Boldr have been making titanium watches for what seems like years now and The ‘Rally II – Wells 201’, a Meca Quartz powered chronograph, shows to me they are still the microbrand forefathers of this hype material that many other mainstream and independent watch brands are only now starting to use, and for good reason.

Titanium is strong, lightweight, has excellent corrosion resistance and can be put inside humans! But it has its disadvantages, mainly cost and fabrication limits compared to steel. So for an independent watch brand to create titanium watches shows their skill and confidence in this material. Having amassed a range of these watches in their Venture series I decided to sample one of these budget friendly Ti beauties, named after Boldr brand ambassador and champion rally driver Daniel Wells.

Using a simplistic case design highlights the strengths of titanium and obviously plays a hand in the manufacture. So this 38mm Rally II – Wells 201 design, while centred around the material properties, certainly creates an attractive and compact profile on the wrist. With a raised chamfered bezel sitting on the monobloc style midcase, and a curved chamfer on both sides to slightly soften and protect edges and exposed corners from damage.

Chunky pushers flank a pleasing and sizable screw down crown for 200m of water resistance at 3 o’clock which is just a dream to use. Caseback is screwdown and subtly engraved with a wheel and shock absorbers in a circular pattern to further identify this watch as a racing/rally inspired piece.

The dial is a perfectly legible matt gray affair with a contrasting beige print for the hour markers, minute scale, text and tachymeter scale. A nice sporty addition to this chronograph giving a slight whiff of speedmaster but firmly placing it in the racing chronograph arena.

The Rally II – Wells 201 has two sub dials deal with running minutes for the chronograph at nine and a 24hr reference at three. Couple this with that tachymeter function and a date display colour matched to the dial at 6 o’clock, all sealed within an AR coated flat sapphire crystal, and you have a very accomplished watch for the price.

Simply broad baton lumed hands and a pronounced central seconds hand top off an impressive spec sheet that shows you don’t always need applied logos and numerals to create a usable, attractive watch. Supplied on a nato strap with a titanium buckle helps keep the cost low, but drilled lugs makes swapping out to a complimenting flat strap easy if you want to steer it slightly away from its field watch lane.

Lume as mentioned is centered around the hands but is also present on the hour numerals and markers and the tachy scale, giving a pleasing two tone colour. Although not prolonged, the lume is strong and perfectly adequate. Wearability is nothing short of effortless, even though its depth of 12mm gives obvious presence it doesn’t get in the way due to the 44mm lug width.

I soon forgot I was wearing the Rally II – Wells 201 and it doesn’t  have that cold harsh feel against the skin like steel does when you first put it on. Yes Boldr have cut corners, mainly finishing of the titanium being basic with no bead blasting or added coatings. But that means you can appreciate the material for what it is, utilitarian, earthy and tactical.

Using a budget japanese SII VK64 meca quartz movement with no running seconds does highlight the low price point and the no nonsense strap and go nature. And with slightly unresponsive pushers at times, you are reminded of the inadequacies and limits smaller brands have to place on their products. But these don’t have a detrimental effect or distract from the many positives the watch has. In conclusion, If you’re Venturing (get it!) into titanium watches, the Boldr Rally II – Wells 201 is a solid starting point, highlighting the material and brand as a clear standout in the independent watch