Side by side

Fortis Novonaut N-42vsGrand Seiko SBGM221

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

Novonaut N-42
FortisNovonaut N-42
MSRP $5,230
SBGM221
Grand SeikoSBGM221
MSRP $5,400

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Novonaut N-4242mm
SBGM22139.5mm
Power Reserve
Novonaut N-4260h
SBGM22172h
Water Resistance
Novonaut N-42300m
SBGM22130m
MSRP
Novonaut N-42$5,230
SBGM221$5,400

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Chronograph
GMT
Diameter
42mm
39.5mm
Thickness
14.6mm
13.7mm
Lug-to-Lug
46.9mm
Lug Width
21mm
19mm
Material
Titanium / Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
300m
30m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
AR Coating
Inner
Yes
Dial Color
Titanium Legacy
Black

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
Manufacture Caliber WERK 17
9S66
Power Reserve
60h
72h
Jewels
36
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$5,230
$5,400

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Fortis Novonaut N-42 vs Grand Seiko SBGM221 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.

Fortis Novonaut N-42

Owners widely praise the Fortis B-42 Official Cosmonauts for its stunning fit and finish, excellent legibility, and a precise, grippy bezel, with one owner calling its bracelet the nicest they've ever owned. The Fortis Novonaut N-42 is described as a flawless beast with a WERK 17 column-wheel chronograph movement, featuring enhanced shock resistance and COSC adjustment, and is noted as a handsome tool watch with a beautiful dial and nice pusher action. However, the 42mm case of the B-42 wears larger than expected, and the Novonaut's 44mm case and chunky bracelet make it too large and heavy for many. The Fortis Titanium Legacy is a modern pilot's watch with a titanium case and bracelet, featuring a Kenissi WERK 13 movement with a 70-hour power reserve and three time zones. Overall, owners and reviewers highly regard the Fortis Titanium Legacy for its robust tool watch design and advanced movement technology, despite some concerns about case size and bracelet adjustability.

Grand Seiko SBGM221

Grand Seiko SBGM221 is widely praised for its exceptional dial finish, highly polished hands and indices, and elegant design. Owners consistently highlight the stunning craftsmanship, with specific mention of the up to 11 hand-polished facets on its rectangular markers. The reliable 9S66 movement is noted for its 72-hour power reserve and true GMT functionality, tested beyond Chronometer specifications. Some enthusiasts desire a bidirectional 24-hour bezel, which the Grand Seiko SBGM221 lacks, and its 13.7mm thickness and 19mm lug width are noted as potential limitations. On balance, owners rate the Grand Seiko SBGM221 highly for its exquisite finishing and elegant, comfortable design.

From video reviewers

The SBGM221 is praised for its value within the Grand Seiko lineup. The lug width is cited as a weakness.

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.