Editor’s note: This is a quick hands-on review of the Formex Essence Thirtynine retailing from only 2’050 AUD. We will be releasing a detailed review soon. For our other detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here.
Formex Essence
To be able to create a standout timepiece in an overcrowded 1k to 2k market garners my utmost respect; to conjure up a timepiece that will tick a lot of boxes for a vast number of slim-wristed watch enthusiasts like myself ensures our appreciation; with panache the brand marches forth on the wisdom of their expertise and customer feedback; the new Formex Essence Thirtynine is truly the nucleus of all you could want from a pocket-friendly luxury sports watch.
A Body That Measures Well
I have rather slim wrists of ~16cm. One of the best features is the lug-to-lug spacing of only 45.6mm.
The new Formex Essence comes bite size in 39mm diameter and 10mm thick 316L stainless steel case. Slim enough to slip underneath a cuff, yet thanks to that bezel architecture bold enough to impress any watch nerd.
The 39mm collection currently comes in six varying dial colour options: mother-of-pearl, white, blue, green, dégradé, and black.
Highly wearable, beating with a heart that’ll last, encased inside a unique case with a mixture of brushing and polishing, big on legibility and comfort but small in size, and featuring a handsome fumé slate to charcoal coloured dial, the new Formex Essence Thirtynine Dégradé is a functional sports watch with an added touch of tasteful styling.
The Ingredients
Bringing out the big guns, what you get from 2’050 AUD onwards includes:
- a popular and consumer demanded 39mm case
- mix of machine and hand finishings
- a dial with no QC issues and nice shaded-off aesthetic
- a COSC-certified movement
- 2 (useful) patents
- bracelets and straps with high comfort level and adjustment features
- sapphire crystal (front and back) instead of cheaper and more scratch-able glass options (with added anti-reflective coating)
- BGW9 Super-LumiNova for low-lighting readability
- in-trend sports watch styling
- a display case-back and
- 100m water-resistance
The new Formex Essence is a daily wearable marvel; and for around the 2k AUD mark, it is also a bargain.
An Engine That Runs Well
The Formex Essence Thirtynine features a COSC-certified Sellita SW200-1 movement.
This 25.6mm diameter and 4.6mm thick movement comprises of 25 jewels, features hacking seconds and an Incabloc anti-shock device, beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’000 A/h), and provides an increased power reserve of 41-hours (up from 38-hours).
A clone of the ETA 2824-2, it is worthwhile to note that it is widely used in the industry, and what you are getting is a trustworthy movement.
Unified Beauty
There is a quote by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn “The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety”.
While researching about the Formex Essence watches, I came across a number of reviews and comments on forums and such that likened it to a variety of other watches.
Even though I reckon the watch is pretty distinctive in its styling, even if I humour the comparisons, there is so much to appreciate: some said that the four screws on the bezel reminded them of a particular watch brand. Some said it reminded them of the Piaget S (20’100 AUD). Or some might point out how the new Formex Essence takes cues from the Omega Aqua Terra Green (8’750 AUD). Some might say that fumé colour way is reminiscent of the Patek Philippe 7118/1A-011 (40’450 AUD) or the case shock absorber system recalls the spirit of the recent IWC Big Pilot’s Watch ref. IW357201 (~120’000 AUD).
For those on the fence with this, my best opinion would be to try this in person. The Formex Essence wears very differently than the watches listed above, and we have tried to capture that uniqueness in the pictures.
And even if the Formex Essence did look similar to something else, consider the pricing. Look at the prices of the watches above. Then look at 2’050 AUD.
There are a variety of features that the Formex Essence Thirtynine boasts of; and there is a sense of cohesiveness that marries them all together.
As a package on its own, its unique and rather charming.
Like the quote above, the essence of the beauty of the Formex Essence is the unity in variety.
For more information on the new Formex Essence Thirtynine and other Formex watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are ©Watch Ya Gonna Do About It.
