Formex REEF Swiss Automatic Chronometer Dive Watch with Sunburst Blue Dial #2201-1-6333-100

FORMEX Swiss Made Watches presents a more compact, smaller version of their popular 300-meter water resistant Reef diver’s collection – or short, the “Baby” Reef. With its tool-free exchangeable bezels and straps, the Reef stands out as one of the market’s most versatile mechanical dive watches. Encased within a meticulously hand-finished 39.5mm stainless steel case is the heart of precision - a Chronometergrade,officially certified Sellita SW300-1 Automatic movement, offering 56 hours of power reserve.

The 39.5mm stainless-steel case with its distinctive shape provides both a functional guard for the screwdown crown and a visual symmetry alike. Originally designed as a 42mm dive watch, the smaller diameter also means a shorter, more wearable lug-to-lug distance of 45.5mm and a height of just 11mm.

A double gasket construction is tested for 300 m / 1000 ft of water resistance. Mirror-polished bevels and brushed surfaces throughout the watch case, bracelet and down to the hands and triangle-shaped indices create a unique balance between elegance and the brand’s high-octane spirit.

The four available dials are manufactured in Formex’s in-house dial manufacture in the Swiss Jura mountains. The blue, green and silver dials are finished with a sunburst effect and a hand-applied color gradient. As for the white dial, the initial application of white lacquer on a mirror-polished surface is followed by the layering of seven coats of transparent lacquer, which are subsequently polished down to achieve a uniquely deep aspect of this dial.

To further create visual depth without increasing overall height, the hand-applied indices are triangleshaped and imitate a chapter ring. To increase legibility and to reflect the case finishing, the indices as well as the broad hour and minute hands are vertically brushed, while the bevels are mirror polished. The date window is angled on both sides to increase legibility of the color-adjusted date. Hands and hour markers as well as a capsule on the bezel’s zero marker are deep filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9 that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions.

Without the use of any tools, all straps, clasps and bezels of the Reef dive collection can be changed by hand. Formex engineers developed a one of its kind bezel mounting system that allows to pull out the bezel from the case by hand and exchange it with another of their four color options. Once mounted on the case, the 120 unidirectional click action is highly responsive with minimal back play. Being one of the most exposed parts, the bezel is made of an extremely hard and scratch-resistant Zirconium oxide ceramic. Graduations and numbers are engraved by femto-laser pulsations and then mirror-polished, whereas each single piece takes 60 minutes of precision engraving to achieve its three-dimensional effect. Machined gear-like indentations on the bezel’s edge allow a diver the ideal grip to safely set and monitor diving time and decompression stops.

Besides contributing to visual appeal, the details on the Reef also serve a purpose. For a timepiece to be a watch for all occasions, it needs to feel exceptionally comfortable on the wrist throughout the day. While the stainless-steel bracelet has a 10 mm adjustment hidden in a compact folding buckle, the rubber straps come with a carbon fiber deployant buckle with a 7 mm adjustment that allows for gradual adjustments while wearing the watch on the wrist (in closed position). Although the steel and rubber options were made to fit seamlessly between the Reef’s lugs, third party straps with a width of 22mm and straight springbars are compatible.

Powering the hands is a self-winding Swiss Made SW300-1 with date that comes in Sellita’s highest quality grade "Chronometer", using top of the line components only found in Chronometer-grade movements. Formex purposely chose this thin movement as it allowed to construct the REEF at just 11mm thickness and a perceived height of 10.5mm (the height that is visible when wearing on the wrist). Each of the movements undergoes the COSC-certification process, a meticulous 15-day rate test to ensure extraordinary levels of mechanical accuracy and precision. Only the movements who pass the stringent assessment will be certified and engraved with a unique serial number. The movements’ power reserve extends to 56 hours.

For optional rubber strap, see item RS-2200-910. Note you will also require the clasp, as the strap is sold without it. Clasp is item BD-22-020-912