LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Fortis: Fortis Watch
built 632 days ago
In 1912, Fortis Watch factory is founded in Grenchen, Switzerland by Walter Vogt. FORTIS was among the range of Swiss brands with high technical expertise. Alongside the production of most precise mechanical chronographs FORTIS shows its excellence in presenting the first water-resistant wristwatches.
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Founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1912, Fortis watches have become the ultimate in mechanical chronograph watches. Fortis founder Walter Vogt partners with English watchmaker and inventor of the first self winding watch movement, begin production of automatic wristwatches. 60 years after the release of their first automatic chronograph watch, Fortis patented the world`s first automatic chronograph alarm watch. The first watch in open space, today Fortis continues its active space involvement with the International Space Station (ISS). Optimal legibility, the ability to withstand harsh conditions and intense gravitational forces, and reliability are key reason why Fortis chronographs are presented as part of the official equipment for anyone headed to the ISS via Star City, Russia. Named "European Aviation Watch of the Year" by an international jury of pilots and aviation magazine editors, Fortis once again proved its precision, quality, comfort, legibility, and value.
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Fortis watches [B]elong to the range of Swiss brands with high technical know how. Beneath the production of most precise mechanical chronographs Fortis showed its excellence in presenting the first Swiss waterproofed wristwatches "Fortissimo" in 1943. Fortis stepped into space in 1992 and the Fortis Official Cosmonauts Chronograph watch was chosen to be the official watch of the Russian-German space mission MIR 97 in 1997. Deeply involved in the world of aviation and space, Fortis launched the FORTIS 2000 collection called SPACEMATIC in year 2000.
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An early highlight of Fortis history occurs in the year of 1926, when the Harwood watch made its debut. This was the world's first wristwatch with automatic mechanism. This watch is adjusted through turning on both sides, bypassing the need for a winding crown.
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When Walter Vogt founded Fortis in 1912, his most brilliant move would come 12 years later when he set up production with John Harwood, the inventor of the automatic wristwatch. Two years later in 1926, Fortis released the first self-winding wristwatch, the patented Harwood Automatic. In 1937 Fortis commemorated their 25th anniversary by manufacturing their first chronographs and in 1954 they took over the world-wide distribution of alarm watches. In 1992 they released a world novelty: the first watch with indication of the 52 calendar weeks. Their watches have joined space flights and air flights alike and the Fortis Official Cosmonauts Chronograph was chosen as the official watch of the Russian-German space mission MIR 97. All cosmonauts and astronauts leaving Russia receive and a watch & set as part of their official space equipment.
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In Latin, the word "fortis" refers to strength-an appropriate moniker for a watch collection that has faced some of the most rigorous testing in the world. From its 1912 beginning in Grenchen, Switzerland, FORTIS has set the pace for other watch companies to follow. The company has been a leader on land and in space for more than ninety years. FORTIS has created the world's first automatic watch in a series production and the world's first automatic chronograph alarm, as well as having the distinction of being the world's first watch in open space.
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