Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonauts chronograph
New (to me) today - The Fortis B-42 Cosmonauts Chronograph.
Fortis have been the exclusive supplier of timepieces to Roscosmos, the Russian state space agency since 1994. As such Fortis watches probably have the most accumulated spaceflight hours of any watch (although G-shocks might be in contention for that title!)
The B-42 is a big watch - 44mm in diameter, 15mm, 53mm lug-to-lug and weighing nearly 200g on the bracelet.
Inside is an ETA (Valjoux) 7750 automatic chronograph movement. Tough, reliable and can be serviced by any competent watchmaker.
This is an out-and-out tool - everything is geared toward legibility and functionality, with almost no concessions to luxury.
It feels like you could use it all day to smash bricks and it would still come back for more!
Carbon-based life form, approximately six feet long.
Haven’t looked at my model in quite some time, needs a service, my ad reminded me that his octogenarian watchmaker might retire one day soon to finally bring in my old Fortis for a full service before the man retires. As you point out can be maintained by any competent watchmaker, I think there is time.
Fortis definitely seem to be the ginger step-child of the watch world
It’s a rugged beaut. Wear it in good health my friend! In. Good. Health. 😉