Hands-On With The New 2nd-Generation Formex Field Automatic

Formex is known for packing a ton of punch in relatively affordable watches. The brand’s offerings are rich with features and well made at very competitive prices. None exemplifies this more than the brand’s entry-level model, the Formex Field Automatic. Today, I am delighted to introduce the second generation of the watch.

Now, the cynical reader might say, “Those are just three new dials; that’s not a new watch!” I would usually agree, but I won’t today. The second-generation Formex Field takes on a completely different character, even if it “just” houses new dials. Let’s have a closer look!

The Formex Field Automatic

Starting with the basics, these watches have a 40mm Grade 2 titanium case with a 10.6mm thickness and a 46.6mm length. A 20mm gap between the lugs is home to your choice of several leather or Velcro straps. While Grade 2 titanium usually has a surface hardness of only 145 Vickers, Formex hardens it to 900 Vickers. This means the metal is supremely resistant to scratches. It will, however, develop a natural patina over time due to the extremely matte bead-blasted surface.

The original Formex Field

Inside ticks what I can only describe as a venerable workhorse caliber. I mean that in a good way because you get all the performance, reliability, and serviceability you can ask for in the Sellita SW200-1. The standard-grade automatic caliber offers 41 hours of autonomy and ticks at an industry-standard 28,800vph. Formex makes no claims about accuracy, but you can always have a watchmaker regulate it to within COSC standards if you want.

The Formex Field is water resistant to 150 meters, secured with a screw-down crown.

The Formex Field 40mm second generation’s new dials

Although the case is deceptively complex and has many sculpted details, the dials steal the show. The Field always featured a sandwich-like dial with recessed luminous markers, but this time, it offers additional dimensionality. The central surface is raised and given a sunburst finish. Moving outward, we find an angled matte track for the luminous numerals, followed by a sloped sunburst minute track. There, we find shaped indexes to complement the numerals and a railroad minute track around the perimeter. Lastly, the date window features a sloped frame, decorating the 6 o’clock position.

While the first generation features faux patina, you’ll find none here. For dial colors, you can choose between ice blue, coho salmon, or basalt gray. The blue and salmon dials come with black lume. The gray model (reviewed here) features white lume. The result is significant. The second generation ditches all vintage vibes and fully leans into a more upmarket look.

Initial impressions

Now, all the above should not work. It does not work conceptually, at least. The dials have too much information, too many details, and too many different surfaces. All that should make for a terrible field watch, especially if the first-generation model features matte dials and perfect legibility.

If you had described these changes to me over the phone, I am sure I would have responded dismissively. Luckily, however, we don’t wear our watches over the phone. In real life, this odd recipe somehow works perfectly. I spent time with the basalt-gray model, and I can confirm that it is simultaneously a field watch through and through and ever so slightly fancy. Again, that should be a contradiction, but it just isn’t. Some watches defy logic, which is great.

Wearing the second-generation Formex Field Automatic

As you can see from the pictures, my sample came with an equally new Velcro strap. Its texture is super nice and soft — mushy almost. Strapping the watch on was a bit of a hassle due to the quick-release spring bar. The strap loops around the 6 o’clock bar and has to roll around it when you tighten it. The spring bar hinders that movement somewhat, making it a bit finicky. To fix this, I would remove the quick-release spring bar in favor of a straight one.

Once I strapped the new Formex Field to my wrist, I quite liked the combination. The fluffy strap and lightweight watch make for a supremely comfortable wearing experience. While a 40mm diameter may sound large for a time-only watch, I can attest that it wears smaller. Had you told me this was a 38mm watch, I would have believed it.

The new dials provide the second-generation Formex Field with a more upmarket feel. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it is GADA since the case is very brutalist, but the dial execution lifts the watch out of pure tool-watch territory. It does so without compromising legibility, so it’s all good with me! And, at US$870, this watch leaves very little to be desired. Kudos once more, Formex!

What do you think of the new second-generation Formex Field Automatic? Let us know in the comments below.