Formex Essence Ceramica Dark Matter
Swiss watch brand Formex expands the recently launched Essence Ceramica collection by introducing the new Dark Matter version featuring a blacked-out meteorite dial.
Earlier this year, Formex unveiled its ceramic Essence case with a full ceramic bracelet and the world’s first micro-adjustable ceramic clasp – paired with a series of skeleton and signature dials. The story continues with the addition of the new Ceramica Dark Matter model.
The solid Muonionalusta meteorite dial of this watch is treated with dark-nickel electroplating to accentuate its natural Widmanstätten pattern, shifting between deep graphite and metallic highlights; fully machined with soldered feet and a carved-out date window.
Unlike most meteorite or stone dials that are thin slices glued onto brass plates, the Dark Matter is engineered as a single solid component. This allows Formex to solder the dial feet directly into the meteorite, enabling a fully precision-milled, beveled 6-o’clock date window—a technical feat in dial manufacturing.
Set against the jet-black, ultra-scratch-resistant ceramic case, the dial appears almost gravitational, drawing the eye inward with its shifting crystalline fields. Gun-metal applied indices and hands hover above the surface, their brushed facets and polished bevels catching the light like orbiting fragments.
BGW9 Super-LumiNova® provides clarity after dark, while a tone-on-tone date disc keeps the visual field uninterrupted. Even “Swiss Made” moves discreetly to the rehaut, allowing the cosmos to take center stage.
This model has a 41mm diameter case with Formex’s patented Case Suspension System and a screw-down crown, paired with the world’s first micro-adjustable clasp in a full ceramic bracelet. All executed entirely in scratch-resistant zirconium oxide ceramic.
The launch of the Essence Ceramica COSC also introduced a new movement partner: Soprod. In 2023, work began on a bespoke Soprod caliber developed to Formex specifications: the Newton P092. Its architecture was selected for the symmetry of its 6–12 o’clock layout, placing the balance at 6 o’clock beneath a transverse bridge that enhances resistance to shocks and vibrations—an approach that echoes Formex’s own patented Case Suspension System. Incabloc’s double-cone shock absorber, considered a benchmark in the category, provides additional protection.
The Newton P092’s decorations and finishing were designed in-house to convey a modern aesthetic. Bridges feature a laser-textured grainé surface with vertically brushed edges, enhanced by a galvanic black-gold treatment. Traditional thermally blued screws add contrast, while the skeletonized rotor carries an openworked Formex emblem and a bold sunburst finish to catch the light through the sapphire caseback.
Reliability is ensured through independent Chronofiable® testing at Laboratoire Dubois in La Chaux-de-Fonds, where movements are subjected to accelerated ageing, extreme temperature and humidity variations, and 20,000 shocks of varying intensity. Every movement then undergoes the rigorous process for certification by the COSC, the Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.
Each Essence Ceramica is delivered with its COSC certificate, and every movement carries an individually engraved chronometer number.
The Essence Ceramica COSC “Dark Matter” is limited to a yearly production of 100 pieces and priced at CHF 4,150.00 on the full ceramic bracelet. Additional leather, rubber, and nylon straps are available separately.
Model: Formex Essence Ceramica “Dark Matter” COSC Automatic 41mm
Case
Scratch-resistant Zirconium Oxide Ceramic (Zr2), vertically brushed surfaces and diamond-polished bevels
41 mm diameter
11.2mm height
22mm lug width
46.2 mm lug-to-lug
Integrated and patented Case Suspension System with a titanium grade 2 container.
Glass: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with five layers of anti-reflective coating on the inside
Case back: Zirconium Oxide Ceramic (Zr2) with sapphire crystal display window
Waterproof to 100 meters / 330 feet
Dial
Solid Muonionalusta meteorite, finished with a dark-nickel treatment. Each dial’s crystalline structure is naturally unique, formed over millions of years—no two are alike. Gun-metal finished Indices with brushed surfaces and mirror-polished edges, filled with BGW9 Super-LumiNova®
Hands
Gun-metal finished with vertical brush and diamond-cut polished bevels filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9
Movement
Self-winding Swiss Made Soprod Newton P092
28’800 vph (4 Hz)
23 jewels
44 hours of power reserve
Hacking seconds
Quick date correction
Skeletonized rotor
Chronofiable®-tested and officially certified by the COSC
Functions
Central hours, minutes, and seconds
Date at 6 o’clock
Bracelet/Strap
Zirconium Oxide Ceramic (Zr2) solid-link bracelet with vertical brush finish and diamond-polished bevels. Taper from 22mm to 20mm. Removable pin & tube links, tool provided. Ceramic clasp with the world’s first and patented micro-adjustment system that allows adjusting the bracelet length over 5 mm in 4 gradual increments of 1.25mm for unparalleled fit customization – within seconds, without the need for a tool. The fit is adjustable on the fly without the need to open the clasp or remove the watch from the wrist.
Rubber, Nylon and Italian leather straps are available to purchase as add-ons. Those are mounted on Formex’s patented carbon fiber composite clasp with a gradual 7mm on-the-fly micro-adjustment system.
All straps and the ceramic bracelet can be changed using a quick-release system, which does not require the use of tools.
Weight
56g grams case only
137g grams on ceramic bracelet
Price
CHF 4,150.00/USD 4,920.00/EUR 4,590.00/GBP 3,850.00/CAD 6,690.00/AUD 7,100.00/JPY 705,500.00
International shipping, 30-day free returns, and 3-year international warranty included. All taxes, tariffs & duties included for shipping addresses within Switzerland, USA, the European Union, UK, Australia/NZ and Japan.
Availability
Available for pre-order starting December 9th, 2025 at 7am UTC. Shipments are expected to commence mid January 2026. Available on the Formex Online Boutique and at select local partners.
