new watch for me

V

=Voodoo=

Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
522
looking at getting either a Fortis or sinn

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Sinn103TiArStrap.JPG


can anyone give me some info on whether I would be wrong to get 1 of these watches? or an alternative watch that might be better in same style/price range?

the sinn is like $600 more than the fortis, is it that much better?
 
Hi =Voodoo= :

Both of the watches you have listed are solid workhorses. It is very typical for someone who likes either the Fortis or the Sinn to also appreciate the other. I've been torn between the two, the Fortis is kind of nice because of the overall massive presence and an anti-reflective treatment on the sapphire crystal that is second to none. It generally represents a better bargain.

The Sinn gets nothing but thumbs-up responses from my fellow WIS folks at TimeZone when discussing German brands. They have been getting a decent amount of attention lately, especially due to the 656 and 756 model families. I would have to shop around to determine latest prices, but your money really talks when you visit a bricks n' mortar kind of place with cash in your hands ready to be spent.

Both represent a reliable, good-looking, flexible choice that would look very presentable in a variety of situations. I was going to tease Sid Post a little bit in another thread about his gentle "dissing" of Fortis, but I'm sure he'll insert his $0.02 here, too. If I think of anything else, I'll post again to this thread.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
The Fortis is a very good watch and offers a lot of bang for the buck. The Sinn is better quality wise but right now are hideously overpriced. Sinn used to one of the biggest bargains around a few years back when there was a thriving grey market for them. Then Sinn clamped down and got themselves an official U.S. distributor and prices seemingly doubled on some models. Their nice fliegerchrono used to be available for $400-$500, now is an $800 watch.
If your heart is set on a Sinn, I'd monitor the BST boards on Timezone or some of the other watch forums. You can save yourself a boatload of money by buying used. But ask plenty of questions and ask for references. I would not get it from Watchbuys, you're paying through the nose for a Sinn from them.
 
Both have a solid reputation. Just go with the one that YOU like the best, or the one that fits your budget... ;)

Paul
 
Hi All-

Bear in mind that we're also talking about a titanium watch compared with a stainless steel watch here. Titanium, while lighter in weight, doesn't have the comforting heft of a steel watch. Steel is somewhat easier to "dress-up" compared to the very utilitarian look of titanium...although neither of these watches can even remotely be considered truly dressy.

On the other hand, titanium will never cause skin irritation due to its hypoallergenic properties and assumes ambient temperature almost immediately. Both of these watches would look good with a kevlar replacement strap after the OEM leather one becomes too stinky or cracked with wear.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Hi =Voodoo= :

How is that decision coming along between the FORTIS and SINN watches? One of my relatives has the relatively simple FORTIS Flieger Automatic on a leather strap and he loves it. He initially felt that he had a "can of tuna" strapped to his wrist due to the size, but he quickly got used to it. Let us know how you're coming along with your choice.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I ordered the Fortis and hopefully will have it in a few weeks.

I ordered it through the military exchange catalog, so if I dont like it, 30 days and back it goes...but my desire is for it to be just what I wanted

I still havent found to much info on the net for either these watches, so its a shot in the dark so to speak(never seen either, other than on the web)
 
Hi =Voodoo= :

You'll absolutely dig the FORTIS, have no fear. Since it doesn't have a rotating bezel it actually wears "larger" than it's 40mm dimension would lead you to believe. I think the classic flieger shape of their hands looks stunning.

Their anti-reflective treatment is so superior that you will occasionally want to touch the sapphire crystal of your watch to ensure it is still there. It appears to the eye that you're looking directly at the markers and hands with nothing covering them!

You didn't mention whether you ordered the watch with a leather strap or a metal bracelet. If on a strap, you may want to upgrade to the deployant system to greatly extend the life of the strap itself. It prevents cracking as you bend the leather over the buckle tang. This would also be a good time to secure a kevlar strap as they are relatively inexpensive and super durable. A source who enjoys a fantastic reputation here is Howard M. Marx who also provides links to this forum from his site. I can't say I've ever encountered anyone who is more of an expert on watchbands and straps than him.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Howard is a peach, you'll love him.

I have the Fortis Fleiger and it is a fantastic watch and an excellent value. I picked up a rubber Ridgo strap for it and that is what I wore for the past 8 months. It really looks sharp and you do get used to the "tuna can" aspect. Try as I might I could NOT scratch the sapphire crystal even wearing it in the shop. The tritum on the dial and hands is one fo the best things about together with the spiffy orange second hand. You'll always be able to read it even in low light conditions.


I also have a Sinn 656 and hardly wear it although it too is a beautful watch.

Giving the Fortis a rest right now in favor of a Yao/WCT automatic. :) These danged watches are way worse than knives!
 
Hi Sygyzy-

That is a cool Sinn 656 you've got there. The factory does a hardening process on the steel that is pretty interesting...I'm sure we'll see it on other models as time passes. I love the crisp "airplane gauge" look to the 656, 756, and 856 models. I hope Sinn considers making that watch in full 42mm size someday, which would be sweet. My order would be placed the next day!

The Sinn 103 Ti Ar pictured at the top just needs to have the hands on the chronograph functions colored differently than the hours, minutes, and seconds hands to make that watch even more desirable.

The folks over at Fortis were doing their homework when they configured the dials on their latest models. Even the B-42 models with lots of functionality shoehorned onto the dial retains a high level of legibility and comprehensibility. My feeling is this clarity and ease-of-use is due to the color-coding of the various hands.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I know nothing about watches (my Luminox navy SEALs is the nicest one I've ever owned), but I like the look of the Sinn better. Could be the crappier pic of the other one, though. They both look pretty spiffy, but I just like the way the Sinn looks a little better.
 
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Consider a Tutima Nato... last time I checked, it's a better watch for a little cheaper.
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at $2100 it is a bit more than the Sinn and 2X as the Fortis, unless of course it is the wrong model pictured above

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pic with more detail maybe and different colored band
 
=Voodoo= said:
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at $2100 it is a bit more than the Sinn and 2X as the Fortis, unless of course it is the wrong model pictured above
Click to expand...

That's the tutima I'm talking about, but dealers should discount that one about 30 percent or more.
Also, I was comparing it to the Fortiswatches with the Lemania movement, a vastly superior movement to all the others imho.
 
Hi =Voodoo= :

Your second picture of the FORTIS is much clearer than the one initially posted at the top. My feeling is that the black strap looks a bit better on this model, especially in consideration of the awesome matte finish FORTIS uses on the dial.

I had a fleeting interest in TUTIMA years ago, but I don't feel that their watches would stand the test of time from an appearance point-of-view. The bracelet on the NATO series looks dated without hope of having a "retro" appeal down the road. They are very serviceable and extremely reliable. The pushbuttons are specifically designed to function easily with gloved hands.

Chucklehead, you've had great input on various watches before. As a fellow IWC owner, what are some of your reasons regarding your preference for SINN over FORTIS?

~ Blue Jays ~
 
the fortis arrived the other day, but it didnt have the sapphire crystal I ordered or the tool kit with additional straps so back it goes and I ordered it again. I hope aafes gets it right this time.

initial impressions:

very easy to read (at night also)
very comfortable(for the 20 minutes I wore it)
I know what "tuna" cans are now ;)
not heavy
buttons hard to press(no accidental starts/stops)

new watch should arrive by end of month




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