Side by side

Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 41vsFormex Essence ThirtyNine

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

Essence ThirtyNine
FormexEssence ThirtyNine
MSRP $2,390
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 Day Date 41

Owners widely praise the Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 41 for its manageable 41mm case size, a welcome departure from larger traditional chronographs, and its simpler, less busy dial design. Reviewers and owners alike highlight its comfortable, slim profile, and the well-engineered, smooth rotating bezel that evokes aviation heritage. The watch is also noted for offering a day-date complication with a fully spelled-out day, a feature uncommon in its price range, and many find its vibrant lume and classic styling make it a great everyday watch. Accuracy is reported as excellent, with one owner noting regulation to within 2 seconds per day. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 41 highly for its practical size, refined dial, and compelling day-date complication.

Formex Essence ThirtyNine

The Formex Essence ThirtyNine is praised for its impressive build quality and value, featuring a patented case suspension system for comfort and protection. It houses a COSC-certified Sellita SW200-1 movement with a 38-hour power reserve and a tool-free strap quick-release system. A minor inconvenience noted is the specific closing order of the clasp. On balance, reviewers rate the Formex Essence ThirtyNine highly for its comfortable wearability and excellent value at its price point.

From video reviewers

The case suspension system enhances comfort and the COSC-certified movement is a strong feature. The bracelet exhibits noticeable rattle. Reviewers disagreed on the ideal case size, with some preferring the 39mm and others the 41mm.

At a glance

17 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 4141mm
Essence ThirtyNine39mm
Power Reserve
Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 4138h
Essence ThirtyNine41h
Water Resistance
Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 41100m
Essence ThirtyNine100m
MSRP
Aviator 8 Automatic Day Date 41$4,750
Essence ThirtyNine$2,390

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Mechanical
Dress
Diameter
41mm
39mm
Thickness
11.19mm
10mm
Lug-to-Lug
45mm
Finish
Stainless steel
Brushed and polished
Caseback
Solid

Crystal & Dial

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

Movement

5 specs
Caliber
Breitling 45
Sellita SW200-1
Beat Rate
0 vph
28,800 vph
Power Reserve
38h
41h
Jewels
0
25
Complications
Day-Date
None

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$4,750
$2,390
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 Day Date 41 vs Formex Essence ThirtyNine 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.