Formex: Field Automatic Gen 2
Rugged. Refined. Ready.
PRESS RELEASE | 1341 WORDS | 13 MINUTE READ
Where the original broke ground, the latest evolution stakes new territory. Three new dial colors–Ice Blue, Coho Salmon, and Basalt Grey–combined with meaningful engineering advances to redefine the field watch. All in a titanium case built to brave the elements, with a profile that elegantly slides under the cuff.
The Field Automatic Gen 2 traverses the boundary between rugged utility and urban sophistication–because 'being in the field' never means just one thing. This evolution elevates a watch designed for versatility into an essential time piece that seamlessly transitions from backcountry to boardroom.
Photo Courtsey: Formex
Key Takeaways:
Three new dial colors, three bold new statements: Ice Blue, Coho Salmon, and Basalt Grey open new horizons for the Field collection and its wearers. True to Formex’s watchmaking tenets, each is designed for maximum legibility and impact.
Engineered to endure, designed to engage: The Field’s case, crafted from lightweight Grade 2 titanium. It undergoes a proprietary process that boosts its hardness from 145 HV to 900 HV – combining the workability and aesthetic possibilities of Grade 2 with more ruggedness on the surface.
Complexity serves clarity: The technically challenging dual-component dial combines a flat sunburst center with a sloped minute track. Paired with the sandwich construction for recessed numerals and Formex’s signature beveled date window, the result amplifies dimensionality and legibility.
Rooted in heritage, refined for now: The dial’s stencil aesthetic nods to military heritage yet projects a contemporary vibe. The combination of cardinal markers and a numeral chapter ring enriches information without clutter.
Detail, not distraction: Color-adjusted Super-LumiNova® blends seamlessly into the hour and minute hands by day, giving them more presence and enhancing contrast, while the color-coordinated date wheel preserves clarity. And in low light, the lume delivers just the right pop.
Extremely functional, supremely comfortable: Also debuting with the Field Automatic Gen 2’s 40mm matte titanium case are three new nylon straps. These complement the array of choices available in chic leather and ultra-comfortable nylon-velcro variants. All, of course, feature tool-less interchangeability and in the case of the leather options, come with Formex's patented adjustable-on-the-fly Fine-Adjustement Deployant Clasp.
BIEL/BIENNE, SWITZERLAND – Formex introduces the Field Automatic Gen 2. This latest evolution elevates the original with three daring new dial colors—Ice Blue set against a serene forest backdrop of crystal clear water and open sky, Coho Salmon glowing in the warm hues of a natural sunset, and Basalt Grey grounded in the rugged character of city streets. Engineered for adventure and designed with an urbane sensibility, the Field Automatic Gen 2 is housed in a 40mm Grade 2 titanium case hardened from 145 HV to 900 HV for exceptional scratch resistance while preserving titanium’s signature lightness and hypoallergenic properties. The re-engineered dual-component dial construction integrates a flat sunburst center, recessed stencil numerals filled with color-adjusted Super-LumiNova®, and a sloped minute track, creating a virtual landscape on the wrist. Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, it also features Formex’s patented performance and comfort innovations, including tool-free strap interchangeability and an on-the-fly fine-adjustment deployant clasp. Pricing starts at USD 870, with pre-orders opening on May 22 and deliveries beginning in late June 2025.
Grade 2 Titanium: Rugged by Nature, Refined by Design
The Field’s 40mm Grade 2 titanium case is central to its performance. Naturally lighter than stainless steel and hypoallergenic, anti-magnetic and corrosion-resistant, this material is ideal for extended wear. Unlike harder Grade 5 titanium, Grade 2 offers greater workability, allowing Formex to sandblast and shape the case with precision. This process yields a distinctive matte texture and soft, tactile feel — perfectly aligned with the character of a field watch. At the same time, it enables intricate beveling, allowing this Field to blend ruggedness with the refinement of a faceted case.
To ensure durability, Formex hardens the Grade 2 titanium from its natural 145 Vickers hardness (HV) to an exceptional 900 HV, creating a case that’s not only remarkably robust but also nearly three times harder than Grade 5 titanium. The choice of case metal for the Field adds another singular quality: it develops a natural patina over time, evolving uniquely with each wearer as its surface reacts to individual skin chemistry and environmental conditions.
A Dial That Does More
A field watch conjures visions of rugged terrain, dense forest, and unforgiving landscapes — but at its core, it’s about venturing beyond the familiar. And that can happen anywhere. Just as the dial serves as a reassuring constant in unknown surroundings, it can also inspire. That idea sparked Formex’s bold expansion of the Field palette: energizing blue, earthy salmon, and cool grey.
Yet the Field’s new dials aren’t just about color — they’re a study in depth and dimension. Each is constructed in two parts: a sunburst-finished center encircled by a chapter ring bearing stencil numerals, mounted atop a sloped minute track that rises toward the bezel. The result is a saucer-like profile that plays with light and shadow. Combined with recessed numerals filled with color-adjusted Super-LumiNova®, the dial achieves a striking 3D effect that enhances legibility while revealing subtle details over time. It’s a dial designed to deliver clarity when you need it — and depth that rewards every glance.
Impeccable All-Circumstance Credentials
Like every Formex timepiece, the Field Automatic Gen 2 is engineered for uncompromising performance in any environment — urban, wild, or anywhere in between. Water-resistant to 150 meters, shock-resistant, and powered by a time-proven Swiss automatic movement, Formex’s Field is built to thrive under pressure — of any kind. That’s because, at its core, a field watch that deserves the title, must be about uncompromising dependability. And because out in the field, the details are what makes the difference between dinner and disaster.
On the Field, every element serves a purpose beyond aesthetics: from the faceted case geometry and high-contrast dial architecture designed for instant legibility, to the recessed luminous numerals that glow reliably in low light, and the patented fine-adjustment clasp that adapts effortlessly to changing conditions throughout the day — all without needing to take the watch off.
Completing the Concept
The Field Automatic Gen 2 also expands the palette of nylon straps — engineered to mirror the collection’s thoughtful design ethos. Woven from an innovative blend of nylon and Velcro, they combine durability with an unexpected depth of texture and tone, echoing the dimensional interplay of the dial. More than a practical solution, these straps transform a functional necessity into an intentional design statement, enhancing comfort and adaptability across climates and conditions — whether navigating misty forest trails or sealing deals in the city.
And for situations that call for a touch of elegance, the Field also offers leather strap options — letting wearers transition effortlessly (and without a tool) between rugged and refined, between sporty and chic. Because at Formex, even a field watch is designed to be flexible: just because it’s built to venture beyond civilization doesn’t mean it’s not civilized. Thanks to Formex’s patented fine-adjustment deployant clasp, the fit stays secure, ergonomic, and easily adaptable throughout the day, without ever removing the watch. Every detail is engineered to complete the experience — ensuring that the Field is, in every sense, worthy of its name.
“What I love about the Field collection is that it lets us challenge expectations. We see the field watch as a piece of kit that is bare bones but sophisticated — meaning it can be thoughtfully engineered, beautifully finished, and still deliver the rugged dependability people expect. The Formex Field embodies our approach of offering exceptional value, of exceeding expectations not just in materials and finishing, but in the entire experience of wearing the watch. This isn’t just a watch that does the job — it takes pride in how it gets it done. That’s why the Field isn’t just rugged or refined; it’s both, in equal measure.”
- Raphael Granito, CEO Formex Watch SA
Pricing and Availability
The new Formex Field watches are available for pre-order starting May 22nd, 2025 at USD 870.00 on a nylon/velcro strap, or USD 995.00 on a leather strap and carbon deployant clasp, with deliveries beginning in late June 2025 .
For further information visit formexwatch.com