Jewellery & Watch News
Fortis have certainly made the most of a world in lockdown, from updating their legendary Flieger pilots watch with a stunning midnight blue aesthetic and recycled steel case to reviving their Cosmonauts Chronograph in partnership with the Austrian Space Forum. Now, the brand move from the world of aviation and space exploration to sea level with the revival of one of their most iconic 1950’s designs, the Fortis Marinemaster.
The Fortis Marinemaster series has always been home to a stunning selection of waterproof watches, not necessarily aimed at diving, but aimed at life in and around water. For their latest instalment, the Swiss watch manufacturer announces the Fortis Marinemaster M40 and the Fortis Marinemaster M44. Both are undeniably similar in their architecture, engineered from recycled steel and titted with rubber and metal straps. They differ however in their size, with the M40 at 40mm and the M44 at 44mm and also slightly in their specifications, but a little more on that later… First, let’s take a look at the Fortis Marinemaster M40.
Fortis Marinemaster M40 Watches
Taking its name from its 40mm diameter, the Fortis Marinemaster M40 is built for pure durability with an easy-to-wear, built-to-survive aesthetic engineered entirely from recycled stainless steel. The design is currently available in four colours: Serenity Blue, Rockstone Grey, Woodpecker Green and Snow White . All four all feature dials and rubber straps in the namesake colour but can also be ordered on a stainless steel “Block” bracelet with a slide clasp for quick and easy adjustments.
Suited to the diving world, each Fortis Marinemaster M40 comes with a matching steel bidirectional bezel, or as Fortis calls it a “Gear Bezel” which is finished with a 60 minute scale and a luminous marking. The dials are also extremely legible with large sword-shaped hands coated in Superluminova and hour indices filled with the same. The different coloured centrepieces are finished with a unique chequered pattern which has been carefully chosen to replicate the shape of the ‘O’ in the Fortis logo.
Powering the Fortis Marinemaster M40 watches is the UW-30 movement based on the Sellita SW200-1 automatic winding base. It promises hours, minutes, seconds and date function, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 38 hours. Sadly, the movement isn’t put on display but instead we are substituted with a screw down case back water resistant to a solid 300 metres. The crown also assists in it’s water resistant rating thanks to a triple gasket system.
Fortis Marinemaster M44 Watches
Now, onto the Fortis Marinemaster M44 watches. The specs of the M44 follow very closely to the M40 watches with the same case material, bezel design and dial layout. Nevertheless, some careful and important adjustments are made to allow the larger 44mm recycled steel case become even more prepared for a life of adventure. For starters, the case is fitted with a secondary crown at the 10 o’clock position known as the patent-pending “Fortis Lock System crown”. This clever tool allows you to lock the bezel in place allowing you to have full confidence when measuring elapsed time on the 60 minute scale.
The Fortis Marinemaster M44 also differs in its improved water resistance which is bumped up to a remarkable 500 metres, a sure-fire rating for those wanting to take their timepiece on deep dives. The same unqiue dial pattern mentioned above is also present but it is offered in a new colour: Amber Orange. The Fortis Marinemaster M45 Amber Orange hosts a black dial with an orange minutes scale and the choice of a matching orange rubber strap or a Block steel bracelet.
Although the same functionality is present on the embossed and textured dial, the Fortis Marinemaster M44 watch is in fact fitted with a different movement. The movement in question is a manufacture Kenissi movement known as the WERK 11 which promises 26 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a 70 hour power reserve. The Swiss made calibre has also been COSC certified so ensure accuracy is never under question.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Fortis Marinemaster M40 and M44 watches, you can find them on the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
