Fortis Cosmonautis Collections
Ever since their first orbital expedition aboard the space station MIR in 1994, FORTIS watches have been part essential few pieces of equipment for all cosmonauts. After 100,000 orbits around the earth and the longest stay in weightlessness of any watch, FORTIS has more than proven to the world its reliability in time and space. FORTIS has passed challenge after challenge proving its self over and over again like no other brand and is therefore a true pioneers in their own right and a brand people consider specialists in the field of space travel. Alongside the Official Cosmonauts watches with solid steel bases and engraved missions, this year FORTIS is launching a new version which embodies the features of the first original.
Official Cosmonauts
The FORTIS Official Cosmonauts range is iconic and there is no doubt about it. The range has carefully considered the key functionalities required making sure this watch is fully ready for the consumer market, its unparalleled robustness has continued to prove this brand to be amongst the best on countless space missions over the last 20 years. In the 21st century FORTIS is showing no signs of stopping as it blasts off into 2017 with some amazing announcements at Baselworld 2017 we cant wait to see whats next from this brand.
This watch has a Super-Luminova-coating on the watches hands, hour markers and digits which allow for it to be read accurately, even in low lighting or absolute darkness. The watch is encased in a robust durable case with unparalleled strength. Other watches in the FORTIS own series such as the FORTIS 638.10.11 and the FORTIS 647.27.11 are still part of every cosmonauts specially chosen reliable equipment used even today in the 21st century. In 1994 the decision was made by the Russian space programme ROSCOSMOS to award the watch with an accreditation of their reliability in Star City in the hardest selection and inspection process at the time, it even still stands today.
Official Cosmonauts Chronograph
Just like the other two members of the Cosmonauts family the stunning FORTIS 638.10.11 Official Cosmonauts Chronograph is part of the strictly selected reliable equipment for any ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut. The FORTIS Official Cosmonauts Chronograph has spent most of its time out in space and regularly sets out from Star City on intrepid adventures to the far reaches of the solar system as part of the ROSCOSMOS space programme.
On the ISS, this must have travelling companion is always readable with accuracy and precision, even when used outside in the harsh darkness of space,this is all thanks to its Super-Luminova coating. The watches case is a solid durable stainless steel and it has a sapphire crystal glass finished with anti-reflective coating on both sides to deliver when you need it most especially on demanding missions. The precision of the Swiss automatic movement which is a ETA 7750 is so well built it can even keep pace with the natural orbit speed which is approximately 28,000 km/h and delivers unparalleled accuracy. FORTIS even said themselves that “Few of us will find ourselves repairing a sun sail on the ISS, but one thing is clear: with the FORTIS 638.10.11 Official Cosmonauts Chronograph, you will be perfectly equipped for challenges here on earth too” The watch is beautifully crafted, reliable and accurate. We would definitely suggest this to anyone interested in a durable and reliable timepiece. This watch is the shining star of the FORTIS Cosmonautis Collection and its easy to see why!
Classic Cosmonauts Ceramic a.m.
Astronauts are explorers who venture into the unknown like pioneers of the darkness. But cosmonauts are different, they are space-travellers. The FORTIS brand conquered space when it released the first Cosmonauts Chronograph back in 1994. It achieved this in the protection of a space shuttle but impressively proved it also during a number of complicated space walk missions in zero gravity out in the vulnerable outer reaches of space. When exploring these dangerous unforgiving places that hardly anyone has been you need equipment you can rely on. You need a FORTIS.
As the first chronograph in outer space, the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph is a model like no other and as a tribute to this FORTIS wanted to honour this huge achievement of those cosmonauts who set out from Star City all those years ago with a tribute which is where the idea for the Classic Cosmonauts Ceramic AM came from. FORTIS brought forward the key elements of the erstwhile official timepiece into the modern age. vital materials such as the solid steel housing and the fully screwed pushers have maintained their original functionality with as minimal changes to aesthetic as possible. As well as this certain elements have also been added to further protect the watch and make it durable against the demands of the 21st century. The Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph Ceramic is getting a well deserved brushed ceramic bezel with wonderfully integrated tachymeter, it also features a glass case back that allows the wear or admirer a peak into the inner workings of this stunning timepiece, celebrating the finely balanced mechanics of this inspiring Swiss automatic movement ETA-7750, in both the a.m. and p.m. models.
Classic Cosmonauts Ceramic p.m.
Space can be a dark and empty place with hints of blue peaking through. When the sun is hidden behind the earth, the cosmonaut can barely see his/her hand in front of his/her face. It is this pitch blackness that inspired the Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph Ceramic p.m. model with its black dial, black ceramic bezel and black leather strap.The luminous coating on the hands, markers and indices of the face contrast perfectly off the black dial for flawless visibility in little or no light.
It is a known fact that few of us will ever experience flying above 35,000 feet, however this watch has many capabilities that protect it from the harsh conditions of earth too, for example it is waterproof to 100 metres. FORTIS has successfully managed to incorporate 22 years of space travel technology into this modern watches design. It is these design features that help this watch to be easily distinguishable as one of the origins of the first Official Cosmonauts watch. Some of these features include the fully screwed pushers, steel housing and tachymeter which were some of the most important properties of the first model not forgetting the chronograph function itself of course. Something not included in the original design is the glass case back, newly designed nickel hands, the carefully redesigned dial which now has raised numbers and indices, as well as the sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating on both sides which guarantees perfect readability at any angle.
Classic Cosmonauts Steel a.m.
There are some main “core” properties of the Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph Steel, these include the steel used, the fully screwed pushers and the Swiss automatic movement ETA-7750 This is the alternative to the p.m. model with the black face (401.21.11 shown previously), the a.m. model presents a light matte cloudy but reflective dial, as well as raised Super-Luminova-coated numbers and indices.
The fully screwed pushers are a feature of the first original model which acted as inspiration for this new edition. Its brushed matte steel bezel, with integrated tachymeter are equally important for the success of this beautiful model’s transition forward into the 21st century. The 42mm bi-colour case offers sufficient space, despite the chronograph functions which usually demand room to breathe and make a watch heavier however this watch is very compact and this is something the designers have worked on meticulously to perfect. The closeness works without sacrificing its core property of perfect readability like some of its competitors. All according to the motto: look backwards but keep going forwards, the Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph Steel a.m. creates the perfect twinning of the past and the future.
Classic Cosmonauts Steel p.m.
Trying to improve something that is already perfect is a hard task indeed however with FORTIS the challenge starts right here: the FORTIS family of Classic Cosmonauts chronographs brings together the best of the best into a range of must have timepieces. Space-tested technology that uses the most modern materials and has a continuously professional production quality. The impression of the FORTIS 401.21.11 Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph Steel p.m. and its build quality, are the perfect tribute to the first FORTIS space watch from 1994. The fully screwed pushers have been adjusted for the 21 century however it is only their design and their materials that have changed and all functions remain the same as those first used by the cosmonauts in 1994.
The 2016 FORTIS 401.21.11 Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph Steel p.m. allows you a glimpse into the tried-and-tested Swiss automatic movement ETA-7750 it does this through a glass case back on the watch giving you a detailed insight into the watches movement. The completely new stainless steel housing keeps the protected and the watch solid. FORTIS is letting pioneering spirit and courage inspire its design with this watch. The new 42mm bi-colour housing and the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides are key features of this model however it is these combined with its black dial and raised, green illuminating numbers, as well as the indices of the Steel p.m. model that make this a watch suitable for the 21st century.
Stratoliners
The stratosphere is part of the atmosphere surrounding the Earth. It is located between 15 and 50 kilometers above sea level. In contrast to the surrounding troposphere (0 – 15 KM), the temperature increases from -60 ° C to 0 ° C due to the ozone-absorbed UV radiation, which converts electromagnetic radiation into heat. Already in the 60s, pilots of reconnaissance flights, such as the US with the “Lockheed U-2”, needed a reliable technique for flights over 20,000 meters. The “U” stands for “utility” and was used as a camouflage, so that Russia did not suspect. Since these aircraft literally vanish from the radar, Fortis has assigned the model Stratoliner to the space watches.
The first watches, marketed under the name of Stratoliner, were released to the public from as far back as 1962, this was largely due to them being used for these reconnaissance flights. In northern Sweden on Esrange near Kiruna, the rockets MAXUS and TEXUS launched which were rockets carrying instruments which take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. The acceleration of the MAXUS rocket with 3,500 m / sec acts with up to 13 g and catapults the missile vertically up to 715 km. After it has conducted its experiments and test it free falls for approximately 12 minutes of free fall. The payload then parachutes to the ground and lands safely and intact. In the TEXUS program, a Brazilian VSB-30 rocket provided about six minutes of experimentation. The FORTIS chronographs, including the Stratoliner from 2012, have successfully passed these extreme tests. All of the watches components have been developed into the model you can purchase today. The 42mm case is enclosed with either a steel or ceramic bezel, which shows the tachymeter.
The case consists of both brushed and polished stainless steel sections and a glass base, which gives view into the watches beating heart. The crown is a traditional pusher crown while the pushers of the chronograph are securely screwed. The sapphire glass has been treated with an anti reflective coating on both sides, which in the sunlight takes on this distinctive violet-blue tint and makes the watch readable under bright conditions. The Stratoliner appears in two steel and two ceramic versions. It is available with either black or white matte. Both have square indices at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock, whilst the remaining hours only have a thinner rectangular indices. Hours and minute markers as well as the hour and minute hands are coloured in beige while the second hand was designed red as a highlight. The counter of the chronograph are flat and fit seamlessly into the dial so that all the components work smoothly and in harmony.
In addition to the four models that make up the standard collection, there are also 2 very special limited special editions of only 200 pieces each. The Stratoliner “Parabola” pays homageto the courageous scientists who always face extraordinary challenges in their work doing parabolic flights and thus make an immense contribution to society. The second limited edition, also with 200 pieces, is the Stratoliner “All Black”, which symbolises the view as you gaze out into the vastness of space.
FORTIS also have a specialised experience that only this brand offer and its pretty incredible. For 7,000 CHF (approx £5500.00) FORTIS will send your watch into space to make it “Stratosphere proven”. You can watch asyour watch rises up to a height of up to 40,000 metres by a stratospheric balloon. Once it reaches this height the balloon will burst and your Stratoliner will glide back down to earth via a parachute. Please note hoever that due to the rotation of the earth during your 3 hour flight all the way to the edge of space. Once it reaches the ground FORTIS use GPS to locate your watch and retrieve it. During your timepieces space expedition a camera attached to the parachute takes stunning pictures of your new watch over our beautiful planet.
Spacematic Steel
Like the name Stratoliner, the Spacematic was already protected by Fortis in the 1970s. But even before this time right back in the 60s. The Spacematic model belongs in the FORTIS collection. One of the first models was the Spacematic “ar” (all risks), which was a piece of equipment used by the space crew of the American Gemini program. At the beginning of the new millennium, the SPACEMATIC launched a watch line with a traditionally rich name. The requirements were unique in design, high functionality and good readability, robustness and user friendliness, this very demanding specification was made harder as they also needed to keep using pure materials and keep to their already perfect processing.
To this day the Spacematic is a timeless, sophisticated watch with high recognition. Today Fortis focuses mainly on making sure that the readability is always high under the conditions of the modern world whilst not compromising on the design. With the Spacematic Steel and also in the stealth variety, a new classic is launched in the field of space watches. Spacematic has always been the embodiment of flawlessness, simplicity and style. Framed by the beautiful black solid 40mm steel housing, the new Spacematic face shows up in matt black with white highlights making them contrast perfectly for high visibility. The white was also integrated into the hands. To match this, there are various leather and metal bands as well as the seamlessly developed Spacematic rubber and silicone straps.
