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I have always had an interest in Fortis watches ever since I saw them in Vegas for the first time several years back. Their designs are very unique, the space themes are admittedly very cool for the inner geek and the overall thematic elements are brought together really well. I am happy to say I finally acquired one so I thought I would share my views.
Fortis Spacematic
![Analog watch Watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Wrist]()
Design:
There is just something about the overall design that I find very appealing. This is really one of those cases where stock pictures look really dull but in person the watch has a LOT more personality. There is a clean sort of futuristic look to the dial, its artful yet not too out there. The lines, the flatness to the dial, the depth it is placed in, the black/grey concentric theme, the straight cut lugs so many design touches it really does come together beautifully.
I applaud them for using those full white hands that are the right length and not using cut out hands or any shaped ones that would've otherwise ruined the theme. The placement of the day and date is also really clean IMO. Overall it looks like nothing else and is one of the most unique pieces in my collection. Oh and also, BLUE LUME! yes the hands and markers have a very cool blue lume. Its well applied on the hands, not so much on the markers, but the extended markers give a superb look in the dark. I'll try and take a lume shot later and post.
Build/ F&F :
The watch is priced just around 2k USD retail. There is a lot of very good competition from Oris, Longines, Ball, etc in that price point so you had better have a well made watch and the Fortis does quite well in this department. I'd give a slight edge to Ball for case execution but I'd say the Fortis is on par with Oris and Tag.
The brushing looks quite good and well done, its done in a sort of way where it looks almost blasted from some angles and gives a smooth look. The edges and lugs are defined nicely and the Clasp is a really well made double deployment. Good action on the crown. Sapphire crystal may have AR on the inside, not sure but it doesn't seem to reflect as much as some of my other watches so its quite good.
Movement: Standard Sellita/ETA stuff with day date. Works fine, what you can expect in this price point from most Swiss makers. That said its been running a little under +2 a day which is incredible.
Band : This is is one of the negatives for me. Its a cut strap. I HATE cut straps. But the good news is, this one comes with Micro adjustments on both sides of the clasp and hence allows for some adjustments for summer/winter. It is also a standard width lug and I've already tried it once on a contrast stitched black leather strap and it looked quite nice. The rubber strap while of good quality attracts a bit of lint and thats a tad annoying as well. But the thing is, the overall design JUST works with this combo and looks super clean when worn. Its quite comfy as well so I'm willing to overlook this atleast for now, but I can see some funky strap options working for this design as well.
Pros :
Very unique watch unlike any of the other swiss watches in the price point, looks superb on the wrist
Well made and impressive looking in person, has a unified theme overall
Comfortable
Blue lume looks super cool
Cons :
Cut rubber strap (do it one hole at a time!)
strap attracts a bit of lint/dust
poor lume on markers (this is a bit unfair as most brands in this price point tend to do this anyway)
Summary:
Overall I think its a bit unfortunate that Fortis doesn't have a bigger presence here, they do seem to have some good stuff. I think the retail might be a tad high, I think priced around lower 1k USD mark (near Longines Hydroconquest, Ball Fireman and Oris Classic) it would be a unique alternative and quite good against the competition offering something with a design oriented approach and a trendy look as opposed to a more traditional style.
Fortis Spacematic
Design:
There is just something about the overall design that I find very appealing. This is really one of those cases where stock pictures look really dull but in person the watch has a LOT more personality. There is a clean sort of futuristic look to the dial, its artful yet not too out there. The lines, the flatness to the dial, the depth it is placed in, the black/grey concentric theme, the straight cut lugs so many design touches it really does come together beautifully.
I applaud them for using those full white hands that are the right length and not using cut out hands or any shaped ones that would've otherwise ruined the theme. The placement of the day and date is also really clean IMO. Overall it looks like nothing else and is one of the most unique pieces in my collection. Oh and also, BLUE LUME! yes the hands and markers have a very cool blue lume. Its well applied on the hands, not so much on the markers, but the extended markers give a superb look in the dark. I'll try and take a lume shot later and post.
Build/ F&F :
The watch is priced just around 2k USD retail. There is a lot of very good competition from Oris, Longines, Ball, etc in that price point so you had better have a well made watch and the Fortis does quite well in this department. I'd give a slight edge to Ball for case execution but I'd say the Fortis is on par with Oris and Tag.
The brushing looks quite good and well done, its done in a sort of way where it looks almost blasted from some angles and gives a smooth look. The edges and lugs are defined nicely and the Clasp is a really well made double deployment. Good action on the crown. Sapphire crystal may have AR on the inside, not sure but it doesn't seem to reflect as much as some of my other watches so its quite good.
Movement: Standard Sellita/ETA stuff with day date. Works fine, what you can expect in this price point from most Swiss makers. That said its been running a little under +2 a day which is incredible.
Band : This is is one of the negatives for me. Its a cut strap. I HATE cut straps. But the good news is, this one comes with Micro adjustments on both sides of the clasp and hence allows for some adjustments for summer/winter. It is also a standard width lug and I've already tried it once on a contrast stitched black leather strap and it looked quite nice. The rubber strap while of good quality attracts a bit of lint and thats a tad annoying as well. But the thing is, the overall design JUST works with this combo and looks super clean when worn. Its quite comfy as well so I'm willing to overlook this atleast for now, but I can see some funky strap options working for this design as well.
Pros :
Very unique watch unlike any of the other swiss watches in the price point, looks superb on the wrist
Well made and impressive looking in person, has a unified theme overall
Comfortable
Blue lume looks super cool
Cons :
Cut rubber strap (do it one hole at a time!)
strap attracts a bit of lint/dust
poor lume on markers (this is a bit unfair as most brands in this price point tend to do this anyway)
Summary:
Overall I think its a bit unfortunate that Fortis doesn't have a bigger presence here, they do seem to have some good stuff. I think the retail might be a tad high, I think priced around lower 1k USD mark (near Longines Hydroconquest, Ball Fireman and Oris Classic) it would be a unique alternative and quite good against the competition offering something with a design oriented approach and a trendy look as opposed to a more traditional style.
