Which is cheaper, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE?

At MSRP the Formex Reef 42 mm is the cheaper of the two at $2,414, against $4,400 for the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE — a $1,986 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE?

The Formex Reef 42 mm wears larger at 42mm versus 41mm for the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE — a 1mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE?

The Formex Reef 42 mm is rated to 300m versus 30m for the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE?

The Formex Reef 42 mm carries a 56-hour power reserve against 40 hours on the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE.

What movement does the Formex Reef 42 mm run compared to the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE?

Both watches run automatic movements — the Formex Reef 42 mm uses the Sellita SW300-1 and the LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE uses the L688.5.

Side by side

Formex Reef 42 mmvsLongines LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE

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

Formex Reef 42 mm

reef-42mm-automatic-cosc-300m-black

MSRP $2,414

Longines LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE

L2.816.1.93.2

MSRP $4,400

At a glance

11 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

Reef 42 mm42mm

LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE41mm

Power Reserve

Reef 42 mm56h

LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE40h

Water Resistance

Reef 42 mm300m

LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE30m

MSRP

Reef 42 mm$2,414

LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE$4,400

Full specifications

Case

6 specs

Crystal & Dial

2 specs

Dial Color

Black

Blue

Lume

Super-LumiNova

None

Movement

2 specs

Caliber

Sellita SW300-1

L688.5

Power Reserve

56h

40h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$2,414

$4,400

Follow this matchup

Get a note when Formex Reef 42 mm vs LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE gets more votes, a community discussion, or a price drop. No account needed.

What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

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

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.

WatchUSeek

A Blog to Watch

Fratello

LONGINES AVIGATION BIGEYE

Owners and reviewers widely praise the Longines Avigation Bigeye for its unique, asymmetric dial, vintage military aesthetic, and cohesive design, with one reviewer noting its GPHG Best Revival prize win. The tactile chronograph pusher action and reliable L688.2 column wheel movement are highlighted, as is the watch's legibility and versatile strap-swapping potential due to its 20mm lug width. However, criticisms include the 30-minute sub-dial's three-minute hash marks, which some find compromise reading speed, and the lack of drilled lugs. The watch's thickness, around 14.45mm, is noted as typical for its movement, and some owners mention minor QC issues with chronograph hand alignment and a loud rotor. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Longines Avigation Bigeye highly for its distinctive vintage-inspired design and solid chronograph performance at its price point.

Keep exploring