Which is cheaper, the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

At MSRP the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax is the cheaper of the two at $4,180, against $7,700 for the Grand Seiko SBGH289 — a $3,520 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 wears larger at 43.8mm versus 43mm for the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax — a 0.8mm difference across the dial.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

The Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax carries a 58-hour power reserve against 55 hours on the Grand Seiko SBGH289.

What movement does the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax run compared to the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

Both watches run automatic movements — the Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax uses the Sellita SW510 BH a and the Grand Seiko SBGH289 uses the 9S85.

Side by side

Fortis Flieger F-43 BicompaxvsGrand Seiko SBGH289

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

Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax

F-43 Bicompax

MSRP $4,180

Grand Seiko SBGH289

sbgh289g

MSRP $7,700

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

Flieger F-43 Bicompax43mm

SBGH28943.8mm

Power Reserve

Flieger F-43 Bicompax58h

SBGH28955h

Water Resistance

Flieger F-43 Bicompax200m

SBGH289200m

MSRP

Flieger F-43 Bicompax$4,180

SBGH289$7,700

Full specifications

Case

4 specs

Crystal & Dial

2 specs

AR Coating

Inner

Yes

Dial Color

Original

Black

Movement

3 specs

Caliber

Sellita SW510 BH a

9S85

Power Reserve

58h

55h

Jewels

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$4,180

$7,700

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax vs Grand Seiko SBGH289 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 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.

WatchUSeek·9

Grand Seiko SBGH289

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 is praised for its legible blue dial, strong Lumibrite, and the accurate Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85 movement. Reviewers note its bright initial lume glow, though its longevity is questioned compared to other models. The watch features Grand Seiko's Super-Hard Coating for scratch resistance and retails for €7,200. Overall, reviewers highlight the SBGH289's appealing aesthetics and robust movement as key strengths.

From video reviewers

Excellent finishing and smooth bezel action are notable features of the Grand Seiko SBGH289. A weakness of the watch is the relatively low lume brightness. Reviewers disagree on the watch's ideal lug width, with some considering 22mm a limitation for users who prefer a more standard 20mm or 21mm strap width, while others do not mention this as a concern.

Fratello

Time + Tide

Keep exploring