The production process for Formex’s limited edition watches sounds like the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster. To source Muonionalusta meteorite fragments for their new limited edition watches – the Essence ThirtyNine Space Rock and Essence Leggera FortyOne – Formex traveled into a region north of the Arctic circle. The ground there is generally frozen solid, and the sun is MIA for months at a stretch.
After gathering the extraterrestrial elements, the Swiss watchmaker transforms them into perfectly flat discs, then treats each face to bring out a unique “Widmanstätten” pattern millions of years in the making.
As for everything else, there’s nothing new to say for those already familiar with Formex’s standard stainless steel Essence ThirtyNine and carbon fiber/ceramic combo Leggera FortyOne watches. Aside from the meteorites on their faces, the ThirtyNine and FortyOne are identical to their earthbound siblings.
They both feature the Essence collection’s comfy case suspension system and sport 100-meter depth ratings – though why anyone would take this watch underwater after all it’s been through is beyond us. Wearers will enjoy the same COSC chronometer-certified Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement as the standard models, with timekeeping performance guaranteed between six seconds fast and four seconds slow. A 41-hour power reserve keeps things ticking between wears.
Interestingly, obtaining one of the scarce watches won’t set you back much more than the regular price of admission for an Essence, which is probably why the Space Rock 39mm is already sold out. As of writing, the 41mm is still available for pre-order at just under $2,000. Horologists hankering for these watches best act before the next meteor strike: Formex is only making 88 Leggeras.
For more horology-related news, see the NOMOS Club Date Limited Edition Collection For Hodinkee.
