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All the watch news, reviews, videos you want, brought to you from fellow collectors
Swiss watchmaker Formex has introduced a new version of its celebrated dive watch – the Reef 39.5 Forged Carbon. The launch marks the brand’s first appearance at Chronopolis, a new fair alongside Watches & Wonders, representing independent watchmakers in Geneva from April 14 to 18.
The highlight of the novelty is the use of forged carbon. Unlike woven carbon fibre, forged carbon is created by compressing short carbon fibres under heat and pressure, resulting in a dense composite with a non-repeating surface, making each dial and bezel unique. Integrating this material into the watch required specific engineering adjustments. The dial is built on a brass plate for stability and finished with a black galvanic treatment. On the bezel, numerals are engraved using a femtosecond laser, a process that removes material without generating heat. The engraved markings are then filled by hand with BGW9 Grade A Super-LumiNova under a microscope. The watch retains the bevelled date window at 6 o’clock.
Other than the new material, the core specifications of the watch remain consistent with the Reef collection. The watch features a 39.5 mm case with a 45.5 mm lug-to-lug length and an 11 mm thickness. It offers water resistance up to 300 metres, supported by a screw-down crown and a unidirectional dive bezel. The case is constructed from 316L stainless steel with a Grade 2 titanium container and is fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating. The dial includes hand-applied indices and hands filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 for legibility in low light. Powering the watch is a COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 automatic movement, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) with a 56-hour power reserve.
A key feature of the Reef collection is versatility. The interchangeable bezel system allows users to switch between forged carbon, ceramic, and steel options. The watch is also compatible with multiple strap choices, including stainless steel bracelets, rubber, leather, and nylon straps. All options are designed with quick-release mechanisms and Formex’s patented fine adjustment systems.
The Formex Reef 39.5 Forged Carbon is priced at approx. INR 2,20,000 on a stainless steel bracelet and approx. INR 2,05,000 on strap options, with availability aligned with its debut at Chronopolis, where the full collection will be presented for hands-on viewing.
Images - Courtesy Formex
Swiss watchmaker Formex has introduced a new version of its celebrated dive watch – the Reef 39.5 Forged Carbon. The launch marks the brand’s first appearance at Chronopolis, a new fair alongside Watches & Wonders, representing independent watchmakers in Geneva from April 14 to 18.
The highlight of the novelty is the use of forged carbon. Unlike woven carbon fibre, forged carbon is created by compressing short carbon fibres under heat and pressure, resulting in a dense composite with a non-repeating surface, making each dial and bezel unique. Integrating this material into the watch required specific engineering adjustments. The dial is built on a brass plate for stability and finished with a black galvanic treatment. On the bezel, numerals are engraved using a femtosecond laser, a process that removes material without generating heat. The engraved markings are then filled by hand with BGW9 Grade A Super-LumiNova under a microscope. The watch retains the bevelled date window at 6 o’clock.
Other than the new material, the core specifications of the watch remain consistent with the Reef collection. The watch features a 39.5 mm case with a 45.5 mm lug-to-lug length and an 11 mm thickness. It offers water resistance up to 300 metres, supported by a screw-down crown and a unidirectional dive bezel. The case is constructed from 316L stainless steel with a Grade 2 titanium container and is fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating. The dial includes hand-applied indices and hands filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 for legibility in low light. Powering the watch is a COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 automatic movement, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) with a 56-hour power reserve.
A key feature of the Reef collection is versatility. The interchangeable bezel system allows users to switch between forged carbon, ceramic, and steel options. The watch is also compatible with multiple strap choices, including stainless steel bracelets, rubber, leather, and nylon straps. All options are designed with quick-release mechanisms and Formex’s patented fine adjustment systems.
The Formex Reef 39.5 Forged Carbon is priced at approx. INR 2,20,000 on a stainless steel bracelet and approx. INR 2,05,000 on strap options, with availability aligned with its debut at Chronopolis, where the full collection will be presented for hands-on viewing.
Images - Courtesy Formex
