Side by side

Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic 41vsFormex Essence FortyOne

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Essence FortyOne
FormexEssence FortyOne
MSRP $1,890
What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic 41

The Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic 41 is widely praised for its wearable 41mm size and slim profile, making it comfortable under sleeves. Owners appreciate its classic styling, unobtrusive date window at six o'clock, and the overall feel, with some noting it stands out as a military-style watch. The bezel is described as looking better in person, and the watch features a sapphire crystal with AR coating. Accuracy is reported within 2 seconds per day by one owner. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic 41 highly for its comfortable, slim wearability and classic aviation-inspired design at its price point.

Formex Essence FortyOne

Owners widely praise the Formex Essence for its comfortable bracelet, excellent finishing, and slim wearability, with some considering it the best in its price range. Reviewers highlight its compelling value, sporty-chic aesthetic, and build quality that suggests a more expensive product, noting the patented suspension system and chronometer-certified movement. Some owners dislike the brand name and logo, and the dial design is considered derivative by some. The 43mm case wears well due to its 10mm thickness and 49mm lug-to-lug, though some find it large on smaller wrists. A point of contention for some is the non-screw-down crown, despite its 100m water resistance. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Formex Essence highly for its exceptional comfort and build quality at its price point.

At a glance

16 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Aviator 8 Automatic 4141mm
Essence FortyOne41mm
Power Reserve
Aviator 8 Automatic 4138h
Essence FortyOne41h
Water Resistance
Aviator 8 Automatic 41100m
Essence FortyOne100m
MSRP
Aviator 8 Automatic 41$4,750
Essence FortyOne$1,890

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Mechanical
Dress
Thickness
10.74mm
10.6mm
Lug-to-Lug
21mm
46.5mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm
Finish
Stainless steel
Brushed and polished
Caseback
Solid

Crystal & Dial

5 specs
Crystal Shape
Flat
AR Coating
Inner
Dial Color
Arctic White
Indices
Applied
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

4 specs
Caliber
Breitling 17 (ETA 2824-2 base)
Sellita SW200-1
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
38h
41h
Jewels
0
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$4,750
$1,890
Keep exploring

More watches worth a look

Matched to the watches above on size, movement, style and price — microbrands first. Open any one to dig in.

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic 41 vs Formex Essence FortyOne gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

Adjacent matchups

People also compared

Comparisons nearby in the catalog — alternatives to the watches above paired against the matchup.