Talk me out of a Formex Essence 39 black

The biggest annoying thing about the watch to me is that if you don’t want to wear it on bracelet then you either gotta use Formex straps or buy curved spring bars for other straps to be used.

As a former Royal Marines Commando. The word Essence was part of our vocabulary/slang. This watch for me is not Essence.

But, if you love it then it’s the one. But if you don’t, then leave it 👍🍻

Beautiful watch. But, I would go second hand and save a bundle.

In my biased opinion the CW is a better buy. It's only 2/3 the price of the Formex, and has a more classic style.

The Formex is a great watch, and quite like them myself, but I think the design will become very "90's TAG" over time, if you get what I mean.

In 10 years I think the CW will still look somewhat contemporary, while the Essence may look more "of it's time".

Sinn 556 would get more attention with that double ar coated black dial

Can’t do it. Amazing watch, love it and would buy it myself.

It’s better than the others listed. Cool suspension case. Awesome bracelet. The name is OK. It carries some swagger as an insider’s watch. But then maybe it’s trying too hard. Do you need a suspension case? Is its industrial aesthetic a bit overdone or merely skin deep without purpose? Gimmicky? Maybe the name does sound like something used to disinfect dairy stalls. Maybe its micro status will have people not recognizing the name and thinking you got it from Ali Express. It’s your call.

I will talk you out of no such thing. Pull the trigger, I say.

If it was my money, it would be the Sinn 556. Without hesitation.

But I am biased, I did spend my money on a 556. Haha.

I have been on the fence about this same watch. It is the bracelet that keeps me from doing it. No micro-adjust other than a "flip out" piece that reminds me of a crappy diver's extension. The suspension case is what I like about it. The other thing is the hands feel a little small.

You want the forged carbon version tho.

I had the sinn 836. If you have the wrist for it, it is an awesome watch.

I’ve got an Essence 39 in burgundy. It’s extra comfortable and a nice-looking watch; I’m not sure if I’d get it in black. IMHO, if I wanted a black watch, I’d want a bolder face & design.

The only reason I would not buy it is because I’m very actively waiting for a relaunch of the malachite-dial version. The black is really good looking too though 😍

The Sinn 556 I RS (I have the arabic version)

1. Mine runs dead-nuts accurate in the crown down, and -1 dial up. Every 2 months I might lose 40 seconds! Bonkers. Negligible beat error.

2. The crystal does not exist when looking at it. I have no idea how much AR coating is applied but its just refuses to allow photons to bounce off.

3. The H-link bracelet is fantastic, very comfy.

4. Whole thing is built like a brick shithouse.

5. One small niggle- twice I have caught the back of the clasp on something, which pulls out the divers extension, which pop the whole clasp. Mind you this has happend 2 time in 400+ days of wear. But the whole thing can be avoided by not having a divers extension on a non-diving watch. I understand that some use it to wear the watch on the outside of a jacket sleeve, but I am not that cool, so to me its a potential liability

6. It has ruined all other tool watches for me. Its not a huge watch, nothing flashy, but commands attention on the wrist more than most. Purest tool watch I have ever seen.

Under 2000? I’ll do you under 200 for basically the same thing!

Haha, I am just trying to talk him out of it. I actually like the watch 😂

Yeah this is great advice, and how I wound up with my Oris Pro Pilot X Calibre 400 after about a year and a half of looking at cheaper alternatives (including, coincidentally, the Formex Essence 39 which really is a great timepiece!) and mentally coming back over and over to the PPX. This video actually gives some really good advice about basically this technique, it's worth a viewing: https://youtu.be/OetaesOP8Wg?si=rUa82_ZjXifHAWox.

As to the quandry, I did indeed try on a few Essence 39s at a local AD and it's a really nice watch. The problem was my heart was still with the PPX so it didn't really take. But I still love the look, especially the white dial. I haven't ruled out picking it up at some point. That said, I also own a 556 (A, RS) which I'm wearing as I type this and have loved it for the better part of the two years I've owned it so far. Definitely would not hesitate to recommend a Sinn.

Tough choice. If you're going black dial though, I'd definitely go Sinn 556A or 556i. If you're looking at other options like the white dial, the Essence 39 is a pretty easy choice. I don't like their darker colours (tried on blue) as they have very visible vertical brushing marks on the dial which "grate" to my eyes with the horizontal lines on the dial (which is my favourite part of the watch and reminds me of the "teak" dials on the Omega ATs).

Leaves you some money in the jar too ;)

I refuse to talk you out of getting the Formex. One of my very favorite brands. Of those you listed I would definitely go for the Formex.

Every day I look down at the watch on my wrist and think “it would be perfect if only it had a suspension” … LOL.

I bought the rubber and leather as well from formex with their deployant, but tbh the bracelet is among the most comfortable ive had and i keep it on bracelet the majority of the time now

Buy the Formex - it's as good or better than all the alternatives. It's the watch you want - so no need to talk you out of it. Share pics once in hand!

Sorry but I cannot fault your choice as I would like a Formex Essence myself.

I have the Sinn 556i, CW Sealander and a blue dial Formex Esseance.

All great watches which are keeper’s in my collection.

Out of the three which do i think is the better watch?

The 556i is a well made versatile watch that can be dressed up on a Sinn black leather strap or made to look very casual on a Sinn grey canvas strap. Mine keeps time well within COSC tolerances.

The CW is a green dial version it has a lovely case design & finishing and fantastically comfortable bracelet and clasp. It is also the most inaccurate watch I own, it varies at around +15 s/day.

The Formex is IMO the best watch of the three. It’s the blue dial version.

The CW beats it for the bracelet and clasp and the Sinn beats it for versatility just by swapping out straps but in other aspects I prefer the Formex. The dial is interesting and beautifully executed (perhaps the blue could be more vibrant), the finishing is top notch and the COSC certified movement removes concerns about out of the box accuracy. I like the innovative features (suspension system and clasp extension) which make the watch feel rather unique and ‘different’.

Caveat: I think the Formex looks best with a white dial and perhaps the black does not quite do it justice. The Sinn black dial suits that watch perfectly.

Naff named gimmicky microbrand that'll shed value as soon as you've bought it.

Get something from a big name brand, enjoy the kudos and value retention and a name you can be proud of, rather than embarrassed by.

No offence, but you did say try to talk you out of it 🤣👍🏻

And that is why posting on watchcrunch is so great, direct comparison of someone who has all three is very helpful! I think you might be on to something though, I've always liked the Formex more colourful dials and perhaps the Sinn is the better black dial watch.

So... get the Sinn and keep the Formex in red or green on the shortlist? 🤔

Solid effort, thanks for sticking to the brief 😆

Is there a big name you would suggest? I do like the Longines someones suggested above, which has the huge benefit of actually trying it out for real before buying.

✅The Sinn is a fine black dial watch.

On a black canvas.

I do like my Essence though.

I'm an Omega fan, so I'd suggest an Aqua Terra, buy used. Or I agree, Longines are a class act 👍🏻👍🏻