Formex Essence ThirtyNine "Space Ghost" Automatic COSC with Meteorite Dial #0339.1.6643.101

PRE-ORDER ONLY. EXPECTED MID-MARCH 2026.

Formex brings the “Space Ghost” to its most popular Essence 39mm case
BIEL/BIENNE, SWITZERLAND – After selling out in under 72 hours in 41mm, the Essence Space Ghost returns in Formex’s most popular case size: 39mm. This release retains everything that made the original so compelling, while introducing the upgraded Essence case with a screw-down crown seamlessly integrated into the patented Case Suspension System for enhanced security, shock resistance, and all-day comfort. A refined stainless-steel bracelet completes the package, featuring a more intuitive fine-adjustment system for quick, on-the-fly sizing without tools. Its standout feature: a silver-finish dial cut from the 4.5-billion-year-old Muonionalusta meteorite, naturally etched with a unique Widmanstätten pattern—no two dials are alike. A proprietary rhodium treatment preserves the raw, crystalline structure of the material while sealing the surface for long-term durability and a lasting silvery sheen. Blued hands and applied markers heighten the dial’s spectral character, creating a striking contrast that shifts subtly with changing light. Production of the Essence Space Ghost 39mm is limited to 200 pieces per year.

Looking ahead, and following the same rollout strategy used for the 41mm collection, Formex will introduce its Essence 39 signature dials—upgraded to the same new specifications—in approximately 2–3 months.

Meteorite Dial: One of a Kind, by Nature and by Design
The Space Ghost’s dial was cut from the Muonionalusta meteorite – a fragment over 4.5 billion years old that struck Earth more than a million years ago after traveling through space at –270°C. Its distinctive Widmanstätten pattern, formed through slow cooling over eons, gives each dial its own intricate, interlacing structure – no two are alike.

To preserve the meteorite’s natural beauty and prevent oxidation, Formex, together with Cadranor, the sister company specialized in dials and a reference in the industry, developed a proprietary treatment that penetrates into the porous iron matrix. A galvanic rhodium plating seals the surface and enhances its silvery sheen without compromising the raw texture beneath. Blued hands and markers amplify the dial’s spectral character.

A precision-engineered and machined dial – because Formex can Dials made from stone, and that includes meteorite, present a challenge inherent to their nature: because it is cut extremely thin, the material’s inherent brittleness is aggravated. That is why markers are often attached to a separate mounting ring, not affixed to the dial proper. It’s easier, cuts down on waste, and almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Not imperceptible enough for Formex. In a rare and technically demanding process, perfected by Cadranor, microscopic holes are drilled into the meteorite to anchor each index. The result is a dial that’s not just visually extraordinary, but structurally honest – and uniquely Formex.

Formex’s New Micro-Adjustable Butterfly Clasp
Evolution at work. The Essence Space Ghost 39mm features Formex’s next-generation micro-adjustable butterfly clasp, designed for the steel bracelet version. This newly patented system builds on the benchmark-setting concept introduced in 2019 and developed in close collaboration with sister company Dexel – an industry-leading bracelet and buckle specialist located just next door.

In the previous version, opening and closing required a specific sequence – short segment first, then the longer one – and the 4mm micro-extension could only be set with the bracelet open. The new clasp eliminates those constraints, offering quicker, more intuitive adjustment on the fly with a new variable force system developed specifically for this model.

Formex’s ongoing partnership with Dexel continues to shape its leadership in ergonomic fastening solutions. The latest clasp evolution is intuitive, tool-free, and designed for even quicker, easier, and more precise wrist fit micro-adjustments.

New Screw-Down Crown
The Essence Space Ghost 39mm also introduces more subtle but no less significant innovations. The new screw-down crown system enhances security and prevents the crown tube from accidentally deforming. Seamlessly integrating it with the patented Case Suspension System was an engineering challenge. Traditionally, the Case Suspension System is designed to allow the crown to move with the case, adapting to the wearer’s wrist movements for increased comfort and shock absorption. Adapting this flexible system to accommodate a screw-down crown, which requires a more rigid, fixed connection for mechanical resistance, required extensive redesign and testing to ensure that the crown could securely lock in place.

Re-engineering the closure system led Formex to take a long, hard look at the rest of the bracelet. And it turns out there’s a better way when it comes to the screws that hold the links in place.

New Bracelet Screws
Alongside the new micro-adjustable butterfly clasp system, the Essence Space Ghost 39mm also features a redesigned link-fastening screw for the stainless steel bracelet. Instead of the old-school approach of using a drop of threadlocker or a composite threadlocking treatment to keep screws from loosening over time – a non-trivial concern given the constant movement, shocks, and stresses the bracelet endures – Formex opted for a purpose-designed screw with an offset thread. This allows the moving part of the link to articulate freely, while the threaded section remains securely isolated from mechanical stress. No threadlocker is needed, and more importantly, there is no risk of the bracelet screws coming loose. A small detail that makes a big difference: improved bracelet precision, durability, wear resistance – and peace of mind.

Key Takeaways:

• A meteorite dial, done differently: cut from a 4.5-billion-year-old fragment of the Muonionalusta meteorite, stabilized with a proprietary treatment and finished with galvanic rhodium plating for a lasting silvery sheen. Contrasting blued hands and markers accentuate the spectral Widmanstätten pattern that makes each Space Ghost Essence 39mm a one-off.
  
  
• Upgraded Essence case and bracelet: The Space Ghost 39mm introduces the same technical upgrades first seen on the Essence 41mm. These include a screw-down crown engineered to work seamlessly with Formex’s patented Case Suspension System, enhancing shock resistance, security, and all-day comfort. The stainless-steel bracelet is fitted with a next-generation, patented micro-adjustable butterfly clasp, allowing intuitive, tool-free adjustment on the wrist throughout the day.
  
  
• Limited Edition: The Essence 39mm Space Ghost is produced in strictly limited numbers, with only 200 pieces per calendar year.