Your FORTIS watch is a micromechanical high precision instrument, developed and manufactured in Switzerland. Whether you wear your watch every day or only occasionally – your timepiece requires constant care. The following information will help you to preserve its precision and authenticity.

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Maintenance service

Please note that as with any micromechanical precision instrument, FORTIS watches require regular maintenance. This keeps your watch in perfect working order and makes it last longer.

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The frequency with which this maintenance work needs to be carried out depends on the model, as well as climatic conditions and the owner's care of the watch. Therefore we cannot give a specific time interval for servicing. We generally recommend that a complete maintenance service should be carried out every 3 to 4 years.

To ensure that the service is carried out professionally, kindly take your watch to an authorized FORTIS Service Center or official FORTIS retailer.

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Water resistance

During the final check, FORTIS watches are checked for water resistance as marked on the back of the case, but the water resistance of a watch is not permanent. The water resistance of a watch can be impaired by the natural aging process of the gaskets (case back gasket, crown gasket, crystal gasket etc.) or accidental knocks to the watch case. 

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Additionally external influences like perspiration, chlorine- or saltwater, ultraviolet rays and cosmetic products can compromise the sealing over time.

Therefore always rinse your watch with clear water, when it comes in contact with chlorine- or saltwater.

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Basic advice for safeguarding the water resistance of your watch:

The water resistance should be checked once a year by an authorized FORTIS Service Center. Please ensure that the crown, according to the model, is pressed back into position 0, or screwed back carefully so that water cannot get into the mechanism.

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Do not use crown/push button functions under water.

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The water-resistance of your watch is marked on the back of the case:

• 3 bar (30 m) / 43 psi (98.4 ft)

• 5 bar (50 m) / 73 psi (164 ft)

• 10 bar (100 m) / 145 psi (328 ft)

• 15 bar (150 m) / 217 psi (492 ft)

• 20 bar (200 m) / 290 psi (656.1 ft)

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Leather straps

Please note that leather is a natural material subject to natural ageing. Depending on your wearing habit, the strap should be replaced regularly for reasons of safety (security of the watch on your wrist), as well as aesthetic and hygiene reasons. In normal, daily wearing conditions it has an average life of six to twelve months.

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To keep your leather strap in good condition for as long as possible, FORTIS recommends the following:

• Protect your leather strap from heavy and long exposure to sunlight to prevent discoloration.

• Leather is permeable, contact with oily substances and cosmetics can damage it.

• To prevent deformation and fading of color, avoid contact with any kind of water.

• Clean your leather strap with a soft dry cloth, chemical substances can damage it.

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Other

Bathing in the sea and swimming pools

Always rinse your watch with clear water after use in, or contact with salt or chlorine water.

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Cleaning

All FORTIS watches can be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth periodically. Water resistant watch cases, steel bracelets and rubber straps can be cleaned by using a small brush (e.g. a toothbrush) and soapy water. Rinse it with clear water afterwards and use a soft cloth to dry it.

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Chemical products

Direct contact with solvents, detergents, perfumes, cosmetic products etc. can damage your strap/bracelet and case. Further, such chemical liquids impair the function of the gaskets affecting the water resistance of your watch.

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Magnetic fields
Whenever possible keep your watch away from magnetic fields like speakers, electric devises, security gates at airports or other electromagnetic appliances. Such devices produce strong magnetic fields that may affect the functions of your watch, influence the accuracy of time keeping or even completely stop it.

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Temperatures and Shocks

FORTIS recommends not to expose your watch to extreme climatic changes (exposure to sunlight followed by immersion in cold water) or extreme temperatures over 60°C (140°F) or under than 0°C (32°F).

FORTIS recommends not to wear your watch for sports like Golf, Tennis or similar activities which cause heavy shocks because they could damage the micromechanical parts in the movement.

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