Formex continues to push the boundaries of independent watchmaking with its latest release: the Essence Space Glacier. This striking pair of watches – offered in 39mm and 43mm cases – takes a refined approach to luxury sports watches, blending advanced materials with true Swiss craftsmanship.
While many microbrands struggle to access high-end materials and manufacturing techniques, Formex enjoys a unique position. The brand shares ownership with two renowned Swiss manufacturing companies – Dexel, responsible for the watch cases and bracelets, and Cadranor, a Jura-based dial atelier with decades of expertise. This synergy allows Formex to deliver timepieces with a level of detail and construction that typically comes at much higher price points.
The Essence Space Glacier watches are a natural evolution of Formex’s meteorite dial concept. The brand’s first foray into meteorite dials began in 2020, but the techniques perfected for last year’s Essence Space Gold – particularly the ability to solder dial feet directly to the meteorite—have elevated this year’s models to a new level. Rather than adhering to the traditional layering method where a meteorite veneer is fixed to a base, Formex uses a full 0.5mm-thick slice of genuine Muonionalusta meteorite. This one-piece construction allows for refined touches like the beveled date window, carved directly into the dial surface.
The aesthetic centerpiece of these watches is, of course, the dial. While some collectors note that ice blue finishes are now a recurring theme in the industry, Formex distinguishes itself with its finishing process. Instead of using PVD to tint the meteorite, the brand employs a two-step method: electroplating the surface in 98% pure silver, followed by six layers of hand-applied, transparent ice-blue lacquer. The result is a shimmering finish that highlights the meteorite’s natural Widmanstätten pattern while retaining a cool, glacier-like tone.
Some commenters have pointed out that a different color treatment – perhaps something more original or a high-contrast natural finish – might have offered a fresher aesthetic. That’s a fair critique, and it raises an interesting point about market saturation. However, it’s also worth noting that Formex’s execution of the ice blue palette is among the finest in the segment. The choice of silver-plating prior to the blue lacquer not only enhances legibility and depth but also adds a sophisticated metallic sheen that gives the watch a distinct identity.
As for the layout, the dial retains the clean, symmetrical design of the Essence line: a trio of central hands, applied markers, a beveled date window at 6 o’clock, and a black-printed minute track on a sloped chapter ring. The hour markers and hands are vertically brushed with polished facets and filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 for crisp nighttime visibility.
A minor design choice that may divide enthusiasts is the date disc, which appears in dark gray with black numerals. While some may argue for a color-matched disc to maintain visual cohesion, the contrast against the icy dial provides a pleasing balance, anchoring the lower half of the display opposite the Formex logo.\n\nTechnically, the Essence Space Glacier remains rooted in Formex’s proven architecture. The stainless steel case features the brand’s patented suspension system – four miniature springs absorb shocks and enhance wearing comfort. The central movement housing is made from grade 2 titanium, reducing weight and improving wrist feel, while the rest of the case is milled from 316L stainless steel with both brushed and polished facets.
Both watches are fitted with flat sapphire crystals (front and back) and are water-resistant to 100 meters. The 39mm model measures 10mm thick and weighs 65 grams without a strap; the 43mm version is 10.6mm thick and tips the scales at 80 grams. Inside beats the COSC-certified Sellita SW200-1, a 26-jewel movement with a custom skeletonized rotor, 41-hour power reserve, and a daily accuracy rating of -4/+6 seconds.
Buyers can choose between a stainless steel bracelet with a 4mm quick-adjust clasp or Formex’s signature straps—available in rubber, leather, or fabric—with a carbon composite deployant clasp that includes a 7mm micro-adjustment. All options include tool-free quick-release systems for easy strap changes.
Priced at $1,870 USD on strap or $1,990 USD on bracelet, the Essence Space Glacier sits comfortably alongside other exotic-dial variants in the Essence line. While only 100 pieces of each size will initially be produced, Formex describes the model as a “production edition,” leaving the door open for future releases.
In a market flooded with colored meteorite dials and ice-toned palettes, the Formex Essence Space Glacier stands out not by novelty alone, but through material authenticity, build quality, and a commitment to refined design. It may not reinvent the genre, but it certainly elevates it.
