Travis Tan is the founder and creative lead of RZE, an independent watch brand established in 2020. Based in Singapore, Tan’s professional background is rooted in engineering and aviation, having earned a degree in electrical engineering before embarking on a career as a commercial airline pilot. His experience in the aerospace industry, where he spent much of his life in long-haul flight environments, significantly influenced his later work in horology, particularly his preference for titanium—a material favored in aircraft construction for its strength-to-weight ratio.

Tan’s interest in watches began in childhood with rugged digital timepieces like the Casio G-Shock, which he used during his time as a Boy Scout and outdoor enthusiast. However, his transition into fine horology was sparked during layovers in major European cities, such as Milan, where he was exposed to the craftsmanship of traditional Swiss watchmaking. In 2014, he was further introduced to the technical side of the industry through his wife’s uncle, who owned a watch assembly factory in Hong Kong.

Before launching RZE, Tan was a co-founder and partner at BOLDR, another prominent Singaporean microbrand known for its adventure-ready timepieces. Seeking a new direction, he established RZE (initially known as Reise) alongside his wife, Vivian Ko, and a longtime friend, Clarence. The brand’s identity is centered on the concept of the “everyday adventurer,” focusing on creating robust, minimalist tool watches that utilize titanium and proprietary UltraHex coatings for enhanced scratch resistance.

Under Tan’s leadership, RZE successfully launched its first collection, the Resolute field watch, through a crowdfunding campaign that reached its funding goal in six minutes. Since then, he has expanded the brand’s catalog to include diver’s watches, such as the Endeavour and Aspirare, and utilitarian chronographs like the Valour. His design philosophy emphasizes functional minimalism and technical durability, reflecting a systematic and logical approach to product development. Today, Tan continues to lead RZE from Singapore, maintaining a focus on community engagement and the production of sustainable, high-value mechanical watches.