Time doesn’t stand still. Neither do we. Since 1912, Fortis has built watches for a world in motion. This is our story — told in milestones. Each one a step forward.

In the small Swiss town of Grenchen, opposite the Nordbahnhof station, Walter Vogt founded Fortis with a clear vision: to make precision timekeeping accessible to the world.

The 1920s carried a new energy. Optimism returned. Technology accelerated. Horizons widened. For Fortis, it was a decade defined by curiosity, ambition and the drive to explore what had never been done before. This was an era of movement, invention and bold ideas taking shape.

The 1930s were a transformative period for Fortis, characterized by technological advancements and a growing international presence.

The 1940s were marked by resilience and reinvention. Fortis expanded its portfolio with timepieces built to endure. With the introduction of Fortissimo, one of the brand’s firstwater-resistant wristwatches, Fortis set new standards in everyday reliability. Strong designs, accessible prices and international momentum defined this defining decade.

The postwar years brought expansion, invention and recognition. Fortis entered its fourth decade with confidence — growing globally, deepening its technical expertise. This was the decade wherelegacy turned into momentum.

The world was changing fast. Space became the new frontier. Colour hit the streets. And Fortis, always one step ahead, embraced it all. This was a decade of fearless design, functional variety and one of the most successful watch concepts in Swiss history.

The seventies brought bold colours, fearless design and global flair. Fortis leaned in with playful functionality and expressive style – expanding its reach and riding the wave of a decade that celebrated individuality. The Flipper, first introduced in the late sixties, grew into a cultural icon – appearing on wrists from Hollywood to orbit. This was the decade Fortis went pop.

Bold, fast and unapologetically confident – the ’80s saw Fortis evolve with the era. Amid pop culture and high-octane ambition, the brand strengthened its tool watch foundation. With a new logo, fresh collections and celebrity cameos, the decade was about making statements while keeping function at the core.

This was the moment when Fortis tool watches became space equipment – built for reliability under cosmic pressure and proven in zero gravity. What began as precision on Earth evolved into true performance in space.

This decade marked a defining shift. Tool watches became space equipment – tested under real mission conditions, worn in orbit, and trusted in zero gravity.The groundwork was laid for collaborations that would push precision to its limits – and beyond.

From creating the world’s first mechanical alarm chronograph to testing watches on simulated Martian terrain — this decade was anything but quiet. With new ownership and a revitalised vision, Fortis expanded its universe.

The mission begins. A great crew. A new course. Fortis sets out to redefine the future of tool watches. The iconic Flieger is reimagined from the ground up — bold, functional, unmistakably modern. This was the year everything aligned.

2021 marked a bold transformation. New alliances. New frontiers. And a movement built to endure the unknown. A year where everything shifted – not just upwards, but forward.

In 2022, design, endurance, storytelling and spaceflight all aligned. From the ground to the stratosphere, we expanded our presence – through purpose, precision and bold new chapters.

In 2023, the Novonaut launched – built on the DNA of the Official Cosmonauts but re-engineered from scratch. With a mission-tested manufacture calibre and an unmistakable identity, it redefined what a space watch could be. Bold. Functional. Future-ready.

A year of bold moves: new ambassadors joined the Fortis crew, the Vagabond collection took flight and a special timekeeper for the Amadee-24 Mars Mission was developed – released as a limited edition that sold out within days.

The pace continues. With new calibres, bold designs and strategic releases, Fortis sharpens its focus: modern tool watches built for a world in motion.