Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR: Full Lume & Upgraded Werk 17 | Veloce
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Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR: Full Lume & Upgraded Werk 17
By Nick·October 15, 2026· 5 min read
Fortis introduces the Novonaut N-42 TR 'Halo Black,' featuring an entire dial made from Lumicast X1, ensuring extreme legibility. Powered by an upgraded Werk 17 TR movement, it redefines the space-tested tool watch.
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Get ready for serious low-light performance! Fortis just dropped the Novonaut N-42 TR Halo Black, and this watch takes legibility to a whole new level with a dial made entirely of solid luminous material.
This isn't just a bit of lume on the markers. Fortis built the entire base dial from Lumicast X1, which is a solid, molded block of Super-LumiNova X1. By day, it’s a creamy off-white, creating a classic panda look with its black subdials and black chapter ring that gives it a stark, legible contrast. But in the dark, the whole dial glows a powerful, uniform blue, making it incredibly easy to read the time. The black subdials stay dark, keeping the chronograph layout clear and functional even when everything else is glowing, ensuring you don't lose any information. This is a watch that'll make any dialhead look twice, especially when the lights go out.
Inside, Fortis put its upgraded manufacture Werk 17 TR caliber, an automatic column-wheel chronograph. This version of the movement increases the power reserve to a robust seventy hours, which means you can take it off for nearly three days and it’ll still be ticking. It also adds a free-sprung variable-inertia balance for better stability and shock resistance, a key upgrade for a tool watch designed for tough environments. The movement operates at twenty-eight thousand eight hundred vibrations per hour, offering smooth sweep and precise timing.
The recycled stainless steel case measures forty-two millimeters in diameter and fifteen millimeters thick, with a fifty-one millimeter lug-to-lug. This size offers substantial wrist presence without being unwieldy, making it a robust option for various activities. It also boasts an impressive two hundred meters of water resistance, making it a true tool watch ready for serious aquatic adventures. That's backed up by a screw-down crown with a triple-gasket system, ensuring reliability in demanding conditions. The Novonaut N-42 TR Halo Black comes in at five thousand nine hundred fifty dollars.
This is a watch that's built for purpose, pushing the boundaries of what a luminous dial can do.
Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR: Full Lume & Upgraded Werk 17 — watch the reel or listen to the full narration.
The new Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR, reference F2040021, starts with a simple premise: what if the entire dial was the light source? Priced at $5,950, this watch pairs a manufacture column-wheel chronograph movement with a dial made entirely from a solid block of luminous material. The result is one of the most function-driven tool watches from a brand already known for its robust, space-tested instruments.
42mmCase
$5,950Price
70hPower Reserve
200mWater Res.
The Novonaut line already carries Fortis's legacy of aviation and space exploration. The N-42 TR "Halo Black" pushes that identity into the territory of extreme low-light legibility. It combines a technical movement with a case and dial system built for pure utility.
The defining feature of the Halo Black is its dial construction. Instead of applying lume to indices and hands, Fortis built the entire base dial from Lumicast® X1. This is a solid, molded form of Super-LumiNova® X1, not a layer of paint.
By day, the surface has a creamy, off-white color. It provides a high-contrast backdrop for the black chronograph counters, creating a classic "panda" layout that is graphically clean and readable. The metallic hands for hours, minutes, and the chronograph seconds are distinct against this surface.
A Dial Built for Darkness
When light fades, the watch transforms. The entire base dial emits a strong, uniform blue glow. The black subdials remain dark, preserving the chronograph's structure and preventing the display from becoming a single, unreadable field of light.
Fortis also applies Super-LumiNova® X1 to the hands and the markings on the bidirectional ceramic bezel. This creates a coordinated system where time-telling and elapsed time measurement remain fully functional in complete darkness. This approach reinforces the Novonaut’s identity as a professional instrument.
The use of Lumicast® for a full base dial is a significant departure from traditional watchmaking. It treats luminescence as a primary structural component, not just an applied feature.
Inside: The Fortis Werk 17 TR Caliber
Powering the Novonaut N-42 TR is the Werk 17 TR, an evolution of the brand's space-tested manufacture chronograph. This automatic caliber is built around a column-wheel architecture, a feature often preferred by fellow dialheads for its crisp and positive pusher feedback during chronograph operation.
The "TR" version introduces several technical upgrades over the previous Werk 17. The power reserve is increased from 60 to 70 hours, meaning you can set it down Friday evening and it will still be running on Monday morning. More significantly, it incorporates a free-sprung variable-inertia balance.
This type of regulation system allows a watchmaker to adjust the rate by turning small mass screws on the balance wheel itself, rather than by changing the hairspring's effective length. It is a more stable and robust system, better at resisting shocks and maintaining its rate over time. A two-point balance bridge further secures the assembly against vibration and impact.
A Case for Any Environment
The case of the Novonaut N-42 TR is built from recycled stainless steel, measuring 42mm in diameter and 15mm thick. The lug-to-lug distance is 51mm, giving the watch a substantial presence on the wrist. These dimensions are in line with its purpose as a serious tool chronograph.
What stands out is the 200-meter water resistance rating. This is a high specification for an automatic chronograph and is supported by a screw-down crown with a triple-gasket system and performance FKM gaskets. It positions the Novonaut well beyond the capabilities of a typical sports watch.
The bidirectional bezel is made of scratch-resistant ceramic and features the brand's "Sirius" design. A smoked sapphire crystal caseback offers a view of the Werk 17 TR movement, complete with a rocket graphic that hints at Fortis's aerospace connections. The watch comes on a hybrid strap with a textile top and a comfortable FKM rubber underside, secured by a screw-pin system.
Fortis is carving out a distinct niche in the space-watch category. While pieces like the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon focus on ceramic cases and legendary history, the Novonaut N-42 TR doubles down on raw tool-watch functionality with its 200m water resistance and a dial built for extreme low-light visibility.
Case
42mm x 15mm, Recycled Stainless Steel
Lug-to-Lug
51mm
Movement
Fortis Manufacture Calibre Werk 17 TR
Complications
Column-Wheel Chronograph, Day-Date
Power Reserve
70 hours
Regulation
Variable Inertia Balance
Crystal
Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating on both sides
Water Resistance
200m / 600ft / 20 ATM
Bezel
Bidirectional Ceramic with Super-LumiNova® X1
Strap
Hybrid Textile and FKM Rubber
Price
$5,950 USD
The Takeaway
The Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR is an uncompromising tool watch built for legibility above all else. Its full Lumicast® dial and upgraded manufacture movement position it for the enthusiast who values functional innovation and robust, over-engineered specifications in a modern chronograph.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fortis Werk 17 TR movement?
The Werk 17 TR is an automatic, Swiss-made manufacture caliber developed by Fortis. It is a column-wheel chronograph with a day-date complication, a 70-hour power reserve, and a variable-inertia balance for improved stability and regulation. It is an evolution of the brand's space-tested Werk 17 movement.
What makes the Novonaut N-42 TR Halo dial special?
The dial's entire base is constructed from Lumicast® X1, a solid form of Super-LumiNova® X1. This means the whole dial surface, not just the markers or hands, emits a bright blue glow in the dark, providing exceptional low-light legibility.
How much does the Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR cost?
The official US retail price for the Novonaut N-42 TR Halo Black (Ref. F2040021) on the hybrid strap is $5,950.
Is the Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR a limited edition?
The product materials from Fortis do not specify a numbered production limit for the Novonaut N-42 TR Halo collection. It is presented as a new, ongoing addition to the Novonaut lineup rather than a formal limited edition.
What is the water resistance of the Fortis Novonaut N-42 TR?
The watch has a water-resistance rating of 200 meters (600 feet or 20 ATM). This is supported by a screw-down crown with a triple-gasket system, making it highly capable for water-based activities.
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By Nick·October 15, 2026· 5 min read
