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The Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic is Fortis’ latest development in the Flieger series. The discreet pilot in timeless design comes up with some useful functions. This and much more you can read here in the review!
A timepiece from the watch lounge
The website uhrenlounge.de of Aika Jewellers from Dresden specialises in the online sale of watches from renowned manufacturers such as Oris, Tissot, Hamilton, Seiko and Fortis. Here you will find, among many other interesting models, the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic. The links at the end of the review will take you to the Uhrenlounge homepage, where you are guaranteed to find your perfect watch. As soon as the watch of your choice has been ordered, you can be sure that it will be delivered quickly and safely. If you have any further questions, you can contact the competent customer service of Uhrenlounge!
Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic: the pilot’s watch for everyday use
Since 1987, the Flieger collection has been one of the most important pillars in the model range of the traditional Swiss manufacturer Fortis, which was founded in 1912 and has its headquarters in Grenchen, an important location for the watch industry. For more than 30 years now, Fortis has relied on the high-quality tool watches that can even be worn by pilots in the field. The motto is: a functional and timeless design, the best quality and innovative technology.
In 2020, the series was completely revised and expanded to include the pilot models F41 and F39. As it can be seen from the name, the Swiss brand wants to appeal to customers for whom the previously common diameter of 43 millimetres was too large. With its case diameter of 41 millimetres, the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic is now in the middle of the size range of the collection, which will comprise 7 model variants in spring 2021. And because Fortis has also cleaned up the dial, I think the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic is also the most interesting watch for most of you. Complicated displays such as tachymeters are omitted, making the F-41 with the reference number F.422.0008 a stylish everyday companion. Nevertheless, the timepiece has not lost the genes of a real tool watch. But see for yourself…
Is the box a good omen?
Imagine you think you’ve seen every conceivable type of packaging by now. And then Fortis surprises me with an elongated box with a robust structure and a linen cloth-like lid. Printed on it is the iconic, technical Fortis lettering with the crown. I take the automatic watch off its cloth cushion and remove the foil. My impression: this aviator looks great! The appearance of the Fortis Pilot F-41 Automatic immediately suggests the much-cited ‘tool watch’, but the timepiece looks different from many of the pilot’s watches I have tested so far.
The dial in black – sorry, Black Opalin, does without the usual totalisers and scales, giving it a minimalist look. But that doesn’t make the watch boring by any means! More about what the orange marking from 5 o’clock to 5 past 12 o’clock is supposed to mean later. The hour indices glow slightly green, the orange seconds hand runs smoothly and the concave stainless steel bezel shimmers matt in the light. The first impression of the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic F.422.0008 is extremely modern.
The already stylish box has a double bottom! There you can also find tools to remove individual brackets or the entire stainless steel bracelet. The Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic can also be fitted with a black leather strap.
The Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic on the wrist…
…wears really well. Its medium-sized diameter of 41 millimetres makes the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic the most variable watch in the entire Flieger collection for me. If you find the F-43 too large and the F-39 too inconspicuous, you will be well served by this edition. Moreover, this watch would most likely deserve the title ‘dress watch’. Yes, that is a compliment. The watch manages to retain enough elegance despite its technically adept design. The chic stainless steel case and matching bracelet always go with you – whether you’re going to a meeting, by the pool or in the cockpit of an aeroplane. The proportions of the watch are harmonious anyway.
The case of the Fortis Pilot F-41 Automatic
The round stainless steel case leaves nothing to be desired in terms of workmanship. The surfaces are satin-finished, which gives the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic its sporty, technical character. The curved sides merge seamlessly into the lugs. The bezel sits on top of the case, its concave shape giving the watch a unique appearance. Most other watches, on the other hand, have a watch glass that curves outwards, giving them a more convex look. However, I like this look right away. The bezel is bidirectional, meaning it can be turned in both directions. Its clicks engage cleanly and have no play. Particularly high-quality: the black, engraved numerals on the surface – that looks good!
It almost goes without saying that the watch glass is made of sapphire, doesn’t it? How could you expect anything else from a traditional Swiss brand? According to Fortis, the screw-in crown has a water resistance of 200 metres. So the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic can also dive. If that isn’t a true multi-talent! More importantly, the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic can withstand a pressure of 20 bar, which is not unimportant in the air. The crown itself is made of stainless steel and is conspicuously flat, so it doesn’t get in the way in everyday life. On the top you can see the famous Fortis crown. In my opinion, a successful detail.
Movement and case back
Behind the solid case back works a Swiss automatic movement, which comes from the in-house manufacture of Fortis. The calibre, called UW-30, has 27 jewels and a power reserve of an enduring 50 hours. The functions are quickly explained. Hour, minute, second and date with quick correction, that’s all you need.
The case back is screwed down six times. To emphasise the aviation genes, Fortis has carefully engraved a stylised propeller. That’s variety!
The innovations of the dial
The great innovations of Fortis can be marvelled at on the dial of the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic. Here, among other things, the Swiss manufacturer has realised two protected “inventions”, SYNCHROLINE® and BRIXTRACK®. The SYNCHROLINE® is the orange line that stretches from 5 o’clock to 5 o’clock. Its function is as simple as it is ingenious. If a formation flight takes place, the pilots’ watches must be synchronised. Within this tolerance limit of +/- 5 seconds, pilots can synchronise their watches.
The second innovation, BRIXTRACK®, is the luminous function of the Fortis Pilot F-41 Automatic. The hour indices illuminated by this function can be read optimally and quickly in all lighting conditions. That is concrete functionality!
Visually, I like the structured design, which works with the colours green and orange for better orientation. Illuminated hands, hour indices, a date window and two letterings. That’s all the Fortis Pilot F-41 Automatic needs.
A solid bracelet
What remains to be said about the bracelet? It is a solid stainless steel bracelet of good quality, the length of which you can easily adjust yourself with the included tool. The bracelet has a folding clasp. I liked the wearing comfort.
My verdict on the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic
The Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic is an exciting pilot’s watch that does many things right and also goes its own way in some places, which sets the watch apart from many of its competitors. The two Fortis-typical functions SYNCHROLINE® and BRIXTRACK® are useful. What really convinces me, however, is the noble, functional design, which looks modern and, for a change, is not a reissue of a historical aviator.
The Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic avoids too much information displayed by totalisers. This makes it the right watch for those who find the classic pilot’s chronograph too special, but still do not want to do without certain conveniences of a pilot’s watch. The Fortis Pilot F-41 Automatic is worn as a daily rocker. It is durable and reliable.
The Fortis F-41 Automatic is moderately priced at 2400 euros. Finally, many thanks once again to Uhrenlounge for providing me with the watch for this review.
More about the Uhrenlounge, the Fortis Flieger F-41 Automatic and other men’s watches
Here you can find the watch in the Uhrenlounge shop
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