Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Formex Reef GMT Automatic COSC
A travel-focused iteration of the Formex Reef
Presented in 2020, the Formex Reef is a versatile dive watch with a rugged design and solid specifications. Inspired by customers’ feedback, Formex now expands the collection, shifting its focus on a more “adventurous” Reef, re-imagined as a go-anywhere, do-anything travel watch. Meet the Formex Reef GMT Automatic COSC.
The Formex Reef GMT Automatic COSC retains the traits and essential features of the collection but shifts its focus to new functionalities, allowing you to consult the time in three different time zones at a glance. To do so, the new model is powered by the automatic Sellita 330 with hours, minutes, seconds, central 24-hour and date indications. The Sellita 330 is essentially a clone of the ETA 2893. It comes in a chronometer grade and a COSC certificate attests to its precision. The power reserve is of 56 hours when fully wound.
The angular case is still 42mm in diameter but the diving bezel of the original models has been replaced by a 48-click rotating bezel that allows you to track a third time zone. Another novelty, it now features an exhibition case back revealing the movement and its skeletonized rotor. Courtesy of the screw-down back and crown, the water resistance is rated 30 ATM / 300m.
The family of the brand’s CEO, Raphael Granito, is active in the watch industry via Dexel, a prominent component supplier. This expertise can be seen throughout most of the components of the watch. Beyond the build quality, several clever solutions are integrated into the watch – the black, white or green sunburst/gradient dials are made “in-house”. Just like the original version of the Reef, the new model is fitted with a bracelet/strap’s buckle fine adjustment system and with a practical quick-release system to swap straps in seconds without the use of a tool. With the launch of the GMT, the Reef is now also equipped with interchangeable bezels; the bezel mounting system allows you to swap it with another colour and therefore to change the personality of your watch in seconds.
The new Formex Reef GMT Automatic COSC is available for pre-order with the brand’s retailer and on the brand’s e-boutique/configurator. The watch is available on a rubber, leather or NATO strap or on a solid-link steel bracelet. There is also a new mesh bracelet option. The watch can be pre-ordered as of now, with the first deliveries planned for August 2022. Price starts from CHF 1,710 / USD 1,800.
For more information, please visit www.formexwatch.com
7 responses
Muy util e interesante los biseles intercambiables
This style of GMT always leave me puzzled. Like they knew they needed to make a GMT for market reasons, but didn’t put any thought into actually using a GMT watch.
This is a hybrid bicycle – the worst of both words.
It can no longer be a dive watch, as they removed a useful bezel in favor of this useless one. The 24 hour bezel is useless as the GMT hand is a mile away. Then you can’t adjust the hour hand independently… and you’ll never actually move the GMT hand either because it’s too big of a pain to set. So I “can” track three time zones, but will never track more than one due to skimping on the movement and bad dial/hand/bezel design.
Just baffling.
Mido got this formula right (for less money, btw). The Ocean Star GMT lets you adjust the hour hand so you can easily do two time zones. And they remembered that tracking three time zones is an asinine use case, especially compared to the insanely useful 60 min dive bezel.
With those types of changes to this, I’d actually buy it. The Formex has good bones. Titanium, looks cool, COSC, etc… but the ham handed GMT implementation should be a deal breaker for everyone.
This style of GMT always leave me puzzled. Like they knew they needed to make a GMT for market reasons, but didn’t put any thought into actually using a GMT watch.
This is a hybrid bicycle – the worst of both words.
It can no longer be a dive watch, as they removed a useful bezel in favor of this useless one. The 24 hour bezel is useless as the GMT hand is a mile away. Then you can’t adjust the hour hand independently… and you’ll never actually move the GMT hand either because it’s too big of a pain to set. So I “can” track three time zones, but will never track more than one due to skimping on the movement and bad dial/hand/bezel design.
Just baffling.
Mido got this formula right (for less money, btw). The Ocean Star GMT lets you adjust the hour hand so you can easily do two time zones. And they remembered that tracking three time zones is an asinine use case, especially compared to the insanely useful 60 min dive bezel.
With those types of changes to this, I’d actually buy it. The Formex has good bones. Looks cool, good modern size, thin, COSC, etc… but the ham handed GMT implementation should be a deal breaker for everyone.
I would never buy a watch whose brand name wants to sound like the well-known “R….Ex”.
In adition, it also sounds like a rat poison brand.
It’s a shame, because I really like those watches.
They did not think of Spanish speakers when creating the brand if we except Mexico. It reminds us of “Formexicanos”. Regarding its usefulness as GMT, I see it as 75%. For 100% I ask for a second crown that rotates an internal Compressor-type bezel offering a 4th time zone, very useful for citizens of the world who cannot forget that they exist using jets as if they were London taxis. The GMT hand is just the right size. Making it longer would take it outside the central 24-hour perimeter. Drawing a mental line from it to the bevel will be effortless to average human intelligence. This COSC has really turned out very well for them and I repeat I would only change the damn “Formex” for something like “Forworld”.
No pensaron en los hispanohablantes al crear la marca (exceptuando a México que le viene de perilla). “Formex” nos recuerda a “Formexicanos”. En cuanto a su utilidad como GMT, la veo en un adecuado 75%. Para el 100% me pido una segunda corona que gire un bisel interno “tipo Compressor” que ofrecerá un 4to huso horario, muy útil para aquellos “ciudadanos del mundo”, no olvidemos que existen usando jets como si fueran taxis londinenses. La manecilla GMT tiene el tamaño justo, hacerla más larga la sacaría del perímetro de la escala central de 24 horas. Dibujar una línea mental desde ella hasta el bisel será fácil para la inteligencia humana promedio. Realmente les ha ido muy bien este GMT COSC. La intercambiabilidad de biseles es genial, nos permite tener varias apariencias en un solo reloj y repito solo cambiaría el maldito “Formex” por algo que suene mejor en idioma Español
They didn’t think about Spanish-speakers when creating the brand (with the exception of Mexico, which comes in handy). “Formex” reminds us of “Formexicanos”. As for its usefulness as GMT, I see it at an adequate 75%. For 100% I ask for a second crown that rotates an internal “Compressor Type” bezel that will offer a 4th time zone, very useful for those “citizens of the world”, let’s not forget that they exist using jets as if they were London taxis. The GMT hand is just the right size, lengthening it would take it outside the perimeter of the central 24-hour scale. Drawing a mental line from there to the bevel will be easy for the average human intelligence. They have really done very well in this GMT COSC. The interchangeability of bezels is great, it allows us to have several looks in a single watch and I repeat I would only change the damn “Formex” for something that sounds better in Spanish.