Side by side

Fortis Novonaut N-42vsGrand Seiko SBGW281

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
SBGW281
Grand SeikoSBGW281
MSRP $4,900

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Novonaut N-4242mm
SBGW28137.3mm
Power Reserve
Novonaut N-4260h
SBGW28172h
Water Resistance
Novonaut N-42300m
SBGW28130m
MSRP
Novonaut N-42$5,230
SBGW281$4,900

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Chronograph
Dress
Diameter
42mm
37.3mm
Thickness
14.6mm
11.7mm
Lug-to-Lug
44.3mm
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

4 specs
Caliber
Manufacture Caliber WERK 17
9S64
Type
Automatic
Manual
Power Reserve
60h
72h
Jewels
36
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$5,230
$4,900

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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 SBGW281

Grand Seiko SBGW281 owners and reviewers alike praise its classic 37mm size and timeless, no-bezel design, with enthusiasts calling these manual-wind models "perfect Grand Seikos" for their thin profile, accessible price, and dial symmetry. The champagne dial is noted for its evocative, melting snow aesthetic, complemented by a gold seconds hand and a box crystal. The winding action is described as exceptionally smooth with satisfying clicky feedback, and the lug-to-lug measurement is approximately 45mm. This timepiece is splash resistant and retails for US$4,800. On balance, enthusiasts and reviewers highly regard the Grand Seiko SBGW281 for its elegant proportions and refined dial presentation.

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