Formex manufactures rugged watches that can keep up with the action and take a hit. Thus, it feels like a natural evolution to see the brand introducing a new dive watch. Raphael Granito, the brand’s CEO, has spent years developing and producing watch parts for many brands, and the Formex Reef offers everything you need in an underwater timepiece […]
Launched in 2018, the Formex Essence is a sporty-casual all-rounder that marked an important step in the design language of a brand known for crafting rugged action watches. This accessible yet well-crafted model is now released in two ‘Space Rock’ limited editions, fitted with meteorite dials. The ‘Space Rock’ name gives it away. If these […]
You might not be very familiar with the brand Formex, but it’s been around for two decades now. Most of its creations are big, bold and sturdy, and some of its recent watches, with updated designs and more understated choices, turned out to be quite good-looking. Like this Formex Essence Leggera, which offers a very […]
Let’s make things clear! When Frank founded MONOCHROME over 12 years ago, the main objective was to create “an online magazine dedicated to fine watches”. That meant the celebration of traditional, high-end watchmaking. However, we are very much aware that most of our readers can’t afford such pieces and we are very much aware that accessible, down-to-earth, good price/quality watches are important. Yet, lower prices often mean lower quality – but not for us.
For this reason, we will publish several price-oriented buying guides until the end of the year, listing our favourite watches of 2018 – thus, each will be able to find the right watch according to his budget. Starting today, here are our 10 best watches of 2018 priced under EUR 2,000 – and well below that for some of these watches! And because you’re reading MONO, they are, of course, all mechanical timepieces. Believe it or not but “enamel dial”, “in-house movement”, “chronometer” or “annual calendar” are even part of this buying guide!
Regular readers of MONOCHROME will already be familiar with the name Formex. We’ve previously written about the brand here, here and here. Known for its rugged action watches, the company has continued to refine its offering since Raphael Granito took the reins a few years back. Its latest offering, the surprisingly refined Essence Automatic Chronometer, continues this evolution. And offers great value for money too! We recently spent some hands-on time with this entry-level model that delivers a COSC-certified chronometer for under USD 700, now launching on Kickstarter.
Formex has just unveiled the Element; reimagining the brand design DNA into a bold, rugged chronograph offering excellent value for money. Just a few days after the watch premiered at Munich Time, we have visited the Formex team in Biel to go hands-on with their latest stopwatch… and here are the specs, some live pics and the price.
Recently, we have reported how Formex had shifted their business model from wholesale distribution to direct-to-customer, adopting an online sales strategy. Today, we are going hands-on with one of their best-selling watches, the rugged, macho AS1100. Let’s take a closer look at the 999-piece limited edition of this chronograph with a bold, powerful and masculine look.
Until fairly recently Formex used to be a bricks and mortar watchmaker. This was before Raphael Granito took over the company a couple of years ago. In the midst of an increasing competition and changing times for the watch industry, Granito decided to shift the business model from wholesale distribution to direct-to customer.