Fortis Novonaut N-42 F2040008 Black Dial 2025 (Full-Set)

Steel-cased 42mm chronograph with date and weekday, full set with box and papers, includes extra OEM rubber strap.

Fortis Novonaut

Fortis is a Swiss watch brand with roots going back to 1912. They built a solid reputation over the decades by focusing on tool watches, particularly in aviation and space. They became well known as the official watch supplier to Russian cosmonauts, which shaped a lot of their design language toward durability and functionality rather than luxury aesthetics. Fortis tends to fly under the radar compared to bigger Swiss names, but they have a dedicated following among people who appreciate purpose-built watches with genuine history behind them.

The Novonaut is one of the more ambitious pieces Fortis has put out in recent years. The name is a nod to their space heritage, and the watch is built around a large 42mm steel case with a chronograph movement, date, and weekday display. It has a bold, utilitarian look with a black dial and ceramic bezel, keeping it in line with the serious tool watch category Fortis is known for. The overall design is meant to be legible and functional first, with the styling following from that rather than the other way around.

The N-42 reference sits toward the top of the Fortis lineup and was produced in limited numbers, which makes it harder to find on the secondary market. It is the kind of watch that appeals to someone who wants something with real substance behind it, a bit of history, and a look that stands apart from the more mainstream Swiss chronograph crowd.

Key Details To Consider

The Fortis Novonaut N-42 is a relatively rare piece from Fortis, and this example presents very well for a used watch. The case retains its factory finish throughout with only light signs of wear from careful use, and the black dial is in pristine condition. The black ceramic bezel is equally clean with no chips or scratches to speak of.

The steel bracelet is solid and stiff, currently sized to fit an approximately 8-inch (20.3 cm) wrist, with additional links available upon request. The watch also comes with an extra original Fortis black rubber and textile strap fitted with the genuine Fortis pin buckle, giving you a couple of options for how you want to wear it.

This is a full set example, including the original Fortis box and papers. For a watch that does not turn up often in the secondary market, finding one in this condition with complete documentation is genuinely uncommon.

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