Life on Mars is not far off. At least, that's what some sci-fi films suggest.
Those interested in this story know that a lot needs to be done for it to become a reality. However, many scientific initiatives are exploring life on the Red Planet. If you're a fan of Fortis, you're likely aware of the AMADEE project. Within this project, astronauts are placed in Mars-like conditions to conduct extensive research on equipment usage during a real Mars mission. Fortis has released several special AMADEE editions for this project. The latest is the Fortis Novonaut AMADEE-24. I had the opportunity to work with this special Novonaut designed as an instrument for a Mars mission.
Watches created by Fortis as a partner of the AMADEE project have always stood out. I was immediately impressed by the stealthy Fortis Official Cosmonauts AMADEE-18 model, released in 2020. The all-black aesthetic with a bright mission emblem integrated into the 9-hour counter became a stylish piece I still love today. A year later, Fortis released the AMADEE-20 model, continuing the monochrome theme with a gray titanium version of the Official Cosmonauts chronograph. Moreover, they introduced a special Mission Control Bezel, which has returned in the new Novonaut AMADEE-24 model. I had the chance to review these impressive Mars-themed Novonaut watches, which, unfortunately for those wanting to buy them now, have already sold out quickly. But that didn't stop me from taking the watch for a test.
First Titanium Version of Fortis Novonaut N-42
At the WatchTested office, we see many watches weekly, but only a few leave a lasting impression. The new series of Fortis Novonaut models I reviewed last year greatly impressed me. I love Fortis's history of creating space watches with enormous potential. Additionally, this line continues the history of Cosmonauts chronographs, which are well-thought-out watches with great charm in their functionality.
Although the name has changed, the Novonaut models remain incredibly capable space watches that hark back to the history and design of the Official Cosmonauts chronograph. Of the three versions I reviewed, I particularly like the Legacy Edition - the standard version with a matte black dial and a matte black bezel insert. It exudes competence, and I prefer matte dials and glossy ceramic bezels of the First Edition and Cobalt Blue Edition. It's probably no surprise that I was also pleased to see the AMADEE-24 version in matte titanium with a matte black bezel insert. These are the first titanium Novonaut N-42s, and they look stunning.
Technical Specifications of Novonaut AMADEE-24
We've already covered all the details in the introductory article, but let's go over the most important specifications. The watch has a 42mm matte titanium case with a 44mm titanium bezel. The case length is 51mm, thickness is 15mm, and water resistance is 200m. As the numbers show, these are not small watches. However, unlike their stainless steel counterparts, the watches are lightweight due to the titanium construction. This makes the watches much easier to wear, and I like that. The titanium case is paired with a titanium three-link bracelet with a push-button clasp and a convenient micro-adjustment system. 100 lucky buyers will also receive an additional black hook strap.
The case is paired with a black dial featuring many interesting details. Some stand out immediately, while others are revealed upon closer inspection, creating a pleasant dynamic. The black dial with a vertical matte surface is adorned with a semicircular pattern from 11 o'clock to 5 o'clock, symbolizing the Mars axis tilted at 25.2 degrees.
The standout element of the dial is the 30-minute counter located in a silver ring at the “12 o'clock” position. This counter is synchronized with the central gold-colored chronograph hand - the “Grand Counter”. The usual 12-hour counter was removed and replaced with the AMADEE-24 mission patch at the “6 o'clock” position. It was removed because most mission experiments are conducted in less than 30 minutes. Finally, the small seconds hands are located at the “9 o'clock” position.
Special Countdown Bezel
The unidirectional bezel features a matte titanium insert with Super-LumiNova coating, displaying a 60-minute scale. But this is not an ordinary 60-minute scale. It is equipped with a countdown function with two 10-minute segments. Due to the distance, communication between Mars and Earth takes 10 minutes. Therefore, if an astronaut sends a message to Earth, they can align the “Count Down” mark on the bezel with the minute hand to track when the message will reach Earth. Additionally, the astronaut can monitor when the reply will arrive.
This time gap was tested during the AMADEE-24 flight. This year, the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) partnered with the Armenian Aerospace Agency to conduct the mission. During a four-week simulation mission in Armenia, various types of equipment were tested in Mars-like conditions. The command center was in Vienna, and the astronauts were on the ground in Armenia, requiring constant two-way communication. The markers and numbers on the bezel and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, while the hour markers on the dial are solid Super-LumiNova. All of them glow blue in low light, making the watch usable in the dark.
Fortis Werk 17 Powers AMADEE-24
Inside the case lies the Fortis Werk 17 movement. This automatic chronograph is made by La Joux-Perret, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and provides a 60-hour power reserve. La Joux-Perret designed a special traversing bridge for added strength, stability, and tangential micro-screw adjustment. The space-tested movement was also slightly modified for the AMADEE-24 model.
As I explained, the 12-hour counter was removed and replaced with the mission patch. An element I didn't mention is the day/date indicator at the “3 o'clock” position, which accompanies the counters at the “9” and “12 o'clock” positions. The movement is hidden behind a closed case back featuring a special engraving dedicated to the AMADEE mission.
Wearing the Fortis Novonaut AMADEE-42
Before putting on the watch, I needed to adjust its size, and thanks to the slotted screws, it was very easy. Moreover, the folding clasp has a micro-adjustment system, allowing you to easily size it to your wrist. When the watch is on the wrist, the first thing that stands out is the light weight compared to the large volume.
The watch is not necessarily large, but it looks bulky and feels solid. The use of titanium makes it absolutely pleasant to wear. I'm a big guy, so wearing such massive watches never poses a problem. Once I started wearing the watch, I quickly fell in love with how comfortable and cool it looks on the wrist.
The watch is not necessarily large, but it looks bulky and feels solid. The use of titanium makes it absolutely pleasant to wear. I'm a big guy, so wearing such massive watches never poses a problem. Once I started wearing the watch, I quickly fell in love with how comfortable and cool it looks on the wrist.
Impressive Watches Created for a Special Mission
Operating the chronograph is a pleasure. The central chronograph hand starts with a strong press of the top button. When stopping the chronograph, there's an equally strong click from the same button. Resetting the timer using the bottom button is no different. I like the clarity of the clicks as they convey high quality.
There are also challenges when operating the crown. It takes a bit of effort to unscrew it. After that, it can be pulled to the first position to change the day and date. When rotating the crown clockwise, the date changes with distinctly audible clicks. If you turn it counterclockwise, the day changes. You can also scroll the days backward to reach the desired one. Pulling the crown to the second position allows you to change the time. The best part is that all this feels very high-quality.
Final Thoughts on Fortis Novonaut AMADEE-24
On the wrist, the watch feels incredibly high-quality. I was seriously impressed by the bracelet on the stainless steel version. The build quality is so good that tolerances are minimal, which can lead to hair pulling, as I explained in the review. I didn't have this issue with the titanium bracelet, but it's also very well made. From the individual links to the clasp - it's a superbly crafted bracelet that's a joy to wear. It's the perfect bracelet for such tool watches as the Novonaut.
Thanks to this, wearing this special AMADEE-24 edition was interesting and unusual. Although I really enjoyed wearing the stainless steel Legacy Edition, there's something special about this titanium version that gives it an edge. The watch looks fantastic and is very easy to wear. However, there's no choice, as this limited edition of 100 pieces was quickly sold out at a price of €6,100. It seems like a lot of money compared to €4,950 for the regular Legacy Edition. But considering what you get for this money, I don't think it's an unfair price. Fortis makes some of the best watches in the industry. Soon, 100 lucky buyers will be able to verify this by purchasing these extraordinary Novonaut AMADEE-24 watches.
For more detailed information about these watches, visit the official Fortis website.