Fortis has unveiled three new iterations of its Novonaut chronograph, the N-42 Halo Editions, each featuring a groundbreaking dial crafted entirely from Lumicast X1. These timepieces, available in black, blue, and green, mark a significant innovation for the brand. Beyond their visually striking dials, these watches house the brand's newly developed Werk 17 TR caliber, a movement designed for superior accuracy and resilience.
The distinctive appearance of the Novonaut Halo series stems from its Lumicast X1 dial. Unlike traditional watches where luminous material is applied to indices or hands, Fortis has constructed the entire dial base from solid Super-LumiNova. This innovative approach results in an exceptionally bright watch, touted as the most luminous in Fortis's history. During daylight hours, the dial presents a muted, light-colored surface with contrasting subdials and numerals. The black model features black counters, while the blue and green versions match their respective case and strap colors. As darkness falls, the luminous material transforms the dial into a glowing blue field, reversing the visual hierarchy. The subdials, not being luminous, appear as dark circles against this bright backdrop, creating a unique negative display effect. While the metallic hour and minute hands, filled with Super-LumiNova X1, maintain clear visibility, the white-finished subdial hands may be less discernible in low-light conditions.
A notable advancement lies in the Calibre 17 TR movement. This in-house automatic column-wheel chronograph movement employs a free-sprung balance, a sophisticated regulation method typically found in high-end horology. Unlike conventional regulators that adjust the hairspring's active length, the Werk 17 TR maintains a constant hairspring length. Adjustments are instead made via mass screws on the balance rim, altering its moment of inertia. This design significantly enhances long-term stability and shock resistance, as there's no adjustable index to shift inadvertently during daily wear. While re-calibration during servicing requires more precision and time, the inherent stability makes it ideal for a tool watch. Furthermore, the balance is secured by a two-point screwed bridge, a design Fortis claims boosts resistance against vibrations and external impacts. The movement, beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), boasts an extended 70-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable performance even when unworn for an entire weekend. The intricate mechanics of the movement are showcased through a sapphire caseback.
Fortis's deep connection to space exploration is evident in the development of the Werk 17 TR. The base Werk 17 underwent rigorous testing, including being carried to the edge of the atmosphere by a stratospheric balloon and launched on a suborbital rocket. These tests were crucial in validating the movement's ability to withstand extreme acceleration, vibration, and mechanical stress, all of which directly informed the design improvements seen in the Calibre 17 TR. This heritage underscores Fortis's commitment to creating robust and reliable timepieces for demanding environments.
The case of the Novonaut Halo, constructed from recycled stainless steel, measures 42 millimeters in diameter and 51 millimeters from lug to lug. With a thickness of 15 millimeters, it presents a substantial yet proportionate presence on the wrist, typical for a self-winding column-wheel chronograph with a day-date complication and sapphire crystals on both sides. The watch head alone weighs 115 grams. Engineered for adventure, the Novonaut Halo boasts a water resistance of 200 meters, featuring a screw-down crown with a triple-gasket system for enhanced sealing. The sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides, ensuring optimal legibility. A bidirectional Sirius bezel, crafted from polished ceramic and filled with Super-LumiNova X1, is designed for timing intervals, emphasizing its utility as a functional tool rather than a dive-specific feature. The timepiece is fitted with a hybrid strap combining FKM rubber and textile, secured by a stainless steel pin buckle. For user convenience, Fortis provides a screwdriver with interchangeable blades, allowing owners to easily change straps themselves.
The Novonaut N-42 Halo Edition chronographs are priced at $5,950 before VAT. While the luminous dial offers an immediate visual appeal, the introduction of the Werk 17 TR caliber represents a significant technical leap. Fortis has successfully integrated a high-precision regulation method, traditionally reserved for high horology, into a robust tool watch, validating its practicality through enhanced shock resistance and long-term stability. This advanced movement will also feature in future Legacy versions of the Novonaut, extending its impact beyond the Halo collection.
