I was one of the Kickstarter backers in 2019 - 369CHF for the non-chronometer on a strap with the fantastic fiber clasp.. unfortnuately I handpicked the wrong dial, which I realised as soon as I opened it and ended up flipping it new. Great looking watch but the price point has changed massively.
I have an Essence 39 with the dégradé dial. This watch definitely punches above its weight class. Its extremely comfortable and quite the looker. Great GADA watch.
HELL YES, I've got a white Essence 39 and a black bezel / black dial Reef. The value is incredible, and the styles match my tee-and-jeans dad lifestyle perfectly. Sporty, casual, modern, but also rugged as hell. I love Formex so much.
Definitely a winner. For the price, you can't go wrong. I mostly go budget watches as my budget is limited (my most expensive watch was $350). But the day will come when I take the plunge on something in this price range. And Formex certainly would be a contenter on that day.
I was down to choosing between this and the Christopher Ward C63 GMT. I went with Christopher Ward in the end as i didnt think i was losing out too much on build quality for the price difference. Its still on my list though.
It’s nice, really like the bracelet, the only thing bugging me a little bit is the date window, seems unnecessarily large/wide but it might look fine in person
Thats a real stunner, loving that dial ❤ Agree though, the hands could be a little bigger. I am very lucky enough to have recently received a BALL ENGINEER III as a birthday gift from my wife. Have you any interest in this brand and would you feature one on your show Russ?
This thing is an absolute beauty! I definitely agree Russell. If I was looking for a watch around the £1500 mark, Formex would be a real contender! Great show 🙌🏻
£1,650 for that price you could by a christopher ward 12 in titanium with a cosc sellita 300-1, giving you a 56hr power reserve, instead of the 41hrs the sellita 200-1 provides.
@kbarnbrook4993 Christopher Ward offer incredible value for money. That is true! You'd have to be daft not to look at them in that price bracket too. 👌🏼
Great review, I get the feeling you like it 😁Formex also produce one of the best green dial divers out there, the Reef. Comes in at 42mm but Formex have informed me that a smaller version is on the horizon 👍
I like the watch , but I dont like the 4 screws surrounding the dial , makes it look a bit cheaper. The rubber strap is good , the ones I've had I don't remember being able to adjust them. Back to those screws around the dial , its a no from me. Nice dial though , I like the adjustable bracelet as well.
Ah man.. nothing can beat the Explorer, if the Explorer is what you really want... I've had Hamilton and now have my IWC Mark 16, but the Explorer is still on my mind.... may have to take the plunge on the 36mm some day
Very nice watch and thanks for the review. Without hands on hard to say your Explorer comparison is valid. The butterfly clasp probably isn’t Rolex level. But they did a great job.
My one and only Invicta a Pro Diver with a decorated etched dial, sapphire crystal and correctly magnified cyclops for whopping $175 USD had a Sellita SW200. It's bonkers that we're now paying north of $1,000 for rather basic movements. My first coax Speedmaster with a limited edition dial was $1500 in 2023 dollars adjusted for inflation. The Swiss made watch hobby is quickly losing its accessibility for the price gouged masses..
I really had my eye on the Formex Essense until I found the Tuseno Windseeker, which is also Swiss and a little less than half the price. I want to see a direct comparison.
Tried Formex at thew Watch Fest in NYC last year & was my take home dress watch winner. Stunningly sharp that pics & vids cannot capture. Highly recommended as entry Swiss
I would love the Formex Essence except for the four hex wrench holes around the dial. It's a design element that I just don't get. If they're functional, I'd rather they had hidden them under the bezel. I'm also not a fan of the oversized date window. It's so annoying when an otherwise brilliant design has unnecessary things added to it.
I do like the date window but I would not trade my Seiko 1959 style alpinist SPB245J1 even though the date window is a bit naff. I would say the SPB245J1 is the best one watch collection.
Great review! I have had this watch for about a year. Great looking watch inside, stunning outside. Spend the money for the malachite dial. It is an outstanding watch at this price. It is the most accurate mechanical watch I have. Usually runs about a second or two fast a week. Hmmm. Why doesn't Seiko regulate their 8L movements like this😠 I sent a 8L55 back for warranty service because it was running 14 seconds fast a day. The only downside to the formex is availability. They make 100 per year with this dial. Snag one if you can find one!
Seiko's issue is that they innovated and then basically stopped as far as I can tell, somewhere in the late 90s. Since then, it's been more and more of the same thing packaged a thousand different ways. And the thing is, when your movement is laughably inaccurate in an era of cheap ETA movements that are good for 3-4 seconds a day (and something like this out there as most Seikos are now pushing into the 1K+ range), being as accurate as a watches from 30 years ago is... nice try but not good enough. Yeah.. Seiko makes some very nice bleeding edge stuff at the very very top end and.. piles of stuff that you might as well save your money and get a cheap Citizen instead. The movements are basically clones of each other but you're not being charged 3x what it's worth.
Yup … you are VERY fortunate to have put your hands on this one my friend 😊👍🏼 Formex is on my “hit list” for sure!! I too am happy they changed their logo 😉 I’m just wondering if the “suspension” is just gimmick (?) I’m sure you’ll let us know after a while. Thanks for sharing Sir! 👏🏼😃
The Formex Essence 39 in any variation is one of those watches (a handful) that are nearly perfect. I had one and I still think it was one of the best!
Good show MWC, but I thought a regular negative for you was a date wheel colour not matching the dial? It’s not for me. I’m happy with my green CW C63 Sealander…. For half the price!
I don’t like date windows at the 3 as I love symmetry but if you’re gonna have me, have in the middle AAAAAND! Don’t just have a window without a frame which just looks like ‘we had to have a date complication ‘ and it wasn’t initially part of the design. This one looks designed and incorporated my friend gets a big tick
It's actually impressive that they opened the brand in 1999. They would not have had the widespread use of the internet and social media to get their name out, and the enthusiast community was much smaller.
A bit off topic... but this is the recent upload i can find... Love the channel! You've inspired me to collect Casio's and I've just ordered my grail watch (I'm a man of simple tastes)... the Casio Lineage. You should review it!
I could not buy it, simply because I can't stand those hideous 4 screw holes in the front. They bother my perception alot and they will absolutelt collect gunk. But aside that, it looks great. Impressive bracelet.
Great video as always :) Great watch as well Formex makes high quality watches. But a rolex explorer is the better watch between the two in every way except price, but what do you expect from rolex lol
Oh Russell!!!! Why did I introduce the Hubster to your channel??? He’s only gone and bought ANOTHER watch!!!! That’s a Seiko & now a Formex! I have to confess, they are both beautiful - when are you going to start reviewing ladies watches? Perhaps the wife might fancy that job🤔Enjoying your channel, keep up the good work 🥰Jojo😘
I love everything about this one except the framing around the date window. Looks like additional hour markers. Also never been a fan of the name "Formex.". Sounds like a brand of condoms, or pre-fabricared construction materials or something. But if I were in the market, this one would definitely be on the short list.
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR , it does look delicious tho, lol. But all jokes aside is not only by digestion. So be careful if You wanna change the dial. Like I said before, love the videos. Sending love from the Sacred Valley of the Inkas in Cusco, Perú. Ps.. thanks to You I've already started a small watch collection...
I've been watching your videos for a few years. Did the jewelers and watch companies that you now do commercials for force you to drop the Casio Corner?
Haven’t lost it matey. Think I did it in one of the last 3 Casio shows I did? I’ve just been streamlining the shows more to improve audience retention my friend
The name bothers me a bit and I’d prefer a screw down crown and screw in case back since watches I’ve had with screws have either leaked slightly or it’s difficult not to end up scratching a screw or two. If it had been more like £1000 I might have been swayed but the price along with everything else just tips it to a no.
I hear ya my friend. The company has been going a while, there is a good warranty with these watches but! The construction and uniquely designed case has been the same for a while! If there was a failure in the integrity of the case , they wouldn’t have the reputation they have now
Nice video, Mad. I think it's more of an Aquaterra look a like,... I love the dial, the case and the bracelet. But I can't overlook that awful date window, and those bezel screws,... Screws up the watch for me,... Cheers!
Fabulous looking watch. Not bad value either. That dial is Incredibly gorgeous. Case looks great and the bracelet looks the business. With so many recent releases that all just look the same, this one offers a lot more In the looks stakes. A winner
I can't take a review like this seriously , where the company give you a free very limited edition watch . There will always be bias even if subconscious.
Of course ! But there’s a trend my friend! I tend to not review watch I WANT! But I wanted it more when it came! I never thought you’d take an MEC review seriously in the first place!
Reminds me, incl case style, of the Grand Seiko quartz SBGV243 on strap. I'd prob go Grand Seiko if it was still available mind you the Essence looks super. Spent some time on their website 😍
Love it! 😊😊Don't love that it's sold out already on pre order! 😟😟 Love the video! 😊😊 Don't love that it's finished! 😟😟 WHEW! Roller coaster of 'emoticons' there! 👏👍👌✌🤘🖖🤙🍻
Excellent watch and review Russell, certainly a lot of watch for the money and as good if not better than a lot of watches selling at 3 and 4 x the price of this.
This show has come out early to give you the best chance to get one of these watches!
The green dial is like a deep green ocean of secrets like a womans heart. :)
Yup it’s already gone at £1650.00
Mine arrived yesterday! Absolutely love this watch! 😍
Holy crap, Russssselll!! 112K !! 120k by Xmas seems all too easy to achieve... so maybe 125k by Xmas! :D
He's literally flying, and deservingly so!
He'll easily do that.
Fuck it let's go for 250!
113k
162k! 1k more every time he posts
I was one of the Kickstarter backers in 2019 - 369CHF for the non-chronometer on a strap with the fantastic fiber clasp.. unfortnuately I handpicked the wrong dial, which I realised as soon as I opened it and ended up flipping it new. Great looking watch but the price point has changed massively.
I have an Essence 39 with the dégradé dial. This watch definitely punches above its weight class. Its extremely comfortable and quite the looker. Great GADA watch.
Love the Essence, and I love the dégradé dial - need to get one so badly lol
HELL YES, I've got a white Essence 39 and a black bezel / black dial Reef. The value is incredible, and the styles match my tee-and-jeans dad lifestyle perfectly. Sporty, casual, modern, but also rugged as hell. I love Formex so much.
I bought one of these with blue dial in 39mm, and its a keeper, its like a cross between a Aqua Terra/Grand Seiko/Royal oak.
Definitely a winner. For the price, you can't go wrong. I mostly go budget watches as my budget is limited (my most expensive watch was $350). But the day will come when I take the plunge on something in this price range. And Formex certainly would be a contenter on that day.
This reminds me of the Grand Seiko line where they had a watch for every week/micro-season of the year. Stunning.
I was down to choosing between this and the Christopher Ward C63 GMT. I went with Christopher Ward in the end as i didnt think i was losing out too much on build quality for the price difference. Its still on my list though.
What’s that display shelf for your Casios? Great review by the way!
It’s nice, really like the bracelet, the only thing bugging me a little bit is the date window, seems unnecessarily large/wide but it might look fine in person
Date window is horrible
Thats a real stunner, loving that dial ❤
Agree though, the hands could be a little bigger.
I am very lucky enough to have recently received a BALL ENGINEER III as a birthday gift from my wife. Have you any interest in this brand and would you feature one on your show Russ?
This thing is an absolute beauty!
I definitely agree Russell. If I was looking for a watch around the £1500 mark, Formex would be a real contender!
Great show 🙌🏻
£1,650 for that price you could by a christopher ward 12 in titanium with a cosc sellita 300-1, giving you a 56hr power reserve, instead of the 41hrs the sellita 200-1 provides.
@kbarnbrook4993 Christopher Ward offer incredible value for money. That is true! You'd have to be daft not to look at them in that price bracket too. 👌🏼
Great review, I get the feeling you like it 😁Formex also produce one of the best green dial divers out there, the Reef. Comes in at 42mm but Formex have informed me that a smaller version is on the horizon 👍
I like the watch , but I dont like the 4 screws surrounding the dial , makes it look a bit cheaper.
The rubber strap is good , the ones I've had I don't remember being able to adjust them.
Back to those screws around the dial , its a no from me. Nice dial though , I like the adjustable bracelet as well.
This is a great looking watch, love the case back, nice straps, I wonder how that would compare to a Seiko costing the same money
Ah man.. nothing can beat the Explorer, if the Explorer is what you really want... I've had Hamilton and now have my IWC Mark 16, but the Explorer is still on my mind.... may have to take the plunge on the 36mm some day
Very nice watch and thanks for the review. Without hands on hard to say your Explorer comparison is valid. The butterfly clasp probably isn’t Rolex level. But they did a great job.
Best date window I've ever seen on a watch.
They are for sure a great company with lovely pieces at amazing prices!
My one and only Invicta a Pro Diver with a decorated etched dial, sapphire crystal and correctly magnified cyclops for whopping $175 USD had a Sellita SW200. It's bonkers that we're now paying north of $1,000 for rather basic movements. My first coax Speedmaster with a limited edition dial was $1500 in 2023 dollars adjusted for inflation. The Swiss made watch hobby is quickly losing its accessibility for the price gouged masses..
If we end up paying 2k for an Invicta one day my friend that would be the time to check out
I really had my eye on the Formex Essense until I found the Tuseno Windseeker, which is also Swiss and a little less than half the price. I want to see a direct comparison.
Tried Formex at thew Watch Fest in NYC last year & was my take home dress watch winner. Stunningly sharp that pics & vids cannot capture. Highly recommended as entry Swiss
the flexible case is a masterpiece never mind the rest of the watch is for the price incredable
Love your reviews, entertaining and informative!!!
Aparently I’ve over loved this one !!!! Think I’m only allowed to like a watch a little bit!!!
Congratulations 🎉 on your subscribers. You deserve it.
Gotta say, I'm not a big fan of green dials...but this is quite attractive. Very interesting watch and company, great review.
I would love the Formex Essence except for the four hex wrench holes around the dial. It's a design element that I just don't get. If they're functional, I'd rather they had hidden them under the bezel. I'm also not a fan of the oversized date window. It's so annoying when an otherwise brilliant design has unnecessary things added to it.
You make it sound as though they did that to p&ss you off my friend. To them it’s fantastic and I guess to the thousands who have bought one?
This is the first Rusty video ever I can watch on my daytime (Thailand time, GMT+7)
Yes!!!!! Think I should do more?!?!?!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR YES AND WELCOME TO MATCH WATCH COLLECTOR DAYYYYY
Beautiful looking watch but I’m not a big fan of green dials. Maybe a meteorite dial would do it for me.🤷🏻♂️ Great review. Hope you have a great day!
I do like the date window but I would not trade my Seiko 1959 style alpinist SPB245J1 even though the date window is a bit naff. I would say the SPB245J1 is the best one watch collection.
Nice one MWC,
I’m glad you haven’t got involved with the current other UA-cam scandals 😢
Absolutely not . No need to my friend
Im not into green dials but that is gorgeous. I could definitely see myself wearing that.
Very nice. I am a fan of these modern angled cases. Boldr tend to use them and I'm eyeing up their 44mm GMT based on the Miyota 9075
Great review! I have had this watch for about a year. Great looking watch inside, stunning outside. Spend the money for the malachite dial. It is an outstanding watch at this price. It is the most accurate mechanical watch I have. Usually runs about a second or two fast a week. Hmmm. Why doesn't Seiko regulate their 8L movements like this😠 I sent a 8L55 back for warranty service because it was running 14 seconds fast a day.
The only downside to the formex is availability. They make 100 per year with this dial. Snag one if you can find one!
Seiko's issue is that they innovated and then basically stopped as far as I can tell, somewhere in the late 90s. Since then, it's been more and more of the same thing packaged a thousand different ways. And the thing is, when your movement is laughably inaccurate in an era of cheap ETA movements that are good for 3-4 seconds a day (and something like this out there as most Seikos are now pushing into the 1K+ range), being as accurate as a watches from 30 years ago is... nice try but not good enough.
Yeah.. Seiko makes some very nice bleeding edge stuff at the very very top end and.. piles of stuff that you might as well save your money and get a cheap Citizen instead. The movements are basically clones of each other but you're not being charged 3x what it's worth.
Yup … you are VERY fortunate to have put your hands on this one my friend 😊👍🏼
Formex is on my “hit list” for sure!! I too am happy they changed their logo 😉
I’m just wondering if the “suspension” is just gimmick (?)
I’m sure you’ll let us know after a while.
Thanks for sharing Sir! 👏🏼😃
Hello, I confess to being a Formex lover, I will buy a Reef sometime and I have the money, but I’ve got other priorities right now. 😎
The Formex Essence 39 in any variation is one of those watches (a handful) that are nearly perfect. I had one and I still think it was one of the best!
Good show MWC, but I thought a regular negative for you was a date wheel colour not matching the dial? It’s not for me. I’m happy with my green CW C63 Sealander…. For half the price!
I don’t like date windows at the 3 as I love symmetry but if you’re gonna have me, have in the middle AAAAAND! Don’t just have a window without a frame which just looks like ‘we had to have a date complication ‘ and it wasn’t initially part of the design. This one looks designed and incorporated my friend gets a big tick
What a beautiful watch!!! I can’t swing this now but thanks for putting Formex on my radar!
Nice catch Russell. Formex makes some fantastic watches. That dial is stunning!
Excellent watches. My mate has one, and the bracelets are absolutely stunning and comfy.
But *that* brand name still sounds like a mirror polish.
If you think about it Rolex is a great name for a roll on deodorant?!?!?!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Yessir!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR-- or toilet paper.
Wow these essence looks very very beautifull
The garner one is on my list, I’m just waiting for the larger size
It's actually impressive that they opened the brand in 1999. They would not have had the widespread use of the internet and social media to get their name out, and the enthusiast community was much smaller.
Man, i love the Formex Essence, i wouldn't get this green one, though. Very sadly, my pockets just aren't deep enough to buy one.
Nice watch I could see that one in a Blue.
Oh wow! That might be the most beautiful green dial I've seen on a watch! Thank you for the show, Russ!
Had them on my arm couple of weeks ago at the Düsseldorf Watchtime. Amazing Watches
Great looking watch, except the screws on the bezel. Would love to see the watch without them.
A bit off topic... but this is the recent upload i can find...
Love the channel! You've inspired me to collect Casio's and I've just ordered my grail watch (I'm a man of simple tastes)... the Casio Lineage.
You should review it!
Looks like a grand Seiko homage
It’s ok -touch of beefy Prx
Please don’t call this a bloody PRX!!!
I picked up the Essence 39 blue dial last December, one of my favourites but I sometimes wish I'd gone for the black.
I could not buy it, simply because I can't stand those hideous 4 screw holes in the front. They bother my perception alot and they will absolutelt collect gunk. But aside that, it looks great. Impressive bracelet.
Not for me that, I do really like that date window though.
Love it Russell, my beauty is being made now, should have it in a few weeks. Excellent review.
What a beauty, obviously they had only one rare large chunk of malachite and sliced it 100 times.
Very nice! I've also been looking at the "Reef" for a while now.
Love the micro adjustment on the butterfly, great innovation. Defo not comparable to the Explorer! More in line with the Aquaterra
Oooh the Formex Reef GMT (with the bezel) - green dial with rose gold - that looks a bit special.
Great video as always :)
Great watch as well Formex makes high quality watches.
But a rolex explorer is the better watch between the two in every way except price, but what do you expect from rolex lol
Oh Russell!!!! Why did I introduce the Hubster to your channel??? He’s only gone and bought ANOTHER watch!!!! That’s a Seiko & now a Formex! I have to confess, they are both beautiful - when are you going to start reviewing ladies watches? Perhaps the wife might fancy that job🤔Enjoying your channel, keep up the good work 🥰Jojo😘
It's a beautiful combo of tech and art. Wonderful channel
I love everything about this one except the framing around the date window. Looks like additional hour markers. Also never been a fan of the name "Formex.". Sounds like a brand of condoms, or pre-fabricared construction materials or something. But if I were in the market, this one would definitely be on the short list.
I still would prefer something slightly smaller (and with a screw down crown). Love the rubber strap and clasp option.
Trouble is I got a Black Bay 58 because some guy kept banging on about it. Now I don’t want another watch. Wait till I catch up with him😠
Hahahahahaha sorry my friend!!!! BUT!!!! Was I right?
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR 💯%👍
"Malaquita", as we know t in Spanish, it's also poisonous tho, just so you know. Great videos my friend...
Oh dear!! As long as do t lick the dial I’ll be fine?
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR , it does look delicious tho, lol. But all jokes aside is not only by digestion. So be careful if You wanna change the dial. Like I said before, love the videos. Sending love from the Sacred Valley of the Inkas in Cusco, Perú.
Ps.. thanks to You I've already started a small watch collection...
Beautiful green dial, love that one. Formex is a fantastic brand which deserves more praise.
Nice. But already sold out. Many of their other models are available. Very nice.
This is on my list of must have watches. I like it✅
Mine is coming End of Jan 🙏🏼
I've been watching your videos for a few years. Did the jewelers and watch companies that you now do commercials for force you to drop the Casio Corner?
Haven’t lost it matey. Think I did it in one of the last 3 Casio shows I did? I’ve just been streamlining the shows more to improve audience retention my friend
Aaaaand.. they’re sold out. That didn’t take too long.
The name bothers me a bit and I’d prefer a screw down crown and screw in case back since watches I’ve had with screws have either leaked slightly or it’s difficult not to end up scratching a screw or two.
If it had been more like £1000 I might have been swayed but the price along with everything else just tips it to a no.
I hear ya my friend. The company has been going a while, there is a good warranty with these watches but! The construction and uniquely designed case has been the same for a while! If there was a failure in the integrity of the case , they wouldn’t have the reputation they have now
Wonderful critique. On the list!
Already sold out. When i first jumped on the site to check it out it appeared to be there, five minutes later it was marked as "sold out".
This over a Rolex explorer 1?
No chance
Nice video, Mad. I think it's more of an Aquaterra look a like,... I love the dial, the case and the bracelet. But I can't overlook that awful date window, and those bezel screws,... Screws up the watch for me,... Cheers!
Why can't they lume the date wheel...
Fabulous looking watch. Not bad value either. That dial is Incredibly gorgeous. Case looks great and the bracelet looks the business. With so many recent releases that all just look the same, this one offers a lot more In the looks stakes. A winner
I can't take a review like this seriously , where the company give you a free very limited edition watch . There will always be bias even if subconscious.
Of course ! But there’s a trend my friend! I tend to not review watch I WANT! But I wanted it more when it came! I never thought you’d take an MEC review seriously in the first place!
More wrist time than Rolex Explorer...and probably you won't get mugged for this one. Well made and good looking. Thanks for sharing.
The green is pretty.
This watch seems awesome. First i thought this will be a bought review and all, but this watch really seemt to be great.
The case is Seiko Samurai-ish
Reminds me, incl case style, of the Grand Seiko quartz SBGV243 on strap. I'd prob go Grand Seiko if it was still available mind you the Essence looks super. Spent some time on their website 😍
Love it! 😊😊Don't love that it's sold out already on pre order! 😟😟 Love the video! 😊😊 Don't love that it's finished! 😟😟 WHEW! Roller coaster of 'emoticons' there! 👏👍👌✌🤘🖖🤙🍻
To be fair. I’d probably wear a free formex all day rather than a Rolex worth thousands too.
Got both !
Still waiting for Formex for some no date options.
It reminds of a Marvin .. they are Swiss too ..
Love hearing about microbrands I haven't heard of before, it adds to the hunt for the next watch.
Nice watch, very cool dial!
ooooohhhh...that Dial's Tasty!.. Much Prefer that new Branding too.. Very Nice!.
I love Malachite and Tigerite but not Hoporite (kangaroo poop) ......lolol
Strange name. Handsome watch.
Nice... but it looks rather dull to me 😑 dunno why
I thought there would be some comments about the date being changed while the time was between 9 and 3
That was naughty!!! I get a bit careless with Selitas!!!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I thought you would say you had already checked it was the afternoon first and not just after midnight 😉😂
Excellent watch and review Russell, certainly a lot of watch for the money and as good if not better than a lot of watches selling at 3 and 4 x the price of this.
yepp beauty !!! Malachiet geen is stunning
Pretty dial, but too small for my taste. Not a fan of butterfly clasps either.