fortis catalogue 2009

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CHRONOGRAPH ALARMLIMITED EDITIONB-42 STRATOLINERB-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS TITANIUMOFFICIAL COSMONAUTS SETB-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSOFFICIAL COSMONAUTSB-42 FLIEGERFLIEGERB-47 CALCULATORB-42 PILOT PROFESSIONALPILOT PROFESSIONALB-42 MARINEMASTERB-42 BLACKART EDITION GERD WINNERART EDITION ROLF SACHSSQUARESPACEMATICSQUADRON EDITIONSGLOSSARYHISTORY

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THE WORLD’S FIRST


AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH ALARM


A MILESTONE IN MODERN WATCH TECHNOLOGYThe advantages of automatic winding for a watch hadbeen previously recognized by company founder WalterVogt in the 1920s. He turned this unique type of power,supplied by a rotor utilizing the wearer’s kinetic energyto tension the mainspring, into reality. In 1926 he beganthe serial production of the legendary HARWOODAutomatic, which made history as the forerunner of thisnew movement technology. This type of kinetic powerfor a watch is what led space-travel specialists at thebeginning of the 90s to FORTIS.

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Additionally, a mechanical alarm function was added tocomplete the automatic chronograph. The result of thisdevelopment, presented for the first time in 1997, is thepatented and internationally award winning FORTIScalibre F2001. The construction of this worldwide uni-que calibre is the latest advance in the highest art ofwatchmaking.The company was established in 1912, and was regis-tered with the Swiss Federal Office for IntellectualProperty with the number 33521. Since then, FORTIShas continuously shaped and measured the course oftime, adopting a brand name which means ‘strong’ inLatin and combining it with its own crown logo.

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The FORTIS Chronograph Alarm isequipped with two spring barrelsand guarantees the power reserveof both the watch movement andthe alarm. The special rotor ensuresthat the motion of the owner’s wristis used for the winding of

both spring barrels at the sametime. The sound spring, in the formof a tuning fork and the alarm hammer, allows for a soothing andunobtrusive alarm signal that lastsup to 25 seconds.


Limited EditionB-42 CHRONOGRAPH ALARMCHRONOMETER C.O.S.C.100 pieces Automatic F2001-5High-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterUnidirectional turning bezel adjustable at120 gaits Sapphire crystal with anti-reflectivecoating on both sidesGlass casebackDecorated movement and rotorWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar641.10.92 Si 05

LIMITED EDITION

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B-42

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“Take-off, softly and slowly the plane ascends. Suddenly, the pilot forces his enormous enginesto give everything. With engines at full pitch and at full power in a steep climb he catapults us toMach 2.35 (2.550 km/h). After a short pause for breath, the final phase. Full acceleration to Mach2.65. At the height of 75.000 feet the pilot eases back the engines into cruise position.

We are flying in the mid-stratosphere at the frontier to space. The sky is dark violet, almost black,the earth curvature is now clearly visible.” Description of the world height record set by Alexander Garnaev in 1995, wearing his FORTISChronograph.


B-42 STRATOLINERCHRONOGRAPH WHITEAutomatic 7750Decorated rotor665.10.12 Si 02

B-42 STRATOLINERCHRONOGRAPH BLACKAutomatic 7750Decorated rotor665.10.11 M

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesLuminous elements Superluminova Glass casebackIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

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STRATOLINER


OFFICIAL


COSMONAUTS


B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSDAY / DATE TITANIUMAutomatic 2836-2658.27.11 K

B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSCHRONOGRAPH TITANIUMAutomatic 7750659.27.11 M

B-42 OFFICIAL

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Limited EditionB-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSCHRONOGRAPH ALARM TITANIUMChronometer C.O.S.C.300 piecesAutomatic F2001-5660.27.11 L 01

ALL MODELSTitanium, 42 mm case diameterUnidirectional turning bezel adjustable at 120 gaits Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesRubber coated crown and pushersCaseback embossed with the emblems of thespace authoritiesIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

COSMONAUTS TITANIUM

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OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS SET

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OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS SETSince October of 1994 this set is part of the cosmonauts’ officialequipment for all manned space missions of the RussianFederation. The front of the valuable leather set bears the officiallogos of the space authorities and includes: Watch on a metal bracelet, a leather strap or caoutchouc strap, a special tool tochange the attachments, and a metal box to store accessory parts.

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DAILY OPERATION AT ZERO GRAVITYThe age of manned space travel started with YuriGagarin. He was the first person, who after an intensivetraining at the Star City Cosmonauts Training Center,took off from Baikonur Cosmodrome on April 12, 1961on board the spaceship Vostok. This training center,which is now named after him, is an internationallyappreciated partner with vast experience in the prepa-ration and conditioning of human beings, willing tolearn to survive in the harsh conditions of space.

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Since the beginning of the European-Russian Spacemission in 1994, an extraordinary ceremony is held forall cosmonauts and astronauts before taking-off intoorbit. Because of its reliability, the crew receives a FORTIS COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPH as part oftheir official equipment. The quality of the chronographsis confirmed by the Russian Space Agency and by the Star City Training Center by the embossing of their official emblems on the caseback.

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B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2647.10.11 M

B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS GMT 3 TIME ZONESAutomatic 2893-2Bi-directional turning bezel649.10.11 M

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B-42 OFFICIAL


ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesUnidirectional turning bezel adjustable at 120 gaitsSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesCaseback embossed with the emblems of thespace authoritiesIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750638.10.11 M

B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPH ALARMAutomatic F2001-5639.22.11 M

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L COSMONAUTS


THE EXPLORATION OF SPACEThe international community is currently building thefirst joint human outpost in orbit, the InternationalSpace Station - ISS. This large celestial body orbits theearth and is visible with the naked eye. Housing a stateof the art research laboratory, people from differentnations and backgrounds work and live here together. The FORTIS Chronographs first needed to undergoextensive tests that push the human body to its physi-cal limits. In a special centrifuge cabin, G-forces weresimulated as they affect man and material during therocket launch. Different experiments during parabolicflights, in the hydro laboratory, during survival training,and in the pressure chamber provided the qualificationcriteria for space missions. From 1994 on, the FORTISChronograph passed its probationary test during nume-rous missions to the space station MIR (=peace).

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The search for the most comfortable wristwatch withautomatic winding for use during missions in space led specialists to FORTIS in 1992. According to thedemands of cosmonauts and astronauts, and with itsexperience as the world’s first manufacturer of auto-matic wristwatches, a new generation of space chrono-graphs was created. Construction work performed outside the safety of theorbital station is done at a distance of 350 to 400 kmfrom the earth’s surface. The FORTIS OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPH, worn over the spacesuit, withstood the extreme temperatures and demandingatmospheric conditions with flying colours.

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OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750630.10.11 L 01

OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2Unidirectional turning bezel610.10.11 M

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OFFICIAL


OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750630.10.12 LC 06

OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSCHRONOGRAPH DIAMONDAutomatic 7750Case with 56 diamonds brilliant cut 630.14.12 LC 05

ALL MODELS38 mm case diameterSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatingon both sidesSuperluminova coated hands and indices Caseback embossed with the emblems of the space authoritiesIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

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COSMONAUTS


FLIEGER


PILOT PROFESSIONAL


B-42 FLIEGER DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2655.10.11 L 01

B-42 FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750Decorated rotor656.10.11 L 08

B-42 FLIEGER

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Limited EditionB-42 FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPH ALARMChronometer C.O.S.C.300 piecesAutomatic F2001-5Decorated movement and rotor657.10.11 L 16

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesGlass casebackIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

The new B-42 FLIEGER is successful as the new interpretation of an old subject:a result of decades of model upgrades at FORTIS. The company’s corporate styleis expressed in its inimitable development and design and gives all models theirown identity.

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B-42 FLIEGER DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2645.10.12 L 08

B-42 FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750Decorated rotor635.10.12 L 01

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B-42 FLIEGER


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ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatingon both sidesSkeleton hands with Superluminovaarrowhead and indices Glass casebackIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

B-42 FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPH ALARMAutomatic F2001-5Decorated movement and rotor636.10.12 LC 05

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Worldwide the only automatic chronograph with amechanical alarm. Specialities: Two spring barrelsto ensure the separate power reserve of both thewatch movement and the alarm, sound spring inthe shape of a tuning fork, alarm hammer and special rotor with blue star engravings.Best materials and special developments such asthe silver opaline dial guarantee the unmistakablecharacter of the B-42 FLIEGER line. A timelessstatement of style and taste.


FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750Winner “1st European AviationWatch Award”Individually numberedWater-resistant 100 m / 10 bar597.11.11 L 08

FLIEGER AUTOMATICAutomatic 2824-2Water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

Case diameter 40 mm595.10.41 L 01

Case diameter 34 mmonly with mineral crystal620.10.41 L 01

Limited EditionFLIEGER BLACK 24 h999 piecesAutomatic 2893-240 mm case diameterIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar596.18.41 L 01

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Limited EditionFLIEGER CHRONOGRAPH 125 piecesJubilee Edition 25th anniversary AWACS “Airborne Warning and Control System”Automatic 7750Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesIndividually numberedWater-resistant 100 m / 10 bar597.11.11 NA

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel40 mm case diameterSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesSapphire crystal

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FLIEGER

Pilots who venture into extreme physical conditionschoose their equipment according to a simple principle:Only the best will do.

The FORTIS FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPH being the winner ofthe “1st European Aviation Watch Award” fulfils thesedemands for precision and high functionality and thus FORTIS became the number one choice for the AWACSunit’s 25th Jubilee.


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At the edge of the stratosphere at the point where thesky and the earth meet, there you will find the airmanstriving for his dream of 100,000 feet.

Only few planes reach this altitude because a speed ofmore than three times the speed of sound is necessary(MACH 3) for it to be possible.


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B-47 CALCULATOR

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B-47 CALCULATORAutomatic 2893-2High-grade steel, 47 mm case diameterBi-directional turning bezel Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatingon both sidesSlide-rule function, 3 time zonesInner bezelIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 barLug widths 24 mm666.10.11 L 16

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A cult watch. Diameter 47 mm. Developed to pilots’ specifications to fulfil the need for all typical flight parameters. Comfortable and highly exactSwiss micro-mechanics in perfect symbiosis with the classical slide-rulefunction and providing exceptionally good legibility. This modern classicoffers 3 time zones, a countdown function and country specific conversionscales. The caseback reveals a temperature scale in Celsius andFahrenheit as well as the individual watch identity number.A Swiss watchmaker was the first to discover the relationship of numbersand the way to control them as logarithms. Jost Bürgi, born in 1552 in theSwiss canton St. Gallen, laid the foundations of the arithmetic system forthe slide-rule which became a must and the basic tool for every engineeror architect and many other technical occupations until 1969.


B-42 PILOT PROFESSIONAL CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750Decorated rotor635.10.11 L 08

B-42 PILOT PROFESSIONAL DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2645.10.11 L 01

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B-42


B-42 PILOT PROFESSIONAL CHRONOGRAPH ALARMAutomatic F2001-5Decorated movement and rotor636.22.11 L 01

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesGlass casebackIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

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PILOT PROFESSIONAL


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TRIED AND TESTED BY PROFESSIONALS For pilots, who spend their lives above the clouds, theequipment for their everyday use must be practical, reli-able and easily read. The worldwide use of FORTISwatches by different squadrons, in civil and militaryaviation and by pilots of aerobatic formation teams, isproof indeed that FORTIS watches fulfil these criteria.

Perfect legibility, sturdiness, sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating and matt finished cases, easy to useand high functionality even during loss of pressure areimportant characteristics of the FLIEGER and PILOTmodels. The best reference one could wish for sincetheir debut at the end of the 80s, is the accolade“Reference Status for Pilot Grade Watches”.


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PILOT


PILOT PROFESSIONAL DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2Water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar595.22.41 L 01

PILOT PROFESSIONAL CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750Individually numberedWater-resistant 100 m / 10 bar 597.22.11 L 01

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 40 mm case diameterSapphire crystalSuperluminova coated numbers, handsand indices

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PROFESSIONAL


MANY MILITARY SQUADRONS HAVE ONE THING INCOMMON: FORTIS CHRONOGRAPHSA limited edition of the FORTIS PILOT PROFESSIONALCHRONOGRAPH was created to honour the HungarianNATO pilots.

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The pilots have tested these watches intensively duringnumerous training missions and have chosen them astheir official flying squadron watches.

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B-42 MARINEMASTER

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B-42 MARINEMASTERCHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750638.10.41 M

B-42 MARINEMASTER DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2647.10.41 K

B-42 MARINEMASTERDAY / DATE WHITEAutomatic 2836-2Superluminova coated dial647.11.42 Si 02

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Limited EditionB-42 MARINEMASTERCHRONOGRAPH ALARMChronometer C.O.S.C.300 piecesAutomatic F2001-5639.10.41 L 01

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 42 mm case diameterUnidirectional turning bezel adjustable at 120 gaitsSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

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B-42 MARINEMASTER


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Cassandra – a spaceship cruising in the universe. The crew: frozen in deep sleep in search of new living space. Hope on the way to station 42.

These scenes are taken from the first ever Swiss science fiction movie. FORTIS aboard. Titanium, carbon fibre, caoutchouc – the materials of space, perfectly made. Titanium Black – produced under vacuum conditions.


B-42 BLACKAUTOMATICAutomatic 2836-2647.28.71 K

B-42 BLACKCHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750638.28.71 K

B-42 BLACK

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ALL MODELSTitanium black PVD coated, 42 mm case diameterUnidirectional turning bezel adjustable at 120 gaitsSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatingon both sidesCarbon fibre dialSuperluminova coated numbers, hands and indicesIndividually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar


LIMITED ART EDITION

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Confronted with the task to design an artistic watchinspired by outer space, without the formal design philosophy of FORTIS, Prof. Gerd Winner came up withthe idea of his planet space watch.

The cosmic complexity with its energy fields as part ofour solar system, with its planets and moons and thesun being our life source in the centre, constitutes themain design feature. At night the special edition dialreveals a whole new dimension to our eyes.


Limited EditionART EDITION "PLANET" BY GERD WINNER300 pieces Automatic 7750Titanium black PVD coated, 42 mm case diameterUnidirectional turning bezel adjustable at 120 gaitsSapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides Individually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar638.28.17 K

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GERD WINNER


LIMITED

Limited EditionART EDITION "IQ" BY ROLF SACHS999 pieces Automatic 2824-2High-grade steel black PVD coated40 mm case diameterSapphire crystal Individually numberedWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar596.18.61 IQ L 01

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The humorous aspect of this design characterises RolfSachs’ personality. Only at a second glance is the secret of its intention revealed. This inventive FORTIS ART EDITION created in the spirit of Dadaism playfully uniteshumour and a laid-back ease with the perfection of itsmechanical inner life. The concept of the “IQ Watch”emerged from the artist’s surrealism shop window designfor “Selfridges” in London on the occasion of a DADAexhibition in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Limited edition of 999 pieces, individually numbered.


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ART EDITION ROLF SACHS


SQUARE

The concept of the SQUAREwatch results from a partner-ship between FORTIS andSWISS International Air Lines.The result: A square watchwith a 38 x 38 mm steel case,giving the watch its identity.The glass caseback, mountedwith four screws, allows aview into the micromechanicalmovement.

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SQUARECHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750High-grade steel, 38 x 38 mmSapphire crystal with anti-reflectivecoating on both sidesSuperluminova coated numbers,hands and indicesGlass casebackIndividually numberedWater-resistant 100 m / 10 barLug widths 24mm667.10.41 L 16

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SQUAREAUTOMATICAutomatic 2836-2High-grade steel, 38 x 38 mmSapphire crystal with anti-reflectivecoating on both sidesSuperluminova coated numbers,hands and indicesGlass casebackIndividually numberedWater-resistant 100 m / 10 barLug widths 24 mm653.10.41 L 16


The Tiger is the symbol of the Swiss 11 Fighter squadron, a special unit of the Swiss Army. Their professionalism, speed and precision are demonstratedby these elite pilots, as they fly F/A-18 Hornet jets. Onduty, they are accompanied by the SPACEMATICCHRONOGRAPH as their official squadron watch.

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The chronograph stop-function is closely associatedwith sports. But the same requirements are needed bythe armed forces, whilst broadening the spectrum ofuse. FORTIS, whose competence and experience as a producer of precision chronographs has been ablydemonstrated in the past, now enjoys confirmationfrom satisfied squadrons around the world having chosen the FORTIS brand.

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SPACEMATIC DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2623.22.31 M

ALL MODELSHigh-grade steel, 40 mm case diameterSapphire crystalSuperluminova coated numbers, handsand indicesWater-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

SPACEMATICCHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750Individually numbered625.22.31 L 01

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SPACEMATIC

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SPACEMATIC DAY / DATEAutomatic 2836-2623.22.11 M

SPACEMATIC CHRONOGRAPHAutomatic 7750 Individually numbered625.22.11 M

SPACEMATIC GMTAutomatic 2893-2624.22.11 M

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SQUADRON

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EDITIONS

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The special edition ”51 Immelmann” was issued at therequest of the German Air Force TacticalReconnaissance Wing, which besides its tasks withNATO, also perform civil duties.

Through these high-tech timepieces the pilots identifywith their squadron in which they have served.


BEZELRevolving part of the watch case, atFORTIS adjustable in gaits of half aminute. A bezel can revolve uni- or bi-directionally. Sports watch bezels feature an ascending minute scale and revolve counter-clockwise. Apilot’s watch bezel is rotating in bothdirections for the rapid adjustmentand perception of elapsed time on thedescending minute scale. A 24 hourindication allows the setting of anadditional time zone.

CAOUTCHOUC(indian. cao = tree and ochu = tear) inan collective term for elastic polymersout of which rubber is compounded. Itis extracted from the natural, milkyemulsion of a variety of plants.

C.O.S.C. CHRONOMETER TEST(Contrôle Officiel Suisse desChronomètres)The sought-after ratification certifi-cates (bulletin de marche) are only awarded when the watch movementhas undergone a strict, two-week ratification test in various positionsand temperatures. The award “OfficialChronometer” confers on timepiecesthe accolade of belonging to the finestart of watchmaking.

COMPLICATIONWatch movement with one or moreadditional mechanisms such asrepeaters, chimes, chronograph andalarm.

ESCAPEMENTMechanism fitted between the geartrain and the oscillating system.

ESCAPE WHEELLast wheel of the gear train, turns thefastest.

GASKETSThe water-resistance of watches isguaranteed by gaskets of varyingmaterials. Over the course of time,these succumb to natural wear andtear. The rays of the sun, sweat, soap,and bath additives make gaskets britt-le or harden them. It is recommendedthat a watch’s water-resistance shouldbe tested at least once a year.

GMT / GREENWICH MEAN TIMEUTC / UNIVERSAL TIME COORDI-NATEDThe zero meridian located inGreenwich, England, is used as theprime basis of standard world time.Time shifts by one hour every 15degrees of longitude, increasing goingeast and decreasing going west,resulting in 24 time zones.

GOING BARREL Closed box containing the main-spring.

HAND WINDING A mechanical watch that the wearerneeds to wind by hand everyday. Byturning the crown the main spring iswound. Daily winding guarantees aneven, precise functioning.

HIGH-GRADE STEELRust-proof steel with extremely lowsusceptibility to corrosion.

JEWELSSynthetic jewels (rubies) are used asbearings for the train wheels to reducefriction.

JEWEL / ENDSTONEA synthetic ruby whose function it is to reduce pivot friction. End stonesare used for the balance staff andoccasionally for the pallet and escapewheel staffs.

LEATHER STRAPA natural product with a limited life-span. It can be damaged by humidity,perspiration, chemicals, and rubbing.When replacement of the strap be-comes necessary, the spring barshould also be replaced.

MERIDIANThe earth is divided into degrees oflongitude called meridians. Beginningat the zero meridian (GMT), there are180 meridians to the east and 180meridians to the west.

AMPLITUDEExpression for the maximum angle bywhich a balance swings from its position of rest, measured as an angle in degrees. The accuracy of a watchrequires constant amplitudes. Oscillationsare considered reasonable being in therange of 250° - 300°.

ACCURACYThe rate of a watch can be affected bythings such as the timepiece’s positi-on (vertical etc.), changes in tempera-ture, magnetic fields, condensation,irregular winding, and the condition ofthe movement’s lubrication. Despiteinfluence by the above mentionedoccurrences, the mechanical watch isstill very precise. A deviation of 20seconds in a 24-hour period is consi-dered normal and demonstrates an accuracy of 99.9768%.

AUTOMATIC WINDINGThe automatic watch is primarilywound by the movement of the wrist.The automatic watch can also bewound using the crown. The main-spring cannot be over-wound.

AUTOMATIC WINDING MECHANISMThe movement of the wrist causes anoscillating weight to swing, windingthe mainspring. The world’s first auto-matic wristwatch in serial production,the legendary HARWOOD was intro-duced in 1926 by FORTIS.

BARTechnically and in physics bar standsfor a unit for pressure, correspondingto the SI-system ( SI = abbr. forFrench: Système international d'uni-tés). The word bar is descending fromthe Greek word “báros”, meaningheavy. One physical atmosphere (normal pressure) corresponds toabout one bar (1 atm = 1,013250 bar).A water column of one metre causes apressure of about 0,1 bar (one metrewater column (mWC) approx. 0,1 bar).A watch marked water-resistant to100 m has successfully passed thepressure test for 10 bar.

GLOSSARY

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METAL BRACELETRegular cleaning with a brush underwarm, running water prolongs the life ofa bracelet. At the same time the screwson the sides of the links should bechecked and tightened if necessary.This also applies to the spring bar.

MINERAL CRYSTAL, HARDENEDA hardened crystal that is twice asscratch-resistant as an ordinary mine-ral crystal.

PALLETThe moving part of a movement’sescapement.

POWER RESERVEThe amount of energy a watch hasfrom when it is fully wound until itstops. An automatically winding watchshould have between 38 and 48 hoursof power reserve.

PRESSURE RESISTANCEIs the maximum amount of pressureper unit applied on a watch. It is usu-ally expressed as the physical force“bar” or the water depth in metres.One metre of diving depth corres-ponds to about 0,1 bar.

PUSHERSThese are mounted on the side of thewatch case and are used for operatingvarious functions.

PHYSICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION(PVD)A process of coating, completed in avacuum by means of a physical trans-fer of material from a target to a sub-strate. A vaporized metal is depositedas a coating.

REGULATEThe performing of adjustments toensure precision timing.

ROTORA flat, heavy piece of metal that rota-tes in the watch, winding the main-spring.

SAPPHIRE CRYSTALHigh quality synthetic sapphire crystalthat is extremely resistant to scrat-ches. It is much harder and morescratch-resistant than a mineral crystal.

SILICONEIs referring to a group of inorganicpolymers which, to some extent, arehybrids as they consist of an inorganicbackbone with organic side groups.Their chemical properties are uniqueand unmatched by other synthetics.

SHOCK PROTECTIONDevice for protecting the balance-staffpivots from damage.

SPRING BARA bar with flexible end parts that isnecessary to attach a strap or braceletto the case.

STOP SECONDThis is used to set the time preciselyto the second. Pulling out the crownstops the second hand automatically.

TACHYMETERUsed to measure speed by calculatingthe time needed to go for a certaindistance. For example if one kilometre(1,000 metres) was covered in 20seconds, the tachometric scale showsa speed of 180 km/h.

TITANIUMA metal that is also an excellent mate-rial for wristwatches due to its lowweight and barely existent allergicreaction risk. Titanium quickly adjuststo the skin temperature of its wearermaking it especially comfortable towear.

WATER-RESISTANCECrown and pushers should not beoperated under water in order to prevent water entering the watch. Water-resistant with pushed-in /screw-in crown only. Watches withoutscrew down crowns and pushersshould be checked regularly fordamage. An annual water-resistancetest is recommended.

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USING A WATCH AS A COMPASSIt is possible to determine the orienta-tion using a wristwatch, assuming thesun is shining. The direction will becorrect if the watch is set for true localtime, without adjustments for daylightsavings time. The further you are awayfrom the equator, the more accuratethis method will be. Hold the watchhorizontally and point the hour hand inthe direction of the sun. The bisectingline, dividing the angle between twelveo'clock and the hour hand, is pointingsouth, therefore, north is in the oppo-site direction. (Valid for the northernhemisphere). For people in the southernhemisphere, the process is the same,however, as the sun is to the northwhen it reaches maximum altitude, thewatch can be used to define southaccordingly.

Morning

South

Sun

Afternoon

South

Sun


FORTIS HISTORY

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1912The watch factory was established inGrenchen, Switzerland by Walter Vogt.

1926Series production of the world’s firstself-winding wristwatch, the legendaryHARWOOD.

1937On the occasion of the company's 25th anniversary, FORTIS manufacturedits first chronographs.

1943FORTIS was among the range ofSwiss brands with high technicalexpertise. Alongside the production ofthe most precise mechanical chrono-graphs, FORTIS showed its excellencein presenting the first water-resistantautomatic wristwatches.

1956FORTIS won the leading chronometeraward conferred by the Swiss institutefor official time keeping tests, for thefirst water-resistant mechanical alarmchronometer.

1959In India FORTIS Automatic watcheswere very popular.

1988Decoration: iF Product Design Award

1987The company's 75th anniversary. FORTISset a trend with its new edition of theFLIEGER AUTOMATIC collection.

1992SPACE ART EDITION on board of aProton rocket, designed by the artistAndora, launched together with aweather satellite.


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1994After endurance tests stretching thebounds of physics, the Star CityTraining Center chose the FORTISOFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONO-GRAPH as part of their official cosmonauts equipment.

1994The space mission “EUROMIR 94”crew was the first to be presentedwith the FORTIS COSMONAUTS SETand it became the world's first auto-matic chronograph in open space outside the space station.

1995The world height record - 30,000metres. The FORTIS chronographswere on the pilot's wrist as they setthe world height record flight on anon-experimental MiG-25 PU double-seater aircraft, flown by AlexanderGarnaev & Alexandre Paringaux.


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1997The FORTIS OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSCHRONOGRAPH was chosen to be theofficial watch of the German-Russianspace mission MIR 97.

1998The first ever Automatic Chronographwith integrated mechanical Alarm.World novelty. Patent EP 0806712.

2000Millennium Expedition to the SouthPole. New Year’s Eve 1999-2000:Austrian Ernst Zinnhobler becamethe first European to perform anextreme jump over the South Pole. He jumped off at the icy height of5,000 m, his speed of fall reaching250 km/h, accompanied by a COSMO-NAUTS CHRONOGRAPH.

2000SPACEMATIC - The Next Generation.With this collection, FORTIS took agiant step into the new millennium.

2001PILOT PROFESSIONAL CHRONO-GRAPH became the official watch ofthe Hungarian Air Force.

2001“GTS” Global Transmission Services.The first experiment on board theInternational Space Station – ISS wasto test the global synchronization ofwristwatches from space.Deeply involved in the world of aviationand space, FORTIS took part in thedevelopment of a new radio-control-led signal in cooperation with theEuropean Space Agency ESA, theGerman Aerospace Center DLR andthe DaimlerChrysler research depart-ment.

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2004Winner ofthe “1st

European Aviation Watch Award”:FLIEGERCHRONOGRAPH.

2001“Star of the Blue Planet” FORTIS was presented with this medal ofhonour from the Russian Space Agency,

Rosaviakosmos, forcommitment to thecontinuous develop-ment of mechanicalchronographs for avia-tion and space travel.

No. 1 International Watch Award.In Japan the FORTIS OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPH wonthe watch magazine “BEGIN” GrandPrix in the category for space watches.

Nepal expedition of Dieter Glogowski.Two Sadhu pilgrims and the expeditionwatch OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS.

2002World height record for helicopters of12,954 metres, set by French pilotFred North with his AS 350B helicopter“ECUREUIL”. Along for the ride: B-42PILOT PROFESSIONAL CHRONO-GRAPH.

2004“Four years, more than 700 days walking through 11,000 km of arctictundra,10 million footsteps in thesnow of four winters…” Gilles Elkaimapproached his final 28 km stretch ofthis unique expedition with excite-ment. On this wild and unforgiving trekfrom the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean,the Frenchman wore the OFFICIALCOSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPH.

2004Exactly 10 years after the first officialflight FORTIS is reconfirmed as theexclusive supplier of manned spacemissions authorized by ROSKOSMOS,the Federal Space Agency. The B-42OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONO-GRAPH floating in space on board theInternational Space Station.

2003Premiere: B-42 OFFICIAL COSMO-NAUTS CHRONOGRAPH ALARM.

10 years official supplier to space missions. Yuri Gidzenko, member of thefirst expedition crew to the InternationalSpace Station – ISS went to Asia onthe occasion of the company’s jubileeas a FORTIS ambassador.


since 1912 swiss

© 2008 FORTIS Uhren AG, CH-GrenchenAll models legally protected. Models subject to change.The valid operating instructions form the basis for theproper use of the watches.

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Readers’choiceBestwatchesof theworld

2008Successful world premiere of the GTS signal reception during the Hanover Fair’sspecial exhibition, Spacetransfer 08.

2008The B-42 FLIEGER CHRONOGRAPHALARM edition scored the 2nd placeat the "Golden Balance" award in thecategory up to 10.000 Euros.

2008The head of the Federal SpaceAgency of Russia, Anatoli Perminovand FORTIS director Peter Peter metin Berlin on the occasion of the inter-national aviation show ILA.

2008Four kinetic sculptures of the Swiss ArtistJean Tinguely crowned the oldtimer exhi-bition held at the Automobile Club deMonaco. SAS Albert II The Prince ofMonaco received the no. 1 out of 100 ofa limited watch edition named PIT STOP.

Launch of the European research moduleColumbus to the International SpaceStation ISS.

We would especially like to thank

Federal Space Agency, ROSKOMOS Cosmonauts-Training-Center, Star CityMission Control Center, KorolevBMP Institute of Biomedical ProblemsSteinbeis Space Transfer CenterNASAESADLREADS Astrium GmbHAtlantis Pictures Ltd. / CARGO Correia, Nuno / TORRESCsak, GeorgDezhurov, Vladimir Eichhorn, WalterElkaim, Gilles / ARKTIKAGidzenko, Yuri Huber, Dr. FelixHungarian Air Force / Jet FlyImmelmann 51 / Reconnaissance WingKlages, StefanKorniyenko, Mikhail Kotov, Oleg Magyar Szárnyak / Hungarian WingsMalenchenko, Yuri Meijer, Igor / DPPIMerbold, Dr. UlfMusabayev, Talgat NATO AWACS UnitNorth, FredPadalka, Gennadi PC-7 Team / Swiss Air ForceRind, DominikRomanenko, Roman Shargin, Yuri Swiss 11 Fighter SquadronSwiss International Air LinesYurchikhin, Fyodor Zinnhobler, Ernst

2009To planet MARS with FORTIS. Tosimulate a space mission to MARS, 6test persons will spend 520 days inthe closed circuit of the space labMars 500.


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2006The high altitude research rocketMAXUS 7 was launched in May for a 13-minute flight in zero gravity. On board, several B-42 OFFICIALCOSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPHS.

2007In the Training Center Star City, underthe supervision of General WassilyZibliew, Crew TMA 10 / ISS 15 prepa-res for its flight to space. On Board: B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTSCHRONOGRAPHS.

2008The military pilots and summiteersGeorg Csak and Dominik Rind on theirArctic Summits expedition.

2007The limited edition of the FLIEGERCHRONOGRAPH ALARM PLATINUM,was awarded 2nd place in “The World’sbest Watches - Golden BalanceWheel” reader’s choice of FOCUSNews magazine and Uhren Magazincategory up to 25.000 Euro.

2007The Portuguese Air force decided on FORTIS FLIEGER chronographs as their jubilee edition to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bisontessquadron.

200715 years after the first test in Star City,the third generation of B-42 automaticchronographs accompanies the con-struction of the International SpaceStation.


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fortis catalogue 2009

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