Fortis’ fliegers for the 21st century, like this F-43 Triple GMT, are now in the Time+Tide Shop!
Andrew O'ConnorTool watches are deeply rooted in Fortis’ DNA. Founded in 1912, Fortis built its early reputation by manufacturing reliable Swiss timepieces at affordable prices. The brand’s legacy has been defined by its development of tool watches for aeronautics, especially space exploration. In particular, Fortis became the manufacturer of the official cosmonaut wristwatch for the Russian Federation, seeing use in multiple International Space Station missions.
In 2018, Jupp Phillip took over the brand, bringing Fortis into the modern era by keeping the ethos of accessible and reliable tool watches, but redesigned for the 21st century. The new designs are aimed at pleasing collectors of modern timepieces, looking for functional and robust tool watches. The work of Jupp Phillip and the modern Fortis team was released to the world with the new Flieger collection in 2020, which included this: the F-43 Triple GMT, which is now available in the Time+Tide Shop!
Fortis’ modern Flieger collection was actually designed in collaboration with the Swiss Air Force. The brand regards this model as its most readable tool watch yet, a testament to the brand’s dedication to producing functional instruments. We’re focusing in on the F-43 Triple GMT today, because it’s an especially compelling package: it comes in a 43mm wide titanium case, which measures 54mm lug-to-lug, 15.5mm thick, and has 21mm wide lugs. The watch head alone weighs 88 grams, while still being 200 meters water resistant with a bi-directional 12-hour bezel and screw-down crown.
Strap-wise, the Fortis Flieger F-43 Triple-GMT comes with either a titanium block bracelet with integrated micro-adjustment, or a cowhide leather aviator style strap with a stainless steel pin-buckle. The black dial comes with a black leather strap, and the “titanium orange” dial comes with a matching grey leather strap.
Each dial variation features a central section with a vertically brushed finish and a raised outer chapter ring. The applied indices are made of blocks of X1 Super-LumiNova, with additional X1 Super-LumiNova applied to the hands and 24-hour GMT indices. Both the “original” black dial and “titanium orange” dials feature Arabic numerals with the pilot orientation triangle at 12 o’clock. The dials feature Berlac Fluoro Orange accents, demarcating the 24-hour chapter ring, the tip of the 24-hour hand, the central seconds, and an orientation section spanning 11 to 1 o’clock at the top of the dial.
Inside the titanium case is the Werk 13 manufacture calibre, a movement developed in partnership with Kenissi. This “flyer” or “true” GMT movement allows for independent setting of the 12-hour hand, making jumping time zones a breeze. The date window at 3 o’clock is also adjusted by rotating the local hour hand around. The 24-hour is adjusted with the movement stopped, with all hands moving as you set the time. The Werk 13 is a chronometer-certified movement that offers a 70-hour power reserve and has 28 jewels.
Overall, the latest generation of Fortis watches are a large improvement over previous generations of releases, while still feeling like a natural evolution of what the brand is known for. The F-43 Triple GMT in particular offers a great deal of what watch enthusiasts are looking for in modern tool watches – including a modern calibre with usable features; a lightweight yet durable case construction, and plenty of lume. Having a true GMT movement is great when flying across time zones, especially for frequent travel, while the rotating bezel adds a great deal of extra functionality. It seems easy to imagine the Fortis F-43 Triple GMT in a frequent flyer’s collection, especially for those looking for a modern multi-timezone watch that is outside the usual suspects.
Fortis Flieger F-43 Triple GMT pricing and availability
The Fortis Flieger F-43 Triple GMT is exclusively available in store at our Time+Tide London Watch Discovery Studio as part of our ‘Hot Drops’ program. Price: £4,150 (on leather), £4,600 (on bracelet)
| Brand | Fortis |
| Model | Flieger F-43 Triple GMT |
| Case Dimensions | 43mm (D) x 15.5mm (T) x 54mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front with double-sided AR coating |
| Dial | Satin brushed black (Original) Brushed titanium (Titanium Orange) |
| Lug Width | 21mm |
| Strap | Calf leather strap, steel pin buckle Three-link block titanium bracelet, folding clasp |
| Movement | Werk 13 Manufacture Calibre, Kenissi-produced, automatic, chronometer |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, 24-hour GMT hand, quick-set jumping local hour, bi-directional 12-hour bezel |
| Availability | Exclusively in-store at Time+Tide’s London Discovery Studio |
| Price | £4,150 (on leather) £4,600 (on bracelet) |