When aerospace engineering meets Swiss watchmaking, something special is created. With the Fortis Novonaut N-42 Titanium Legacy, Fortis has taken a step forward – and back to its aerospace roots. This time in titanium and without limits.
When it's Fortis in 2023 presented the first version Newcomer, many thought it was a one-of-a-kind adventure. The limited edition – Fortis Novonaut N-42 Titanium Legacy, the experimental design, the connection to the Mars simulation – it all sounded like a watch version of an indie movie. And like any good movie, it got a sequel.
A new watch called Novonaut N-42 Titanium Legacy, is no longer an exclusive piece for a handful of collectors. It is officially part of Fortis' permanent offering, which means: finally, anyone with a heart for technology, engineering, and good design can afford breathtaking space aesthetics.
A chronograph with a space pedigree
Before Omega with Speedmaster won NASA, Fortis has already collaborated with the US space agency. Their Spacematic model was one of the first to be tested for use in space in 1962. Later, Fortis became the official supplier of Russian cosmonauts – and this is not just a marketing phrase. Their watches were actually part of space missions between 1994 and 2003.
With modern For newbies, based on the design of the legendary B-42 Cosmonauts Chronograph, Fortis preserves this heritage and upgrades it with new technology and materials.
A mechanism tested in near-space
Fortis didn't stop at design. In 2022, it conducted an experiment with the Swedish Space Corporation, sending 13 prototypes of the mechanism using a helium balloon. WORK 17 to an altitude of 30 kilometers – high enough for the vacuum effect to be realistic.
The result? Eleven hours returned in perfect condition, two with minor issues. This is not just a marketing story. This is concrete testing in extreme conditions, backed up by data.
Developed in collaboration with the La Joux-Perret manufacture, WERK 17 is now the heart of every Novonaut. The automatic chronograph with a 60-hour power reserve and robust construction is now the hallmark of Fortis' vision of the future.
What's new with Titanium Legacy?
The new version combines design elements from its two predecessors: the Mars version of the AMADEE-24 and the steel Legacy edition. The titanium case is lighter but still massive. The surface is matte, the sub-dials have a circular grinding, and the hands and indexes glow in blue light thanks to the Super-LumiNova coating.
The dimensions remain the same: 42 mm diameter, 51 mm lug-to-lug, 15 mm thick. Water resistance is 200 meters. Weight? Significantly lower than the steel version – as much as 60 grams less, which makes a tangible difference on the wrist.
On the back, there is an engraving of a rocket on the closed lid, under which the aforementioned WERK 17 mechanism flashes. The titanium bracelet completes the whole and ensures comfort during long-term wear.
Technical data – Fortis Novonaut N-42 Titanium Legacy:
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Lug-to-lug distance: 51 mm
- Thickness: 15 mm
- Material: Titanium
- Water resistance: 200 m
- Movement: Fortis WERK 17, automatic chronograph
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Bracelet: Titanium
- Limited Edition: No
Price and availability
Unlike previous versions, Novonaut N-42 Titanium Legacy is not a limited edition. This means no more hunting, no more secondary market, and no more frustration. The price is 5,360 USD (comparable to euros), which in this segment means an excellent balance between innovation, heritage and performance.
Available directly through the Fortis online store.
Conclusion
Fortis has not only preserved its space tradition – it has taken it to a new level. The Novonaut N-42 Titanium Legacy is a watch for those who value precision, robustness and a story. This is not a watch that will disappear in the mass of similar models. This is a watch that speaks. Quiet, confident, with a space pedigree.
For all those who want something more than just pretty numbers and a logo on the dial, This might be the best watchmaking decision of the year..
