The Formex AirField watch merges the brand’s established rugged design with aviation-inspired features, all built around a hardened 40 mm titanium case. Unlike traditional pilot watches, it avoids retro styling while retaining core functionality—clarity, durability, and adaptability—for both ground and air use. The result delivers a timepiece equally suited to cockpits and outdoor adventures.
The titanium case, now hardened to 900 Vickers, matches the Field collection’s platform but offers five times the surface hardness of standard stainless steel. Weighing just 54 grams, it remains lightweight while enhancing resistance to daily wear. Additional practical touches include a screw-down crown and 150 meters of water resistance, ensuring the watch performs reliably beyond aviation settings.
Aviation influences appear most prominently on the dial, where broad sword-shaped hands improve readability. Recessed, hand-filled Super-LumiNova numerals provide strong contrast in low light, while a distinctive triangle-and-dot marker at 12 o’clock serves as an instant orientation guide. The design eliminates unnecessary complexity in favor of functional clarity, making time checks effortless in any environment.
Formex CEO Raphael Granito clarified the watch’s design intent: “The Field line provided the ideal foundation because field and pilot watches share the same core requirements, reliability, ease of reading, and unobtrusive comfort. The goal was to create something dependable yet so intuitive that wearers barely notice it.”
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The dial’s engineering emphasizes depth without bulk, with a sloped chapter ring rising toward the sapphire crystal. The stamped, finely grained surface offers a tactile instrument-like feel, while the beveled date window at 6 o’clock enhances visibility from multiple angles. Four dial variants, Desert Sand, Horizon Blue, Jet Black, and Tarmac Grey, each pair with a matching date wheel, allowing wearers to select a color that suits their style or setting.
Engineering for Comfort and Precision
Wearability extends to two strap options: a lightweight, washable nylon strap with Velcro closure for active use, and a leather strap paired with a carbon fiber deployant clasp offering 7 mm of gradual fine adjustment. This clasp allows precise fit changes without removal, aligning with Formex’s focus on comfort and adaptability across activities.
Under the case sits the updated Sellita SW200-2 Power+ movement, which extends the power reserve from 41 to 65 hours. This upgrade eliminates the need for frequent manual adjustments, making the watch practical for varied use, from outdoor expeditions to office settings where time checks would otherwise be inconvenient.
The watch’s reverse side features an illustration of a classic radial aircraft engine and propeller, reinforcing its aviation heritage while maintaining the Field collection’s utilitarian aesthetic. This mechanical reference pays tribute to an era when watchmaking and aviation engineering were closely linked.
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Pricing starts at CHF 830 for the nylon-strapped version and CHF 970 with the leather strap and carbon fiber clasp. Deliveries begin at the end of October 2026.
Aviation Meets Everyday Utility
The AirField’s design reflects a broader trend in modern timepieces: taking functional principles from specialized applications like aviation and adapting them for everyday wear. For pilots, it offers cockpit-level legibility and durability without added bulk. For casual wearers, the watch balances rugged outdoor capability with refined daily carry.
The case back’s radial engine illustration strengthens the aviation connection while preserving the Field collection’s practical focus. Combined with hardened titanium, an extended power reserve, and adaptable straps, the AirField positions itself as a versatile tool, equally effective on the ground as in the air.
Unlike many pilot watches that rely on retro styling, the AirField adopts a contemporary approach. It reinterpreted aviation principles through modern engineering, resulting in a timepiece that feels both familiar and fresh. This balance proves that aviation-inspired design need not be confined to historical aesthetics.
