Which is cheaper, the Formex Essence Fortythree or the Grand Seiko SBGA384?

At MSRP the Formex Essence Fortythree is the cheaper of the two at $1,850, against $29,500 for the Grand Seiko SBGA384 — a $27,650 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Formex Essence Fortythree or the Grand Seiko SBGA384?

The Formex Essence Fortythree wears larger at 43mm versus 40mm for the Grand Seiko SBGA384 — a 3mm difference across the dial.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Formex Essence Fortythree or the Grand Seiko SBGA384?

The Grand Seiko SBGA384 carries a 72-hour power reserve against 38 hours on the Formex Essence Fortythree.

What movement does the Formex Essence Fortythree run compared to the Grand Seiko SBGA384?

The Formex Essence Fortythree runs a automatic caliber (Sellita SW200-1), while the Grand Seiko SBGA384 runs a spring drive (9R15).

Side by side

Formex Essence FortythreevsGrand Seiko SBGA384

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

Add a watch

Formex Essence Fortythree

MSRP $1,850

See the full Essence Fortythree

MSRP $29,500

Buy from Grand Seiko ↗

Buy used on eBay ↗

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

Essence Fortythree43mm

SBGA38440mm

Power Reserve

Essence Fortythree38h

SBGA38472h

Water Resistance

Essence Fortythree100m

SBGA384100m

MSRP

Essence Fortythree$1,850

SBGA384$29,500

Full specifications

Case

5 specs

Diameter

43mm

40mm

Thickness

10.6mm

12.5mm

Lug-to-Lug

49mm

46.2mm

Lug Width

22mm

19mm

Material

Stainless Steel

Gold

Crystal & Dial

3 specs

AR Coating

—

Yes

Dial Color

Black

—

Lume

Super-LumiNova

None

Movement

3 specs

Caliber

Sellita SW200-1

9R15

Type

Automatic

Spring Drive

Power Reserve

38h

72h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$1,850

$29,500

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.

DuFrane Watchesmicro

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Formex Essence Fortythree vs Grand Seiko SBGA384 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.

Formex Essence FortyOnevsGrand Seiko SBGA384 Formex Essence ThirtyNinevsGrand Seiko SBGA384 Smith & Bradley Draper AutovsGrand Seiko SBGA384 Grand Seiko SBGA384vsZero West FS-2 Flying Scotsman AV86 1971 AutomaticvsFormex Essence Fortythree Formex Essence FortythreevsMinor Watches Minor Heritage Black Blue Automático

Edit this comparison Add another watch More dress comparisons Best Dress Watches Under $2,000 Explore more 39–44mm watches

Formex Essence FortythreevsGrand Seiko SBGA384

At a glance

Full specifications

More watches worth a look

Whitney Lauren Collaboration 2025

Heritage The Traced

Barton Springs III 42mm Mechanical Diving Watch

Wristmaster Slim Small Seconds CMM.29

70s Military

The Cincinnatian - Sold Out. Discontinued. Legacy

DB-1 BLACKOUT LANCASTER

Chronograph

Follow this matchup

People also compared