Introducing: The Fortis AMADEE-24 Mars Analog Mission Timer
For decades, Fortis has enjoyed a well-earned reputation as a maker of space-ready watches. Until now, most of those watches have traveled to the International Space Station. Today’s Fortis AMADEE-24, however, was built for Mars. More specifically, it was made for a simulation mission that recently occurred in Armenia.
Watch enough TV, and it’s easy to think that travel to Mars is right around the corner. However, there’s still plenty to do before anyone sets foot on the Red Planet. Some of the activities underway include simulations of a Mars-like environment. Recently, the Austrian Space Forum (OeWF) partnered with the Armenian Aerospace Agency on a four-week simulation mission in Armenia called AMADEE-24. The purpose was to bring astronauts into similar Mars-like conditions and study various equipment types that would be used on a real mission. The command center was in Vienna, Austria, while the astronauts were in the field, requiring constant two-way communications. Aiding this communication and timing exercise was the new Fortis AMADEE-24.
The Fortis AMADEE-24 — a titanium Novonaut
For those who admire the Novonaut, the new Fortis AMADEE-24 will look quite familiar. This watch is built on the same platform, however, it brings several significant differences. Importantly, this is the first watch with this case design to come in titanium. The same 42mm by 51mm case remains, but it “adds” lightness. Similarly, the three-row bracelet with its push-button clasp and easy micro-adjust system comes in titanium. It also comes with a black hook strap. The AMADEE-24 is 15mm thick, so the titanium construction should bring a new level of wearability. Note that the same 200m water resistance and screw-down crown remain.
Key mission-related changes
When the new Novonaut debuted last October, it brought a proprietary movement called the Fortis Werk 17. The movement, which may look like a 7750, is made by La Joux-Perret and includes a custom traversing bridge for added durability. It also boasts tangential micro-screw regulation for increased accuracy. Both attributes are helpful for a mission scenario where timing and longevity are critical. On the new Fortis AMADEE-24, the movement sees some slight tweaks. This watch loses its 12-hour counter and adds a colorful mission badge at 6 o’clock. The 30-minute counter remains along with the running seconds at 9 o’clock and day/date display.
A primary difference on the Fortis AMADEE-24 is its intriguing bezel. It’s matte titanium with Super-LumiNova, unidirectional, and contains a 60-minute scale. However, there’s a countdown function with two 10-minute segments. I reached out to Fortis and asked for more information. The answer makes perfect sense. Due to the distance between Mars and Earth, it takes 10 minutes for communications to transmit. Therefore, upon sending a communication to Earth, an astronaut can move the bezel to the minute hand’s position and measure when the response should arrive. Then, the astronaut can understand roughly when a response should return. This timing gap was used during the entire AMADEE-24 mission between Vienna and Armenia.
Other details of the Fortis AMADEE-24
The 30-minute counter is highlighted in a ridged, silvery ring for extra visibility. This counter works together with the gold-colored central “Grand Counter.” The reason for this name and the deletion of the 12-hour counter is that most experiments on the mission are done in timeframes of less than 30 minutes. Furthermore, note the wavy pattern on the dial from 11 o’clock to just past 5 o’clock. This represents the axis of Mars, which is tilted at 25.2 degrees.
Overall thoughts and availability
The new Fortis AMADEE-24 is currently available as a limited edition of 100 pieces for €6,100. No, that’s not inexpensive, but I think this is an attractive watch that blends some classy details with highly functional specs. Plus, I’m normally not a fan of mission patches on dials, but this looks nice and isn’t overwrought. Are the functional changes overly useful for daily life? Maybe not, but I like that a watch company is working with different space-related organizations to provide a specially designed and useful analog tool. For those who may not be as focused on space but enjoy the Novonaut, perhaps this means we will see regular editions made from titanium.
For more information on the Fortis AMADEE-24, visit the brand’s official website.
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