Anytime any sort of saving or budgeting for a watch comes into play, you open the box containing your new purchase hoping that it truly is all that it’s cracked up to be. This goes for a $200 Seiko or, in my recent case, the $1265 USD Formex Essence Automatic Chronometer in the Silver dial, and I can say – it did more than impress. A Swiss made, chronometer certified watch with great finishing and a solid feel for under $2k are few and far between.

The Formex Essence Automatic Chronometer houses the Sellita SW200, certified by COSC and accurate to +4/-6 seconds per day, with a custom skeleton rotor and thermally blued screws that really stand out. I opted for both the bracelet and the brown leather strap with it’s forged carbon deployant clasp that feels as light as air. The bracelet features brushed links with polished edges and the leather strap is plenty supple and needs no work. There is absolutely no taper on the bracelet, which can make it feel very chunky and substantial, but the build quality is obviously there with every link articulating on its own. I was very satisfied with the variety of fitted strap and bracelet options that Formex offers – ensuring this watch can be dressed up, down, and sideways. Everything is quick-release.

The case is 43mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug of 50mm and 22mm lugwidth. The case wears every bit of its dimensions, and I wouldn’t recommend this watch for a wrist under 6.75 inches. The crown has no guards with a highly polished finish and signature hexagonal symbol. This high polish finish makes the crown difficult to grip and therefore wind, but all this may be forgiven when you look closely at the dial and see all those beautiful brushed textures complimenting the horizontal etched lines. Overall, the Formex Essence Automatic Chronometer feels like a well-kept secret that should be on everyone’s radar.