Editor’s note: 2022 is shaping to be a great year for the brand. After the new Formex Field Automatic, introducing the two new Formex Essence Leggera. For our usual detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New Formex Essence Leggera In A Nutshell
There may not be many certainties in life, but one thing sure as hell comes close – Formex knows how to tap into the current demand, listen to its audiences, and simply challenge the status quo with each novelty.
Three years after the brand’s first foray into the lightweight category domination quest, the new Formex Essence Leggera in 41mm diameter continues the saga and should tornado its way into the watch scene.
It’s not a gimmick though; with an impressively almost impossible package starting at only 1’640 USD — with free shipping and returns — it manages to score a knockout with features such as only 40g weight, COSC-certification, plethora of dial colour — Forged Carbon, Cool Grey, Electric Blue, Arctic White and Mamba Green — options, a carbon and ceramic case that lends hypoallergenic, anti-magnetic and corrosion-resistant properties, the patented gradual fine-adjustment system (7mm) and Formex’s patented 4-fold Case Suspension System that are reviewed in more detail here (and are perhaps the best under the 10k mark to say the least), clean dials with high daytime — courtesy hand-applied mirror polished indexes — and nighttime legibility (courtesy BGW9 Super-LumiNova lume), a Swiss movement, sapphire crystal, and an under 47mm lug-to-lug spacing for those with slim wrists.
For any MMA fans reading this, this may not be as hyped up as Khamzat Chimaev, but it sure is like Khabib making a return. If you are not a sports fan, but are all about investments like say Kevin O’Leary, it is one of the best value for money propositions you will find. There are watch purchases you just can’t go wrong with. No matter how you slice it, the new Formex Essence Leggera is perhaps lightweight at its best.
Where: Pre-Order online with delivery by the end of May (43mm) and beginning of July (41mm) on the Formex website – though you can see it in person at the Worn & Wound’s Windup Watch Fair in San Francisco from Thursday 21st April – Sunday 24th April 2022.
Basic Specs Of New Formex Essence Leggera
Inside the new Formex Essence Leggera ticks the tried-and-tested SW200-1 — an automatic-winding mechanical measuring 25.6mm x 4.6mm — which is a clone of the ETA 2824-2 and the bread n’ butter for a lot of brands.
The movement comprises 26 jewels, and beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 A/h) and provides with a 41-hour power reserve.
The website also lists Swiss Made STP1-11 (self-winding) with a higher 44-hour power reserve as the movement for the 43mm diameter version (though I am not a 100% sure on this).
Best Fit Possible
The new Formex Essence Leggera comes in either a 41mm diameter or a 43mm diameter 100m water-resistant proprietary in-house developed Carbon Fiber Composite case. One of the interesting aspects of the case design is that the lug interhorn for both sizes is the same 22mm, and the thickness is almost the same as well (11.2mm for the smaller and 11.3mm for the larger).
It is, however, the lug-to-lug spacing that makes all the difference, and will cater to both with either smaller or larger wrist sizes.
The 41mm diameter new Formex Essence Leggera measures in at 46.4mm, while the 43mm diameter version at 49mm.
The larger version is fairly similar to the existing Formex Essence 43 in dimensions, except for the weight (and colour segues). The above measures 43 x 10.6mm and features the same lug interhorn of 22mm and a very similar 49.4mm lug-to-lug spacing. The new Formex Essence Leggera, however, weighs only 50g (case only) as compared to the 147g weight (with bracelet) of the Essence. You can see how the Essence fits on a ~16cm wrist below.
We haven’t gone hands-on with these yet, but for reference, the Formex Reef measures 42mm x 11.4mm and sits grandly on my ~16cm wrists thanks to the only 48mm lug-to-lug spacing.
This new Formex Essence Leggera will sit quite differently, and most likely even smaller than the recent Formex Field Automatic which features a 41mm diameter case with 10.6mm thickness (8.8mm perceived) and slightly larger 47mm lug-to-lug spacing.
The new Formex Essence Leggera will also be a perfect fit for those who are interested in the brand’s offerings but are in-between sizes and find the Formex Essence 39 a tad too small. The Essence 39 measures in at 39mm diameter, 10mm thickness, 20mm lug interhorn spacing and only 45.6mm lug-to-lug. You can see it on ~16cm wrist below.
Quotable
“If there’s one watch from our collection that shows what we’re best at, it’s the Leggera. This model has all the user-oriented features that our customers love. In addition, we chose materials to make this watch wear more comfortably throughout the day. Carbon fiber composite and ceramic are naturally black and won’t fade or show scratches from an active lifestyle. I personally consider theLeggera the ultimate fusion of elegance and sportiness and a perfect everyday piece for those who don’t necessarily need to feel that they’re wearing a watch”.
Formex CEO, Raphael Granito
Parting Thoughts On The New Formex Essence Leggera
The new Formex Essence Leggera is definitely one of the best bargain luxury watches from 2022. For those entering this hobby or those simply wanting to add another fine timepiece to their collection, it presents with pretty much a fail-safe option. Starting at 2’500 AUD, these also tick current aesthetic options for the present time: fume dial, blue dial for versatility, green in-trend dial, carbon dial or simply a timeless white dial. Then there is also our favourite, the Cool Grey dial that when framed by a blacked out case is stealth at its sexiest best.
To find out more about the new Formex Essence Leggera and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are Copyright 2022 © FORMEX Watch SA, all rights reserved.
