Introducing Fortis Brings Back A Classic With The Novonaut N-42 (Live Pics)

Fortis made the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph back in 1994. The watch ran on a Lemania 5100 movement and became the first official watch of the Russian Space Agency (ROSKOSMOS). That watch flew on MIR and ISS missions until 2003 when it made way for the Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonaut's Chronograph. In that watch, the ETA 7750 made for a brand new 6-9-12 layout with a day and date at 3:00 and its own bold tool-watch look. Twenty years later, that watch has gotten a massive upgrade.

The new Fortis N-42 Novonaut isn't just a space watch. In each of its three editions, the watch features that same 6-9-12 layout with the day and date at 3:00, but now powered by a WERK 17 column-wheel chronograph movement they "space tested" in the stratosphere. It has 60 hours of power reserve – not that you'd last that long in space without a suit. The stainless case is 42mm wide, has 200m of water resistance, and a matte or gloss ceramic bi-directional bezel (depending on the edition) with SuperLuminova inserts. While a bi-directional bezel isn't ideal for diving, the specs check out that it's more than possible. The numerals are applied with SuperLuminova X1 Lumicast. Two models have black dials, while one is blue, both capped with a chronograph hand in Berlac Fluor Orange with SuperLuminova® bull's eye.

The watch is officially available today and will cost $4,590 on a bracelet or $4,270 on a strap. The black "First Edition" comes only on the bracelet with a little rocket at six o'clock and a unique smoked sapphire crystal case back featuring a rocket as well. That model is limited to 100 pieces with a list price of $4,860.

I've never thought too much about what the Russians have been rocking on their wrists when heading into space. I was never one of those super "space-obsessed" kids so I'll admit, Fortis wasn't really on my radar. It's too bad because I'm a fan of a lot of Valjoux 7750 watches (and there have been some really wild ones – a story for another time). I've seen the Cosmonaut watches, to be sure, but I never knew what they were called or asked about their history.

From the pictures, it looks like a very solid and willfully chunky tool watch – which is Fortis' M.O. I could see this take quite the beating and, yes, be useful, should I ever somehow go to space. I think we're a long way off from Economy Plus seats to space that would accommodate my long legs, so I have a feeling that what watch to wear will be the least of my problems. Fortis seems to have done a good job of updating the design language of the Novonaut to have enough polish to look modern and new. So, for any fans of the original who need a modern (maybe slightly more reliable) upgrade, Fortis has you covered.

Brand: Fortis
Model: N-42 Novonaut
Reference Number: F2040010 (First Edition), F2040008 (Legacy Edition), F2040012 (Cobalt Blue Edition)

Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 14.7mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Black (First Edition), Black (Legacy Edition), Blue (Cobalt Blue Edition)
Indexes: Applied Lumicast numerals and luminous bezel markers
Lume: SuperLuminova X1 Lumicast
Water Resistance: 200m
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel Block Bracelet with adjustable Slide Clasp (All), or Strap made from FKM and high strength textile with included Pin Buckle (Legacy and Cobalt)

Caliber: WERK 17
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, day, date
Power Reserve: 60 hours
Winding: Automatic

Price: $4,860 (First Edition) or $4,590 on a bracelet and $4,270 on a strap for the standard models.
Availability: Immediately
Limited Edition: The "First Edition" is limited to 100 pieces; the other models are not limited.

For more, click here.