One of the best things about writing about watches- at least, in the manner that we do here at TF and so many other of our part-timer friends- is that it’s kind of a cheat code to getting your grubby hands on great watches. I live in the rural midwest; the nearest AD of virtually any brand is a 2-1/2 hour drive away. And there are no ADs around at all for Fortis, one of my long time favorite watch brands. You can guess my excitement, then, when the brand offered to send me their entire Flieger collection for hands-on review.
In the interest of time, space, and holding your interest as a reader, I’ll share some quick hands-on impressions to help create a picture of their aesthetics and wearability. There are even pictures, too!
The F-39 & F-41 Flieger
The standard Flieger model now comes in two case sizes, but that’s the only real difference between the two. The height of the watch, and the dimensions of the towering lugs are identical.
This gives the 39mm version a more compact wearing experience (in particular the more manageable lug-to-lug width of 50mm) but to this reviewer a somewhat off-balance look. I find the 41mm wears the general size and shape of the watch somewhat more proportionally.
The tall, straight-sided 12-click bezel is wonderfully machined with clear, solid clicks and smooth travel between them. With full coin-edged machining on the side it’s easy to operate and a pleasure to use.
Fortis F-39 & F-41 Flieger | |
Case Diameter 39mm & 41mm | Crystal Sapphire (inner and outer AR coatings) |
Case Thickness 13mm | Lume X1 Super-LumiNova |
Lug-to-Lug 50mm & 53mm | Strap/Bracelet Fortis Block Bracelet |
Lug Width 21mm | Movement Sellita SW-200 |
Water Resistance 200m | Price $2,350 USD |
The F-43 Bicompax
No one does chronographs like Fortis. The F-43 Bicompax visually draws straight from their long history of Flieger chronographs, with somewhat modernized (read minimized) dial markings, and a well made 12-click 12-hour bezel like its three handed counterparts.
It’s running a Fortis-rebranded Sellita SW510 BH/a automatic chronograph movement with a thirty minute counter and date, and the chronograph pushers are sharp and snappy. With a movement thickness of 7.9mm (compare to 4.9mm for the regular 3 hand SW200) the F-43 didn’t stand a chance of being at all svelte, but it goes well enough with the 43mm case and untapered 21mm bracelet.
The pushers are huge; nearly as large as the crown, and the knurling on the edges is a great visual and tactile touch.
If you like large amounts of brushed steel on your person at all times you won’t be able to take off the F-43.
Fortis F-43 Bicompax | |
Case Diameter 43mm | Crystal Sapphire (inner and outer AR coatings) |
Case Thickness 15.5mm | Lume X1 Super-LumiNova |
Lug-to-Lug 55mm | Strap/Bracelet Fortis Block Bracelet |
Lug Width 21mm | Movement Sellita SW510 BH/a |
Water Resistance 200m | Price $3,650 USD |
The F-43 Triple GMT
The F-43 Triple GMT is a standout in the Flieger collection for a number of reasons. For starters, it’s an all-titanium watch while the others are steel. In a row with the others in the Flieger collection the matte dark gray of the brushed titanium stands out.
This difference in metals complements the rest of the aerospace aesthetic well. I loved the feel of the Ti on the wrist, and the reduced weight felt great in a large watch. The Block bracelet in Ti was noticeably more comfortable than its steel counterparts.
The F-43 GMT also houses a Kenissi GMT movement, the Werk-13. It’s a traveler style GMT with a jumping hour hand. Setting the watch and adjusting the timezone was easy and had a great tactile feel.
Instead of a 24-hour bezel like many GMTs have, the F-43 GMT has the standard 12-hour bezel- much easier to use and read at a glance, especially for those of us not used to 24 hour time.
Fortis F-43 Triple GMT | |
Case Diameter 43mm | Crystal Sapphire (inner and outer AR coatings) |
Case Thickness 15.5mm | Lume X1 Super-LumiNova |
Lug-to-Lug 54.5mm | Strap/Bracelet Fortis Block Bracelet |
Lug Width 21mm | Movement Kenissi Werk-13 Traveler GMT |
Water Resistance 200m | Price $4,400 USD |
Conclusion
None of these watches are going to slide under a cuff, gracefully complement a suit or other formal wear, or melt into the wrist as the day goes on. They’re big, tough, blocky, and aggressive. They definitely feel like something pulled out of a toolbox to wear for a specific activity.
The no-nonsense visual features accentuate the build in this regard.My personal preference is for the smaller, sleeker Fliegers of the 90s and early 2000s. I find they strike an aesthetic chord with myself that most modern offerings lack. This being said, I could easily see myself leaning hard into the modern look and wearing an F-43 Bicompax or F-41 Flieger. There’s something appealing about that much brushed 316L; maybe a guilty pleasure? However you view it, the Fortis Flieger collection is no letdown mechanically or aesthetically, and is an excellent continuation of a famous and capable line.
You can learn more at the Fortis website.