Quick facts
Description
Formex is a Swiss brand with a longer and more complex history than many people realise. The company was originally founded in 1999 in Biel by two brothers Hans‑Peter and Ferdinand Grädel both of whom came from technical watchmaking and component manufacturing backgrounds. From the outset Formex was focused on extreme sports watches with a strong emphasis on engineering solutions rather than classical styling. The brand name comes from forme extrême and early Formex watches leaned heavily into that idea with large cases complex constructions and a patented case suspension system designed to protect the movement from shock and improve comfort.
Despite strong technical credentials the original Formex struggled through the late 2000s. The global financial crisis had a disproportionate impact on small independent brands and by the early 2010s Formex had effectively stalled with limited production and little visibility outside a very narrow niche. The turning point came in 2016 when Raphael Granito took over leadership of the brand. Granito grew up around high‑end Swiss manufacturing through his family’s component business Dexel SA which supplies parts to some of the most respected names in Swiss watchmaking.
Formex moved to a direct‑to‑consumer model, cut its retail overheads and redirected resources into product development finishing and engineering. The Essence collection marked the beginning of this second life for Formex establishing the brand’s reputation for offering unusually high technical quality and finishing at its price point. From there Formex expanded into sport and tool watches that retained the company’s DNA.
The Reef collection is the clearest expression of that modern Formex philosophy. It takes the idea of a professional dive watch and rebuilds it around comfort modularity and precision rather than heritage styling. This watch is referred to informally as the “Baby Reef”. This is not an official model name but a commonly used shorthand within enthusiast circles to differentiate it from the larger 42mm Reef models and the GMT variants.
In its current form the Reef is powered by a COSC‑certified Sellita SW300‑1 and built around a modular case and bezel system that allows tool‑free strap and bezel changes. The watch is engineered to wear slimmer than its specifications suggest and the clasp incorporates a patented on‑the‑fly micro‑adjustment system that is comparable with Christopher Ward and among the best currently available in this category.
Condition and performance
The watch is in excellent condition with only minor signs of careful use.
Supplied on its CW bracelet with ratchet micro-adjust and quick release lugs showing light marks consistent with wear. Complete with all spare links.
Comes boxed with owner’s handbook, COSC certificate, strap adjustment tool and cleaning cloth.
Timegrapher: Approximately +4 seconds per day.
Strap options
Please send us a message if you would like any other strap option. I’ve got some unworn leather and webbing original Formex suitable for this watch.
We also offer 10% off our straps and bracelets listed on our sister site, Ward Hoard, in Accessories purchased alongside a watch.
Simply add the accessory to your basket and use STRAP10 or BRAC10 at checkout on Ward Hoard.
Specifications
Questions
If you have any questions about this watch or strap options, or would like to reserve it, just get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
Quick facts
Description
Formex is a Swiss brand with a longer and more complex history than many people realise. The company was originally founded in 1999 in Biel by two brothers Hans‑Peter and Ferdinand Grädel both of whom came from technical watchmaking and component manufacturing backgrounds. From the outset Formex was focused on extreme sports watches with a strong emphasis on engineering solutions rather than classical styling. The brand name comes from forme extrême and early Formex watches leaned heavily into that idea with large cases complex constructions and a patented case suspension system designed to protect the movement from shock and improve comfort.
Despite strong technical credentials the original Formex struggled through the late 2000s. The global financial crisis had a disproportionate impact on small independent brands and by the early 2010s Formex had effectively stalled with limited production and little visibility outside a very narrow niche. The turning point came in 2016 when Raphael Granito took over leadership of the brand. Granito grew up around high‑end Swiss manufacturing through his family’s component business Dexel SA which supplies parts to some of the most respected names in Swiss watchmaking.
Formex moved to a direct‑to‑consumer model, cut its retail overheads and redirected resources into product development finishing and engineering. The Essence collection marked the beginning of this second life for Formex establishing the brand’s reputation for offering unusually high technical quality and finishing at its price point. From there Formex expanded into sport and tool watches that retained the company’s DNA.
The Reef collection is the clearest expression of that modern Formex philosophy. It takes the idea of a professional dive watch and rebuilds it around comfort modularity and precision rather than heritage styling. This watch is referred to informally as the “Baby Reef”. This is not an official model name but a commonly used shorthand within enthusiast circles to differentiate it from the larger 42mm Reef models and the GMT variants.
In its current form the Reef is powered by a COSC‑certified Sellita SW300‑1 and built around a modular case and bezel system that allows tool‑free strap and bezel changes. The watch is engineered to wear slimmer than its specifications suggest and the clasp incorporates a patented on‑the‑fly micro‑adjustment system that is comparable with Christopher Ward and among the best currently available in this category.
Condition and performance
The watch is in excellent condition with only minor signs of careful use.
Supplied on its CW bracelet with ratchet micro-adjust and quick release lugs showing light marks consistent with wear. Complete with all spare links.
Comes boxed with owner’s handbook, COSC certificate, strap adjustment tool and cleaning cloth.
Timegrapher: Approximately +4 seconds per day.
Strap options
Please send us a message if you would like any other strap option. I’ve got some unworn leather and webbing original Formex suitable for this watch.
We also offer 10% off our straps and bracelets listed on our sister site, Ward Hoard, in Accessories purchased alongside a watch.
Simply add the accessory to your basket and use STRAP10 or BRAC10 at checkout on Ward Hoard.
Specifications
Questions
If you have any questions about this watch or strap options, or would like to reserve it, just get in touch. We’re always happy to help.
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