About the Watch

While some watch manufacturers talk about space travel, Fortis takes watchmaking for space travel to an all-new level with the Stratoliner S-41. A purpose-built tool watch, Fortis made the Stratoliner S-41 with modern space travel in mind and tested the new WERK 17 movement in the Stratosphere with the Swedish Space Corporation. The details of this watch are outstanding and reflect Fortis's rich history in making some of the best tool watches ever made.

The Movement: The all-new WERK 17 movement is a self-winding single column-wheel Chronograph purpose-built for space travel and tested in the Stratosphere. The WERK 17 boasts an incredible 60-hour power.

The Functions: The purpose of this Chronograph is Space Travel, and the space blue lume in Supernova X1 on the dial tells a story and serves a function. From Takeoff, Release, Apogee RE-Entry, and landing, the dial and functions are purpose-built to time the Virgin Galactic Flight Experience. While most of us won't be going to space anytime soon, the markings and thought that has gone into this dial make the Chronograph on this watch stand out from the rest.

The Case: The case is composed of recycled stainless steel construction and features a 41mm width with a lug width of 21mm. The Stratoliner S-41 features 200m of water resistance and a Sapphire Christal with dual anti-reflective coating on either side of the bezel.

The Dial: The dial on the Stratoliner makes this watch stand out. Each marking in Space Blue on the watch's dial features Supernova X1. The Hour and minute hands feature lume, and the second's hand are full luminescent. The dial features day and date functionality, with the date sporting a very bright orange which many Fortis enthusiasts will recognize from other Fortis watches of the past.

The Technologies: While the Stratoliner is one of the most incredible-looking tool watches we've ever laid eyes on, the real beauty of this watch is the all-new WERK 17 movement. This movement is the very first movement to be tested in the Stratosphere. While this might not mean much to us as earth-roaming creatures, the extensive testing and care given to this new movement means the reliability achieved in extreme scenarios. Testing in the Stratosphere translates into a watch and movement that will stand the test of time and be a reliable and trustworthy companion in any circumstance you find yourself in, maybe even space travel one day.