Key takeaways
• Formex has introduced the Aria Manufacture Chronometer, an ultra-thin (6.9 mm) and lightweight (78 g) titanium integrated-bracelet watch.
• The watch features the new FX01 automatic micro-rotor movement, co-developed with Horage and individually certified by COSC with a 72-hour power reserve.
• The founders edition is limited to 100 individually numbered pieces across three dial colors, priced at CHF 5,900 / $7,900 with deliveries starting in September 2026.
(BIEL/BIENNE, SWITZERLAND) – It’s been almost ten years since Raphaël Granito began orchestrating the strategy of the Swiss watch brand Formex. Ten years during which collectors and enthusiasts around the world witnessed an ambitious, client-centric vision quickly taking shape, first with distinctive designs, smart functional solutions, and the introduction of innovative materials at competitive prices. Now the time has come to expand the brand’s horological opus with a fresh take on both the design and heart of a modern wristwatch: the new 40-mm Formex Aria Manufacture Chronometer marks the debut of the FX01 micro-rotor movement, co-developed with Horage and housed in an ultra-thin titanium case with an integrated bracelet and organic lines. A design that appears as if it was slowly shaped by the elements, carefully removing material over centuries to achieve its final, optimized form, resulting in an equally balanced and light presence on the wrist: just 78 grams light, and only 6.9 mm thick. The exclusive 100-piece founders edition of the Formex Aria Manufacture Chronometer will officially launch on May 29, with a choice of three dial colors, each inspired by Switzerland’s extraordinary variety of landscapes and habitats.
Shaped from Within, Engineered From the Inside Out
In nature, everything evolves. And everything has a purpose: “As a small independent watch brand, you simply cannot dream of re-inventing the ultra-thin mechanical wristwatch without having the right movement in the first place.” While Formex’s CEO Raphaël Granito has successfully worked with well-known base calibers and suppliers in the past, none of them have decided to invest in creating a high-performance micro-rotor movement, which has historically been the only way to reduce an automatic movement’s thickness. “Needless to say, there are several highly desirable micro-rotor calibers in the haute horlogerie segment of our industry, a few of them even available to outside brands, but we wanted to remain in the much more competitive environment that we are known for. More importantly, we needed to make sure that a reduction of the caliber’s thickness would not require compromising on performance or comfort, which automatically excluded traditional manual-wound movements, for example.” In the end, Formex found the perfect solution almost next door with Horage: In 2009, Andreas Felsl and his wife Tzuyu Huang started the process of designing and engineering an in-house watch movement from scratch, which is “among the most difficult of watchmaking ventures”, and that statement didn’t even include a micro-rotor architecture. Felsl: “It takes anywhere from 7 to 10 years to go from concept to production models.” With a thickness of only 2.9 mm, the FX01 is not only an exceptionally thin but also highly efficient modern Swiss Made caliber that combines chronometric precision (each movement is tested individually by the COSC, the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Authority), a long power reserve, anti-magnetic characteristics, and contemporary movement architecture with the typical Formex approach to finishing and engineering. More importantly, it allowed the team to completely rethink the design of an integrated-bracelet watch: “With the Aria, we wanted to offer more than a fresh breath of air for our most loyal customers: While the design was inspired by nature and the flow of time, the specs are unique: it’s an ultra-thin, ultra-light watch with an exclusive design and a COSC-certified Manufacture movement.”
A Polyphony in Watch Design
Every Aria model starts with a Grade 5 titanium block, also known as Ti-6Al-4V — the same alloy used in aerospace, marine, and surgical applications due to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, biocompatibility, skin-friendly properties, and corrosion resistance. Milling and shaping the 40-mm case is one thing; finishing is another matter entirely: the case and each link of the tapering titanium bracelet are hand-brushed individually, following the curves of a design that feels as if it were shaped over time by river water or wind. The rounded, organic surfaces require that every finishing step precisely follow the shape of the case and bracelet. This process cannot be automated without losing the subtlety and warmth of the overall design. A closer look at the links of the integrated bracelet shows that each one features a slightly curved surface. While barely visible to the naked eye, it can be immediately felt on the wrist.
In addition, mirror-polished bevels reflect light with surgical precision — a deliberate contrast that gives the 6.9-mm-thin Aria an understated yet unmistakable wrist presence.
The dial tells its own story: Stamped from a single piece of brass, lacquered and finished with a matte surface, the passage of time is turned into a sculptural landscape, not unlike a rock-cut basin: each beveled index sits on a slightly raised platform, the surrounding dropping away in a gentle concave curve which creates a sense of depth, despite the overall thinness of the watch. Each index breaks the dial’s curvature with a subtle radial line. The subdial for the small second is located at 6 o’clock, and the Formex logo is embedded across at the 12 o’clock position. To further increase contrast and legibility, the bevels of the hands and indexes are polished, the surfaces brushed.
The three dial options each bring their own character to this architecture: Selva Green (Ref. 0513.1.5103) carries the warmth of a forest floor — deep, organic, alive with amber undertones from the luminous indices. Ardesia Grey (Ref. 0513.1.5133) is cooler and more architectural, the color of mountain slate after rain. And Denso Blue (Ref. 0513.1.5033) hovers between storm and stillness — a dense, matte navy that absorbs light rather than reflects it, creating a contrast with the luminous material and surface finishes of the rose-gold-colored hands and applied indices.
Orchestrating Materials and Chronometric Performance
The Formex Manufacture Caliber FX01 is the brand’s first exclusive caliber, developed in collaboration with Horage. At the caliber’s core lies a micro-rotor architecture, a construction first introduced in the late 1950s. Unlike conventional automatic movements, where the rotor sits at the center of the movement, a micro-rotor is integrated directly into the caliber itself. This allows for a substantially thinner movement profile (in this case, 2.9mm versus the 4.6mm of a Sellita SW200-1) while simultaneously offering a more open and unobstructed view of the mechanics. However, one of the main challenges of micro-rotor movements is their winding efficiency, since a smaller rotor naturally carries less rotational inertia than a full-sized oscillating weight.
To overcome this, the FX01 utilizes a custom tungsten micro-rotor. Tungsten is an exceptionally dense material, enabling the rotor to generate greater winding momentum despite its compact dimensions. Combined with an ultra-efficient mainspring system, this construction improves winding efficiency by approximately 55%, enabling a power reserve of more than 72 hours. In practical terms, approximately one hour on the wrist can already generate up to ten hours of power reserve.
The FX01 also incorporates a flexible geartrain pinion engineered to eliminate backlash during time setting. By maintaining constant tension throughout the motion works, the system eliminates the microscopic free play typically present between gear teeth during hand adjustment. As a result, the minute hand reacts immediately and precisely to every movement of the crown, allowing for exact synchronization with a reference time signal. Beyond improving accuracy (every movement is individually tested and certified by the COSC), the mechanism also delivers a noticeably smoother, more refined crown-operating experience, underscoring the movement’s precision.
The FX01 has been equipped with a full silicon regulating system, including the hairspring, escape wheel, and pallet fork. Compared to traditional steel components, silicon is significantly lighter, entirely nonmagnetic, highly corrosion-resistant, and operates with extremely low friction. These characteristics improve long-term stability, efficiency, and consistency while reducing the need for lubrication in critical areas of the escapement.
As a modern high-performance movement, the FX01 also features matching movement aesthetics, thanks to a highly distinctive finish developed by Formex: the bridges feature galvanic black-gold plating combined with vertically brushed surfaces and laser-textured cutouts that reveal some of the movement’s deeper architectural layers. Hand-brushed bevels add contrast and depth throughout the caliber. The tungsten micro-rotor itself is finished with brushed surfaces and laser-engraved with the Formex logo.
Availability and Pricing
The founders edition of the Formex Aria Manufacture Chronometer is a limited production of 100 pieces in 2026, priced at CHF 5,900 each (EUR 7,600, $7,900). During the pre-order phase (starting at the end of May 2026), customers can freely choose their preferred dial color. Once the pre-order phase closes, each colorway will be produced in the number of watches pre-ordered, not to exceed 100 pieces in total. After all, adaptation, as the dominant dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection, applies not only to nature but also to watchmakers.
Delivery of the individually numbered watches is scheduled for September 2026.
About Formex
Launched in 1999, Formex has been pushing the boundaries of high-performance watchmaking ever since. The independent watch brand’s global success was made possible by Raphaël Granito, who acquired the brand in 2016 and quickly began revitalizing Formex with his team. Formex is based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, an industrial and watchmaking center since the 19th century. Thanks to its close vicinity to Dexel, a key component supplier, and Cadranor, a manufacturer of high-end dials for the Swiss watch industry, Formex can benefit from a new level of technical expertise and vertical integration.
True to its name – FORMe EXtrême, ‘extreme shape’ in French – Formex was born on the racetrack and has evolved into a leader in precision engineering, ergonomic design, and innovative materials. Its signature patented Case Suspension System enhances both comfort and shock absorption, while exclusive interchangeable strap and clasp systems set new standards for adaptability and ease of wear.
The collection currently consists of five families: Essence (and the ultra-light Essence Leggera made of carbon), Field, Reef, Stratos, and Aria. Prices start at CHF 750 for mechanical Field models with a hardened titanium case. With a hybrid distribution strategy and direct access to state-of-the-art development and manufacturing, Formex aims to continuously redefine expectations by offering contemporary watches that combine cutting-edge craftsmanship, uncompromising quality, and true Swiss innovation – across different price points and delivering exceptional value. https://formexwatch.com/
Technical Specifications
Formex Aria Manufacture Chronometer
Ref. 0513.1.5033 Denso Blue
Ref. 0513.1.5103 Selva Green
Ref. 0513.1.5133 Ardesia Grey
| Dimensions | 40 mm diameter, 6.9 mm height, 19 mm lug width, 45.45 mm lug-to-lug |
| Weight | 37 g (1.3oz) case only with movement 78 g (2.75oz) including bracelet |
Water Resistance | 3 ATM. Waterproof to 30 m/100 ft |
| Case | Titanium (Grade 5) |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside |
Case back | Titanium (Grade 5) and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | Stamped from a single piece of brass with a matte lacquered finish and concave surface architecture. Applied beveled indices are mounted on raised platforms with radial surface detailing. Small seconds subdial positioned at 6 o’clock. Formex logo integrated at 12 o’clock. |
| Hands/Indices | Rose-gold plated, vertically brushed surfaces with mirror-polished bevels for enhanced contrast and legibility. Indices and hands are filled with custom Tritec Super-LumiNova®. |
| Movement | Automatic Manufacture Caliber FX01 (hours, minutes, and seconds) with tungsten micro-rotor and small second at 6 o’clock; flexible geartrain pinion for backlash-free hand setting, silicon hairspring, escape wheel, and pallet fork; screw balance regulating system Diameter: 30 mm diameterHeight: 2.9 mmJewels: 25Frequency: 25,200 vibrations per hour (3.5Hz)Power reserve: 72 hoursChronometer certified accuracy: -4/+6 seconds per day (tested and certified by COSC) |
| Bracelet | Titanium (Grade 5) with quick-release end links. Double folding clasp with Formex’s patented micro-adjustment system, allowing 3 mm extension on each side without having to open the clasp/removing the watch from the wrist. |
| Pricing | CHF 5,900.00EUR 7,600.00USD 7,900.00GBP 6,500.00CAD 9,900.00AUD 1,’900.00JPY 1,300,000 International shipping included, with free 30-day returns and a 3-year international warranty. Taxes and duties are included for deliveries to the UK, Australia/New Zealand, Switzerland, and the European Union. For U.S. deliveries, all duties and tariffs are included; local sales tax is calculated and added at checkout. |
| Availability | Manufactured in a highly limited series of 100 individually numbered pieces for the founders’ edition. During the pre-order period (May to June 2026), customers can choose their preferred dial color. Once the pre-order phase closes, each dial variant will be produced in the quantities ordered, with a total production of up to 100 pieces.Delivery is scheduled to begin in September 2026. Available through the Formex Online Boutique and at select local partners. |
Eight Questions to Raphaël Granito, CEO of Formex Watch
First, the Stratos UTC, then the full ceramic Essence, and now the Aria: is Formex going upscale?
When we create a new model, we don’t think in price categories. We always start from a blank sheet. In the end, the price becomes a function of what we need to build and maintain a healthy, sustainable business around that product. The motivation behind everything is a passion for creating amazing products and pushing the innovation and design envelopes.
The Stratos UTC, the full-ceramic Essence, and now the Aria all came from the same process. We look for things that haven’t been done yet and try to execute them as well as we can. A full ceramic case and bracelet with fine adjustment, and now a high-performance micro-rotor movement in an ultra-thin dress watch reimagined our way. These are not easy things to bring to market, and we are proud of what our team has achieved.
We are beyond grateful to the customers who have trusted our creativity and execution from the beginning, who have walked with us, and who have allowed us to get to where we are today. That trust means everything to us, and we’ll always deliver amazing new launches within the price range we’re known for.
You’re known for rugged tool watches. What tempted you to do an ultra-thin watch?
When we created the Aria, we didn’t ask ourselves, ‘Should we do an ultra-thin watch?’ Instead, we asked ourselves what we could bring to a category that nobody had approached quite the way we had in mind. That’s been the starting point. Personally, I’ve long been a big admirer of some of the integrated bracelet watches out there. There’s something about that, when done right, seamless flow from case to bracelet that is genuinely hard to get right, and when it works, it’s one of the most satisfying things in watchmaking. We wanted to try our hand at it. That curiosity, stepping into a category we haven’t touched yet and seeing what we can do there, is honestly what makes this job exciting. We love our tool watches, and that will always be central to who we are. But staying in one lane forever would mean leaving many interesting ideas on the table. The Aria is proof that the Formex approach, being obsessive about specs, finishing, and value, translates just as well to an ultra-thin dress watch as it does to a diver or a field watch.
How did the collaboration between Formex and Horage start?
Horage is a company I’ve been following closely for more than ten years. What they have built as a small, independent team is genuinely impressive, and not just from a technical standpoint. The way they approach movement architecture and their willingness to rethink things from scratch have always resonated with me. We have both been traveling the watch show circuit, and we’ve therefore crossed paths many times over the years, and that kind of repeated contact builds a real friendship. When you spend enough time with people who share the same passion but specialize in a different area of the same industry, conversations naturally start going in interesting directions. At some point, it became obvious that we should try to build something together, and one thing led to another. The FX01 is the first result of that.
Does a Manufacture movement mean that there is a new strategy for the existing collection?
Not at all. When it comes to pricing and performance, movements like the Sellita SW 200 allow us to create accessible watches that are as reliable and rugged as one could hope for. But again, our creative process naturally makes us want to shake things up from time to time.
Looking at the new Aria, what was the biggest challenge?
Every component of the Aria presented its own challenges: the dial design posed myriad challenges due to its natural shape and 3D aspect within a very slim watch. The case design, with its very hard-to-finish convex lugs (that were very difficult to integrate with the bracelet), posed huge challenges for the design and manufacturing processes. The bracelet consists of very slim links, each with a very slight curve that reflects the light. Challenges related to the movement, thankfully, were masterfully addressed by the team at Horage, and the architecture and specs are already well tested and proven. The design process for the decoration, however, took quite some time, requiring extensive laser texturing to get the surfaces just right. We made many prototypes along the way and took our time over the past 2.5 years to get every component of this model exactly the way we wanted it, without making compromises we couldn’t stand behind. The fact that the initial launch date was October 2025 shows you how much extra time we took to get all the details just the way we wanted them.
What role did Dexel and Cadranor play in this project?
A very important one. Both companies, in their roles as suppliers and with their own engineering expertise, played an integral part in bringing this project to life. Every person who worked on the Aria did so as if it were their very own personal project, and it was a very fulfilling process. I’m very proud and extremely thankful to the people who collaborated on our most ambitious project to date.
Looking at the bracelet’s end-links, will there be alternative straps for the Aria?
Not in this first batch of the founders edition, but since we’ve built in a quick-release mechanism, you can expect different straps in the future.
Will the Aria be on display at any upcoming shows and events?
Definitely, one of the things we’re most excited about is getting the Aria on people’s wrists and sharing it in person with the watch community around the world. The collection will make its first public appearance at our launch event in NYC, at the Time+Tide Discovery Studio in SoHo, on May 28th, followed by TimeFest Bordeaux on May 29–30. From there, we’ll be bringing it to several upcoming events, including James Porter & Son in Glasgow on June 3rd, Hands On Horology in London on June 13th, Windup Chicago from July 10–12, and Intersect in Long Beach on July 18th. There are many more events and shows planned throughout the year, so the best place to keep track of where the Aria will be next is our events page https://formexwatch.com/pages/watch-shows-events/.
