches, but given that the RZE UTD-8000 already has a fully digital display, I wouldn’t have objected to its internal module offering just a bit more modes and features. On one hand, I fully understand RZE’s desire to keep things simple and create a digital watch that someone can operate without referencing an instruction manual, but a couple of additional modes could have easily been included without adding too much complexity to the overall user experience. Admittedly, you do get all the basics such as a stopwatch, alarm, automatic calendar, and timekeeping in either 12-hour or 24-hour formats, but a countdown timer seems like a natural feature to include on a utility-focused model like the UTD-8000, and a secondary timezone would have also been a welcome addition for those who frequently travel.
Since the RZE UTD-8000 uses a custom digital module, certain aspects of its user interface function slightly differently than the familiar systems used by other brands. For example, selecting 24-hour timekeeping is done when setting the watch (instead of being an on/off-style display option), and you also get a different illumination system known as UltraGlow, which illuminates the various markings on the LCD screen with an aquamarine-colored backlight. Given that RZE already has a proven reputation for producing durable titanium tool watches, the big question mark remaining for collectors will be the brand’s custom digital movement, and this is simply because it doesn’t have a known-quantity reputation. However, to quell any potential concerns that buyers might have about the movement not being up to the same standards as the rest of the watch, RZE covers its digital module with a lifetime warranty that protects users from defects and premature failure.
In its standard configuration, the RZE UTD-8000 comes paired with a single-piece fabric strap, which offers a wrap-around design that is rather similar to the “Sport Loop” bands that serve as one of the more popular styles for the ever-ubiquitous Apple Watch. Made from a slightly stretchy elasticized material, the strap loops around the underside of the wrist and attaches directly to itself with a micro-hook tab (aka the smooth version of velcro), and the flexible nature of the fabric combined with the strap’s infinite range of adjustability results in an incredibly comfortable on-wrist experience that negligibly contributes to the overall weight of the watch. As the specific example photographed for this article was a pre-production prototype, its fabric strap is black, although the UTD-8000 watches that will be delivered to customers will all receive straps that match their respective colorways.
Since the shape and dimensions of the UTD-8000’s lugs are identical to what exists on RZE’s Endeavour dive watch, the brand also makes its inaugural digital model available with the option of the same H-link bracelet. Crafted from solid sandblasted titanium components with a taper from 20mm at the case down to 18mm at its clasp, the bracelet is treated with the same hardened UltraHex surface coating that covers the rest of the watch, and this goes a long way towards preventing the minor scratches and scuffs that normally accumulate on metal bracelets. Additionally, despite being rather utilitarian in its overall construction and finishing, the current generation of RZE’s H-link bracelet still includes integrated quick-release springbars, single-sided screws for its removable links, and a folding clasp with an integrated extension system that provides tool-free access to five positions of incremental adjustment.
So, why would anyone purchase the RZE UTD-8000 over a G-Shock? At the end of the day, I’m not certain any brand can beat Casio at offering a near-indestructible digital watch at a categorically budget-friendly price point. However, as soon as you start to look for details like a full-metal case or a sapphire crystal, Casio suddenly stops being the affordable darling of the industry. For starters, many of Casio’s more premium G-Shock models are increasingly opting for analog displays, and by the time you find a fully digital titanium G-Shock with a sapphire crystal and a matching titanium bracelet, you are left with models like the mega-premium MRGB5000 series, which costs more than a decent mechanical watch from one of Switzerland’s premier luxury manufacturers. Granted, a four-figure titanium G-Shock is objectively a superior timepiece, but it also represents a categorically different purchase than the UTD-8000.
From a functional standpoint, the RZE UTD-8000 is most similar to one of Casio’s entry-level digital watches, yet it is made from materials that are only found among the Japanese manufacturer’s top-of-the-line models. In that respect, the UTD-8000 really doesn’t have a 1:1 equivalent in Casio’s modern lineup, and rather than being a direct competitor for the G-Shock, I really see the UTD-8000 as being the answer for individuals who are attracted to the durability and humble price point of a standard G-Shock, but who don’t want to feel like they are wearing a “plastic” watch. To test the UTD-8000’s durability, RZE did everything from exposing the watch to freezing temperatures below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) to running the prototypes over with a truck, and while nothing I did with the watch even came close to approaching these same levels of punishment, I would imagine that the UTD-8000 is capable of surviving whatever strenuous conditions its owners might encounter.
Despite my minor nitpicks about its spartan features and lack of solar charging, the RZE UTD-8000 represents a very strong initial effort from an independent brand entering a segment of the market that is dominated by giants. With that in mind, where the UTD-8000 really shines is when it comes to its pricing, and it is positioned as RZE’s absolute least expensive model. As part of a promotion surrounding its launch, the RZE UTD-8000 will be offered at a special introductory price of $169 USD (which will only be valid through the end of March 2025), and once the model formally joins RZE’s catalog, the UTD-8000 will have an official retail price of $219 USD when purchased in its standard strap-equipped configuration or $369 USD when paired with a matching titanium bracelet. Aside from premium G-Shock models, there really aren’t all that many options for digital watches made from titanium, and the UTD-8000 promises G-Shock durability with a hardened titanium case for less than the price of a MoonSwatch. For more information, please visit the RZE website.
