Fly Boy Friday is a weekly series in which we take a look at the ever popular pilot’s watch. After featuring a whole host of hugely impressive pilot or aviation inspired watches from IWC, Longines, Alpina and Zenith, this week we focus on the Swiss watch brand Fortis.
One of the leading innovators in watchmaking for more than 100 years, Fortis produced the world’s first automatic wrist watch in 1926, the now legendary Harwood. Ever since, the brand has continued to create solid and reliable timepieces, all of which stand up against many similar mid-range watch brands.
In 1994 the Fortis Official Cosmonauts Chronograph was chosen by the Star City Training Centre to be the exclusive supplier of manned space missions by the Russian Federal Space Agency. Unsurprisingly, it is its Space collection of watches for which Fortis has become best known. The company has also supplied aviation and military watches to numerous military squadrons around the world including NATO, the de Jagdgeschwader Germany, Swiss 11 Fighters and the Thunder Tiger Aerobatic Team based in Taiwan.
For the most part, Fortis uses a Swiss ETA movement in one form or another and each timepiece is normally individually numbered.
Fortis Flieger Automatic
The Fortis Flieger Automatic is a classic styled traditional pilot’s watch. With a 40mm diameter stainless steel case, the watch is powered by the ever reliable Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic calibre movement, which includes an an Incabloc shock absorber, 25 bearing jewels and performs 28,800 vibrations per hour.
The black dial features luminous hand, numerals and indices, with a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. The Fortis Flieger Automatic also includes a screw down caseback and scratch resistant crystal sapphire, complete with anti reflective coating. Water resistant to 200m. From £900.
Fortis B-42 Stratoliner Chronograph
The Fortis B-42 Statoliner Chronograph is another popular choice from the Fortis Aviation collection. The stainless steel case measures 42mm in diameter, is 16mm thick and comes with an anti-reflective crystal sapphire. The stainless steel bracelet measures 20mm diameter and comes with a fold over push button clasp.
The watch includes a day/date calendar function, as well as a chronograph and tachometer scale. The black dial, with white luminous hands and hour markers offer excellent readability. From £2,815.
Fortis B-47 World Timer GMT
Measuring 47mm in diameter, the Fortis B-47 World Timer GMT watch would be a good choice for pilot’s, frequent travellers and just about anyone in between. The watch is powered by a Swiss automatic modified movement known as a Fortis Calibre F-2022, which beats at 28,800vph and has 26 jewels.
The timepiece includes a bi-directional bezel that lists the names of 24 cities, representing the different time zones. This then surrounds the black dial which is used as a 24 hour display. The inner blue dial is used to display continents and just to the right you’ll find the date window at 3 o’clock. The watch is water resistant to 200m and comes on a black calf skin strap. From £3,200.
Fortis Flieger B-42 Chronograph
In 2009 the Fortis Flieger Chronograph won The Busse Longlife Design award for its classic design and lasting appeal. The award is handed out every 3 years to products that are deemed to have made a lasting contribution to design. Today, the watch still remains one of the most readable pilot chronograph’s there is.
The watch measures 40mm in diameter, with its black dial highlighted by the white luminous hand and hour markers. Its stainless steel case is water resistant to 200m and also includes a dual sided anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Powered by a Swiss Valjoux 7750 automatic calibre chronograph movement which beats at 28,800 per hour, the watch features a day/date display at 3 o’clock, with its chronograph including a 12 hour and 30 minute counter. From £1,900.
Fortis F-43 Chronograph Alarm GMT
This is certainly one of the high end additions to the Fortis Aviation Collection, the Chronograph Alarm GMT is, according to the brand, the world’s first mechanical watch to include a chronograph, alarm, GMT indicator and dual power reserve indicators.
Limited to just 100 pieces, the watch measures 43mm in diameter and includes a polished stainless steel case. Powered by a Swiss calibre F2012 movement, which is COSC certified and includes more than 500 moving parts.
Considering the multitude of different features, the dial remains surprisingly legible. At the position of 12 o’clock is the GMT indicator, which can be adjusted using the crown at 10 o’clock. Just above 6 o’clock is where you will find the hour counter, with the minutes counter located below 12 o’clock. Between 1 and 2 o’clock is the AM/PM counter and there is also a date display at 3 o’clock.
Located between 5 and 6 o’clock is the first of the watches two power reserves. This is used to display the power reserve of the timekeeping mechanism, whereas the one between 7 and 8 o’clock displays the power reserve of the additional barrel which is used to power the alarm feature.
This video from Arizona Fine Time shows the Fortis F-43 Chronograph Alarm GMT in action. From £15,000.
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