Side by side

Christopher Ward The C12 LocovsFortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

The C12 Loco
Christopher WardThe C12 Loco
MSRP $5,250
Flieger F-43 Bicompax
FortisFlieger F-43 Bicompax
MSRP $4,180

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
The C12 Loco40mm
Flieger F-43 Bicompax43mm
Power Reserve
The C12 Loco144h
Flieger F-43 Bicompax58h
Water Resistance
The C12 Loco30m
Flieger F-43 Bicompax200m
MSRP
The C12 Loco$5,250
Flieger F-43 Bicompax$4,180

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Chronograph
Diameter
40mm
43mm
Thickness
13.7mm
14.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
47.5mm
Lug Width
25mm
22mm
Water Resistance
30m
200m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Dial Color
Blue
Original
Lume
Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
CW-003
Sellita SW510 BH a
Type
Manual
Automatic
Beat Rate
4 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
144h
58h
Jewels
29
27

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$5,250
$4,180

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Christopher Ward The C12 Loco vs Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Christopher Ward The C12 Loco

Owners widely praise the Christopher Ward C12 Loco for its impressive technical ambition, well-finished movement aesthetics, and value, with many calling it a "hell of a lot of watch for the price" and noting its "insane" finishing. Specific praise is given to the dial-side floating free-sprung balance and the 144-hour power reserve from the SH21 movement. However, opinions are split on wearability, with some finding the 41mm diameter and 13.7mm thickness awkward, and the dial design is described by some as toy-like or bland, while others find it sophisticated. The manual-wind movement, 30m water resistance, and the 6 o'clock escapement are also points of discussion. Overall, owners rate the Christopher Ward C12 Loco highly for its technical innovation and perceived high-horology elements at a competitive price point.

Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax

Owners widely praise the Fortis Original for its tool-watch aesthetic, legibility, and robust construction, with many noting excellent lume that lasts all night and precise day/date changes at midnight. The brushed stainless steel case is well-finished, and the 38mm size is considered comfortable and well-weighted despite being smaller than modern watches. Accuracy figures range from +2 seconds/day to +8 seconds/day, and some owners compare Fortis quality favorably to Omega. However, some users find the MSRP too high compared to brands like Sinn and Damasko, and one owner reported internal parts dislodging from a limited edition model. Concerns have also been raised about stripped lug screws on B-42 models and potential parts shortages due to past bankruptcy protection filings. Overall, owners rate the Fortis Original highly for its durable construction and tool-watch functionality at a competitive price point.

Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.