I've been looking for the right blue dial watch for a while now. I saw this watch...and placed an order the next day! Getting the same version you reviewed (Blue/blue/bracelet). Can't wait to get it!
My Leggera had to go back for service and the company was FANTASTIC to deal with. Courteous and efficient - I received it back in no time despite the fact it had to go back to Switzerland.
I think its just a matter of taste. I love the design and, compared to Oris or Tag, the chronometer movement is just better. And they produce most of their components in their manufacture Dexel. On the other hand it doesn‘t get the recognition like a Aquaracer does, because their brand isn‘t as big.
@@Cato-vo7xx I agree it's a fantastic watch and value. And, if you have been around watches long enough to no longer be a brand name snob, it no longer matters and you find top quality and value. People get so concerned about brand names and in the end it means nothing. I've never had a compliment from ANYONE about my most expensive watch that is over $30 grand. But I get lots on a $500 seiko for it's looks. Brand means very little except to those buying for status. Like buying a certain brand car that is actually a piece of crap. Lots of that happens.
A well know brand has stood the test of time and that mattets.and you will never be able to compare formex with rolex or longines even formex is more expensive that longines hydroconquest
@@dacomaniac of course a Formex is compareable to a Longines. It has a better movement, probably better finishing and a very good changing system, which a Hydroconquest doesn‘t have. The brand Formex is over 20 years old, but the age of a brand doesn‘t say anything about the brand. Even if Formex doesn‘t last long, I would still have a watch better than Longines with a movement which can be easily serviced by other watchmakers. What does the history of a brand give you, when the watches are not good enough to keep up with smaller brands? If you love to wear a watch with history on your wrist, that’s fine, but for me quality and finishing is everything
@@Cato-vo7xx Ok so first, formex doesnt have a better movement than the Longines Hydroconquest (L888 = ETA 2892-A2) whish is also COSC certified and with a longer power reserve (64 vs the 42 of Formex), I dont think I have to mention that Sellita movements are copies of ETA I mean that is common knowledge (I will personally never choose Sellita over ETA but that is just me), both are easily serviceable I mean they are very similar but in general Longines is better quality than Formex. With this I am not saying that is a bad watch, just that I will prefer another more reputable brand and in the case of longines also with better quality. Of course if you like to pay more for the looks that is each one's choice.
Great review Fed, I saw the Teddy B review of the green version. I currently own the current gen Omega Seamaster 300M Professional, but have contemplated another dive watch and have looked at the Breitling Super Ocean Heritage, and the Norqain, but this watch in blue or green is pretty compelling.
Pete I have the Omega SMP 300M with the gray dial and blue bezel and pulled the trigger on this watch last weekend and am awaiting delivery. I will reply to you again after I compare the two. Cheers!
@@Watchtrain Its been 8 months since you posted this comment. How does Formex compare to Omega. Im in the market for a white dial, im between the new White Dial Formex and the Omega Seamaster 300. Of course I know with Omega I get brand recognition but Formex Reef looks like an amazing watch focus on the wearers experience.
If I was in the market for a diver in that price range, I would be jumping on this one. I think it beautiful as well as being a very capable tool watch!❤️
Have the watch on pre order some time ago, they did include an extra strap and it came on bracelet for the pre order. What was good is you were able to do customization on the dial and bezel. I do like the new logo, while I was never in love with their name, it didn't really bother me. Company is good and cares about their clients.
For the specs, there is plenty of bang for the buck on this Formex Reef, a quality 300m dive watch for $1,790 (before discount) makes it a winner, without any doubt! Looks good too.
Hi Fed, great review, congrats! Considering the full package, the value for money is higher than TAG Aquaracer. But I am not particularly impressed by the overall design, so it is not for me. Take care!
Great looking watch. I guess if your talking paying full retail for all your watches then it would be one if your better bang for buck watches. But $1800 can get you a hell of a lot of great watches on the grey market.
@@Cato-vo7xx Longines Hydroconquest is a solid watch and you will save about 1k at around 800 on the grey market . I wear mine in a lot of my TH-cam videos but haven’t actually reviewed it yet. Was the first “luxury” watch I bought although I paid 1020 at an AD
That interchangeable strap system Vacheron has it on the Overseas line, and ceramic bezel is on the new submariners...for $1,700 is a steal. Now, is it as accurate? Who knows, no white gold hands or indices. But for the price is a win.
Bracelet looks like it needs to taper some- overall looks like a nautilus and a Jeanrichard aquascope had a baby! The dial is nice, like the idea of the green one but a few too many things that put me off- for that money I’d go Christopher Ward or Sinn
Liked the dial and its colour, in contrast to the bulky design and what looks like a thick bracelet. Not for me, I would go for Christopher Ward 👌🏻 for £800 range is better.
Hi Fed, nice watch, I like the perfect thickness and lug to lug size as well. I wish they had in-house movement or at least an ETA movement. Bracelet if it would taper down the clasp would be nicer too, that is just me being judgemental. $1700, I don’t know if it is better value to a Squale for a lower price.
@@tippykaffu4047 ETA and Sellita are not the same. ETA is becoming more of an upscale movement however they are identical in performance as Sellita. If you compare apple to apple, ETA fetch more $ than Sellita.
@@Thankyou_3 They are but the only reason why ETA are going up in price is the shortage and your complaining is bit hypocritical. I dont think a small brand can attain 5 figure amount of ETAs for cheap either. If value for money is the reason, then ETA and SW should be considered equal. You are getting a SW300, the 2892 clone too.
@@tippykaffu4047 I agree, I am being very critical. Just tired of watch brands becoming lazy and using Sellita and ETAs. Tudor is one few is changing directions to in house movements and the are reaping the benefits on BB58. Wish other brands follow suite and start dumping ETA and Sellita movements.
@@Thankyou_3 I wouldn't call using ETA and SW considered to be lazy. Usual Out of the shelf movements are actually great because they had been cheap and reliable for many decades(Ie. 6498 was originally designed in 1945 and it had been improved to "perfection" over those decades). Designing and manufacturing the movement would be very costly and it wouldnt cost $1700. But you would get many things that is not the movement. You could enjoy great watches with no worries on service and higher quality on something else other than the movement. Tudor is a bad example because they are a very big brand and also a certain backing of a crown. Another problem with in house movement would be "service mafia". You can only service certain places(ie. You can only service Yema in Yema's service center.) (Unless there is a movement that is meant to be able to be easily serviced like Habring2). I think you should be fine as long as they don't slap in a $3000 watch with horrible quality on the build and finishing but still put an ETA 2824 regardless.
Hi Fed - great review, thanks for the highlights. Agree that there is high value for money here...would go for it though the PO is my diver. Having said that, if Formex were to make a GMT version of the Reef, I would likely be on board. Would make a fantastic travel watch. Cheers 👍⌚
Price is too high when compared to the market for such brands...I'd rather get an Oris for the same money. Now if they make it for $795 Instead thats a more attractive proposition.
Nice review, beautiful watch. But don't make excuses for them with the bezel misalignment. They sent this to you. knowing you'd likely put it on camera. Attention to detail is important. At almost 2 grand after taxes, that bezel better line up.
Nearly everything I’ve seen from Formex before was dog ugly. Hell, they make a couple watches that look like a travel alarm clock on a strap! This Reef, however, is quite nice and I may seriously consider purchasing one.
It’s a hard price point to compete at Longines and oris can be had for a bit less and for just 3-500 more you can get into some great used watched from established big brands but the actually build quality of this formex looks really good. I wish them luck just a hard price to compete at
There's definitely a ton of great features on this watch that I'd like to see on more watches in the under $2,000 price range, but I'm not a fan of the design/style of the watch.
Funny you should say that, I was asking myself the same and came to the exact opposit outcome. Reef is very rare because it's thin. Sinn is making too "tooly" or too bulky watches, Oris is very special with its lugs, height isn't he best and it's a bigger watch, now also more expensive with the inhouse. Long story short, I would give formex a chance.
If i had 2000 euro i would buy oris aquis with blue dial..if i had another 2000 euros i would buy another oris aquis with black dial. If i had only 680 euros i would buy formex reef.but that seems impossible
Fed, I can conceed that the quality is higher than the Aquaracer, but the actual design is so ugly in comparison. The Tag has a much much better design and that trump's quality. This formex reminds me of the $400 microbrands that are everywhere.
I've been looking for the right blue dial watch for a while now. I saw this watch...and placed an order the next day! Getting the same version you reviewed (Blue/blue/bracelet). Can't wait to get it!
How is the watch? I have been looking for a blue diver for ages....impossible to judge the blue dials on a computer screen.
Great looking watch Fed. Thank you for the excellent review.
The bezel makes this watch imo. That, with the specs/features, you cant go wrong with this.
Really cool watch. I’m glad you and Marc at Long Island Watch made videos about it. I would not have known about it otherwise.
Already have a great daily diver, but you have to respect this timepiece and value. Thanks Fed, great review!
My Leggera had to go back for service and the company was FANTASTIC to deal with. Courteous and efficient - I received it back in no time despite the fact it had to go back to Switzerland.
I think I would stay with brands like Oris, Longines, and even Tag Heuer on this price point.
I think its just a matter of taste. I love the design and, compared to Oris or Tag, the chronometer movement is just better. And they produce most of their components in their manufacture Dexel. On the other hand it doesn‘t get the recognition like a Aquaracer does, because their brand isn‘t as big.
@@Cato-vo7xx I agree it's a fantastic watch and value. And, if you have been around watches long enough to no longer be a brand name snob, it no longer matters and you find top quality and value. People get so concerned about brand names and in the end it means nothing. I've never had a compliment from ANYONE about my most expensive watch that is over $30 grand. But I get lots on a $500 seiko for it's looks. Brand means very little except to those buying for status. Like buying a certain brand car that is actually a piece of crap. Lots of that happens.
A well know brand has stood the test of time and that mattets.and you will never be able to compare formex with rolex or longines even formex is more expensive that longines hydroconquest
@@dacomaniac of course a Formex is compareable to a Longines. It has a better movement, probably better finishing and a very good changing system, which a Hydroconquest doesn‘t have. The brand Formex is over 20 years old, but the age of a brand doesn‘t say anything about the brand. Even if Formex doesn‘t last long, I would still have a watch better than Longines with a movement which can be easily serviced by other watchmakers. What does the history of a brand give you, when the watches are not good enough to keep up with smaller brands? If you love to wear a watch with history on your wrist, that’s fine, but for me quality and finishing is everything
@@Cato-vo7xx Ok so first, formex doesnt have a better movement than the Longines Hydroconquest (L888 = ETA 2892-A2) whish is also COSC certified and with a longer power reserve (64 vs the 42 of Formex), I dont think I have to mention that Sellita movements are copies of ETA I mean that is common knowledge (I will personally never choose Sellita over ETA but that is just me), both are easily serviceable I mean they are very similar but in general Longines is better quality than Formex.
With this I am not saying that is a bad watch, just that I will prefer another more reputable brand and in the case of longines also with better quality. Of course if you like to pay more for the looks that is each one's choice.
Love it, ordered mine already 🙌🏼
Definitely a hot watch. The bezel is stunning and they changed the logo !
I’m looking at the Longines Conquest, would the Monta Noble or a piece from Formex, be a step up in quality…and value?
Great review Fed, I saw the Teddy B review of the green version. I currently own the current gen Omega Seamaster 300M Professional, but have contemplated another dive watch and have looked at the Breitling Super Ocean Heritage, and the Norqain, but this watch in blue or green is pretty compelling.
Pete I have the Omega SMP 300M with the gray dial and blue bezel and pulled the trigger on this watch last weekend and am awaiting delivery. I will reply to you again after I compare the two. Cheers!
@@Watchtrain Its been 8 months since you posted this comment. How does Formex compare to Omega. Im in the market for a white dial, im between the new White Dial Formex and the Omega Seamaster 300. Of course I know with Omega I get brand recognition but Formex Reef looks like an amazing watch focus on the wearers experience.
I have had my eye on this watch. It is very good looking. Great review.
not bad. really dislike the bracelet design, though. similar price as oris aquis. is it better than aquis? hm.
Good looking watch. Had never heard of the brand. Thanks for sharing
That dial is beautiful!
Better quality than an aqua racer ?
Seiko Samurai with a thyroid condition.overall not a bad watch.
They finally got rid of the large logo! I really like it. Im gonna get one in 2021.
We’ll have to agree to disagree. The 9:00 hump makes perfect sense to me. It gives the case perfect balance to my eye. Cool watch!😍
If I was in the market for a diver in that price range, I would be jumping on this one. I think it beautiful as well as being a very capable tool watch!❤️
Oris or Sinn for this price? Fine. However, just be honest about what you are giving up. This model is feature rich for the price point.
Was honestly not expecting such a nice piece.
Have the watch on pre order some time ago, they did include an extra strap and it came on bracelet for the pre order. What was good is you were able to do customization on the dial and bezel. I do like the new logo, while I was never in love with their name, it didn't really bother me. Company is good and cares about their clients.
Never been a fan of formex but that bezel insert is stunning 👍
For the specs, there is plenty of bang for the buck on this Formex Reef, a quality 300m dive watch for $1,790 (before discount) makes it a winner, without any doubt! Looks good too.
Hi Fed, great review, congrats! Considering the full package, the value for money is higher than TAG Aquaracer. But I am not particularly impressed by the overall design, so it is not for me. Take care!
I've had it on the radar for a while now.
Great looking watch. I guess if your talking paying full retail for all your watches then it would be one if your better bang for buck watches. But $1800 can get you a hell of a lot of great watches on the grey market.
Do you have some examples for $1800 on the greymarket? I was considering to buy the Reef, because I don‘t like the Oris or the Aquaracer
@@Cato-vo7xx Longines Hydroconquest is a solid watch and you will save about 1k at around 800 on the grey market . I wear mine in a lot of my TH-cam videos but haven’t actually reviewed it yet. Was the first “luxury” watch I bought although I paid 1020 at an AD
That interchangeable strap system Vacheron has it on the Overseas line, and ceramic bezel is on the new submariners...for $1,700 is a steal.
Now, is it as accurate? Who knows, no white gold hands or indices. But for the price is a win.
Micro brands nowadays give well known established watch brands, a run for their money. Now more than ever, the quality is improving immensely
@@seanm3226 What is then. And, why not
Bracelet looks like it needs to taper some- overall looks like a nautilus and a Jeanrichard aquascope had a baby!
The dial is nice, like the idea of the green one but a few too many things that put me off- for that money I’d go Christopher Ward or Sinn
What you think about the EDOX Sky Diver Neptunian? A review would be very nice!
Reminds me on Oris Aquis
nice channel
i happy to see it@@
Love that color
Good looking watch.
Liked the dial and its colour, in contrast to the bulky design and what looks like a thick bracelet. Not for me, I would go for Christopher Ward 👌🏻 for £800 range is better.
Formex still sounds like a bug spray or some kind of cleaning agent.
I agree.
And rolex is for cleaning😂
Why not show how the micro adjusting clasp works? Nice watch but the extra blob on the non crown case side is a bit off putting.
Squale?
wow one nice watch really like it love the blue cheers
Hi Fed, nice watch, I like the perfect thickness and lug to lug size as well. I wish they had in-house movement or at least an ETA movement. Bracelet if it would taper down the clasp would be nicer too, that is just me being judgemental. $1700, I don’t know if it is better value to a Squale for a lower price.
ETA and SW are more or less equal in quality.
But I think you are paying more on the external than the internal(Amazing finishing, bracelet and bezel.
@@tippykaffu4047 ETA and Sellita are not the same. ETA is becoming more of an upscale movement however they are identical in performance as Sellita. If you compare apple to apple, ETA fetch more $ than Sellita.
@@Thankyou_3 They are but the only reason why ETA are going up in price is the shortage and your complaining is bit hypocritical. I dont think a small brand can attain 5 figure amount of ETAs for cheap either. If value for money is the reason, then ETA and SW should be considered equal.
You are getting a SW300, the 2892 clone too.
@@tippykaffu4047 I agree, I am being very critical. Just tired of watch brands becoming lazy and using Sellita and ETAs. Tudor is one few is changing directions to in house movements and the are reaping the benefits on BB58. Wish other brands follow suite and start dumping ETA and Sellita movements.
@@Thankyou_3 I wouldn't call using ETA and SW considered to be lazy. Usual Out of the shelf movements are actually great because they had been cheap and reliable for many decades(Ie. 6498 was originally designed in 1945 and it had been improved to "perfection" over those decades). Designing and manufacturing the movement would be very costly and it wouldnt cost $1700. But you would get many things that is not the movement. You could enjoy great watches with no worries on service and higher quality on something else other than the movement. Tudor is a bad example because they are a very big brand and also a certain backing of a crown.
Another problem with in house movement would be "service mafia". You can only service certain places(ie. You can only service Yema in Yema's service center.) (Unless there is a movement that is meant to be able to be easily serviced like Habring2).
I think you should be fine as long as they don't slap in a $3000 watch with horrible quality on the build and finishing but still put an ETA 2824 regardless.
Federico doing his Tim Masso impersonation!
The fact that Tim seems to set the standard is nominal in no itself, but both men are honest as hell!
the new logo and font is a much needed improvement
new to this one, what was wrong with the old logo?
Breitling superocean 42 or this ?
Breitling no questions !
Breitling for sure.
Hi Fed - great review, thanks for the highlights. Agree that there is high value for money here...would go for it though the PO is my diver. Having said that, if Formex were to make a GMT version of the Reef, I would likely be on board. Would make a fantastic travel watch. Cheers 👍⌚
Fed u need to switch to 5mm neoprene wetsuit gloves to test a dive bezel lol
Nice watch; very attractive. ThANKS!
Great watch for the price point! 😃
Beautiful !
..... This is now the "FORMEX Samurai"
More like the former FORMEX
This reminds me of the Oris. Am I the only one?
Lot of bang for the buck! Cool piece.
Nice.
Price is too high when compared to the market for such brands...I'd rather get an Oris for the same money. Now if they make it for $795 Instead thats a more attractive proposition.
Better case finish, chronometer and micro adjustment. This is harder to produce
@@sebastianscholz9878 no way..
A cosc by sellita..
Be serious a better case than oris case that is a joke
Nice review, beautiful watch. But don't make excuses for them with the bezel misalignment. They sent this to you. knowing you'd likely put it on camera. Attention to detail is important. At almost 2 grand after taxes, that bezel better line up.
Nearly everything I’ve seen from Formex before was dog ugly. Hell, they make a couple watches that look like a travel alarm clock on a strap! This Reef, however, is quite nice and I may seriously consider purchasing one.
PAUSED @1:47
Fed....I'm gonna stop you right there. This Formex is a hybrid of a Seamaster & Nautilus.
That's all I had to type...On with the review
Not a bad watch. I think I’d either go two ways though, move down to a Oris Aquis or move up to a used Tudor Pelagos
Down to an aquis?
@@vinniem98 just in terms of cost. When I bought aquis’ in the past I usually picked them up for between 900-1200 depending on model
@@dronjones1 fair enough, but new, the 43.5mm version is pretty close in price.
@@vinniem98 that’s the one with the in house movement so in that case I’d probably still end up going with the aquis at the same price
It’s a hard price point to compete at Longines and oris can be had for a bit less and for just 3-500 more you can get into some great used watched from established big brands but the actually build quality of this formex looks really good. I wish them luck just a hard price to compete at
Had Formex since the 90's, welcome aboard everyone lol
Give back Mickey’s gloves! 😂😂😂
Wow Federico you got back from the swamps of Mexico fast!
There's definitely a ton of great features on this watch that I'd like to see on more watches in the under $2,000 price range, but I'm not a fan of the design/style of the watch.
I wouldn't take this over the TAG but to each his own
Meh. If I’m spending $1,700+ I’d rather go for an Oris or a Sinn.
Funny you should say that, I was asking myself the same and came to the exact opposit outcome. Reef is very rare because it's thin. Sinn is making too "tooly" or too bulky watches, Oris is very special with its lugs, height isn't he best and it's a bigger watch, now also more expensive with the inhouse. Long story short, I would give formex a chance.
If i had 2000 euro i would buy oris aquis with blue dial..if i had another 2000 euros i would buy another oris aquis with black dial. If i had only 680 euros i would buy formex reef.but that seems impossible
It kind of looks like a small seiko samurai from the side.
Formex, I can't get on board with the brand name...
Fed,
I can conceed that the quality is higher than the Aquaracer, but the actual design is so ugly in comparison. The Tag has a much much better design and that trump's quality. This formex reminds me of the $400 microbrands that are everywhere.
Definitely you won't impress a watch collector with Formex 😂😂😂
This is no way near the acquaracer..
Yeah, it‘s levels above....
Too small
Name is horrible
first
crap, second
Not particularly inspiring.
still has one flaw .. it is a formex..that name is its killer
The logo looks like it belongs on the side of a shipping crate rather than a watch. The legerra is dope though.
I honestly don’t mind it as much as some other people do. It does not jump out in an exciting way but I don’t think it’s horrible
Talking about cheap watches? Why? You’re not TGV
Great specs, great value for money, great engineering. That said the name of the brand sounds like a cleaning chemical and the watch looks like shit.
Not with you on this one Fed. You lost me at Sellita SW300 movement.