Category: FORTIS

First introduced in 2021, the Marinemaster collection marked a new chapter for Fortis, combining the brand’s historical tool-watch DNA with a modern focus on adventure and exploration. At the top of the lineup sits the Marinemaster M-44, a robust instrument designed for extreme environments—whether underwater or on land.

The collection now expands with a darker aesthetic as Fortis introduces the first DLC-coated versions of the watch: the Marinemaster M-44 DLC Gravity Black and DLC Black Resin. While the technical specifications remain unchanged, the new models bring a stealthier appearance along with enhanced durability.

A Legacy Name Reimagined

The Marinemaster name dates back to the 1950s and was historically used by Fortis for highly water-resistant watches designed for aquatic environments. Over the decades, the designation appeared on several models, sometimes featuring complications such as chronographs or alarms, but always emphasizing strong water resistance.

When the modern Marinemaster collection was introduced in 2021, it reinterpreted this heritage with a broader concept. Instead of being limited strictly to diving, the watches were designed as versatile instruments for adventure and exploration, capable of performing equally well underwater or on land.

Robust Case Construction

The Marinemaster M-44 retains the solid architecture that defines the model. The case measures 44 mm in diameter, yet thanks to a relatively compact 48 mm lug-to-lug distance, it remains balanced on the wrist despite its professional tool-watch proportions.

Built to withstand demanding environments, the watch offers water resistance of up to 500 meters, reinforcing its credentials as a serious dive instrument.

One of the distinctive design features of the M-44 is its dual-crown system. Alongside the traditional screw-down crown positioned at 3 o’clock, a second crown located at 10 o’clock operates the Fortis Lock System, which secures the bidirectional Gear Bezel in place. This mechanism allows the bezel to be easily locked or released, preventing accidental rotation during diving or other activities.

For the first time in the Marinemaster collection, the case is finished with a black Dianoir DLC coating, giving the watch its stealthy look while significantly increasing durability. The coating offers a surface hardness approximately twenty times greater than that of conventional stainless steel and helps protect the watch against scratches and wear.

The two new editions differ slightly in their finishing details. The DLC Gravity Black version features contrasting uncoated steel crowns and strap screws, while the DLC Black Resin opts for fully blackened crowns and screws to maintain a uniform dark appearance.

Dial Design and Legibility

Both DLC models retain the signature dial design of the Marinemaster collection. The black dial features an embossed Fortis “O” pattern, creating texture and visual depth while maintaining a technical look. Surrounding the dial is a luminous ring that enhances readability in low-light conditions, complemented by an angled inner flange that adds to the watch’s instrument-like aesthetic.

The differences between the two models lie mainly in their color accents. The DLC Gravity Black version features silver-toned hands and markers paired with bright luminous material, creating a crisp and modern look. By contrast, the DLC Black Resin edition uses gold-colored hands and markers combined with beige Super-LumiNova, giving the watch a warmer appearance and a slightly vintage-inspired feel.

COSC-Certified Kenissi Movement

Powering the watch is the Calibre WERK 11, produced by the Swiss movement manufacturer Kenissi. This automatic movement is COSC-certified, meaning it meets the chronometer precision standards established by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, equivalent to 28,800 vibrations per hour, and delivers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours, allowing the watch to run for nearly three days when fully wound.

The movement also features a balance wheel secured under a transversal bridge, a design element that improves stability and durability—an important characteristic for a watch intended to handle demanding conditions. The entire mechanism is protected by a solid steel caseback, reinforcing the watch’s tool-watch character.

Strap and Availability

Both versions are paired with a durable FKM rubber strap featuring the signature Fortis “O” pattern. This type of rubber is known for its resistance to heat, chemicals, and environmental stress, making it particularly suitable for sports and diving watches.

The Fortis Marinemaster M-44 DLC Gravity Black and DLC Black Resin are part of the brand’s permanent collection and are currently available with a retail price of € 4,950.

Read more here.

General Specifications:

Brand: Fortis

Model: Marinemaster M-44 DLC

Reference: F8120031 (Gravity Black), F8120030 (Black Resin)

Dial: Black with “O” pattern

Indexes: Applied

Lume: Super-LumiNova

Case Material: Recycled stainless steel with a black DLC Dianoir coating

Case Dimensions: 44 mm Diameter, 14 mm thickness, 48 mm lug-to-lug

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Recycled stainless steel with a black DLC Dianoir coating

Water Resistance: 500 Meters

Strap: Horizon FKM rubber strap with “O” pattern and a DLC-coated pin buckle

Caliber: WERK 11 by Kenissi

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 26

Power Reserve: 70 Hours

Price: €  4,950

Availability: Now

Fortis brings back the Marinemaster M-40 with four new colors. 

Although the Swiss watch brand is best known for its pilot’s watches and its links to space exploration, the brand also has great connections to the underwater world with its Marinemaster diving watch in its ranks since 1954. 

It was in 2022 that the Marinemaster collection was renewed and now features a larger M-44 model and a smaller one M-40, with the latter featuring four different colors on the dial, including white, grey, green and turquoise. 

The brand now adds four new colors to the Marinemaster M-40, namely Amber Orange, Gravity Black, Ocean Blue and Blue Japan. 

On the outside, everything remains the same, presented in a Tounneau-shaped case in recycled steel with a 40mm diameter, 12mm thickness and 43mm lug-to-lug distance and which comes with a brushed finish. Unidirectional bezel with diving scale with 120 clicks and pip-lume at 12 o’clock, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown at 3 o’clock with the brand’s signature and flanked by guards, screwed solid case back and the same 300m of water resistance. 

The dial also maintains the previous layout, with a textured pattern with a replicated “O” that we can also find on the surface of the rubber strap, applied brushed hour markers and hands all filled with Super-LumiNova that makes them glow blue in the dark and that it also extends to the ring around the dial, the lollipop center seconds hand tip and the brand lettering at noon. Finally, a rehaut minute track, a date window next to the crown that highlights the 13th of each month as it is painted in Berlac Fluor Orange and finally, three lines of text at 6 o’clock that in addition to the inscription “Marinemaster” is joined by “M-40 Performance” and “300m – 1000ft” of watertightness. 

Of the four new additions, the highlight is the Blue Japan edition, which stands out from the others for presenting a rehaut in a different color to the rest of the dial, in off-white, and with the minute hand and the seconds tip in red. 

Inside, the Fortis UW-30 automatic movement continues to operate, which is based on the modified Sellita SW-200, which runs at 28,800 Vph and offers up to 38 hours of power reserve. 

As for strap options, while the Orange Amber is only available with the Horizon rubber strap matching the dial color option, the remaining three can choose between a matching Horizon rubber strap or a Block steel bracelet, with the Blue Japan coming with both. 

Prices range from €2,950 for the new Marinemaster that comes attached to the Horizon strap and €3,300 for those who opt for the Block bracelet instead, the price of which is the same as the Blue Japan variant, despite comes with an additional strap and on which we risk saying that it could be a good deal for those who like a blue dial with different details. 

Read more here.

General Specifications:

Brand: Fortis

Model: Marinemaster M-40

Reference: F8120024 (Amber Orange on a strap), F8120026 (Gravity Black on a strap), F8120027 (Gravity Black on a bracelet), F8120028 (Ocean Blue on a strap), F8120029 (Ocean Blue on a bracelet), F8120012 (Blue Japan on a bracelet)

Dial: Amber orange, gravity black, ocean blue, blue japan

Indexes: Applied

Lume: Super-LumiNova X1 with blue afterglow

Case Material: Recycled steel

Case Dimensions: 40 mm Diameter, 12 mm thickness, 43 mm lug-to-lug

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Recycled steel

Water Resistance: 300 Meters

Strap: Horizon rubber strap or Block steel bracelet

Caliber: UW-30

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 26

Power Reserve: 38 Hours

Price: €  2,950 (on a Horizon strap), €  3,300 (on a Block bracelet)

Availability: Now