COURG42 — Titanium Mission Watch

As a COURG Kickstarter backer more than a decade ago, I was really happy when the COURG42 campaign was launched; the larger size fits my wrist just right, the bezel action is solid, and the face/date options offered just the right configuration I wanted. This watch has been all over the world with me and can dress up with a leather band or down with a nylon one. Definitely part of my regular rotation.

Great watch, durable, lightweight, and useful. I used it while hiking Patagonia and it performed exceptional. I was able to track hike times with the bezel, my home time with the inner bezel, and the time in general. Plus it looks cool and not many people have it. It is always a conversation starter for watch enthusiasts.

The COURG42 is my second watch from Redux. The original COURG from 2015 has commanded about 90% wrist time since receiving it. For the new 42mm version I went with the GCT face. Like all RDX watches, it is a clean look, despite all the extra numerals and info on the GCT model. The three main criteria that define RDX watches are: Tool minimalism, Military heritage, Clean design. I can't tell you how much I love the purposeful omission of any branding, water resistance rating, etc on the dial. 99% of watches have this and its absurdly unnecessary.
Fun fact...its a trick! The face actually does have the following on it; "RDX COURG42, GCT AUTOMATIC, 20ATM, 42H". But, it is covert, stealth, hiding in plain sight if you will. If you don't look at just the right light angle, and with your phone zoomed in on it you would never know its there. I would 100% percent bet some owners have never seen this and don't know its a feature. Some may ask, if its so hidden why even have it. Those people don't get it. These are hidden details, easter eggs, for you the watch owner alone.
These wear and read like actual instruments. A few of the designs are based on cockpit dials. Which is to say maximum efficiency of legibility with nothing extraneous / distracting.
The titanium wears nicely over time. I would implore you, if applicable, to wear this watch on all your adventurous pursuits. In my line of work (electro-mechanical technician), and in my areas of work (subterranean, power plants, nuclear facilities, confined space, full body suit protection), the titanium now has a rich history of scuffs and blemishes, coupled with a slight sheen from every time I have wiped it down at the end of the day.
Takeaway: It looks great when new....it looks better when weathered from use.
The Seiko NH35 movement is what it is; tried, true, and ubiquitous in a good way (parts and service are easy). It uses the hacking version BTW.
The standard strap is awesome! It is seriously durable. The thickness and grade of the webbing is substantial. The titanium hardware on the strap of course matches the watch titanium perfectly, and tiny signature on the clasp, and buckle are super subtle, but tie in the attention to detail of the watch, with the ATD of the strap. I love design elements that only the wearer will ever know are there (hidden from outside view) and the strap also has an "Equipped For Good" badge sewn into the backside, opposite the buckle. Completely unnecessary. Absolutely cool.
Another very cool part known only to you, is the spec "sheet" stamped into the case back. It comes across like dog-tags for your watch. It documents the model, serial #, case material (titanium grade), ATM's water resistance, movement jewels, movement caliber, and crystal material.
The 120 click uni-directional rotating bezel is crisp and precise. With, IMO, a good balance of retention vs ease of rotating. Honestly, I always prefer rotating bezels to be on the extra stiff side, but no one will complain about this one.
The lume is average, but I'm not a lume snob. If for some reason you critically must read the time on a watch at night, buy a watch with tritium indices. My GCT face COURG42 has a light blue/teal-ish lume to all hands, markers, indices, save for the bezel triangle, which appears green.

In closing, I love my COURG42 (and original COURG) completely. They are two watches that I would under no circumstances sell or part with. If you like the concept of a minimalist, clean, military inspired aviation/diver design, and low production/small batch manufacturing (exclusivity) appeals to you then this is literally the perfect watch.

-Carl K.

Hi Elbert,

I wanted to share that I’ve been using my watch as my daily driver without any issues. I swapped the strap for a rubber one, which is much more comfortable than the canvas strap that was too long for me. With the rubber strap, the watch has become more versatile, and I wear it for every occasion.
I’m a civil engineer, and I’ve taken it to construction sites where I’ve worn it without giving it any special care, and so far, it still works great. The watch has gotten wet, dropped, and bumped, yet it keeps working just like it did on day one. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear all day.

It’s a great daily watch and an essential part of my gear when I head out for my day-to-day. I’m very happy with my purchase.

Best regards,

Fernando

Love my no-date A-11. The titanium is such a good material for me because I beat up on this watch and it has never taken any scratches. I bought some aftermarket canvase nato straps in khaki and stone, its like having 5 different watches. This is my beater, desk diver, gardening tool watch and my go to all round. Truly a go anywhere, do anything watch.

As a watch collector I tend to experience new brands. COURG 42 has proven to be a great piece.

Great watch, extemely legible, grear lume. Inner rotating bezel for 2nd time zone and external one for diving. Grade 5 titanium, very hard wearing. Great for all adventure needs !

What an outstanding watch. Titanium, large frame. Easy to read dial. Sapphire lens for scratch resistance. Matched with a NATO strap, puts my military issue to shame. Perfect fit for my wrist. Matched with a Sunto Compass and any weekend adventure is awaiting.

Outstanding Craftsmanship, Timeless Style and Quality

I was one of the original Kickstarter backers of the first Courg42 launch, and it remains one of the best watch-buying decisions I’ve ever made. My first Courg42 is beautifully crafted and has never missed a beat over the years.

When the next variants became available, I didn’t hesitate to back the brand again, adding the other two variants to my collection. I’m now the proud owner of three Courg42 timepieces, one of which I’ve gifted to my son. It’s particularly rewarding to own watches that are not only built to last but also carry the potential to be passed down through generations.

Last Christmas, my Courg42 A-11 travelled with me throughout Europe, from Prague to Seville. It proved to be the perfect companion, effortlessly transitioning from everyday wear to formal evenings. One watch, every occasion, and never out of place.

For me, Courg42 represents everything a quality timepiece should be: outstanding craftsmanship, dependable performance, versatile styling and enduring appeal.

A fantastic watch, a great investment in quality, and a timepiece I’m proud to own and pass on.

I own a Cougar42 GCT with a date display. It’s a beautiful watch—incredibly lightweight and durable. Perhaps, given my lifestyle, I haven’t fully utilized its capabilities, but wearing it means being part of the story that Elbert shares with us. This is also why I feel most proud to be part of the Redux family: because of Elbert’s perseverance in the face of adversity throughout the pandemic. Many would have given up in the face of so many challenges, yet he fought to bring his project to fruition, remaining true to the story he had shared with us all along. Giving up is not an option.

A daily mission watch should help you read the time, track what matters, and keep moving—it shouldn't compete for your attention. But the paradox of the COURG42 is that because it performs its duties so perfectly, it constantly draws my admiration.

It’s now a seamless part of my daily mission; a trusted companion, not just a tool.

It is my absolute go-to watch regardless of the activity or where my travels take me. An exceptional instrument that simply gets the job done right, and I absolutely love it.

This watch is awesome! It is a great tool watch that seems like it would survive everything. Comfort is up there with the best. I have banged and hit it accidently many times with no nicks visible. If I was to nitpick, the lume on it is very lacking. It is not bright at all and fades very quickly.

I had great hope for this watch and was very excited. Sadly the lume was extremely disappointing for this tyoe if watch and the 12hrs marker on the chapter ring were completely unreadable as way too small. I sold the watch the next month.