The German word Flieger means "aviator," but it also refers to pilot's watches such as those used by WWII air force personnel. The new simply named Flieger chronograph from Swiss brand Fortis borrows some familiar cues from these influential watches — but it takes them in a distinctly modern direction for a fresh look and a tough, practical watch.
Housed in a 43mm steel case, the Fortis Flieger offers chronograph functionality via the Swiss Sellita SW510 automatic movement — which has the ability to measure up to 30 minutes — while orange highlights differentiate the chronograph functions. A bidirectionally rotating 12-hour steel bezel provides a way to track another time zone without the need for a GMT complication. These are all handy features that happen to lend the watch a handsome and technical look.
The most overt nod to traditional pilot's watches is the triangle and dots motif for the 12 o'clock hour marker. Fortis promises durability with 200m of water resistance and emphasizes legibility with illuminated hour markers on a brushed track it calls "Brixtrack." Available in the US for $3,570 on a steel bracelet or $3,120 on a leather strap, the Fortis Flieger can be reserved now online.
