Introducing The Formex Essence 41mm Space Ghost — A New Medium Size With A Meteorite Dial And Even More Technical Ingenuity
The Essence is one of Formex’s most innovative and all-around watches. It’s also the most popular one because of the specs it features for the price, and its comfortable wearing experience. Today, the brand introduces the Essence Space Ghost in stainless steel and a new 41mm size. But this is not just another Essence that’s sandwiched in between the already existing 39 and 43mm models. Formex took the size adjustment as an opportunity to greatly improve the Essence. That’s why it has a new micro-adjustment system on its butterfly clasp, comes with a screw-down crown, and, above all, features a meteorite dial.
During our GADA series, two years ago, Vincent chose the Formex Essence 39 as his perfect Go Anywhere, Do Anything watch. That didn’t come as a surprise to anyone because the Essence is indeed a very capable watch. It’s water resistant to 100 meters, absorbs shocks with its unique suspension system, and perfectly keeps time with its COSC-certified movement. What else do you need? Well, Formex thought of a few things and incorporated them into the new Essence 41mm Space Ghost. Let’s take a look.
The new Formex Essence 41mm Space Ghost
First of all, the 41mm size isn’t completely new. The Essence Leggera already had a 41mm case. However, that one is made of forged carbon and ceramic and features crown guards. The new 41mm Essence has a “guardless” crown and comes in a case made of 316L stainless steel and titanium. It features a matching polished and brushed finish all over the case, bezel, and bracelet. The lugs span 46.5mm across, and it’s 10.6mm thick.
This special Space Ghost edition for the brand’s 25th anniversary features a meteorite dial cut from a 4.5-billion-year-old fragment of the Muonionalusta meteorite. Its gray sheen comes from the galvanic rhodium plating. Formex also developed a proprietary process that penetrates the porous iron matrix, so the blued indexes and logo can be anchored onto the dial instead of being glued on, which might cause oxidation. All this is done to preserve the natural beauty of that intriguing meteorite texture.
A new micro-adjustment butterfly clasp
While Formex’s carbon fiber composite folding clasp already features a patented tool-less fine adjustment possibility, the stainless steel bracelet didn’t, until now. The new butterfly clasp on the Essence 41mm model’s bracelet offers three different micro-adjustment positions. You can extend the bracelet 3mm on each side of the clasp. That way, you have 6mm of wiggle room. The adjustment system can be used without taking the watch off your wrist. It’s also good to know that extending the bracelet doesn’t create an ugly gap like you see on other bracelets; Omega, are you taking notes?
Another improvement on the bracelet is in the new screws used to fix the links together. Usually, watchmakers use a drop of Loctite to make sure the screws on the bracelet don’t start moving over time. That might happen because of the constant movement, shocks, and stresses the bracelet faces. However, this isn’t a very clean method, so Formex thought of another solution and designed a screw with an offset thread. This allows the moving part of the link to articulate freely, while the threaded section remains securely isolated from any mechanical stress. Very clever, and very Formex.
More ease of mind
Inside the Formex Essence 41mm Space Ghost ticks Sellita’s well-known SW200-1 automatic movement. It runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, features 26 jewels, and holds a power reserve of 41 hours. It’s equipped with a custom Formex rotor and is COSC-certified to make sure it runs somewhere between -4 and +6 seconds a day in terms of accuracy. You operate the movement with the crown at three o’clock. This crown can now be screwed-in for more ease of mind when you go swimming. It almost looks like they heard Vincent’s wishes for such a screw-down crown.
Available now, shipping in September
The new Formex Essence 41mm Space Ghost is available for pre-order now and will start shipping in a month. You can choose to get the watch on the newly developed bracelet or one of the leather, rubber, or nylon strap options. All come with a carbon fiber deployant clasp and a patented gradual on-the-fly 7mm micro-adjustment system. It costs €2,090 on a strap and €2,190 on the bracelet.
Formex’s muscular and technical style isn’t really for me, but I wish it were. The high-tech features the brand can fit inside a €2,000 watch are impressive, and the quality level punches well above that price point, too. If this style is your thing, the Formex Essence is one to seriously consider, especially now that it’s available in a new 41mm size and comes with a beautiful meteorite dial.
What do you think of the new Formex Essence 41mm Space Ghost? Let me know in the comments below.
