This Gorgeous, Affordable Field Watch Puts a Modern Twist on the Classic Design

Formex presents the second generation of a new variation on the field watch form that updates the look and performance for the 21st century.

By Brad Lanphear

Published May 22, 2025

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Updated May 22, 2025

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From Timex to Hamilton, titanium appears to be the material of choice for field watches these days, and for good reason.

The metallic alloy is lighter and stronger than steel, both welcome upgrades in the field. So, a titanium case was crucial when Formex designed a modern take on the classic military issue, outdoorsman-favored timepiece.

three Formex field watches — The Field Automatic Gen. 2 comes in three dial colors.

The Swiss boutique watchmaker advanced the traditional field watch form with modern materials and a funky retro-futuristic font with the original Field Automatic.

It included an angular titanium case with a bead-blasted finish, a fully lumed dial and a workhorse Sellita movement.

Building on that foundation, the second generation sports an updated dial with a sandwich construction that adds depth and radiance.

a pink dial Formex field watch on a man's wrist — The new dial is layered with a sandwich construction.

Three new nature-inspired dial colors come with this new chapter. Coho Salmon and Ice Blue emphasize the contrasts of the dial texture, while Basalt Grey creates a uniform color by blending with the case.

a gray dial Formex watch — The Field Automatic is optimized for easy strap changes.

Formex gives as much thought to strap design as it does to cases and dials. The Field Automatic is optimized to exchange straps easily, and two different styles are offered with the watch, each with novel ways to achieve a perfect fit.

Out and about

The Field Automatic is a 21st-century take on what the field watch has always been: a timekeeping tool sturdy enough for rugged conditions and proper enough to look good with a uniform — or, in most cases, a suit.

a blue field watch on a man's wrist — The Field Automatic has 150m water resistance.

The dial pays homage to the format that has existed since WWII, with a railroad minute track placed outside of large Arabic numerals indicating each hour.

Modern flair is applied to the number font and the hands, which are simplified and rounded-off versions of the old-fashioned syringe hands.

Every detail on the dial and hands is painted with Grade A Super-LumiNova, and the dial is topped with an anti-reflective-coated sapphire crystal, creating excellent legibility in all conditions.

a Formex field watch in the dark with dial lume glowing — The Field Automatic has a fully lumed dial.

Formex updated the Field Automatic Gen. 2 with a sandwich dial that is comprised of a round central plate with radial brushing and a wide, satin-finished chapter ring placed on top of a matte plate that creates a sunken ring for the hour markers.

The date window is dropped one layer deeper below the bottom plate with a beveled window.

Stay strapped

Formex offers two types of straps for the Field Automatic. The elastic nylon option is ideally suited for outdoor adventure and casual everyday wear, and the leather alternative provides an elevated look that still works in the field.

a watch strap on a man's wrist — Formex’s elastic nylon strap has a strong velcro closure.

The elastic nylon strap is a single piece, but it doesn’t pass under the watch case. Instead, it attaches to the lugs on one end with a spring bar, then passes through the opposite lugs, wrapping around the spring bar, and layers over itself. It is secured with a Velcro-like panel on the underside of the strap.

The leather strap is available in black, light brown, dark brown and gray-blue, each with wraparound stitching on the ends. It is equipped with quick-release spring bars and Formex’s patented Fine-Adjustment Deployant Clasp.

the case back of a Formex watch — The leather straps are attached with quick-release spring bars.

Designed to enable micro-adjustments without taking your watch off, the clever length adjustment system has a sliding bar built into the clasp that is engaged by squeezing a lever.

a Formex field watch with a leather strap — The Field Automatic has four different leather strap options.

Formex didn’t make any functional updates to the Field Automatic with the Gen. 2 because none were needed. It was already one of the best field watches for under $1,000.

The aesthetic updates to the dial and case make the new Field Automatic much better looking. Radial brushing on the inner dial and the satin finish on the chapter ring really pop in the sunlight, and I get the impression that the effect is best experienced on a freshly ascended mountain peak.

Availability and pricing

The Formex Field Automatic Gen. 2 is now available for preorder from Formex for $870 on a nylon velcro strap and $995 on a leather strap with a Fine-Adjustment Deployant Clasp.

Orders will begin shipping out in late June.

Formex Field Automatic Gen. 2

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Sellita caliber SW200-1 automatic
Water Resistance	150m

$870 at Formex

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.