Admittedly, the title of this review is mocking, but Formex, a Swiss micro brand with a generic name, is not here to joke around. Their "Essence Leggera" model, which is the latest addition to my collection, includes components that we generally only find on much more expensive models. For 1650 euros, Formex delivers a chronometer movement and therefore COSC certified, embedded in a carbon fiber case that brings a remarkable lightness to the wearer. Although the diameter of the watch is announced at 41mm in the SPEC, the latter seems less big on the wrist (which is not to displease me).
For this model, Formex offers a variety of colors for this model. I opted for the "electric blue" which I find particularly sublime. Finally, I took the NATO strap that equips the basic watch. It is possible to opt for a leather, nylon or rubber strap but these alternatives will cost you 140 euros more.


No, it's not a condom brand.

This watch is simply the jewel in my little collector's crown. I had been eyeing the Hanhart 417 ES model for over a year. The watch was at the top of my shopping list. But when Hanhart put this Red x Blue limited edition on sale, I immediately got it into my head to acquire it as soon as possible. Which became a reality last April. 
This edition, limited to 140 pieces, has all the signatures of the Hanhart brand (some of which are not present in the base model): 39mm in diameter, red index at noon, blue dial and especially the iconic red pusher at four o'clock. In addition, mine is numbered with the "021", a number that recalls a legendary French playmaker from Juventus Turin. 
On the technical side, the watch has a Sellita hand-wound movement with 58 hours of power reserve. With this Red x edition, Hanhart does not do things by halves by delivering a second mechanical chrono, sporting the same blue color of the watch dial.
The only small flaw I can find in the watch is... one of the reasons that pushed me to buy it: its blue Alcantara-style strap which is certainly beautiful but easily collects dust. To keep it, I bought a second black leather strap with white stitching, accompanied by the iconic "Bunde" which gives you the look of a seasoned aviator.


Wear it like Steve McQueen

I wanted to buy an affordable Japanese automatic watch. Who better than Seiko to satisfy my desires. So, I visited their site and there, it was love at first sight, the second my eyes crossed the photo of the Seiko Presage Cocktail and its green dial, its case with a sober but elegant design, its brown leather strap and its golden second hand which adds an interesting contrast to the whole.
I've been wearing it for more than two years and I'm still as captivated by the beauty of the dial that makes you look down at your wrist all the time. Besides, among the watches I own, the Presage is the one that has been complimented the most, both by my entourage and by complete strangers.

Japanese quality at a reasonable price

For my first automatic watch, I wanted to go for a Swiss and affordable watch. The Tissot brand immediately came to mind and the Tissot Le Locle finally ticked all my boxes at the time: black dial, a perfect diameter (39mm) and a reasonable price (€470 at the time). The watch does not raise the crowds or attract attention, but that is exactly what I was looking for with this watch. Its major flaw in my opinion: its Roman numerals, of which I am not the biggest fan.

My first automatic watch

I was interested in the history of Formex and I was charmed by it.
The Formex Essence Leggera is a light and elegant watch. Its carbon fiber case is topped with a ceramic bezel, a material that is also found on the signed crown. The green dial sports a "teak" pattern with the most beautiful effect. It knows how to remain discreet as well as play with the light to the point of having a syntillant emerald green.
I chose the green leather which suits it perfectly. It comes with two strands to cover the points from 16 to 20 cm and a carbon buckle with the possibility of quick adjustment.
It is a comfortable watch to wear every day.
The movement is a Sellita SW200-1 chronometer-certified (with the dated COSC booklet with the measurements of the movement of your watch).

If you are looking for a sporty, elegant and light watch, the Formex Essence Leggera is an excellent choice.

Sporty and elegant

La marque Ollech &amp; Wajs a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 1956 par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs &agrave; Zurich en Suisse. Albert &eacute;tait charg&eacute; de la conception, de l&rsquo;ing&eacute;nierie et de la fabrication des montres, tandis que Joseph s&rsquo;occupait du marketing et de la vente au d&eacute;tail. Avant de cr&eacute;er leur propre montres sous la marque Ollech &amp; Wajs, ils ont commenc&eacute; leur activit&eacute; en 1954 en fabriquant des bracelets en acier pour d&rsquo;autres marques.
La marque est connue pour avoir distribu&eacute; des montres &agrave; des unit&eacute;s de l&rsquo;arm&eacute;e am&eacute;ricaine pendant la guerre du Vietnam et pour avoir gagn&eacute; sa renomm&eacute;e aupr&egrave;s des plongeurs et pilotes du monde entier.
Apr&egrave;s 12 ans de n&eacute;gociation et apr&egrave;s avoir &eacute;t&eacute; son distributeur pour le march&eacute; fran&ccedil;ais, en 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, un passionn&eacute; d&rsquo;horlogerie, rach&egrave;te la marque. La gamme actuelle comprend des mod&egrave;les comme la Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph">Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> et la Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2>Combien co&ucirc;te une montre Ollech &amp; Wajs ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Ollech &amp; Wajs &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre CHF 1,500 et CHF 2,000 selon les mod&egrave;les et les finitions. Comptez CHF 1,456 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI et pr&egrave;s de CHF 2,300 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronographe. Le march&eacute; de l'occasion est &eacute;galement une opportunit&eacute; &agrave; regarder pour acheter une Ollech &amp; Wajs moins ch&egrave;re. Les mod&egrave;les Vintage notamment les Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron et&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, sont tr&egrave;s pris&eacute;es des collectionneurs et ils convient de bien se renseigner sur le vendeur avant de franchir le pas de l'acquisition d'une vintage.
Ollech &amp; Wajs est une marque de montres ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une Ollech &amp; Wajs qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_suisses">Classement des meilleures marques de montres suisses</a> dont Ollech &amp; Wajs fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Octobre 2024)

The brand Ollech &amp; Wajs was created in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs in Zurich, Switzerland. Albert was responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the watches, while Joseph handled marketing and retail sales. Before creating their own watches under the brand Ollech &amp; Wajs, they started their business in 1954 making steel bracelets for other brands.
The brand is known for distributing watches to units of the American army during the Vietnam War and for having earned its reputation among divers and pilots around the world.
After 12 years of negotiations and after having been its distributor for the French market, in 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, a watchmaking enthusiast, bought the brand. The current range includes models like the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> and the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an Ollech &amp; Wajs watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Ollech &amp; Wajs watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,000 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay CHF 1,456 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI and close to CHF 2,300 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronograph. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Ollech &amp; Wajs. Vintage models including the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, are very popular with collectors and they should find out about the seller before taking the step of purchasing a vintage one.
Ollech &amp; Wajs is an independent watch brand and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an Ollech &amp; Wajs that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
Consult the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> of which Ollech &amp; Wajs is part.
(Updated October 2024)

Formex Essence Leggera Owner Review : Light, precise and innovative

No, it's not a condom brand.

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Formex Essence Leggera Owner Review : Light, precise and innovative

No, it's not a condom brand.

Pros & Cons for this watch

Where to buy your Formex?

YOU ARE :

Other reviews published by T-RAB

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Customize your Formex with our selection of accessories:

ABP Concept

Hanhart
417 ES Red x Blue

Seiko
Presage Cocktail

Tissot
Le Locle Powermatic 80