Which is cheaper, the Fortis Novonaut N-42 or the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze?

At MSRP the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze is the cheaper of the two at $599, against $5,230 for the Fortis Novonaut N-42 — a $4,631 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Fortis Novonaut N-42 or the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze?

The Fortis Novonaut N-42 wears larger at 42mm versus 35mm for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze — a 7mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the Fortis Novonaut N-42 or the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze?

The Fortis Novonaut N-42 is rated to 300m versus 100m for the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Fortis Novonaut N-42 or the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze?

The Fortis Novonaut N-42 carries a 60-hour power reserve against 41 hours on the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze.

What movement does the Fortis Novonaut N-42 run compared to the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze?

Both watches run automatic movements — the Fortis Novonaut N-42 uses the Manufacture Caliber WERK 17 and the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze uses the NH38.

Side by side

Fortis Novonaut N-42vsKUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze

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

Fortis Novonaut N-42

N-42

MSRP $5,230

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze

os90002nd-bz-br

MSRP $599

At a glance

15 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

Novonaut N-4242mm

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze35mm

Power Reserve

Novonaut N-4260h

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze41h

Water Resistance

Novonaut N-42300m

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze100m

MSRP

Novonaut N-42$5,230

OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze$599

Full specifications

Case

7 specs

Crystal & Dial

4 specs

Crystal Shape

Flat

Dome

AR Coating

Inner

Yes

Dial Color

Titanium Legacy

Brown

Lume

None

Super-LumiNova

Movement

3 specs

Caliber

Manufacture Caliber WERK 17

NH38

Power Reserve

60h

41h

Jewels

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$5,230

$599

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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.

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Hodinkee·2

A Blog to Watch·2

KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze

Owners widely praise the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze for its vintage military aesthetic and comfortable 35mm wearability, noting the lug design allows it to fit well on wrists around 7 inches. The Seiko NH-35 movement is reported to be reliable, keeping time within +2 to +3 seconds per day. Some owners dislike the 18mm lug width and the PVD coating on the NATO strap hardware, which does not match the bronze case. Overall, owners rate the KUOE OLD SMITH 90-002 Bronze highly for its vintage appeal and comfortable wearability.

From video reviewers

The watch's bronze case finish is a notable strength, with reviewers highlighting its unique patina and subtle aging effect. A weakness is the lume brightness, which may be a drawback for those who prioritize nighttime readability. Reviewers agree on the watch's movement accuracy, citing the reliable and accurate Seiko NH38 caliber.

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