he Essence Space Glacier, a new meteorite release by Formex, stuns with a dial finish that shimmers with fresh clarity, depth, and character. The effect is achieved through a unique two-stage finishing process, combining age-old technique with space-age technology.

Housed in the brand’s bestselling Essence 39mm and 43mm cases, the Space Glacier is powered by a COSC-certified Swiss automatic movement and features Formex’s patented performance and comfort-enhancing innovations, including the Case Suspension System, tool-free strap/bracelet interchangeability, and a deployant clasp adjustable on-the-fly in micro-increments.

Cut from a fragment of the Muonionalusta meteorite, one of the oldest known meteorites on earth at over 4.5 billion years, the dial of the Space Glacier carries within it the story of time itself. This fragment struck Earth just over a million years ago, after journeying across the cosmos where temperatures average –270°C. Space Glacier is no metaphor. It’s a statement. In its subtle ice-blue hue, the meteorite’s distinctive Widmanstätten pattern comes alive.

To do justice to the material’s natural brilliance, Formex developed a unique two-stage finishing process, combining advanced technology with age-old technique. First, a bright layer of 98% pure silver is electroplated directly onto the meteorite. Then, six ultra-thin layers of zapon teinté, a transparent, cellulose-based lacquer infused with just a hint of blue, are applied by hand. A perfect example of the brand’s enduring philosophy: to pursue excellence on two parallel tracks, tradition and innovation.

In perfecting the Space Glacier dial, Formex made a pivotal shift. Earlier prototypes used rhodium, but under the glacier-blue lacquer, the effect was too subdued. The breakthrough came with 98% pure sterling silver, which unlocks an unprecedented level of clarity and contrast, and makes the dial truly come alive.

This innovation builds on techniques developed for the Space Gold, where Formex first pioneered electroplated 18k rose gold on meteorite. In essence, each release refines the craft, always looking to enhance, never to repeat.

The Muonionalusta meteorite was first discovered north of the Arctic Circle, in what is now northern Scandinavia, a remote region locked in permafrost for most of the year and plunged into months of polar night. Impacting Earth more than a million years ago, this meteorite contains one of the oldest known materials on the planet: an iron core over 4.5 billion years old. The meteorite’s signature Widmanstätten pattern, the interlocking crystalline structure formed through millions of years of cooling on its voyage through space – forms organically and cannot be replicated. In other words, each Space Glacier dial is absolutely unique.

The meteorite dial on the Essence Space Glacier measures just 0.5 mm in thickness. It is its own canvas and yet it showcases a number of technical breakthroughs. Unlike most stone or meteorite dials, it is not glued to a brass plate. Instead, Formex directly solders the dial feet onto the meteorite itself - an approach only made possible by the material’s conductivity and the brand’s in-house expertise.

Perhaps most impressively, the Space Glacier features Formex’s signature beveled date window, machined directly into the meteorite. Precision-cut into this naturally brittle material, the angled aperture enhances both legibility and light play, thanks to the subtle contrast of the date wheel. As with all Formex timepieces, the brand forgoes the conventional black-on-white date display in favour of a more nuanced tone, one that complements the dial while preserving readability. Here, this discreet yet distinctive design choice adds yet another layer of depth to the dial.

“The Space Glacier felt like the natural next step after the Space Rock and Space Gold. But at Formex, we don’t just replicate what’s worked, we evolve. When we discovered that silver, not rhodium, brought out the full depth and brilliance of meteorite under the blue-tinted lacquer, it changed everything. That spirit, constantly refining, never settling, is part of our DNA. It comes from our roots in performance engineering and continues to shape every watch we make,” says Raphael Granito, CEO Formex Watch SA.

Encasing the Space Glacier dial is Formex’s signature Essence case, a high-performance design inspired by high-performance racing technology, available in both 39 mm and 43 mm sizes. The patented Case Suspension System uses four miniature springs between the upper and lower case to absorb shocks and optimise comfort. With a slim 10 mm (10.6 mm for the Essence 43 mm) profile, curved lugs, and precision-machined finishing, it delivers an ideal balance of robustness and wearability.

The hand-finished stainless steel case features vertically brushed surfaces offset by mirror-polished chamfers, a contrast echoed in the bracelet with Formex’s patented deployant clasp, and even the applied indices and logo. For improved legibility, the indices, logo, and hands receive a rhodium finish and are deep-filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9, ensuring clear timekeeping in low-light conditions.

For all-day, all-circumstance wearability, the Space Glacier includes Formex’s signature comfort features: the carbon fiber deployant clasp with gradual 7 mm micro-adjustment, and a quick-release system for tool-free strap and bracelet changes. The stainless steel bracelet includes screwed links, a 1.5x half link for precise sizing, and an integrated micro-extension, matching the comfort of the brand’s rubber and leather strap options.

The Essence Space Glacier is available as a production edition of 100 pieces for each the Essence 39 mm and 43 mm. With the Space Glacier, Formex once again sets the tone, reaffirming its commitment not only to creating exceptional timepieces, but also to delivering exceptional value. As the brand celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, the Space Glacier reflects everything Formex stands for: performance, precision, and innovation without compromise.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Formex Essence Space Glacier COSC Automatic 39 mm, SKU: 0333.1.6698
Formex Essence Space Glacier COSC Automatic 43 mm, SKU: 0330.1.6698

Dimensions

• 39 mm diameter, 10 mm height, 20 mm lug width, 45 mm lug-to-lug
• 43 mm diameter, 10.6 mm height, 22 mm lug width, 49 mm lug-to-lug

Weight

• 39 mm: 65 grams case only
• 43 mm: 80 grams case only

Water Resistance

• Waterproof to 100 meters / 330 feet

Case

• Stainless steel 316L with titanium grade 2 container

Crystal

• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Case back

• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment

Dial

• Muonionalusta meteorite dial, plated with a bright layer of 98% pure silver directly onto the meteorite. Then, six ultra-thin layers of zapon teinté – a transparent, cellulose-based lacquer infused with just a hint of blue – are applied by hand. Applied indices and logo with, vertically brushed and mirror-polished bevels. Indices deep-filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9

Hands

• Vertically brushed and mirror-polished bevels. Filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9

Movement

• COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres)-certified Sellita SW200-1 Automatic movement, fully decorated with a custom made rotor. 26 jewels, frequency 28’800 A/h (4 Hz), 41h power reserve

Strap/Bracelet/Clasp

• Stainless steel bracelet with screwed links and stainless steel buckle with patented 4mm micro extension. Italian leather straps or black rubber strap with carbon fibre composite clasp with patented gradual 7mm fine adjustment system.
• All straps and the bracelet can be changed using a patented Quick Release system and do not require the use of any tools.

Price

• $1,870.00 / €1,880.00 / £1,680.00 / CHF 1,850.00 on leather/rubber with deployant clasp
• $1,990.00 / €1,990.00 / £1,790.00 / CHF 1,950.00 on stainless steel bracelet