ABOUT THIS WATCH
Introduced for Formex’s 25th anniversary, the Essence Ceramica Skeleton COSC redefines ceramic watchmaking with a full-ceramic 41mm case and bracelet, offering exceptional scratch resistance, lightweight durability, and a lifelong fresh-out-of-the-box look. A COSC-certified skeletonized movement delivers top-tier chronometric precision, showcased through a multi-layered openworked dial crafted by Swiss dial specialist Cadranor, while the industry’s first micro-adjustable ceramic clasp ensures a perfect fit throughout the day.
Available in two versions, “Stradale” and “GT,” each limited to 88 pieces, this collection pushes the boundaries of high-end ceramic engineering. It combines the exceptional finishing of vertically brushed surfaces and diamond-polished bevels with Formex’s patented Case Suspension System for enhanced comfort and shock absorption. Thanks to its close connection with Dexel—a leading expert in ceramic watch components and owned by the same family, Formex leverages over 40 years of expertise, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with this advanced material, at a price point unheard of in the industry.
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FEATURES
An Automatic, also called self-winding watch, is a mechanical watch in which the mainspring is wound automatically as a result of the natural motion of the wearer's arm, to provide energy to run the watch, making manual winding unnecessary. All our Automatic movements are manufactured in Switzerland.
A chronometer is a watch that has been tested and certified to meet the most strict precision and accuracy standards. “Chronometer” isn’t just a name that any watch brand can print on the dial of its watches. It is an official nomenclature, defined by precise rules, which lay down the definition of the term “chronometer”, describing the categories, the test programme and the acceptable minimum requirements for wrist chronometers. In Switzerland, the COSC, or Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, is the only official organisation allowed to certify chronometers.
Modeled with high-performance bikes and racing cars in mind, Formex’s patented Case Suspension System works by integrating four springs between the upper and lower watch case. The result is the ultimate shock absorption system designed to protect the watch movement and deliver unparalleled comfort to the wearer.
This watch features an ultra-strong and light-weight folding clasp, made of carbon fiber composite and a stainless steel or titanium buckle. The gradual fine adjustment system allows you to tighten or loosen the strap length when the wrist size varies due to temperature and activity.
All straps and bracelets can be interchanged by hand without the use of any tools and in a few mere seconds. This allows you to easily swap straps on the go and wear your personal style for any occasion.
A sapphire crystal or “glass” is a very hard, transparent material made of crystallizing pure aluminium oxide at extremely high temperatures. Sapphire is one of the hardest substances on earth. It measures 9 on the Mohs scale (diamond measures 10, the highest rating), which is a system for rating the relative hardness of various materials, making it virtually scratch proof.
Applying AR coating will limit the reflection on a sapphire or mineral glass to a very low level.
The transparent case back, made of sapphire crystal, makes it possible to see the movement inside the watch.
Water resistance measures how much water pressure a watch can handle before it breaks. This measurement is important to know for the proper care and keeping of your watch. Water resistance of 100 m / 330 ft means that it can be used for swimming, snorkeling, and similar activities.
We back our watches with a 3-Year international warranty. In the rare case of a malfunction or a movement defect, you can contact us and send your watch back free of charge and we’ll repair it for you within 2 weeks.
Formex is dedicated to online payment security. We do not store any of your payment information. We offer payment solutions tailored to your shipping destination. Please proceed to checkout to view your local payment options.
All watch prices already include free shipping worldwide. As soon as we have processed your order, you will receive a tracking number to follow your package. Expect your watch within 2 business days within Europe, or within 3 business days for overseas orders. If for any reason you think it’s not the right fit, you can return your watch free of charge. If you contact us before returning or exchanging your watch, we’ll even have your shipping expenses covered.
All our watches are designed, developed and assembled in-house at our headquarters in Biel-Bienne, Switzerland and meet the current, more strict Swiss Made requirement, which entered into force on January 2017. Every single piece undergoes a variety of quality and functionality controls, before making it to your wrist.
MASTERING THE ENGINEERING OF CERAMIC
The Essence Ceramica Skeleton COSC brings advanced ceramic expertise to the forefront with its sophisticated combination of vertical-brushed and diamond-polished finishes. Achieving such refined surface treatments in ceramic requires exceptional skill, specialized diamond tooling, and a profound understanding of the material. Thanks to its close connection with Dexel – a reference in the watchmaking industry and a leading expert in ceramic watch components, owned by the same family – Formex benefits from over 40 years of specialized expertise, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with this advanced material. Each case and bracelet component undergoes multiple finishing stages, resulting in a dynamic interplay of light that brings the ceramic to life – and gives the watch striking wrist presence.
OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED MOVEMENT
Inside the Essence Ceramica, a COSC-certified movement ensures the top-tier chronometric performance to match. With ruthenium-plated and vertically brushed bridges, it is on full display through the front and back. We've chosen a Swiss movement's highest quality grade "Chronometer" because it comes with premium components such as a Glucydur balance wheel which is exceptionally hard and stable, very resistant to deformation, non-magnetic, and non-corrosive. The movement is completely decorated and wound by Formex’s in-house developed and custom built skeletonized rotor. Each one of these movements is certified by the COSC (the official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) and undergoes the meticulous 15-day rate test to ensure extraordinary levels of mechanical accuracy and precision. Each certified chronometer is unique, identified by a number engraved on its movement and a certificate number issued by the COSC. While less than 3% of Swiss watch movements are officially certified, Formex further rate test them per the same criteria after assembly, to measure if there is any deviation from the certification rates.
WORLD'S FIRST MICRO-ADJUSTABLE CERAMIC CLASP
Extending the same level of precision engineering beyond the case, the Essence Ceramica Skeleton COSC is fitted with a full-ceramic bracelet that mirrors the case’s meticulous finishing. Its brushed surfaces and diamond-polished bevels catch the light with every wrist movement, creating a dynamic interplay of reflections. A true breakthrough lies in the integration of Formex’s purpose-designed, patented micro-adjustable ceramic clasp—a world first—seamlessly incorporated into the ceramic bracelet. Unlike traditional metal clasps, which can be easily machined or even stamped, ceramic’s hardness makes such precision engineering extraordinarily challenging. Yet, Formex has not only succeeded in crafting a ceramic clasp that seamlessly matches the bracelet but has also integrated its patented micro-adjustment system. This groundbreaking mechanism, operating over a range of 5 mm in increments of 1.5mm, allows for fine-tuning the fit on the fly to expand or shorten the bracelet in both directions – for perfect comfort, while the watch is on the wrist, with the clasp closed, and without tools.
UNIQUE, IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURED DIALS
The openworked dial, produced in-house by Cadranor, is a feat of micro-engineering. Brushed and polished surfaces interact with the skeletonized movement and its components, underscoring its intricate architecture. Thoughtfully applied colored Super-LumiNova® accents enhance legibility without disruption, ensuring a seamless fusion of art and engineering. The result is a captivating balance of depth, visibility, and functionality. The Essence Ceramica Skeleton COSC expresses this balance through four iterations, each with its own character and unique interplay of color and contrast.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Since the beginning of Formex in 1999, the patented Case Suspension System has been an integral part of Formex timepieces. Its two main functions are:
- absorbs shocks to protect the mechanical movement from heavy impacts
- adds to the comfort on the wrist by adapting to the wearer’s movements
Modeled with high-performance bikes and racing cars in mind, the Formex patented case suspension system works by integrating four springs between the upper and lower watch case. The result is the ultimate shock absorption system designed to protect the mechanical movement and deliver unparalleled comfort to the wearer.
This patented case suspension system brings form and function together for Formex Swiss Made watches. It’s functional, it’s state of the art engineering and it’s unquestionably unique - all in one watch.
FINE-ADJUSTMENT DEPLOYANT CARBON CLASP
Your leather, rubber or nylon strap comes on Formex’s deployant clasp with a patented fine-adjustment.The Leggera version is made entirely out of our proprietary carbon fiber composite. The 7mm gradual micro-adjustment can be operated while the watch is on your wrist. Lightweight, smooth to the touch,ultra-durable and highly functional, this clasp is a real piece of engineering, making your watch even more comfortable to wear.
