Formex, one of the more well-known microbrands from Switzerland, has released a new aviation-inspired field watch called the AirField. At first glance, its overall silhouette looks familiar, bearing a clear resemblance to the brand’s Field Automatic collection. This time, however, Formex has taken that familiar platform and given it an aviation-inspired identity through a number of distinctive design cues, along with a fresh selection of dial colours.
Hardened Titanium Case
The Formex AirField comes in a Grade 2 titanium case, with the titanium hardened to achieve 900 Vickers. This makes the case significantly more resistant to everyday wear while retaining the lightweight character that makes titanium particularly appealing for a contemporary tool watch.
The case itself carries over the distinctive faceted profile of the Formex Field Automatic. Combined with the matte finish, those angular surfaces give the AirField a tougher appearance that should appeal to those who like a rugged tool-watch aesthetic.
Practicality is well covered here. The AirField features a screw-down crown and offers 150 metres of water resistance, while a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial. Around the back, unsurprisingly, there is a closed caseback featuring an aviation-themed engraving and a Formex logo in the centre.
Seeing this case profile made me think of another interesting watch — the ProFlight from the German brand Circula. If you like aviation-inspired designs and faceted cases, the ProFlight is another timepiece worth checking out.
As for dimensions, the AirField sits comfortably in the middle ground — neither particularly large nor small. The case measures 40 mm in diameter, 10.6 mm thick and 46.6 mm from lug to lug, with a 20 mm lug width.
There are two strap options to choose from: nylon or Italian calf leather, with both available in a variety of colours. The leather straps feature quick-release spring bars and come fitted with Formex’s carbon-fibre composite deployant clasp, which incorporates the brand’s patented 7 mm gradual micro-adjustment system for fine-tuning the fit on the wrist.
Aviation-Inspired Dial
The dial is where the AirField’s pilot-watch character really comes to life. Formex has incorporated a number of design cues to bring the intended theme into the watch.
The dial is rendered in a grainy texture that reinforces its utilitarian appearance. The large sword-shaped hands are designed with legibility in mind, while the seconds hand features an aircraft-shaped counterweight — a small decorative choice that helps tie the watch into its overall theme. Legibility is further supported by the large recessed hour markers, which are filled with lume in contrasting colours. At 12 o’clock, you’ll find the familiar triangle flanked by two dots, a design element traditionally associated with pilot watches.
A date window sits at 6 o’clock. Rather than simply cutting the opening straight into the dial, Formex has given it a bevelled edge, resulting in a more refined appearance.
The AirField is available in four dial colours: Tarmac Grey, Jet Black, Horizon Blue and Desert Sand. Of the four, Horizon Blue looks the most interesting to me, though that is, of course, entirely a matter of personal preference.
Sellita SW200-2 Power+ Movement
Inside the AirField is the Swiss-made Sellita SW200-2 Power+ automatic movement. It features 26 jewels and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). The SW200-2 is the latest evolution of Sellita’s long-running SW200 family, with the biggest practical improvement being its extended power reserve. The Power+ version offers around 65 hours of autonomy, a substantial increase over the roughly 38-42 hour power reserve of the earlier SW200-1.
Availability and Pricing
The AirField sits among the more affordable watches in Formex’s current lineup, with prices starting at €950 when paired with a nylon strap. Opting for the Italian calf leather strap brings the price up to €1,075.
Considering the hardened titanium case, Swiss movement and Swiss-made label, the asking price doesn’t seem unreasonable. The AirField is available to pre-order now directly through the Formex website.
