Fortis B42 Chronograph

wadsy · Post by **wadsy** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:28 am

My first review! I'm no expert (understatement) so please excuse the 'borrowing' of format from other reviews and the lack of technical knowledge

(feel free to offer 'correction') But, here goes

.....

From Fortis:

B-42 OFFICIAL COSMONAUTS CHRONOGRAPH
Reference No. 638.10.11
Case No. 638.10.141

Movement

Automatic Swiss Movement 7750, 13 ¼ ''', 25 jewels, 28,800 semi-vibrations per hour, fine timing device and Incabloc shock absorber

Steel, three-parts, 42 mm case diameter, unidirectional turning bezel black with 60 minute-scale (120 divisions), luminous capsule at pos. 12 h, pusher protection, sapphire crystal anti-reflective on both sides, crown with FORTIS logo, screw-down steel case back, individually numbered, water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar

Dial

Black matt, flange with tachymeter scale, triangles at pos. 3h next to the date and day indication illustrating the direction of rotating the crown for quick adjustment, Arabic numerals, indices and hands with superluminova white with green afterglow in the darkness, orange centre-stop-second with luminous dot superluminova, 30-minute counter at pos. 12 h, 12-hour counter at pos. 6 h, chronograph minute- and second counter hands in orange, Day / Date indication at pos. 3 h

Attachment

Steel bracelet brushed

Functions

Chronograph, hour, minute, permanent small second centre-stop-second, tachymeter, 30 minute counter at pos. 12 h, 12 hour counter at pos. 6 h, Day / Date indication

The Box.....

Leather, hinged box inside embossed card box

Official Cosmonauts Set.....

Leather zipped case in card box. Includes leather strap, velcro 'fabric' strap and Bergeon tool for strap adjustment etc.

The Case.....

Measuring 44mm acros the bezel diameter, 47mm to the crown with a thickness of 15mm. Lug to lug is 52mm. - all dimensions approx.

The Bracelet.....

20mm between lugs parallel, stainless machined deployment clasp with wet-suit extension.

Overall.....

I bought this watch as I just realy like the design. I appreciate it's functional elegance and robust no-nonsense aesthetics. To me it's quite heavy (125g and 214g on the bracelet) but a really well built accurate piece

I have since sold it and got the B42 day/date instead as it's a bit lighter and not as thick.

I hope this brief 'review' is of value/interest

Cheers

jimyritz · Post by **jimyritz** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:01 am

Nice review

-- Nice full kit and love the packaging..

How about a wrist shot? I hear they wear big....

Thanks for sharing..

Mike

rockmastermike · Post by **rockmastermike** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:15 am

well done and thank you, martin. how does it wear on the wrist?

wadsy · Post by **wadsy** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:22 am

On my skinny (6 1/2" - ish) wrist pic.....

Doesn't look too bad I reckon for a big-ish (to me) watch

Here's the one I replaced it with; B42 day/date on Fortis rubber strap, probably my favourite watch at the moment....

homathetes · Post by **homathetes** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:28 am

Nice watch! The B42 is what I think of when I think of Fortis.

Post by **CGSshorty** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:41 am

That is a great looking watch.

Stratos27 · Post by **Stratos27** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:48 am

Very Nice

jeckyll · Post by **jeckyll** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:05 am

Very nice. I've been interested in the B42 (non-chrono) for a long time but have not had a chance to pick one up.

The chrono version is very cool as well and I really like the 7750. Nice review

wadsy · Post by **wadsy** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:38 am

jeckyll wrote:Very nice. I've been interested in the B42 (non-chrono) for a long time but have not had a chance to pick one up.

The chrono version is very cool as well and I really like the 7750. Nice review

If you'd like any more info. let me know.

Cheers

cali kid · Post by **cali kid** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:44 am

Sweet watch

, love my fortis B-42 Day/Date!

el presidente · Post by **el presidente** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:15 pm

Fortis is such an underrated brand, i had that chrono and the B-42 Marinemaster many moon's ago. Awesome watches

AtomicTom · Post by **AtomicTom** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:47 pm

Phenomenal review wadsy !!!!

I don't have a Fortis, but I think your review
lets you really get an idea of what it must be like to have one that's for sure.
Honestly looks as if Fortis trys to give you the best possible watch. Beautiful
cases, great movements, top quality all the way around. I like how the B-42's
dial seems to extend right onto the bezel. There's actually so much to like it's
terrific, and you covered it all. Thanks for the review, and for showing us all
of your pictures of the two models.

dukerules · Post by **dukerules** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:51 pm

I love the entire B-42 line.

moishlashen · Post by **moishlashen** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:00 pm

Love it-great review bud. Fortis is one of the few brands that have always caught my eye but have yet to own. They do a good job with white dials as well.

Post by **Pasquale** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:29 pm

CGSshorty wrote:That is a great looking watch.

Word

four20 · Post by **four20** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:48 pm

i knew i shouldn't open this thread. i love the B42s

nice review

cali kid · Post by **cali kid** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:58 pm

They are such Hot watches....

We need some more at this place...

wadsy · Post by **wadsy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:59 pm

Is the dial the only difference between the marinemaster and the day/date version?

cali kid wrote:They are such Hot watches....

We need some more at this place...

wadsy · Post by **wadsy** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:59 pm

Thanks for all the positivity chaps

Post by **snootydog** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:07 am

I've been looking at the B42 Marinemaster for some time now,the no nonsense easy to read dial is right up my street and the 'Space' link makes it even more interesting for me,having both an Astronauts and a Cosmonauts watch would be cool.
The chrono is nice but the dial is way too 'busy' for my liking.
Enjoyed your review Martin

wadsy · Post by **wadsy** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 1:30 am

snootydog wrote:I've been looking at the B42 Marinemaster for some time now,the no nonsense easy to read dial is right up my street and the 'Space' link makes it even more interesting for me,having both an Astronauts and a Cosmonauts watch would be cool.
The chrono is nice but the dial is way too 'busy' for my liking.
Enjoyed your review Martin

Thanks Andy; glad you liked the review

I did consider the marinemaster myself, but went for the day/date version as I prefered the dial on that one.

I found your Tortuga review very useful too, I am considering one, let me know please if you decide to let yours go

Cheers

el presidente · Post by **el presidente** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 1:55 am

The Marinemaster also has an amazing blue lume:)

UKWolfeman · Post by **UKWolfeman** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:52 pm

Very hot watch. Nice write up. Thanks for sharing.

streetracer101 · Post by **streetracer101** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 7:58 pm

Great looking watch. I love the non-chrono version.

UKWolfeman · Post by **UKWolfeman** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:41 pm

Love it. Nice read. Thanks for sharing.

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