The new Fortis Novanaught N-42 watch
Wednesday - 25 October 2023
The new Fortis Novanaught N-42 continues the legacy of the brand’s Cosmonauts Chronograph space watch but offers an even more assertive and masculine-looking instrument watch, complete with a movement that has been stratosphere-tested
Not being funny, but when the Fortis Cosmonauts Chronograph was used as a blunt instrument to hammer a rivet back into place on the outside of the International Space Station, it certainly gave that “other” Swiss chronograph watch (mentioning no names here!) a run for its money. It was a Russian Cosmonaut who was in the middle of carrying out some routine checks when he realised he was without a hammer as he went to complete an integral part of the process. Not wanting to abort the task completely, he decided to take his Cosmonauts Chronograph watch off the wrist and use it to complete the job in hand.
The Cosmonaut Chronograph was issued to the Russian Roscosmos space program back in 1994 and was a cornerstone to Fortis’ success. It has also endured over 100,000 orbits and has only ever been a space watch, specifically built for a certain type of wearer. These original models were powered by the Le Mania 5100 movement, an automatic Calibre that proved itself just as accurate as any mechanical. The watch was issued to the entire space agency, providing a 24-hour indicator and a centralised minute counter too.
When Fortis released the first B-42 version of the Cosmonauts Chronograph in 2003, it measured a beefier diameter of 42mm instead of the former 38mm. It was also powered by a Valjoux movement and featured a brushed stainless steel case for a tough instrumental look. A three-link stainless steel bracelet gave it a stronger sense of purpose. The replacement of tritium by Super-LumiNova showed vast improvements from the models of the 90s. The fluorescent orange accents in the central second hand, however, is a design feature that was kept alive, sat underneath a piece of anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass.
The new Fortis N-42 Novanaught revamps that cult classic in the form of a 42mm model that combines all the best features of the Cosmonauts Chronograph with the brand’s modern developments now under the direction of Jupp Philipp.
What has changed for the Cosmonauts Chronograph?
Well, in answer to that question, a lot. Fortis has extracted the recipe of the original Flieger collection and used it for the design of this new chronograph. The watch is still manufactured from stainless steel but it is now recycled steel and looks beefier despite measuring the same size. The surface of the case is entirely brushed and the lugs are shorter, albeit they are fitted to the side of the case to enable for the fast and efficient changing over of the straps, should the need arise.
The new Fortis Novanaught N-42 watch
Ready for action, the Fortis N 42 Novanaught is water resistant to 200 meters. A bi-directional rotating bezel in blue or black is equipped with a 60-minute scale that is entirely luminous in the dark. This “Sirius Bezel”, as Fortis likes to call, it is also crafted from scratch-resistant ceramic.
The dial itself, whether you opt for blue or black, is technical-looking and displays all the essential pieces of information you need clearly. The chronograph counters are placed in the 6-9-12 layout and offer 12-hour, small seconds and 30-minute functions respectively. There’s also a day-date feature dressed against a white wheel at 3 o’clock and a scale around the flange that features minutes and seconds. This section has been crafted from Lumicast. The half hour markers are also provided on the dial, and the entire display is punctuated by this vibrant orange colour seen in the three chronograph hands. Even the much smaller details of this watch pay tribute to the B-42 model, like the two arrows shown near the date window, indicating which way to rotate the crown to operate the functions.
Three editions have been released to mark the birth of the revolutionary B-42 Cosmonauts Chronograph. The limited edition version in black has orange accents and a black ceramic bezel. It features a tinted sapphire crystal glass and is only offered in a three-link stainless steel bracelet. The Legacy Edition, however, has a matte black dial and black bezel, a closed caseback and comes fitted on the choice of a black rubber/textile band or a steel bracelet. The Cobalt Blue edition has a sunray blue dial and bezel and offers a slightly more contemporary design. It is completed with a tinted sapphire back that shows off the performance of the Calibre Werk 17. The movement was developed for Fortis by La Joux Perret and has been tested in the Stratosphere. There are some major advantages of this movement, including the redesigned brushes, the shock-resistant qualities of the movement and the tangential micro-screw regulation, which all help to deliver a more precise and seamless mechanical performance.
If you’d like more information on the Legacy Edition and Cobalt Blue Edition of the new Fortis N-42 Novanaught watch, you can check them out here, or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453.
