Fortis B-42

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Fortis B42 - when the earth is not enough

There are watches that seem to be out of this world. The Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonaut is undoubtedly one of them. A watch that has been making collectors’ hearts beat faster since 2003 and can look back on an eventful history. After all, the B-42 is one of the few watches to have left the cosmos and is rightly celebrated as a space watch. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph from 1994, which accompanied cosmonauts on their missions to the MIR and ISS space stations until 2003. We would like to take you on a journey into the past and give you some interesting insights into the history of the Fortis B42 below. Are you interested in a timepiece from this iconic collection? Or would you like advice on another wristwatch from the Fortis range, such as a Marinemaster, an Aeromaster or an Flieger with GMT function? Feel free to contact us – our experienced experts are here for you.

Fortis - a success story since 1912

The beginnings of the Fortis brand date back to 1912, when Walter Vogt opened a watch factory in the Swiss town of Grenchen. Success was not long in coming. Just five years after the company was founded, Vogt expanded his factory premises to meet demand. In 1926, he finally joined forces with John Harwood, the inventor of the first automatic movement. Together they began the world’s first series production of automatic watches. Further innovations such as the Fortissimo, one of the first waterproof watches, followed. In 1954, the Maison also presents a Marinemaster for the first time, setting standards for the manufacture of robust and waterproof watches. In 1961, Rolf Vogt, the founder’s son, finally traveled to the United States and presented NASA with a Spacematic AR in recognition of the courage and innovative spirit of the space agency and the pioneering astronauts. The next sensation followed in 1994: the Cosmonauts Chronograph accompanied the astronauts on their first mission in space.

Birth of the B-42 Official Cosmonauts

Just a few years later, in 2001 to be precise, the famous Fortis B42 case made its first appearance on the world stage. The brand presented its innovation at the Basel Watch Fair, laying the foundations for the current success of the iconic timepiece. In 2003, the Official Cosmonauts (Ref. 638.10.11) was finally launched on the market as the successor to the first space watch. However, the chronograph is not only found on Earth, it also provides cosmonauts with valuable services in their work in space. The watch is still used on the ISS today. Did you know? The name Fortis B-42 is no coincidence – it is an abbreviation for “42 mm diameter observation watch”.

Successor to the B-42 and other coveted models

As an allusion to the origins and milestones of the Maison, Fortis launched the Novonaut in 2023, honoring the Official Cosmonauts who set gold standards in space travel for decades. It is powered by the space-age movement 17, which has a power reserve of 60 hours. The use of robust sapphire crystal and a triple seal crown system with specially developed FKM seals make the Novonaut a virtually indestructible companion for any adventure. When talking about the Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonauts, the Cosmonauts Amadee-18 should not go unmentioned. This was developed in collaboration with the Austrian Space Forum, an organization that aims to make manned journeys to Mars possible. As the official supplier, Fortis equips the astronauts with the functional wristwatches during their simulations on Earth. Those who prefer a three-hand watch should take a closer look at the Fortis watches in the Day-Date collection.

What makes Fortis watches so special

Today, the Fortis brand can undoubtedly be mentioned in the same breath as big names in the watchmaking scene such as TAG Heuer. This is not least due to the precision and robustness of the tool watches, which can even withstand the conditions in space.

The Fortis UW-50 movement

Inside the Fortis B-42, the UW-50 movement sets the pace. The UW movements are real performance powerhouses that stand out from standard models. Characteristic of these calibers is the robust, anti-magnetic, gold-plated Glucydur balance wheel, which lays the foundation for the enormous precision of the timepieces. It is regulated by the Fortis watchmakers to chronometer standards and is characterized by a power reserve of 48 hours. When talking about the UE Performance movements, the name Paul Gerber should also be mentioned. Together with Fortis, the Zurich watchmaker developed an automatic chronograph with an integrated alarm. A real rarity that the Swiss Maison patented with the F-2001 movement.

High-quality performance materials

Since the very beginning, the Swiss manufacturer has left nothing to chance when selecting the materials used. For example, recycled stainless steel is primarily used in the manufacture of the wristwatches – a sustainable decision that combines aesthetic demands, first-class quality and a conscious use of resources. The Maison also uses titanium for its wristwatches, a material that stands out thanks to its robust, anti-magnetic and corrosion-resistant properties. Sapphire crystal is used for the automatic watches, a virtually indestructible material that enables optimum readability thanks to its anti-reflective coating.

Functions and features of the B-42

The Fortis B-42 Cosmonauts Chronograph was developed to withstand the conditions in space. Not surprisingly, Fortis has equipped the watch with a whole range of functions. For example, the men’s watch has a countdown bezel with a 60-minute graduation. This allows astronauts to set a defined time frame and read it easily even during space walks. In addition, the dot of the stop-second indicator is equipped with SuperLumiNova to ensure legibility even in poor visibility conditions. Another feature of the watch is that it is water-resistant to a depth of 200 m (20 bar). The stainless steel strap, which has a secure folding clasp, also ensures comfort. This can also be exchanged for a Fortis strap with a pin buckle or a rubber strap in a color of your choice. Opt for straps in amber orange or black, for example.

Buy a Fortis B-42 from a certified specialist dealer

Are you enthusiastic about the iconic space watch and would like to have the timepiece with box and in good condition in your collection? Or are you looking for a Fortis B-42 Marinemaster with a black dial? Would you like to find out about a limited edition of the Fortis brand or do you have your eye on a wristwatch with Date and Day? Whether new or in good condition from the previous owner, whether with a black dial or a hard-wearing rubber strap in black – SG Watches is your certified specialist retailer for Fortis watches. You are welcome to arrange a consultation at our branch in Oldenburg to find out the price of the watch you want or to find out more about the iconic space series. Or visit us online in our store and contact us by phone, email or WhatsApp if you have any questions about your chosen watch. You can also benefit from our services in this way, for example in the form of free shipping.