I pre-ordered one with a silver dial and black bezel. I have had it for about 2 months. It is absolutely FANTASTIC!! I wish I could post a pic, also the rubber strap and the bracelet are pretty phenomenal. Keeps great time as well.
Wow! This watch looks stunning! Love the ingenious micro adjusts on the bracelet AND strap and the easy-swap-out mechanisms which most of the fancy brands lack! Case design is great and the way how the bracelet is attached gives it sort of a “integrated” look, so the famous Nautilus comes to mind immediately! Reasonable priced too! Definitely on my wish list!
The silver one looks so cool! But apparent according to their website, it's not ceramic. It's steel. Given that, do you still think it's worth the same price as the other options?
I know I'm a nerd and will be called out on this, but I wish folks would say, "dive style watch" instead of claiming these to be dive watches. These (and the VERY vast majority of so-called dive watches) would never be visible/legible enough under water to use diving. Like fingers on a chalk board to me (which is probably how most people reading my comment would describe me LOL).
Well you’re right, so why would you be called out for this? You’re clearly passionate about your hobby and it’s understandable that you take “offence” at desk-diving plebeians for not being correct in their semantics. How would you rate the Certina DS Action Diver? That is ISO approved, so I am guessing it is indeed a true diver’s watch, as stated on the dial.
@@kencur9690 I had to look up the ISO certification to figure this one out. As suspected, it basically determines performance extremes. I'm no SCUBA diver, but if I were... any watch with a bezel that is going to allow me to count down oxygen or ascension time is going to be legible underwater, or it won't see my wrist. ISO doesn't care about that. I think the Islander watches would really do a great job being "true" (in a visibility sense) dive watches, whereas some - even some super high end - so called divers you wouldn't have a chance in hell or the crystal clear Carribean to see the bezel indices. Does it really matter that a watch is magnetically impervious and rated to a depth of 300M if you can't see the thing? That's my point. But... like me, the huge Huge HUGE majority of people that own and wear dive watches will never get them wet outside a rainstorm or the shower. So... Dive, Diver, whatever. They have to call the style something, right? I'll go on happily wearing my Glycine Combat Sub, my Scuba Dude Vostok, and my trip-colored collection of Casio Duro complaining all the way :-)
The handset is out of proportion with the dial .... the hour hand needs to be a fraction longer and the minute hand is way too short its supposed to go right to the outer edge of the dial and cover the minute markers .......if I can see this why can't the decision makers at formex see this ... how on earth did this handset get the green light? Poor very poor from formex....
I´ve had mine for nearly a month now and I absolutely love it. But man, you should have shown it on the cauchotec band, I'm a sucker for metal bracelets but (with the black bezel at least) the strap just looks insane. Another thing I would have mentioned is the multifaceted polishing on the hands and hour markers, also the fact that one can have the bezels interchanged from the factory (i.e. gray/metal bezel on the black dial, etc) - though I can see how it can be a nightmare to carry them all as a dealer. To add sth negative I will say that the 3D Bezel is a dust magnet, but 300m meters water resistance means you can wash it with ease.
It reeks quality, those bezels are I insane, quick release spring bars and carbon clasps are another level, there will be some flipping their watches for these.
Great review! It's one of the best watches I own. Absolutely love the fit and comfort. The way the light plays with the dial and markers is mesmerizing. Great addition to your store/.
What an incredible watch ! Shame there's no display back...a chronometer sw300 is a pretty movement and they're very much elaborated...why not show it off?
As pretty as the movement may be, I suppose it's not that easy to make a display case back that can also withstand the 300m pressure as easily as a full metal case back.
@@victorc2863 I think it's more to do with thickness, display case backs tend to add a few mm to the overall thickness..formex seem to be the sort of brand that are up for an engineering challenge, my c60 elite has a display case back and that has 1000m WR, so it can definitely be done.
Is the bezel in grey actually ceramic? I’m seeing in a few reviews online that it’s actually stainless steel in the grey. Or is it just so shiny that it’s fooling people?
Ok Mark, this has been bugging me. We all know that quartz watches tick. With the few exceptions of Spring drive and the precisionist. Yet the clock on the wall behind you I assume is quartz but it sweeps?
Love this watch! Everything is perfect except for the size (I wish it was a mm or two smaller), and I really don't like the bezel insert. Very impressively made but the look doesn't do anything for me. From far away it kind of looks like rubber, which isn't great. The silver bezel insert doesn't have that problem but the rest do. Blue dial with that silver insert... Now that would be a watch! Other than that, I really like what Formex have done here.
Beautiful watches Marc, I’d like it much more without the large fonts, FORMEX, REEF, not needed, the logo and the smaller font at the bottom is sufficient, love the date at 6 o’clock with matching face color, good review...
I love that ceramic bezel and the blue dial is stunning, but I'm not 100% sure about that faux crown guard at the 9 O'Clock side. Features like that always look magnified when zoomed in on camera, though; how does it look in person?
Interesting, I like the grey version. For the COSC fans out there looking for a dressy option, I believe the Mido Chronometer is the most affordable cosc certified watch currently on the market.
Tissot ballade is another good option, similar price, cosc certified... I picked up a CW C65 Dartmouth in the black Friday sale, £805. 00, not a dress watch, but a bargain for a beutifull cosc certified vintage style diver.
I have not been a fan of the Formex models I have seen so far, but this one is nice. I especially like the blue and silver colour options, with blue standing out big time. The logo is good, logo only on the dial would IMO be really sweet. Those bezel inserts as well, so different!!
Ever since I bought a COSC certified Tissot that can't even hold 10 seconds that slip of paper means almost nothing to me. That said, these are gorgeous watches. Love the hand set, case and bezel inset. LOVE that micro adjust. And my goodness, listen to that bezel!!!
Nice review but I think you need to mention the weight of the watch in grams as it determines the wearability and comfort on wrist. Many watch reviewers are now including that detail in their reviews. Overall it looks like a nice piece , great bang per buck. The Nautilus inspired sides are a bit unoriginal , and give it a bit of a “ homage “ watch feel, but the quality is there and for the money it’s very good. Love the adjustable clasp and the ceramic bezel. Overall it should be a smidgen smaller in diameter and lighter in weight in my opinion , as it does look like it’s a tad heavy; but some people actually like that.
183 grams on the bracelet with all links. 173 grams on the bracelet sized for my 7.25 inch wrist. 113 grams on the rubber strap. Although heavy the watch on the bracelet is very comfortable due to the articulating links and micro adjust at the clasp.
Very nice but seems like 25% too expensive to me. Lots of other options less than this range including Ball and Christopher Ward Elite 1000 Titanium's, but a nice piece with somewhat quirky looks. Would order the black one but I can't see $1700. Strap included with the bracelet model would help, they don't cost much.
I can’t believe no one mentions how this watch costs a whopping 1,790 United States dollars. Very nice, for sure, Swiss movement, but basically a micro brand with crazy prices.
And crazy quality and specs....worth every penny...this is the same price as an oris aquis, but has a better movement, bracelet and clasp. You can't compare this with cheaper micro brands.
I pre-ordered one with a silver dial and black bezel. I have had it for about 2 months. It is absolutely FANTASTIC!! I wish I could post a pic, also the rubber strap and the bracelet are pretty phenomenal. Keeps great time as well.
Nice if a tad expensive. However I wouldn't want a watch with a name on it that sounds like an ointment for genital warts.
Wow! This watch looks stunning! Love the ingenious micro adjusts on the bracelet AND strap and the easy-swap-out mechanisms which most of the fancy brands lack! Case design is great and the way how the bracelet is attached gives it sort of a “integrated” look, so the famous Nautilus comes to mind immediately! Reasonable priced too! Definitely on my wish list!
Glad you like it!
The silver one looks so cool! But apparent according to their website, it's not ceramic. It's steel. Given that, do you still think it's worth the same price as the other options?
This is beautiful 😍 great job formex on the details
The silver bezel is in fact steel 😄
Could you name some other watches that also have this movement?
If I hadn’t just bought a different watch from you, I’d be very tempted by this. Definitely one I will look at getting in the future.
Good choice!
Silver one reminds me of a Rhodium Yacht Master
Indeed it does.
Formex, what an unfortunate name. Sounds like an commerical building product. Nice looking watch though.
I know I'm a nerd and will be called out on this, but I wish folks would say, "dive style watch" instead of claiming these to be dive watches. These (and the VERY vast majority of so-called dive watches) would never be visible/legible enough under water to use diving. Like fingers on a chalk board to me (which is probably how most people reading my comment would describe me LOL).
How about “Sports Watch”?
Don't worry, we are all a bit quirky.
Well you’re right, so why would you be called out for this? You’re clearly passionate about your hobby and it’s understandable that you take “offence” at desk-diving plebeians for not being correct in their semantics.
How would you rate the Certina DS Action Diver? That is ISO approved, so I am guessing it is indeed a true diver’s watch, as stated on the dial.
@@kencur9690 I had to look up the ISO certification to figure this one out. As suspected, it basically determines performance extremes. I'm no SCUBA diver, but if I were... any watch with a bezel that is going to allow me to count down oxygen or ascension time is going to be legible underwater, or it won't see my wrist. ISO doesn't care about that. I think the Islander watches would really do a great job being "true" (in a visibility sense) dive watches, whereas some - even some super high end - so called divers you wouldn't have a chance in hell or the crystal clear Carribean to see the bezel indices. Does it really matter that a watch is magnetically impervious and rated to a depth of 300M if you can't see the thing? That's my point. But... like me, the huge Huge HUGE majority of people that own and wear dive watches will never get them wet outside a rainstorm or the shower. So... Dive, Diver, whatever. They have to call the style something, right? I'll go on happily wearing my Glycine Combat Sub, my Scuba Dude Vostok, and my trip-colored collection of Casio Duro complaining all the way :-)
The handset is out of proportion with the dial .... the hour hand needs to be a fraction longer and the minute hand is way too short its supposed to go right to the outer edge of the dial and cover the minute markers .......if I can see this why can't the decision makers at formex see this ... how on earth did this handset get the green light? Poor very poor from formex....
I´ve had mine for nearly a month now and I absolutely love it.
But man, you should have shown it on the cauchotec band, I'm a sucker for metal bracelets but (with the black bezel at least) the strap just looks insane. Another thing I would have mentioned is the multifaceted polishing on the hands and hour markers, also the fact that one can have the bezels interchanged from the factory (i.e. gray/metal bezel on the black dial, etc) - though I can see how it can be a nightmare to carry them all as a dealer.
To add sth negative I will say that the 3D Bezel is a dust magnet, but 300m meters water resistance means you can wash it with ease.
Thanks for the input.
The bezel is not legible. The Essence is a watch I'm making the effort to own.
It reeks quality, those bezels are I insane, quick release spring bars and carbon clasps are another level, there will be some flipping their watches for these.
Thanks Paul.
What is the wrist size? 6.29 inches it would fit?
Great review! It's one of the best watches I own. Absolutely love the fit and comfort. The way the light plays with the dial and markers is mesmerizing. Great addition to your store/.
Couldn't agree more!
Really beautiful watch. I was tempted to buy their KS campaign , but full retail is a bit pricey. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
if its not a blue dial mark is not interested. only blue dial i like is on the now defunct breitling colt 41mm auto
That's a nice one.
That has to be your best offering in a diver! I would LOVE to add that one to my stable!❤️
I love it!
Gotta respect the tech but theseare not attractive peices to me.
Were it not for the protuberance on the left side of the case, I'd be all over this.
What an incredible watch ! Shame there's no display back...a chronometer sw300 is a pretty movement and they're very much elaborated...why not show it off?
As pretty as the movement may be, I suppose it's not that easy to make a display case back that can also withstand the 300m pressure as easily as a full metal case back.
@@victorc2863 I think it's more to do with thickness, display case backs tend to add a few mm to the overall thickness..formex seem to be the sort of brand that are up for an engineering challenge, my c60 elite has a display case back and that has 1000m WR, so it can definitely be done.
I can't tell if this is an april fools or not
No, this is for real.
God if only these came in a smaller size. I know my wrist far too well that trying to wear something this big would look comical. Must be patient...
It's like Rolex and Patek Philippe got together, then 9 months later, ta-da. Jokes aside, gorgeous looking watch's, the silver one is stunning.
Fantastic watch ... I now understand the price! The black one is very sleek with the high polished ceramic bezel.
Thanks for sharing.
Is the bezel in grey actually ceramic? I’m seeing in a few reviews online that it’s actually stainless steel in the grey. Or is it just so shiny that it’s fooling people?
Just ordered the grey dial steel silver looking bezel with rubber strap and adjustable buckle accessories. Delighted great customer service.
Just picked up a silver/grey dial from ya .. thanks for helping distribute these watches
Mark, when are you making a PP Nautilus homage Islander? I'd buy that in a heartbeat, like so many others.
I wish Rolex would include COSC certificates.
Very nice
I’m liking that green one.
Any Digital islanders in the works?
Those guys build the best clasps re micro-adjust.
Those Formex watches are looking really nice. They continue to step up their game.
Ok Mark, this has been bugging me. We all know that quartz watches tick. With the few exceptions of Spring drive and the precisionist. Yet the clock on the wall behind you I assume is quartz but it sweeps?
It's a motor driven module. Quite common.
Love this watch! Everything is perfect except for the size (I wish it was a mm or two smaller), and I really don't like the bezel insert. Very impressively made but the look doesn't do anything for me. From far away it kind of looks like rubber, which isn't great. The silver bezel insert doesn't have that problem but the rest do. Blue dial with that silver insert... Now that would be a watch! Other than that, I really like what Formex have done here.
Thanks for sharing!
Those bracelets and strap tech are just amazing! On the top of a nice watch indeed. 👌
Beautiful watches Marc, I’d like it much more without the large fonts, FORMEX, REEF, not needed, the logo and the smaller font at the bottom is sufficient, love the date at 6 o’clock with matching face color, good review...
Noted!
I love that ceramic bezel and the blue dial is stunning, but I'm not 100% sure about that faux crown guard at the 9 O'Clock side. Features like that always look magnified when zoomed in on camera, though; how does it look in person?
More refined I'd say.
Nice looking watches. I’m like you, I like the blue. The adjustable clasp is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing them. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Glad you like them!
Interesting, I like the grey version.
For the COSC fans out there looking for a dressy option, I believe the Mido Chronometer is the most affordable cosc certified watch currently on the market.
Tissot ballade is another good option, similar price, cosc certified... I picked up a CW C65 Dartmouth in the black Friday sale, £805. 00, not a dress watch, but a bargain for a beutifull cosc certified vintage style diver.
Awesome clasp design, I'll take the green.
I have not been a fan of the Formex models I have seen so far, but this one is nice. I especially like the blue and silver colour options, with blue standing out big time. The logo is good, logo only on the dial would IMO be really sweet. Those bezel inserts as well, so different!!
Right on
Very nice pieces! What would you call that style of hands? Are they exclusive from Formex?
I would say it is their style.
What an outstanding piece! This really caught me by surprise
Very impressive watch ⌚ 👌
Very nice. I appreciate brands that actually innovate. I agree that the silver colorway looks great.
Thanks for watching!
Very Nice! Most impressed with the 11mm thinness. Not something you typically see in a diver with an automatic movement!
Correct. And I would say it wears thinner than that.
Black number has the classic look of anything black, silver one looks cool too. Love the shape of the hands - very fresh.
Sure is.
Just from an engineering perspective, Formex is just a phenomenal brand.
Sure is.
Still wearing the Islander 67 since it arrived a few weeks ago. Not coming off soon.
Me too!
Very nice, does remind me of my Aquis. Like it. Cheers mate 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks 👍
Great video and great watch! I read on the website that the silver bezel insert is stainless steel and not ceramic though?
I'll have to check that out!!!!
That is so thin, I feel this is the oris aquis killer. It's around the same price which alot of tech.
Thanks Andrew.
Interesting pieces. Regards.
I'm gonna strongly consider this model for my first COSC watch, since I love divers so much
Awesome, thank you
Gorgeous watches, excellent offering from Formex.
Yes they are!
Beautifully done Formex...thanks for sharing.
Many thanks!
Gorgeous Watches 😍
Now they just need to release this in 38mm case
They are doing the essence, so we'll see.
I’d really like this if it weren’t for those flared out sides. I hate that feature on watches, that’s always hideous imo. Totally ruins it for me.
Sorry :(
@@islandwatch lmfao! It’s okay buddy! My personal preferences aren’t your fault 😂. It’s a fantastic review and I love this channel!!
Ever since I bought a COSC certified Tissot that can't even hold 10 seconds that slip of paper means almost nothing to me. That said, these are gorgeous watches. Love the hand set, case and bezel inset. LOVE that micro adjust. And my goodness, listen to that bezel!!!
I sent off my watch with a 2824-2 to get it regulated from a reputable watch maker. They adjusted in 5 positions, runs great so far.
Sorry to hear that
Send it back to tissot, that is running way out of cosc specs....
Very nice 👍 🍻
Love the watch
Yes
Yes!
Great content
That case looks pretty thin. Super nice
It is!
I like this one. Way better logo
Thank you.
Wow, they look real nice 👍👍
Thanks 👍
I've been waiting for this one, great watch and video
Glad you enjoyed it
Not a fan of those end links to be honest
That's ok!
Wow. I want the silver one.
Cool, thank you.
Nice nautilus homage
Definitely has the vibe.
The green.....That green. Blue is nice as well
All are!
@@islandwatch yes, they all are. that goes without saying.
It is out of my range, but these are really pretty. Very clean and love the reef font too
Glad you like them!
@@islandwatch you see its quality, no doubt about it. Perhaps one day;)
the blue dial one... aww.....
Very nice!
Beautiful watch!
It really is!
Nice review but I think you need to mention the weight of the watch in grams as it determines the wearability and comfort on wrist. Many watch reviewers are now including that detail in their reviews. Overall it looks like a nice piece , great bang per buck. The Nautilus inspired sides are a bit unoriginal , and give it a bit of a “ homage “ watch feel, but the quality is there and for the money it’s very good. Love the adjustable clasp and the ceramic bezel. Overall it should be a smidgen smaller in diameter and lighter in weight in my opinion , as it does look like it’s a tad heavy; but some people actually like that.
183 grams on the bracelet with all links. 173 grams on the bracelet sized for my 7.25 inch wrist. 113 grams on the rubber strap. Although heavy the watch on the bracelet is very comfortable due to the articulating links and micro adjust at the clasp.
I would buy one tomorrow if he hands were about a mm longer. The minute hand has to hit the minute track. Other than that, beautiful.
Great video
Thanks!
Nah
ok
Great watch and great video! But the bezel seems too easy to turn, I might be wrong, but that's what I got from when you turned it.
Very nice but seems like 25% too expensive to me. Lots of other options less than this range including Ball and Christopher Ward Elite 1000 Titanium's, but a nice piece with somewhat quirky looks. Would order the black one but I can't see $1700. Strap included with the bracelet model would help, they don't cost much.
I am wearing my c60 elite 1000 while reading this, fantastic watch, incredible value...
I can’t believe no one mentions how this watch costs a whopping 1,790 United States dollars. Very nice, for sure, Swiss movement, but basically a micro brand with crazy prices.
And crazy quality and specs....worth every penny...this is the same price as an oris aquis, but has a better movement, bracelet and clasp. You can't compare this with cheaper micro brands.
nice looking but that is getting into oris aquis price range.
Not sure why that matters?
@@islandwatch i guess it really doesnt. just for that price point to some brand name matters.
first
nope
dope