Results for Formex

Formex Essence Ceramica Dark Matter Redshift: Full Black Ceramic, Meteorite Dial, and a Red Accent That Means Business

The Swiss micro-brand goes harder with its ceramic sports watch, adding motorsport-inspired red accents, a matte black case, and a COSC-certified movement to the mix.

Formex Watches vs Nodus: Which Microbrand Makes the Better Titanium Field Watch?

Nodus and Formex take two different approaches to titanium field watches. We compare their movements, case designs, comfort, and value to see which comes out ahead.

Introducing - The new Formex Essence Ceramica Dark Matter Redshift

Building on the original Essence Ceramica introduced in March 2025 and the distinctive Dark Matter meteorite dial that followed, Formex is back at work with a bolder take on its sports watch. Using motorsport as an inspiration, the new Essence Ceramica Dark Matter Redshift combines new finishes for the case, colorful accents and a powerful movement. […]

Formex gives its Essence Ceramica a bold look with new Essence Ceramica Dark Matter RedShift

The Formex Essence Ceramica Dark Matter RedShift pairs a black meteorite dial with red accents, matte ceramic and a COSC-certified movement

The Business of Watches Podcast: Formex CEO And Head Of Product Development At Dexel Raphael Granito

Formex holds a unique place in the Swiss watch industry. Born in the early 2000s, it featured a proprietary case suspension system and designs that reflected the origin of its name, 'forme extrême' (extreme shapes in French). However, the recession spurred by the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 dealt the brand a near-fatal blow, and it entered a period of relative dormancy. Then, in 2016, a group backed by one of its suppliers, Dexel, a Swiss component maker specializing in bracelets, clasps, and cases, as well as dials through its subsidiary Cadranor, took over Formex.  Raphael Granito, now in his mid-thirties, is part of the family business behind Dexel and led the takeover and revival of the Formex marque. He has steered the brand's development ever since, and a decade later, Formex is leveraging Dexel's manufacturing savoir-faire and R&D; to produce innovative, approachable-priced Swiss-made watches. The brand's evolution culminated recently with the Aria, a high-end integrated-bracelet titanium sport watch with an ultra-thin, micro-rotor manufacture movement designed by Horage, priced below CHF 6,000. That's a significant step up compared to the CHF 1,800 average price point for its watches.  Granito outlines how the brand has grown and connected with more customers, operating mainly outside the traditional retail structure. Still a family business, he hired his best friend from university to lead marketing and sales efforts. Formex has distinguished itself by offe...

Formex AirField: The Field Watch Gets an Aviation Soul

Formex grafts a recessed, aviation-inspired dial onto its proven titanium Field platform, and the result is something genuinely worth your attention.

Formex Just Turned Its Best Field Watch Into Something I Want More

Formex takes its proven titanium Field platform in a new direction with the AirField, adding a recessed aviation-inspired dial and familiar everyday specs.

Formex Introduces the New AirField

Earlier this year when Formex unveiled the Aria, which is unquestionably their most ambitious watch to date, with a price point to match, there was a lot of talk among enthusiasts about what a higher price point could signal. The fear that Formex could be leaving behind more affordable watches (even though, for what the Aria is, it’s quite affordable – but that’s a separate topic) was something we saw articulated all over the Watch Internet. Of course, there was never any real danger of Formex abandoning value oriented watches, and the release of the new AirField, built on their popular field watch format, proves that point.  What we have here is fairly straightforward. The AirField borrows the titanium case architecture of the Formex Field, and adds a reconfigured dial and hand set with a more directly aviation inspired look. The design brief here seems to be immediate legibility and clarity, filtered through a Formex aesthetic in a way that feels similar to how the Formex Field took easy wearing utility in the same direction. The basic touch points of pilot watches that we all understand are very much present here: broad, sword shaped hands, matched with clean and easy to read Arabic numerals (filled with lume, of course). Formex has even included the traditional 12:00 triangle in this dial execution.  The case measures 40mm in diameter and Formex says it weighs just 54 grams. It also has a surface treatment that the brand claims results in a surface hardness rat...

Value Proposition - Formex Takes its Field Watch to the Air with the New AirField Titanium Pilot’s Watch

In 2022, Formex launched the Field Automatic, a 41mm titanium field watch developed with the brand’s signature focus on practical engineering. The series was refined in 2025 with the Field Automatic Gen 2, boasting a slimmer 40mm case, a reworked two-part dial and a more compact overall profile. Now, Formex takes that same platform in […]

Formex’s field watch takes to the skies with new Formex AirField 40mm Automatic

Formex turns its field watch into a pilot’s watch with the new AirField 40mm Automatic model. With a pilot’s watch-inspired dial and hand set, the AirField features the new Sellita SW200-2 Power+ and a hardened titanium case. Available in four different colours, the Formex AirField 40mm Automatic is available for pre-order now, with deliveries starting … Continued

The Formex Aria Proves The Phrase “Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It”

Without a doubt, one of the most talked-about recent releases is the Formex Aria Manufacture Chronometer, or simply Aria, as most people will refer to it. After I wrote the introductory article based on the press info, I was curious to learn more. While the design didn’t necessarily make me swoon, I know Formex well […] Visit The Formex Aria Proves The Phrase “Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It” to read the full article.

The Formex Essence FortyOne Arctic White is an engineering nerd’s everyday sports watch

We get hands-on with the Formex Essence FortyOne Arctic White, featuring a 41mm suspended case and a COSC-certified movement.

First Look - The New Formex Essence 39mm Automatic COSC, Upgraded Where It Counts

Formex is giving its best-selling, compact Essence 39mm a refresh, bringing in technical and ergonomic improvements. The 39mm Essence was first showcased in 2020 as the smaller sibling to the original 43mm model, and we have since seen it in everything from the regular collection to the meteorite-dial Essence 39 Space Gold and wine-toned Gamaret. […]

Getting To The Core: The Updated Formex Essence Automatic COSC 39mm

The Formex Essence Automatic COSC 39mm is a clear example of watch evolution. It’s proof that progress is less about changing the design than refining what is already there. The 39mm case, its proportions, design, and overall presence on the wrist remain unchanged. Why change a winning “team” when the 39mm Essence is the brand’s […] Visit Getting To The Core: The Updated Formex Essence Automatic COSC 39mm to read the full article.

[Video] Extreme Watchmaking Revealed: The Formex Aria And How It’s Made

Formex may be a relatively young name in Swiss watchmaking, but the brand has already made a name for itself thanks to its unique approach. Founded in 1999 and based in Biel, Formex has built its identity around combining mechanical watchmaking with engineering-led solutions. Its watches are known for features such as the patented Case […] Visit [Video] Extreme Watchmaking Revealed: The Formex Aria And How It’s Made to read the full article.

Introducing: The Aria Manufacture Chronometer From Formex

What We Know The last time I covered something from Formex was over a year ago, when the brand released a highly finished, full-ceramic sports watch, complete with a ceramic bracelet and even a ceramic micro-adjust clasp, at an unrivaled price point. Today, the brand continues its upmarket trend with a brand-new watch design called the Aria. The Aria takes the form of a broad, integrated-bracelet design in full grade 5 titanium. The 40mm case feels broader than normal, thanks to an impressively thin case height of 6.9mm, even though the lug-to-lug is still quite reasonable at 45.45mm. While the silhouette gives a smooth look, there's quite a bit of contrasting finishing going on here, with brushing of the titanium case and bracelet links done entirely by hand. Though the styling certainly leans towards its identity as a bold sports watch, there's a lot of subtlety in the design, for example, with the individual bracelet links being slightly curved or the extra dimensionality of the layer of titanium peeking out from each link's milled-out spaces. The clasp includes Formex's proprietary micro-adjust system, which provides extra space on both sides of the bracelet by pulling or pushing each side. There are three dials for the Aria: "Selva Green," "Ardesia Grey," and "Denso Blue." All three have a certain muted look to the hue, matching the slightly darker nature of titanium. Dimensionality is achieved through contrasting indices in rose-gold coloring, set on applied raised p...

We hosted the launch of the Formex Aria and dove deep into this new Manufacture Chronometer

The Time+Tide NYC Discovery Studio proudly hosted the launch of the Formex Aria and an in-depth discussion about the details that shape it.

The Formex Aria Turns the Integrated-Bracelet Watch Into Its Own Thing

First Look - The Formex Aria Manufacture Chronometer, a Bold Step into Integrated Sports Watches

For years, Formex has been associated with robust, technically minded watches focused on ergonomics, innovative materials and practical engineering. The Essence, Reef, and Stratos collections built the Biel-based independent brand’s reputation as a maker of high-value sports watches with distinctive technical solutions, including the patented Case Suspension System and advanced clasp mechanisms. With the new […]

Formex Enters The Arena Of Integrated-Bracelet Watches With Its Aria Manufacture Chronometer

As a small brand, Formex has consistently pushed the boundaries of affordable watchmaking. By using new materials, integrating innovations, and simply creating a great, varied collection of watches, the young Swiss brand has stood out in recent years. With the new Aria Manufacture Chronometer, Formex unveils a new milestone for the company. It marks a […] Visit Formex Enters The Arena Of Integrated-Bracelet Watches With Its Aria Manufacture Chronometer to read the full article.

Formex Introduces the Aria, an Integrated Bracelet Sports Watch with a Manufacture Movement

Formex has formally introduced what is likely to be at or near the top of many of our “Watch of the Year” lists when 2026 is all said and done. Long a brand synonymous with squeezing an absolutely insane amount of value from every dollar spent, the new Aria is Formex’s most ambitious watch to date, by a wide margin. We got a look at the Aria during Watches & Wonders week while Formex exhibited at Chronopolis, and then again at Windup San Francisco a few weeks later, and we remain impressed with what the brand has accomplished. This is a big step forward for them on a number of fronts.  The Aria is an integrated bracelet sports watch that is also ultra-thin and uses the brand’s first manufacture movement. It makes sense, I think, to start with the case and bracelet, because they are immediately striking to hold and wear when you first experience the watch. The Aria is 40mm in diameter and crafted from titanium, with a tapered bracelet that has meticulously hand finished elements throughout. The total case height comes to just 6.9mm, and a close examination of the case, bracelet, and how they are integrated to one another reveals an intense attention to detail on the part of Formex and their design team. The Aria seems to understand what makes an integrated bracelet sports watch really work, which is a continuity of form from the case to the bracelet, and all the way to the clasp. They are integrated in the truest sense of the word, with matching finishes and tight ...

Formex unviels the Aria, the brand’s most ambitious watch yet, featuring its first exclusive manufacture micro-rotor movement

Formex takes its innovations to the next level, introducing an exclusive manufacture micro-rotor movement in an ultra-thin titanium case

Introducing: The Formex Reef 39.5mm Automatic COSC 300M Forged Carbon

I am a fan of Formex. I like that the brand attempts to create the best-built watch within its chosen price category. The designs aren’t for everyone, but the build quality is undoubtedly excellent. I’ve had hands-on experience with Formex’s Field and Reef models. On both counts, they left me impressed, particularly given their asking […] Visit Introducing: The Formex Reef 39.5mm Automatic COSC 300M Forged Carbon to read the full article.

Introducing - Formex Reef 39.5 Forged Carbon, a new Look for the Brand’s Compact Diver

Founded in Biel/Bienne and revitalised in 2016 under the leadership of Raphaël Granito, Formex is appreciated for its engineering-driven watchmaking, ergonomic case design and modularity. Known at first for its motorsport roots and patented case suspension systems, the brand has gradually defined its identity with the Essence and Reef collections, offering well-executed watches with interesting […]

Formex gives in to the power of the dark side, bringing a dark meteorite dial to the Essence Ceramica Dark Matter

In another highlight for its 25th anniversary year, Formex announces a meteorite dial for its Essence Ceramica model.The post Formex gives in to the power of the dark side, bringing a dark meteorite dial to the Essence Ceramica Dark Matter appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Formex Doubles Down On Ceramic With The Essence Ceramica Automatic COSC “Dark Matter” 41mm

What do you do when you have a good thing going? You double down, of course! Formex spent years developing a ceramic Essence with best-in-class finishing and a first-ever ceramic micro-adjustable clasp. The Swiss brand fitted it with a skeletonized dial for its debut earlier this year. And then, Formex doubled down indeed. This September, […] Visit Formex Doubles Down On Ceramic With The Essence Ceramica Automatic COSC “Dark Matter” 41mm to read the full article.