Formex Watch: Essence 39 Automatic COSC Alpine White

Pre-order: delivery in October

Formex: the Essence 39 COSC, now equipped with the Sellita SW200-2 Power+ and a 65-hour power reserve

The Formex Essence 39 Automatic COSC Alpine White is the latest evolution of one of the Swiss manufacturer's most iconic watches. Designed as a versatile mechanical watch for daily wear, it combines a compact 39 mm 316L stainless steel case with a crafted alpine white dial, a steel bracelet visually integrated into the lines of the case, and an automatic chronometer-certified movement. With this new generation, the Essence 39 retains the design that made the Essence a success while significantly improving its mechanical specifications.

The case of the Formex Essence 39 White measures 39 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness, with a lug-to-lug distance of 45.5 mm and a lug width of 20 mm. It is crafted entirely from 316L stainless steel. The vertically brushed surfaces are paired with hand-finished mirror-polished chamfers. This alternation of finishes is found on the bezel, the bracelet links, and several details of the dial, giving the Essence 39 COSC Alpine White an aesthetic that is simultaneously sporty, technical, and refined.

One of the technical signatures of the Formex Essence 39 White remains Formex’s patented Case Suspension System. Four springs are integrated between the upper and lower parts of the case to allow it to slightly adapt to wrist movements. This system is designed both to improve comfort and to absorb some of the shocks transmitted to the mechanical movement. This Formex Essence 39 therefore retains one of the striking innovations that directly distinguish the Essence from a traditional three-hand watch.

The white dial of the Formex Essence 39 COSC features a vertical brushed finish that changes its hues depending on the light. The characteristic horizontal lines of the Essence are machined individually directly into the dial. The applied indices and faceted hands also combine brushed surfaces with mirror-polished, blued bevels. They are generously filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9, ensuring legibility in the dark. At 6 o'clock, the Formex Essence 39 White features a beveled date window accompanied by a date disc matched to the color of the dial.

The main evolution of the Formex Essence 39 is found inside the case. Formex now adopts the Sellita SW200-2 Power+, a recent evolution of the SW200. This Swiss Made automatic caliber operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, features 26 jewels, and extends its power reserve to 65 hours. It is selected here in Chronometer grade, and each movement is individually certified by the COSC after a 15-day testing protocol. The Formex Essence 39 COSC thus benefits from significantly greater autonomy than the previous version equipped with the SW200-1.

The Sellita SW200-2 Power+ of the Formex Essence 39 COSC features a Glucydur balance wheel, thermally blued screws, and a skeletonized rotor developed specifically by Formex. The movement is visible through a transparent caseback, which is also equipped with a sapphire crystal. Formex also states that it performs additional accuracy checks after casing to verify that the performance levels obtained during COSC certification are maintained once the movement is assembled in the watch.

The Formex Essence 39 White is protected at the front and back by sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective treatment. The new generation also adds a screw-down crown, whereas the previous Essence ThirtyNine used a push-down crown equipped with a specific security system. Water resistance remains set at 10 bar, or 100 meters, allowing the Formex Essence 39 to be used for swimming and snorkeling according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The Formex Essence 39 Alpine White is delivered on a solid stainless steel link bracelet. It tapers from 20 mm to 18 mm, can be removed without tools thanks to its quick-release system, and now features a butterfly clasp incorporating an instant micro-adjustment of 0, 3, or 6 mm. The watch officially weighs 139 g with its steel bracelet, compared to 65 g for the case alone. With these features, the Formex Essence 39 combines precise fit, interchangeability, and daily versatility.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Formex
• Collection: Essence
• Model: Essence 39 Automatic COSC Alpine White
• Movement: Swiss automatic mechanical
• Caliber: Sellita SW200-2 Power+
• Grade: Chronometer
• Certification: COSC, individual certification for each movement
• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour – 4 Hz.
• Jewels: 26
• Power reserve: 65 hours
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, stop-seconds, and date
• Case: 316L stainless steel with case suspension system, patented by Formex
• Diameter: 39 mm
• Thickness: 10 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 45.5 mm
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Weight: 65 g case only / 139 g with steel bracelet.
• Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
• Caseback: Transparent with anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Dial: Alpine White, vertical brushed finish with horizontal grooves machined individually by CNC
• Hands: Faceted, with brushed surfaces and mirror-polished bevels
• Indices: Hand-applied and faceted indices
• Luminescence: Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9
• Crown: Screw-down
• Bracelet: Solid stainless steel link bracelet, leather or rubber options available
• Bracelet width: 20 mm, tapering to 18 mm
• Clasp: Butterfly / folding clasp with patented micro-adjustment system
• Water resistance: 10 bar / 100 meters / 330 ft
• Origin: Swiss Made; designed, developed, and assembled in Biel/Bienne
• Formex warranty: 3-year international warranty.

Why choose this watch?

The Formex Essence 39 Automatic COSC Alpine White brings together several features rarely offered simultaneously in this format: a compact 39 mm case, a COSC automatic movement, a 65-hour power reserve, a patented suspension system, and 100-meter water resistance. The new generation also improves security with its screw-down crown and comfort with the new micro-adjustment on the steel bracelet.

The radiant dial, the multiple brushed and polished finishes, the sapphire caseback, and the decorated caliber also give the Formex Essence 39 an exceptionally high level of finish for a daily watch. The Formex Essence 39 White thus maintains the versatility that characterizes the Essence while benefiting from a substantial mechanical evolution thanks to the Sellita SW200-2 Power+.

About the Formex brand

Formex is an independent, family-owned Swiss watch manufacturer established in 1999 and based in Biel/Bienne. The name Formex comes from "extreme form" and reflects the brand's historical ties to engineering, motorsports, and the pursuit of technical solutions applied to comfort. One of Formex's signature innovations is its patented case suspension system, which is still present today in the Essence line.

Formex watches are designed, developed, and assembled at the headquarters in Biel/Bienne. With the Formex Essence 39, the brand continues this approach by combining Swiss manufacturing, a COSC-certified Sellita movement, patented adjustment and suspension systems, and a construction designed for daily use. The Formex Essence 39 White illustrates the technical philosophy of this independent Swiss manufacturer particularly well.