Day Three at Couture Las Vegas was about discovery—and rediscovery. Among the dozens of booths and brands, one stood out not just for its technical prowess, but for its honest, practical approach to watchmaking. That brand was Fortis, and we had the privilege of meeting with Jupp Philipp, the owner and Pascal the driving force behind this storied manufacturer.
We first crossed paths with the Fortis team in Vancouver, and their warmth and authenticity left a mark. So much so that we flew across the continent to reconnect—this time on their turf in Las Vegas—to go deeper into their philosophy, family story, and, of course, their legendary timepieces.
A Family Business, Reignited
Fortis isn’t just another Swiss watch brand. It’s a brand rooted in purpose—and purpose is personal for Jupp. After taking full ownership of Fortis in 2018, he transformed the company into a true family-run operation. His wife is involved, and even his children work behind the scenes during school holidays. As Thomas, our founder, joked, “The real boss is behind the camera.”
This down-to-earth approach is echoed in every element of the brand. As Jupp told us:
“It’s luxury you can really use. We’re not made for the safe. We’re made to be worn—every day, any time.”
That message defines Fortis’ identity: rugged, refined, and ready for life’s real adventures.
The Space-Ready Icon: Official Cosmonauts Chronograph
At the show, Pascal introduced us to one of Fortis’ flagship models—the legendary Novonaut. This isn’t just another tool watch. It’s a watch designed for space, originally created in partnership with Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, and worn aboard the ISS by astronauts and cosmonauts alike.
But Fortis didn’t just slap “space” on the dial. They engineered their own movement to withstand the extremes of space travel. First, they strapped movements to a stratospheric gondola to test for radiation and temperature resilience. Then came the real trial: 13 watches launched on a rocket, enduring every vibration, impact, and G-force that a mission would demand.
Inside? A column wheel chronograph with a 60-hour power reserve—a powerhouse that proves luxury can, indeed, survive the stratosphere.
F-39 and F-41 Fleiger: The Return of a Classic
Next up: the F-41 Fleiger Mission Black, a refreshed take on Fortis’ pilot watch legacy. The “Flieger”—German for pilot—pays homage to Fortis’ roots in cockpit-ready readability, dating back to the 1980s.
“A pilot doesn’t have time to read a watch,” Pascal reminds us. “It needs to be clear, rugged, and reliable.”
And that’s exactly what the Fleiger delivers. With solid bricks of Super-LumiNova instead of painted lume, and robust case design, the Mission Black (and its Tactical Green sibling) embody Fortis’ commitment to clarity, durability, and authenticity.
Final Thoughts: A Brand Built for the Brave
In a sea of luxury brands obsessed with display cases and velvet gloves, Fortis stands apart. They build watches meant for sky, sea, and space—but equally at home on your wrist, every day. It’s rare to meet a brand that’s as genuine as it is technical—and with Fortis, the passion is as clear as their dials.
To learn more, head to WatchDNA.com/Fortis and explore their full story. With over 300 brands listed and an integrated retailer locator, you’re just a click away from finding your next timepiece—or maybe your next mission companion.
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