Introducing The Formex Reef Radiant Bronze for Collective Horology

As we’re about to talk about a collaboration, it feels pure to start out by presenting the events concerned. On one facet, we now have Formex, a recent Swiss watchmaker identified for crafting rugged software watches filled with progressive options, and but pretty priced. On the opposite facet is Collective Horology, a spot for watch lovers specialising in collaborative watches, principally from indie watchmakers. And at the moment, the 2 meet to create a particular model of Formex’s dive watch. What’s distinctive about it? Effectively, it’s all concerning the sensible dial and its materials. Right here’s the Formex Reef 42mm Radiant Bronze COSC 300M Automated. 

The entire concept of this new collab piece was to make use of the stable and feature-packed Formex Reef dive watch as a base, and so as to add the additional distinctive contact for Collective. As defined by Raphael Granito, CEO of Formex, “Creating an unique look ahead to Collective, I needed to work with a novel dial materials to make this a real collector’s piece. Bronze is often used for circumstances, however we needed to make use of it to create the face of this particular version.”

As you’ve now understood, this new version is all concerning the dial, its color and its materials. Bronze is nothing new, particularly within the subject of dive watches. Nevertheless, as an alternative of utilizing it for the case, as it’s usually accomplished, Formex and Collective have opted for a bronze dial as an alternative. In keeping with the model, making this dial has not been straightforward. Given its distinctive nature, it required new tooling to machine the clean dials, in addition to a number of prototypes. The result’s a dial made in-house, from stable bronze, with a vertical brushing, to be able to convey all of the tones and reflections supplied by this materials. Lastly, the dial is handled with a proprietary lacquer to stop oxidation, making certain it retains its unique colouration.

The remainder of the watch is equivalent to the traditional version of the Formex Reef 42mm COSC 300M Automated. This implies a stable, daring dive watch of 42mm in diameter, but a skinny profile of 11.4mm regardless of the 300m water-resistance. Complicated in its form, this case can be fully-equipped, with a screw-down crown, a screwed again, a sapphire crystal and a 120-click unidirectional bezel fabricated from ceramic, with a raised 60-minute scale. Be aware that this Formex x Collective version retains the model’s tool-free system to alter the bezel. So as an alternative of a black ceramic bezel, you may additionally choose later for a blue ceramic or a stable metal insert.

That is solely the beginning, as there are extra distinctive and sensible options. As an example, the automated motion, a Sellita SW300-1 (clone of the 2892) is chronometer-certified by COSC and comes with an prolonged energy reserve of 56 hours. Obtainable on a black rubber strap or a stainless-steel bracelet, each are outfitted with a quick-release, tool-free system to alter the bracelet/strap, in addition to a deployant clasp with a gradual micro-adjustment gadget.

The Formex Reef 42mm Radiant Bronze COSC 300M Automated for Collective Horology might be produced in restricted portions solely for Collective Store. The primary 50 might be obtainable this yr, with a restricted quantity obtainable for buy now from Collective Store on-line
at store.collectivehorology.com in addition to in-person on the Windup Watch Honest in San Francisco (April 28-30). Prospects primarily based in Europe can seek the advice of formexwatch.com to buy. Costs might be USD 1,935 or EUR 1,950 on rubber strap and USD 2,065 or EUR 2,080 on metal bracelet.