Formex Watch: Airfield Automatic Desert Sand

Formex: the AirField Automatic Desert Sand, a hardened titanium pilot's watch

The Formex AirField Automatic Desert Sand translates the lightweight architecture of the Field collection into the world of aviation watches. Its 40mm hardened Grade 2 titanium case frames a finely grained sand-beige dial designed to maximize readability. The broad hands and recessed Arabic numerals give the Formex AirField Beige an identity directly inspired by cockpit instruments.

The Formex AirField Desert Sand boasts particularly well-proportioned dimensions, with a 40mm diameter, 46.6mm lug-to-lug, and 10.6mm thickness. Its Grade 2 titanium case features a hardening treatment that brings its surface hardness to approximately 900 Vickers, while maintaining a weight of just 54g for the case alone. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial of this AirField Sand, while a screw-down crown and 150-meter water resistance reinforce its status as a tool watch.

The Formex AirField Desert Sand is powered by the new Sellita SW200-2 Power+, a Swiss Made automatic movement with 26 jewels, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour / 4 Hz. This evolution of the SW200 extends the power reserve to 65 hours while retaining the hour, minute, second, and date displays. The date disc is color-matched to the dial, allowing the AirField Beige to maintain a particularly legible, monochromatic presentation.

The Formex AirField Desert Sand is offered on a beige nylon strap that is lightweight, durable, waterproof, and elastic. Its quick-release spring bar system allows the strap to be changed without tools. The solid caseback, decorated with a radial engine and propeller, extends the aeronautical theme of this AirField, which was designed, developed, and assembled by Formex in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Formex
• Collection: Field
• Model: AirField Automatic Desert Sand
• Movement: Self-winding mechanical
• Caliber: Sellita SW200-2 Power+
• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour - 4 Hz
• Jewels: 26
• Power Reserve: 65 hours
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
• Case: Grade 2 Titanium
• Case Treatment: Hardening treatment bringing surface hardness to approx. 900 HV Vickers
• Finish: Matte, satin/brushed
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 46.6 mm
• Thickness: 10.6 mm
• Weight: 54 g
• Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
• Caseback: Solid titanium, decorated with an aircraft radial engine and propeller
• Dial: Finely grained sand beige
• Hands: Broad hour/minute hands, sandblasted finish
• Second hand: Thin, with aircraft-shaped counterweight
• Indices: Recessed Arabic numerals and hour markers filled individually
• Luminescence: Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A
• Crown: Screw-down
• Strap: Nylon or leather options
• Strap width: 20 mm
• Clasp: Adjustable Velcro closure; deployment buckle for leather straps
• Water resistance: 15 ATM / 150 meters
• Origin: Swiss Made
• Formex Warranty: 3-year international warranty

Why choose this watch?

The Formex AirField Automatic Desert Sand combines a compact and lightweight hardened titanium case with Swiss mechanics offering a 65-hour power reserve. With a diameter of only 40mm and a 46.6mm lug-to-lug, the AirField Beige prioritizes versatile ergonomics while offering an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown, and 150 meters of water resistance. The titanium hardening treatment to approximately 900 Vickers is also a significant advantage in minimizing marks from daily wear.

The Formex AirField Automatic stands out primarily for its focus on readability: grained beige dial, recessed Arabic numerals individually filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A, sword hands, and a second hand with an aeronautical counterweight. Paired with the nylon strap, this AirField Sand represents one of the most technical and lightweight offerings in the Formex lineup for those seeking a Swiss Made automatic watch inspired by aviation.