Fortis Spaceman Vintage Watch Guide

Key Points from the Discussion

• The Spaceman watch, designed by Andre Le Marquand, was also manufactured by brands like Zeno, in addition to Fortis, Omax, and Vialux. Many New Old Stock (NOS) units were available through Watchismo about 25 years ago, often featuring red or blue dials and packaged in shiny red patent leather pouches.
• Beyond the iconic square case, Andre Le Marquand also designed an oval-cased Spaceman with a unique three-section patent leather strap, which is notably difficult to replace. He also created more conventional, high-end sporty dress watches, though these are less recognized than the distinctive Spaceman designs.
• The square Spaceman watches are becoming increasingly difficult to find in good condition, indicating their growing collector appeal and scarcity.
• The unique case shape of the Spaceman watch was directly inspired by an astronaut's helmet, a detail that resonates with the original author's astronaut tattoo.
• The 1970s saw a trend of similarly fun and unconventional designs, with the Amida Digitrend being another example of a watch from that era sharing a comparable aesthetic.