arbon is not a new material. It is the oldest one—the foundation of organic life, and, in its engineered form, one of the most advanced materials used today.

With the Reef 39.5 Forged Carbon, Formex brings these two realities together. Not as a claim of performance, but as an exploration of material: how forged carbon introduces a new visual and tactile dimension that finds a natural place within the language of a modern dive watch. Not Woven. Not Layered. Forged.

Though both express high-performance material science in different domains, forged carbon differs fundamentally from woven carbon fiber in its visual signature.

Instead of ordered strands that are layered and cured, short carbon fibers are distributed in a form and compressed under heat and pressure into a dense composite. The result is a surface without repetition—each dial and bezel develops its own structure.

Look closely, and the light shifts subtly over the surface. Movement emerges through variations in tone, filaments, and transitions. The scale of the pattern and the overall visual rhythm are defined before pressing the block of carbon from which the dial and bezel are made. For the Reef, Formex worked toward a pattern that feels closer in spirit to the watch it inhabits. The result is not designed in the conventional sense, but neither is it accidental. It sits between the two: guided, but never fully dictated – a controlled randomness.

There is more engineering to the aesthetics. Integrating forged carbon into the Reef requires adapting the watch to the material—not the other way around. The dial is constructed on a brass base plate, necessary for structural stability and for the attachment of dial feet. To ensure visual consistency, the base is treated with a black galvanic finish, preventing any interference with the carbon’s depth.

Retaining the bevelled date window at 6 o’clock—a Formex hallmark and one of the Reef’s defining details—requires precise control of thickness and layering, ensuring a crisp and consistent geometry.

On the bezel, the process is equally exacting. Numerals are engraved using a femtosecond laser that removes material without generating heat that could damage or alter the composite—the carbon is not excavated, but effectively vaporized. The engraved cavities are then filled by hand with BGW9 Grade A Super-LumiNova, applied under a microscope using a pneumatic syringe, before being cured to secure the material in place.

Raphaël Granito, CEO of Formex Watch SA: “Carbon is usually associated with performance — racing, aerospace, high-stress environments. At Formex, we’re very familiar with the material and its applications, both through our motorsports heritage and across our collections. With the Reef, the approach was different. It’s not about optimizing weight, but about exploring the material’s visual and structural qualities—and integrating it properly. That’s where the real challenge is. And if you look at how the light plays across the forged carbon pattern, on both the dial and the bezel, you see why it makes so much sense here.”

Beneath the surface, the fundamentals remain unchanged. The 39.5 mm case balances presence and wearability; with a 45.5 mm lug-to-lug span and a slim 11 mm profile that sits comfortably on a wide range of wrists. The Reef’s signature crown guard combines protection with comfort and ease of wear.

Water resistance is rated to 300 meters, supported by a screw-down crown and a fully functional dive bezel. The COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 – selected for its longer power reserve of 56 hours and a slimmer profile – contributes to a more compact case and improved wrist feel. Details remain consistent with the Reef’s design language: faceted indices angled toward the center, brushed surfaces paired with polished bevels, and finishing that reveals itself fully under magnification.

The Reef’s interchangeable bezel system remains central to the watch’s architecture. The forged carbon insert becomes one expression—ceramic, steel, and other options allow the watch to move across configurations without breaking its coherence.

Strap options include steel bracelet, rubber, leather, and nylon—all equipped with quick-release systems and, depending on the version, Formex’s fine adjustment mechanisms for quick, tool-free adaptability.

2026 marks Formex’s inaugural participation at Chronopolis, a new event taking place from April 14 to 18 at Les Halles de l’Île in central Geneva, during the same week as Watches and Wonders. Conceived as an open, walk-in format set within a landmark venue, Chronopolis brings together a curated group of independent brands in a setting defined by accessibility and direct exchange. The new Reef, alongside the full Formex collection, will be available for hands-on discovery.

“We look forward to our first time at Chronopolis during this important week in Geneva. The character of the event aligns naturally with how we engage with people who appreciate watches—open, direct, and without barriers. It creates the right context to experience a watch as it should be: up close, in hand, and in conversation.” – Raphaël Granito, CEO of Formex.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Formex REEF 39.5mm “Forged Carbon” Automatic COSC 300M
• SKU 2201.1.6399
• Dimensions: 39.5mm diameter, 11mm height, 22mm lug width, 45.5mm lug-to-lug
• Water Resistance: Waterproof to 300 meters / 1000 feet
• Case: Stainless steel 316L with titanium grade 2 container
• Glass: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside
• Case back: Stamped and laser engraved stainless steel 316L
• Bezel: Unidirectional, interchangeable forged carbon bezel with hand-filled BGW9 numerals
• Dial: Forged Carbon with hand-applied triangle-shaped hour markers, vertically brushed with mirror-polished bevels, filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9
• Hands: Vertically brushed with mirror-polished bevels, filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9
• Movement: COSC-certified Sellita SW300-1 Automatic movement, 25 jewels, frequency 28’800 A/h (4 Hz), 56 hours power reserve
• Strap/Bracelet/ Clasp options: Italian calf leather (black, black or brown with croco pattern) on carbon fiber deployant clasp with patented gradual 7mm fine adjustment system. Quick-release springbars. Black rubber strap on carbon fiber deployant clasp with patented gradual 7mm fine adjustment system. Patented quick-release system. Stainless steel bracelet with screwed links and stainless-steel buckle with patented gradual 10mm fine adjustment system. Patented quick-release system.
• Certification: COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres)
• Price &Availability: CHF 1,890 / USD 2,230 / GBP 1,990 / EUR 2,070 on Stainless Steel Bracelet. CHF 1,760 / USD 2,085 / GBP 1,820 / EUR 1,960 on Rubber/Nylon/Rubber Strap. Taxes & duties, international shipping, 30-day returns and 3-year international warranty included for customers in the UK, Switzerland and most EU countries. Local Sales taxes charged at checkout for addresses in the USA.

The initial production batch is limited to 100 pieces. This Reef is exclusively delivered with the matching Forged Carbon bezel. Additional 39.5 mm bezels are available as optional add-ons and can be swapped tool-free.

Shipping is expected to begin in early May 2026, with orders fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Your 30-day free return period begins on the day your watch is delivered.