Perhaps the most famous watch in Fortis' entire catalog is the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph. The first model (ref. 630.22.141) debuted in 1994. After surviving a gauntlet of tests at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, it would go on to accompany cosmonauts on their missions to the MIR space station and ISS until the year 2003. However, it wasn't just Russian cosmonauts who relied on this robust timepiece. Legendary German astronaut Ulf Merbold also counted on this reliable Swiss timekeeper. Fortis ceased production of this specific reference in 2003.
Fortis outfitted this space chronograph with the beloved automatic Lemania chronograph caliber 5100. This movement has central hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands. There's also a day-date display at 3, 12-hour counter at 6, small seconds at 9, and 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock. Tritium Arabic numerals complete the black dial.
The stainless steel case measures a moderate 38 mm in diameter. Its stationary bezel features a tachymeter scale for calculating speed and distance. A unique feature of this timepiece is its screw-down pushers, which allow the chronograph to function underwater. Listings for this watch regularly pop up on Chrono24. Depending on the condition and delivery contents, the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph demands anywhere from 1,200 to 2,200 USD.