There is something comical about just how busy Fortis made this B-47 Calculator watch. Even the name is silly. When you hear the term “calculator watch” you immediately think of something digital quartz, and Japanese. I’ve had calculator watches when I was a kid. I loved those. I wouldn’t wear them today as I am a grown up, and I don’t know if I would wear this comically designed watch either. With enough stuff going on to make a weak-minded person tremble. “I just wanted to know what time it was.
The fact that the 47mm wide steel case frames what is in actuality a tiny dial for the time is even more funny/cute to me. “Aww, look how Fortis managed to fit in those time hands. Just the normal sized ones!” A full GMT watch dial on a large watch, in miniature. I didn’t think that I would ever say that, but I did. Fortis is aware that this is a quirky (to say the least) model – and because of that the B-47 Calculator is strictly a limited edition (or 2012 pieces). Seriously, with all the watches Fortis is doing as a limited edition of 2012 pieces, something awesome better come from them in 2012.
In addition to the large count-down timer style bezel – that also has GMT time indicators on it, the watch has a second crown for rotating the inner slide rule. Wow, rotating bezel AND a slide rule! So often I have needed both of these (shakes head, “no I haven’t). In the middle of all the black and white, and numbers is a pretty standard looking Fortis dial with the time, date, and red 24 hour hand.
An interesting point to make is that the Swiss ETA 2893-2 automatic movement contained inside of the watch is only about as big as the time dial. The rest of the space in the case is used for special secret Fortis purposes (hot air). Such hot air is really popular in watches actually – Swiss and otherwise. It is a special ingredient in horological design and manufacturing that is often referred to internally as “luxury sauce,” or “la creme de luxe” in the French speaking parts.
So what are all the things the B-47 Calculator watch does aside fro making you squint and put many busy Breitling dials to shame? Well it has the time, date, GMT hand, another timezone on top of that, the slide-rule bezel with its many mysterious (and often tediously inconvenient) functions, count-down timer on the rotating bezel, and the power of many contrasting colors. For what it is Fortis did not mess it up. They did the best they could and gave it s slick Fortis tool watch design. I just don’t really get it in the first place.
As a limited edition the B-47 Calculator will be available on a steel bracelet, and a few strap options. Those who want the most bang for your silly buck will want the watch on the available white silicone strap, which of course is also available in red. Fortis makes a nice watch and I really enjoy what they do. The B-47 Calculator no doubt has all the quality and attention to detail that the brand can muster. Having said that the design is cartoon-ish, and if you are going to wear one, it is likely for the novelty factor. This is going onto a life-size GI Joe action figure.
Tech specs from Fortis:
Fortis B-47 Calculator limited edition watch
Case No: 669.10.148
Reference 669.10.31
669.10.31 K Rubber strap black
669.10.31 L 16 Leather strap with contrast stitching
669.10.31 M Steel bracelet brushed
669.10.31 Si 02 Silicone strap white
669.10.31 Si 20 Silicone strap orange
Option Folding clasp brushed for leather strap with FORTIS logo and “Limited Edition” engraved
Movement: Automatic Swiss Movement ETA 2893-2, 11 1/2 ”’, 21 jewels 28,800 semi-vibrations per hour, Fine timing device and Incabloc shock absorber
Functions: Hour, minute, centre-stop-second, date, GMT 3 Time Zones 24 h display, calculator slide-rule, 60 minute countdown function
Case: Steel brushed, three-parts, 47 mm case diameter
Bidirectional turning bezel with 60-minute scale (120 divisions)
for countdown function and with 24 hour GMT display
Luminous capsule green afterglow at pos. 12 h
Sapphire crystal anti-reflective coating on both sides
Screw-down steel case back with engraving of temperature
conversion table from C° (Celsius) into F° (Fahrenheit)
Two crowns with FORTIS logo, individually numbered (xxxx/2012)
Water-resistant 200 m / 20 bar
Dial/Hands: Matt black, flange with Calculator slide-rule scale hands
Arabic numerals and indices with Superluminova white
green afterglow in the darkness
Second-hand white, GMT hand orange
Attachment: Leather strap brown padded with contrast stitching fitted to the case
Packaging: Leather box, pouch with FORTIS logo, instruction manual with certificate of limitation, international warranty card
Special Features: Limited Edition 2012 pieces, 3 time zones, date at 4 h
Slide-rule function with flange adjustable by crown at pos. 2 h, 20 simple calculations possible
e.g. division, multiplication, multiple conversions: Speed per hour, fuel consumption, height calculations. Distance during ascent / descent. Conversion table C° (Celsius) into F° (Fahrenheit)