With companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, space tourism is no longer the subject of science fiction novels. While Omega's Speedmaster Moonwatch dominated space history, others, like Fortis, made rugged tool watches for astronauts, cosmonauts and “novonauts” alike. With space-proven calibers, Fortis is launching a new series of four Stratoliner S-41 chronograph models, including one that is quite surprising.
Unlike many watches that have endured grueling trials on Earth before embarking on an extraterrestrial mission, Fortis decided to put the cart before the horse and test its Werk 17 movement in the stratosphere before adding it to its Stratoliner collection in 2022. To take it to the next level, Fortis sent 13 Stratoliner watches into suborbital space (260 km) aboard a Swedish research rocket in 2022, exposing the chronographs to colossal G-forces, loads and landing shocks.
The new chronograph range marks the second phase of the Stratoliner journey and stays true to the brand's tool watch spirit, with a rock-solid 41mm case measuring 15mm thick, a 51mm lug width and 200m water resistance. Don't pull out the magnifying glass to admire the fancy finishings; The case is deliberately industrial, with a brushed surface, practical screw lugs and piston pushers, and a flat bezel. The extremely robust case is made from recycled stainless steel, DLC coated steel or a limited steel model with a gold bezel and features a screw-down crown with a triple sealing system and a rubber/gold seal between the bezel and the middle of the case.
Although the models have different color schemes and dial textures, they all share the Stratoliner's split personality, which may take some time to get used to. The Tri-Compax layout – running seconds at 9 o'clock, 30-minute counter at noon and 12-hour totalizer at 6 o'clock – is classic, but the two chronograph counters feature a blue or gold highlighted area on the right side that matches the 180° section of the minute display, all treated with blue or green Super-LumiNova. Last but not least, the day and date display is positioned at 3 o'clock.
Stratoliner Re-entry Edition
The striking steel dial of the Stratonliner Reentry Edition is inspired by the moment when a spaceship re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and crashes into dense layers of air at speeds of over 25,000 km/h and temperatures of over 1,600 °C. The individually hand-crafted titanium dial is compressed under high pressure and exposed to an open flame to achieve a unique palette of copper and metallic purple tones, as well as occasional burn marks. The Reentry Edition is equipped with the brand's robust block steel bracelet with folding clasp and micro-adjustment system.
Stratoliner Gravity Black
The Stratoliner Gravity Black's darker dial is reminiscent of the dark DLC-coated case and increases the surface hardness to 4,500 Vickers (20 times that of standard steel). The gritty texture of the dark gray stardust dial contrasts with the white indicators and light blue Super-LumiNova accents on the right half of the dial. This model comes with a black FKM rubber and textile hybrid strap.
Stratoliner supernova
The two Stratoliner Supernova Cool Gray and Cosmic Gray models are limited to 13 pieces each and feature a steel case with an 18-carat gold ring on the bezel and gold accents on the dial. Both have stardust-textured dials with dark gray or light gray backgrounds, gold-plated hour and minute hands, and luminous green Super-LumiNova. Like the Reentry Edition, these models are equipped with the brand's block bracelet.
The caseback reveals the Caliber Werk 17, an automatic column wheel chronograph developed and improved by La Joux-Perret. Based on the 7750 architecture, LJP redesigned and strengthened the bridges and added tangential micro-screw adjustment to increase robustness. The small porthole on the sapphire crystal frames the column wheel. The movement was tested by the Swedish Space Corporation in the stratosphere and then in suborbital space and continues to run for 60 hours.
Prices vary from 5,150 euros for the Gravity Black too 5,500 euros for the Reentry Edition and up to 8,450 euros for the limited editions Supernova Cosmic Gray and Cool Grey. Further information at fortis-swiss.com.
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