Swisstec is the official UK Fortis Service Centre. Our trained watchmakers can undertake work on all quartz and mechanical Fortis models. We provide a comprehensive range of maintenance options for your Fortis watch from a simple battery service to a complete service on a mechanical chronograph.
All Fortis watches which are serviced by Swisstec are returned with a twenty-four month warranty and partial repairs with a twelve month warranty.
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The main servicing procedure
- A Complete Service involves the watchmaker checking the watch’s functions, diagnosing the cause of any faults.
- Once the case is clean it is reassembled with new seals and gaskets, which are lubricated as required with special greases. The case is now ready to receive the cleaned movement.
- All parts are then cleaned in a series of ultrasonic chemical baths which removes all the old oil, grease and dirt.
- While the movement is being cleaned the case will be completely broken down (case back, bezel, crystal, pushers etc. removed) and, having removed all the seals and gaskets, refinished and cleaned in large ultrasonic tanks.
- Once the case is clean it is reassembled with new seals and gaskets, which are lubricated as required with special greases. The case is now ready to receive the cleaned movement.
- The cleaned movement and pristine components are systematically reassembled and lubricated using up to 8 different fine synthetic oils and greases, before having the dial and hands refitted.
- The watchmaker will now reset the clean movement with the dial and hands mounted into the watch case ensuring there are no hairs or dust in the case and recheck the watch regulation on the timing machine.
- Once the case is closed the watch is then tested for water resistance and the final aesthetic, timekeeping and power reserve checks are made to ensure the watch is performing correctly.
Warranty
We will rectify any defects arising from any service provided by us provided you report such defects to us as soon as reasonably possible. In respect of a partial repair we provide a 12 month warranty and in respect of a full service, a 24 month warranty. We reserve the right to invalidate the warranty if repairs are performed by persons not authorised by us to take such action. Provision of the warranty will be free of charge. We will decide in our absolute discretion whether provision of the warranty will be in the form of a repair or the replacement of a part of the watch. Evidence of purchase must be provided and any replaced parts pass into our ownership. Limit of warranty. The provision of services under warranty neither extends the terms of the warrant nor sets in motion a new warranty period.
The provisions of this warranty do not extend to defects caused by general wear and tear, accident, negligence or lack of care; or component parts that are expected to require periodic replacement.
Pricing Guide
Watches up to 25 years old
Complication and clocks by estimate only
| Type | RRP Inc. VAT |
|---|---|
| Quartz | £215.00 |
| Mechanical | £250.00 |
| Quartz Chronographn | £250.00 |
| Mechanical Chronograph | £360.00 |
Watches between 25 and 50 years old
| Type | RRP Inc.VAT |
|---|---|
| Quartz | £215.00 |
| Mechanical | £285.00 |
| Quartz Chronograph | £285.00 |
| Mechanical Chronograph | £395.00 |
Partial Repairs
All partial repairs are subject to part repair charge
| Type | RRP Inc. VAT |
|---|---|
| Battery Service | £60.00 |
| Partial Repair | £49.00 |
Case and Bracelet Refurbishment
Case and Bracelet Refurbishment
| Type | RRP Inc. VAT |
|---|---|
| Non W/R Case | |
| Bracelet | |
| Non W/R Case + Bracelet | |
| W/R Case | |
| W/R Case + Bracelet | |
| Laser Filling + Repair (from) |
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Brief history of Fortis Watch Service
IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN FORTIS HISTORY
1912 – The company was founded by Walter Vogt.
1917 – In order to meet the steep increase in demand, a new wing is added to the factory building, designed in line with the modernist Bauhaus criteria.
1926 – Walter Vogt joins forces with the inventor of the first automatic movement, John Harwood, to start the world’s first mass production. The first automatic watch in the world.
1940 – Fortis releases its first (and one of the world’s first) water-resistant watches: the Fortissimo.
1952 – Since the 50s, particularly robust water-resistant watches have been built in Grenchen under the name Marinemaster. Until today. Fun Fact: We share the name rights for “Marinemaster” with the Seiko Watch company, as it was never clear who was first.
1956 – Fortis wins the leading chronometer award conferred by the Swiss institute for official time keeping tests, for the first water-resistant mechanical alarm: the Manager.
1962 – Rolf Vogt, son of the founder, is enthusiastic about the beginning space euphoria and travels to America. There he hands over to the still young NASA the first space watch Spacematic AR (All Risks) designed by FORTIS. A recognition of the efforts and daring of the first astronauts.
1967 – Without sounding presumptuous, an entire industry must enviously acknowledge that Fortis is the inventor of many milestones. In the 60’s Fortis also triggered the trend towards colours and lightness. With the Flipper models, Fortis set a worldwide trend for affordable, colourful, changeable plastic watches. A concept that is still successfully continued by a famous Swiss brand today.
1972 – In the 70s, anything was possible. Undaunted and full of zest for action, the engineers and designers developed thousands of models, for every market and every budget. Models with the melodious names Hifi-Matic, TrueLine, Skylark, Brain-Matic or Easy-Math are still sought-after relics of times long past.
1987 – To this day, these are the characteristics of the only true “FLIEGER” – a model that first defined the world of pilot watches and is still the reference for many imitators.
1992 – An art project brings together Fortis, the legendary German Pop Art artist Andora and West Cigarettes. This is the seed of cooperation between Fortis and the newly founded space agency ROSKOSMOS.
1994 – During the preparatory work for docking of Atlantis to the MIR in September, the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph performed their first mission in open space.
2001 – An icon enters the floor. The famous B-42 case is presented at the Basel watch fair. This case design is still used today.
2003 – The Official Cosmonauts Chronograph is launched – not only to the watch markets but also into space. Still today the Russian Cosmonauts wear this watch as part of their official equipment.
2018 – A lifetime-fan becomes the new owner of the company.
2019 – Celebrating 25 years in space.