Formex is able to churn out so much cool, innovative tech because the brand effectively produces its cases, bracelets and clasps in-house through its sister brand, Swiss-based manufacture Dexel. Another company under the Formex corporate umbrella is Swiss dial manufacture Cadranor, and that brings me to the sole difference between the new Essence 41 and the Space Ghost: the dial (hands and indices included).
There are no meteorite dials to be found in these new, more accessible models. Instead, we have the same garage door-textured dials seen on the other Essence sizes in four colors, all of which are also available in the other sizes: Arctic White, Blue, Gamaret (Red) and Dégradé, a smoked brown. As always, the dials feature diamond-polished indices and hands filled with Super-LumiNova.
Also, as with the other Essence sizes, the 41 is a chronometer powered by a COSC-certified Sellita SW200 automatic movement. The movement is visible behind a sapphire caseback, while an AR-coated sapphire crystal protects the dial.
Pricing and availability
The new Essence 41 is considerably less expensive than the Space Ghost, coming in at $1,690 when paired with a leather, rubber or fabric strap and topping out at $1,890 on the superb bracelet.
Uniquely, Formex also includes all tariffs, taxes, duties and shipping in the sticker price, so there are no surprises at checkout. That means this truly is a sub-$2,000 watch, all in, even if it doesn’t look, feel or perform like one.