Side by side

CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue WatchvsFormex Reef 42 mm

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

Reef 42 mm
FormexReef 42 mm
MSRP $2,414
What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

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

CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch

Owners widely praise the CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch for its faithful homage to vintage military divers, highlighting details like the dial markings, luminous acrylic bezel, vintage logo, and well-proportioned hands. One owner reports accuracy under +2 seconds per day. However, some find the "faux patina" lume too gold and glossy, and the polished case unusual for a military watch. The fixed lugs are noted as a potential drawback for some, though others appreciate them as a tool watch feature. Opinions on the value are split, with some questioning the $2.5k price point due to the ETA movement, while others see it as a strong alternative to more expensive watches. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the CWC (Cabot Watch Company) 1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch well for its vintage aesthetic and tool watch capabilities, despite some reservations about its price and specific execution details.

Formex Reef 42 mm

The Formex Reef 42 mm is widely praised for its comfortable bracelet featuring a micro-adjust clasp, COSC-certified Sellita movement, and excellent build quality. Owners appreciate the gradient dial's visual appeal and the overall wearability. Some owners note the seconds hand does not perfectly align with markers, and one owner found the lugs' taper hinders third-party strap fit. The bracelet's length and sporty design are noted as limiting versatility by some. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Formex Reef 42 mm highly for its impressive wearability and value at the price point.

At a glance

9 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch45mm
Reef 42 mm42mm
Power Reserve
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch40h
Reef 42 mm56h
Water Resistance
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch300m
Reef 42 mm300m
MSRP
1980 RN Divers Automatic Re-Issue Watch$3,747
Reef 42 mm$2,414

Full specifications

Case

4 specs
Category
Diver
Diameter
45mm
42mm
Thickness
12.7mm
11.4mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Dial Color
Black
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
ETA 2824
Sellita SW300-1
Power Reserve
40h
56h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,414
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