Fortis Marinemaster M-44 Dive Watch
Starting from 4.650 €The Fortis Marinemaster M-44 is the centrepiece of the diving collection from the Swiss manufacture in Grenchen. Heir to a name Fortis traces back to 1954, it features a 44mm cushion case in recycled stainless steel, water resistant to 500 metres, powered by a chronometer certified manufacture calibre with 70 hours of power reserve. Its bidirectional Gear bezel, locked by the Fortis Lock System, and its black dial with the “O” motif give it an immediately recognisable identity. Offered in five colourways, on FKM rubber strap or steel bracelet, it is aimed at divers, travellers and enthusiasts of rugged tool watches built for every environment.
Fortis Marinemaster M-44 dive watch
Fortis claims a continuous history in watchmaking since 1912 from its headquarters in Grenchen, Switzerland. The brand established itself early in the technical history of watchmaking by partnering with John Harwood on the first series-produced automatic watch in 1926. This industrial grounding is reflected today in a firm commitment to manufacture movements, developed in-house or in partnership, and in a positioning as tool watches tested in extreme environments, from the stratosphere to the ocean depths.
The Marinemaster name itself dates back to the 1950s. Fortis states it has been building the Marinemaster since 1954, which the brand considers makes it one of the oldest dive watch lineages still in production. Historically, this name covered water resistant watches of various configurations before, with the generation relaunched in 2021, coming to designate a genuine family of divers built around two complementary sizes.
The M-44 is the flagship of that family. Its cushion case with no visible lugs, its notched Gear bezel and its second crown locking system reflect a functional approach to design: every element answers a practical need, grip while wearing gloves, security when setting dive time, resistance to pressure. Fortis presents it as an adventure watch designed to go anywhere, rather than a saturation diver intended solely for professional use. This philosophy explains the variety of versions on offer. From the original orange to the green, blue and black versions that followed, up to a limited edition enhanced with gold, the M-44 comes in several guises without ever abandoning its core purpose as an instrument.
Technical specifications Fortis Marinemaster M-44
- Brand: Fortis
- Model: Marinemaster M-44
- Reference: Depending on version
- Indicative price: €4,650 to €6,900
- Movement: Automatic manufacture
- Chronometer: COSC certified
- Calibre: Werk 11
- Diameter: 44 mm
- Thickness: 14 mm
- Water resistance: 500 m / 50 ATM
- Materials: Recycled stainless steel
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Dial: Black, green, orange, blue, black
- Strap: Tubber or steel
- Warranty: 5 years
- Box contents: Alpha case, certificate, warranty card, manual, screwdriver
The Fortis Marinemaster M-44 dive watch
The Marinemaster M-44 fully embraces its status as a large format tool watch. Its 44mm cushion case in recycled stainless steel features an architecture with no visible lugs, which limits its footprint on the wrist despite the stated size. With a lug to lug of 48mm and a thickness of 14mm, the watch remains more compact than its dimensions might suggest, while the case weight of 102 grams reflects the density of its construction. Legibility benefits from a black dial adorned with the brand's emblematic “O” motif, with applied hour markers filled with Superluminova X1, whose blue luminescence stays strong in the dark.
The sapphire crystal, anti-reflective treated on both faces, ensures clear reading underwater as well as in bright sunlight, with no parasitic glare. The bezel is the model's most distinctive feature. A Gear type, heavily notched for effective grip while wearing gloves, it is bidirectional and locks thanks to the Fortis Lock System, a second crown that blocks rotation and secures the measurement of dive time. This device replaces the classic unidirectional ratchet with a mechanical, deliberate locking solution, consistent with the watch's versatile vocation, as much at home underwater as on a land expedition.
A Swiss diver offered in five colourways
Beyond its construction, the M-44 stands out for the breadth of its catalogue. Five versions coexist: Amber Orange, the model's historic colourway with its orange minute hand, Woodpecker Green with green accents and silver hands, Ocean Blue with blue accents, Black Resin fully black with gold accents and beige Super-LumiNova, and finally Black Resin Gold, a limited edition of 50 pieces fitted with an 18 carat gold bezel ring and a specific engraved caseback. Every colourway, except the limited series which is reserved for rubber, can be chosen on an Horizon Strap in FKM rubber matched to the dial colour, or on a steel Block Bracelet.
The former favours flexibility and resistance to chemical exposure and UV, the latter brings a dressier presence. Fitting is done via a screw system, with the reversible screwdriver supplied in the case. On price, the gap remains clear: €4,650 on rubber, €5,050 on steel bracelet and €6,900 for the gold version. The mechanical heart does not change from one version to another: all receive the Werk 11 manufacture calibre and its COSC chronometer certificate, guaranteeing consistent performance whatever aesthetic choice is made.
Fortis Marinemaster M-44 dive watch: chronometer certified toughness
The Marinemaster M-44 combines a 44mm cushion case in recycled stainless steel, water resistance to 500 metres and an automatic manufacture Werk 11 calibre, chronometer certified, with 70 hours of power reserve and a date window. The bidirectional Gear bezel locks via the Fortis Lock System, while the double sided anti-reflective sapphire crystal and Superluminova X1 hour markers ensure constant legibility. A triple gasket screw-down crown, FKM Performance seals and an engraved steel caseback complete the construction. Five colourways are offered, on FKM rubber Horizon strap or steel Block bracelet, with a five year manufacturer warranty.
Movement
The Marinemaster M-44 is powered by the Werk 11 manufacture calibre, an automatic movement co-developed with Kenissi and featuring 28 jewels. It is COSC chronometer certified, a guarantee of accuracy checked against an independent standard, and offers a 70 hour power reserve, allowing the watch to rest all weekend without needing to be reset. The only complication is a date display, in keeping with the model's instrument spirit, which prioritises reliability and legibility over an abundance of functions.
Diameter and materials
The cushion case measures 44mm in diameter for 14mm thickness and 48mm lug to lug. It is machined from recycled stainless steel, a material Fortis uses across the entire line, and closes with an engraved steel caseback using the so-called Ultra-Engraving technique. The sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both faces, protects a black dial with the “O” motif. Accent colours vary by version, from orange to green, blue to full black, with the limited series receiving an 18 carat gold bezel.
Water resistance
The M-44 offers water resistance of 500 m / 50 ATM, well beyond the needs of recreational diving. This performance relies on a triple gasket screw-down crown and FKM Performance seals, an elastomer known for its stability against heat and chemical agents. The bidirectional Gear bezel locks thanks to the Fortis Lock System, operated by a second crown, which secures the measurement of time spent underwater. The applied Superluminova X1 hour markers emit a blue glow for reading at depth.
Accessories
Two fittings are offered depending on the version: the Horizon Strap in FKM rubber, flexible, hypoallergenic and resistant to heat, chemicals and UV, or the steel Block Bracelet. Both end in a steel deployant clasp and attach via a screw system. The watch is delivered in an Alpha case along with the chronometer certificate, warranty card, instruction manual and a reversible screwdriver allowing the wearer to change the strap themselves.
Warranty
Fortis backs every Marinemaster M-44 with a 5 year manufacturer warranty, a longer duration than the industry norm and a sign of confidence in the watch's construction. The warranty card is among the documents supplied with the watch, alongside the chronometer certificate attesting to the calibre's testing. This coverage applies to the timepiece's manufacturing quality; routine maintenance, servicing and replacement of water resistance seals remain the owner's responsibility depending on frequency of use.
Fortis Marinemaster M-44 The pros
and cons
- 500 metres of water resistance
- 70 hour power reserve
- Fortis Lock System bezel locking
- Five year manufacturer warranty
- Five colourways available
- Imposing dimensions
- Bidirectional bezel
- Weight of 102 grams
- Block Bracelet versions rare
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Prices and technical specifications are subject to change. Content and photos are not contractual.
