Function Junction: Reviewing the Fortis F-43 Pilot

The watch is very easy to read. At night, the hour and minutes hands glow a lovely shade of blue and the numerals, along with the block-like indices marking five-minute intervals, glow green. The subdials are clearly calibrated with a combination of indices and Arabic numerals.

The movement is certified by COSC. In the watch we examined, it ran slightly fast in all situations: its average gains were 3.8 seconds per day when fully wound and 4.5 seconds per day after it had been running for 24 hours. The results were similar with the chronograph running. The rate differences among the various positions were minimal and the amplitude remained quite stable. This watch ran even more accurately on the wrist, where it gained just one second per day with the chronograph switched off and two seconds per day with the chronograph running continually.

The case is large: 43 mm, one millimeter bigger than the Fortis models that preceded it, and 16.7 mm thick. It nonetheless fits snugly and comfortably on the wrist, thanks to its long, curved lugs. The screws used to affix the strap are sturdy and well made, as is the hefty double-folding clasp, which is opened by means of a push-piece.

The price, $20,750, may seem like a lot of money to spend for a Fortis watch, but there is a lot of functionality in this watch. Along with the chronograph, alarm and GMT, you get a perfectly legible dial, a robust case, easy, reliable operation and a high degree of comfort. All of these are reasons to opt for this no-nonsense watch.

SPECS:
Manufacturer: Fortis Uhren AG, Lindenstrasse 45, CH-2540 Grenchen, Switzerland
Reference number: 703.10.81
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, GMT, AM/PM indicator, power-reserve displays for alarm and movement, rapid-reset date
Movement: Fortis Caliber F-2012, based on Fortis Caliber F-2001, automatic, COSC certified, 28,800 vph, Glucydur balance, Incabloc shock absorption, 39 jewels, diameter = 36.6 mm, height = 9.4 mm, 46-hour power reserve
Case: Brushed stainless steel, sapphire crystal with nonreflective treatment on both sides, sapphire caseback, water resistant to 50 m
Strap and clasp: Black crocodile strap with double-folding clasp
Rate results (Deviations in seconds per 24 hours, fully wound/after 24 hours):
Dial up                        +5.2/+5.9
Dial down                   +4.1/+3.5
Crown up                    +4.3/+4.7
Crown down               +3.5/+4.6
Crown left                   +1.8/+3.7
Greatest deviation of rate       3.4/2.4
Average deviation       +3.8/+4.5
Average amplitude:
Flat positions               278°/262°
Hanging positions               251°/284°
Dimensions: Diameter = 43 mm, height = 16.7 mm, weight = 147 g
Variations:  Rubber strap ($20,000), calfskin strap ($19,825), steel bracelet ($20,250)
Price: $20,750; limited edition of 100 pieces

This article first appeared in the February 2014 issue of WatchTime Magazine.