The Breitling Watch Blog

I personally love the Fortis watches from a few years back, and while this isn’t really an “oldie” per se, its from the previous generation of Fortis, so when the chance to pick up this Spacematic Chrono came up, I jumped on it. I reviewed the Fortis Spacematic Automatic back in 2008, and the Chronograph Spacematic is a nice chunkier version of the basic model. Its a similar case, with slightly thicker dimensions and wears fantastic for a 40mm watch.

The matte black dial, with tool watch style features really resonates with me, and is part of the reason I’m always draw to Fortis watches. The Valjoux 7750 movement inside is in its pure unadulterated form complete with day and date complications. The chronograph central seconds counter is in the familiar neon orange that Fortis often uses.

The Fortis Spacematic Chronograph has a distinctively boxy and simple case shape, featuring very straight sides and lugs, even with its elegant 3-piece case construction. The overall case finish is a fine bead blast, which looks fantastic on a tool watch, but can be difficult to touch-up if you get it scratched. Polished and satin finished cases are much easier to touch up.

The Fortis Spacematic has a fantastic bracelet, three links across with screw construction rather than pinned. Its not quite up to Breitling Standards but its a very nicely executed piece. The clasp is of the stamped variety, with slightly sharp edges that are a bit hard on the fingernails when opening. Its not as bad as some clasps I’ve used, but its not the best either. I would have liked to see smoother edges on the bottom of the clasp or something to make it feel smoother.

The pushers are standard location, no screwdown pushers, but it does have a screwdown crown that has a checked crosshatch pattern which is a very cool feature. Water resistance is 200m, which is pretty good. Just don’t push the chronograph pushers when you’re underwater.

The Fortis measures only 40mm in diameter, but looks great on the wrist. They can also be had for what I think is a bargain relative to their true value – certainly a bargain compared with their retail pricing that’s for sure. Compared to a similar Sinn or Kobold, the older Fortis watches are slightly cheaper on the secondary market and just as wearable IMO.

Overall a great watch that gives a very satisfying experience. I really dig this Spacematic Chronograph from Fortis and it makes me miss my Fortis Spacematic Automatic that I sold long ago.

Specs:
Crystal: Scratch Resistant Sapphire
Case Diameter: 40mm
Caseback: Solid
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Bezel Function: Fixed
Water Resistance: 200m/660ft
Calendar: Automatic Day-Date at 3:00

Fortis has announced a new Jumping Hours Watch at Baselworld 2013, which will be available in two art style dials. Not sure about the dials on these ones, but the case and bracelets are pure vintage Fortis, which I like. I was kind of hoping these would be standard tool/military style watches that Fortis does a great job with… perhaps down the road!

From Fortis:
The F-43 Jumping Hours watch comes in two versions: one with a black dial inscribed with hypnotic concentric white circles, and a skeletonized dial that reveals the jumping hour wheel and mechanism. Both versions of the Jumping Hours watch use the same movement and feature a jumping circular disc at 12 o’clock to indicate the hour. Minutes are indicated more traditionally, using a central minute hand. The beautiful minimal design is both innovative and easy to read.

The 43 mm stainless steel timepiece features a fluted screw-in crown, a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and an impressive water resistance of 656 feet. The black dial version is equipped with an integrated solid stainless steel bracelet, while the skeletonized version has been equipped with a beautiful black leather strap that has been specially fitted to the case.

Like most Fortis “art watches,” this unique Jumping Hours watch is expected to be produced in very limited numbers. If you are a fan of Fortis quality and craftsmanship and would like something truly unique on your wrist, this is the watch for you. Since Fortis is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Fortis watches are already in the spotlight. If you would like to secure a Fortis F-43 Jumping Hours watch for yourself or a friend, we encourage you to contact an authorized Fortis dealer immediately. As soon as the Baselworld Fair concludes, these spectacular timepieces will literally be jumping off the shelves.

From September 1st, 2012 through March 31, 2013 Fortis is having a contest to win a parabolic flight through space! To win, just submit your ideas or passions about space travel through artistic expression in the first ever Zero-G Space Art Contest! Going to space would be pretty cool, but I’m not really an artiste. Perhaps some of the Breitling Blog readers will find this interesting if you haven’t seen it already?

From Fortis:

“After 100 Years of Going Where No Watch Has Gone Before Fortis Wanted to Give Their Fans the Same Opportunity”

“The winner of this unique contest will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to leave planet earth and experience the incomparable feeling of weightlessness on board a special parabolic aircraft flight that simulates the sensations of orbital flight. The lucky winner will accompany scientists from the German Sport University of Cologne on board a specially equipped Zero-G aircraft as they explore the sensations of weightlessness. The winner of this unique contest will also be equipped with the same Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonauts Chronograph worn by astronauts on the International Space Station.

Anyone over the age of 18 can enter the Fortis Zero-G Space Art Contest by submitting their original artwork or videos to the Fortis Space Art Gallery. Winners will be determined by a vote of the online community. Get your friends to vote for your entry, because the entry with the most votes wins. There is even a prize for voting, since everyone who votes in this unique contest will be entered in a special drawing to win a second Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonauts Chronograph. The more votes your entry receives, the closer you are to a weightless parabolic flight on board the Zero-G aircraft.

Almost any original drawing, photo, painting or video related to your thoughts and feelings about space is eligible for this special celebration of 100 years of Fortis innovation. Get started now, and you may be in for the ride of your life.”

I posted a video of my Fortis Cosmonaute Chronograph a while back. This particular one has the very cool Lemania 5100 movement in it, which features the center-mounted second and minute counters for the chronograph and a 24hr time subdial at 12 o’clock. A very cool watch, with the only detriment being the smaller 38mm size. If this was a 41-42mm Fortis, it would make it nearly the perfect Fortis!

New video review! The Fortis Spacematic watch. Affordable, minimalist design, with a tried and true ETA Automatic movement to boot. A good way to test the automatic watch waters, or a good sport watch for the weekends. The 40mm Fortis Spacematic is a great all rounder.