Formex released an all-new entry-level field watch today, available in six colors and with either a choice of nylon or leather strap.
The Field watch case measures 41 mm x 10.6 mm and the case, bezel, caseback, and crown are made of lightweight grade 2 titanium. A special hardening treatment increases the Field’s surface hardness, which according to Formex, goes from 145 Vickers to approximately 900 Vickers on the hardness scale.
Titanium is hypoallergenic, anti-magnetic, and corrosion-resistant — and once the hardening treatments have been added, it becomes scratch resistant (which untreated titanium is not) and fingerprint resistant. The case has a grayish completely matte surface, meaning there’s no polish for no-fuss, because this is a field watch, and the purpose is reliability and legibility.
Naturally, a field watch case needs to be water-resistant and this has a depth rating of 150 meters, which should handle most anything you throw at it. The crown screws down to the case, so no worry about it accidentally unlocking. A premium sapphire crystal protects the dial, and an engraved honey-comb titanium screw-in caseback secures the movement side. The watch has a relatively short lug-to-lug of 46.6 mm and articulating lugs, for a comfortable fit.
The dial, available in either Charcoal, Petrol Blue, Ash Grey (pictured), Mahogany Red, Ultra Violet, or Sage Green, has recessed hour markers and indices that are created using a dial press, and which has an effect similar to the way a sandwich dial looks, despite a less complex construction. Interestingly, the outer perimeter of the dial curves upward, something the brand claims enhances legibility even further. Each of the index and numeral is filled in with being patinated lume, as are the syringe-shaped brushed steel hour and minute hands, and the lollipop center seconds hand has the lume on both the tip and counterweight. The brand name and emblem, a railroad-style chapter ring, “FIELD 150,” “SWISS MADE,” are printed on the dial in the same shade as the lume. Even the date wheel, which has an asymmetrical beveled opening, is printed in the same shade, and the wheel itself is also color-matched to each dial — a small but nice touch.
A reliable Sellita SW-200-1, which is automatic, runs at 4Hz, and has a 41-hour power reserve, presumably a standard grade version, is less accurate than a top or chronometer grade movement, but far more accurate than a Seiko caliber 4R36 comes out of the factory.
On a nylon strap, the Formex Field starts at $795 and it’s available now on their website.
Photo by Formex.
