Formex Motorsport watches

The Formex Motorsport Automatic Chronograph (reference family 3100) is a large racing chronograph from Formex, an independent, family-owned watchmaker based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, and making watches since 1999. The brief came from a driver: the Spanish racer and Formex ambassador Alex Toril asked for a big, clearly legible dial whose main functions read at a glance, in a light, tough case that is comfortable to wear.

That brief produced a 46.5 mm case, 15.7 mm thick, in stainless steel and titanium, water resistant to 10 bar, under a sapphire crystal. The black dial carries a tachymeter scale. Inside is the ETA/Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph, turned in the case so that the crown, its guard and the day and date display sit on the left, which lets the watch be worn low on the wrist. The case uses Formex's patented case suspension system, which lets the case move to protect the movement from shocks and vibration.

The versions differ by bezel and finish. The 3100.1.8140 is the plain steel-and-titanium watch with a red aluminium bezel. The 3100.4.8122 keeps the red bezel on a PVD-coated case. The 3100.9.8299 is the limited edition of 999 pieces, PVD-coated with a carbon bezel. The last digits of the reference give the strap: .110 or .100 for the bracelet, .216 for calf leather and .910 for rubber.