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In late 2020, Swiss Formex introduced each an organization rebranding and the debut of its first trendy diver’s watch — the Reef Computerized Chronometer. The Reef watch was launched as a mini-platform that allowed customers to personalize a few of the aesthetic choices, together with case elements similar to dial and bezel shade. I customized this explicit Formex Reef Computerized Chronometer was with a blue dial and inexperienced ceramic bezel. I believed the colours can be a singular mixture, and I discovered that they labored very well to remind me of the colours I take pleasure in seeing whereas climbing – the blue of the sky and the inexperienced of native flora.
In some ways, the Reef builds upon Formex’s success with the Essence. That latter mannequin (which continues to be very fashionable for the model) was the corporate’s first trendy all-purpose city leisure watch that mixed sporty sentiments with a sublime, timeless fashion. Formex has now achieved the identical factor in a diver’s-style watch, combining the corporate’s concentrate on worth and options with an authentic design that matches into a classy package deal.
Usually, the Formex Reef watch is a wonderful product. From the outset, Formex has watch lovers in thoughts, which helped inform each side, from the general design to the supplies used. Priced at below $1,800 USD, Formex has additionally used an aggressive pricing technique that assumes as soon as lovers study concerning the product, they’ll respect the great appears and whole lot available.
In a way, the Reef is Formex’s trendiest product up to now. It roughly combines right now’s hobbyist curiosity in traditional diver-style watches and metal watches with built-in, tapering bracelets. The product suits a longtime mould, however when you study the main points, it’s clear that the Reef is an authentic product that desires to nurture its personal attraction, versus making an attempt to face in for a costlier or standard product.
On the wrist, the Reef has wonderful proportions and doesn’t put on too giant in any respect. That stated, I’m confused about how Formex charges the dimensions at 42mm-wide. The bezel and dial collectively are about 40mm huge, and with the expansive case (given its flanks and crown), the case is round 48mm-wide. That makes it wider than it’s lengthy (given a 47mm lug-to-lug distance), permitting it to be very comfy for smaller wrists. The case can also be simply over 11mm-thick, however given how the watch wears, Formex says it seems to be solely about 9mm thick. The case can also be water resistant to 300 meters and has an AR-coated sapphire crystal over the dial.
Ceramic is used for many of the rotating bezel insert choices, however there’s additionally a silver metal insert choice accessible. Given the scratch resistance of ceramic, I most popular it. The olive/forest-green shade of this ceramic bezel is good, giving the watch a really “foresty” look. The matte with polished cutout-markers bezel contrasts elegantly with the shiny sunburst polished blue dial. Formex did a superb job with how the utilized dial markers replicate mild but additionally provide wonderful legibility. The true signal of many high-end-feeling watches is their capability to combine wonderful readability with the flexibility to draw visible consideration (often by refracting mild).
The Reef Diver dial additionally bears the brand new Formex model brand. The emblem is a little more timeless and splendid than the outgoing brand – and I feel it fits the model properly. This nonetheless looks like a part of the Formex watch household, even when the design of the brand and font are a bit totally different.
Contained in the Reef watch is a Swiss Made Sellita SW300-1 automated motion that has been given a COSC Chronometer certification. The motion operates at 4Hz with about two days of energy reserve and is an analog to the ETA 2892. Watches just like the Essence noticed Formex provide customers alternative as as to whether to order COSC Chronometer-certified actions or people who haven’t been despatched to COSC. I consider that every one variations of the Reef have actions which might be COSC-certified for accuracy – with a label testifying to such on the dial.
One of many attention-grabbing assessments that the Reef watch passes with good marks is in the way it feels once you run your fingers over it and shut your eyes. The watch feels strong, with elements which might be clean to the contact, but it includes a range of angles and finishes. This additionally goes for the bracelet — and that is an space of refinement you don’t see in too many watches at this worth level.
Formex provides the Reef with a metal bracelet (similar to the bracelet on the Essence — or it really is perhaps that bracelet) that has a fold-over deployant clasp and a beautiful micro-adjust system within the clasp. The bracelet additionally has a little bit of a taper close to the end-links, which helps the general visible expertise of the watch. The Reef additionally features a quick-release system for the bracelet or strap that permits the wearer to simply swap them out — although once you buy the Reef, you do want to decide on between the strap or the bracelet.
The straps is custom-made for the Reef, in black rubber. It comes with Formex’s principally carbon fold-over deployant that, itself, additionally has a micro-adjust system. I just like the Reef diver on the strap, however I want the colour matched the remainder of the watch a bit extra. Right here, the strap is black, whereas the predominant colours on the dial and bezel are blue or inexperienced. A inexperienced rubber strap would have matched this shade mixture properly.
As a medium-sized dive watch that wears boldly, the Formex Reef Computerized Chronometer (reference 2200.1.6330.100) has a gorgeous design, an excellent listing of elements, and a greater than truthful worth given its long-term wearability and flexibility. Formex was in a position to create a familiar-feeling mechanical dive watch with a contemporary face — one thing not simply achieved. They have been additionally ready to make use of it to launch a brand new face of the model whereas extending the fashionable persona of the Swiss watchmaker in what is meant to be a pure and anticipated route. The little bits of personalization are good, however the model may simply have taken that additional with extra choices. Total, that is the most recent and greatest product from an organization that’s eager to earn market share away from extra complacent watchmakers on this area. Value for the Formex Reef Computerized Chronometer COSC 300M watch is $1,670 USD on the strap and $1,790 USD on the bracelet. Be taught extra or order on the Formex web site right here.
Obligatory Knowledge
>Model: Formex
>Mannequin: Reef Computerized Chronometer COSC 300M (reference 2200.1.6333.100)
>Value: $1,670 – $1,790 USD
>Dimension: 40-48mm-wide (relying on the way you measure it; Formex claims Reef is 42mm-wide, 11.4mm-thick, with a 47mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: As configured in inexperienced and blue, the Reef makes a pleasant out of doors journey or trekking watch however that additionally appears good should you hike up right into a seated dinner.
>Buddy we’d advocate it to first: Conservative sport watch lovers looking for to assist up-and-coming manufacturers with merchandise which have mainstream attraction.
>Greatest attribute of watch: Appropriate daily-wear watch with the precise mix of consolation, fashion, fashion-sense, efficiency, and pizazz. Nicely-priced for what you get. A profitable gamble for the Formex model that extends its attraction.
>Worst attribute of watch: Beauty variation choices are a little bit of a tease, leaving some alternative however actually leaving the patron wanting extra.
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