Which is cheaper, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Zelos Vitesse?

At MSRP the Zelos Vitesse is the cheaper of the two at $1,499, against $2,414 for the Formex Reef 42 mm — a $915 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Zelos Vitesse?

The Formex Reef 42 mm wears larger at 42mm versus 40mm for the Zelos Vitesse — a 2mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Zelos Vitesse?

The Formex Reef 42 mm is rated to 300m versus 50m for the Zelos Vitesse.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Zelos Vitesse?

The Formex Reef 42 mm carries a 56-hour power reserve against 40 hours on the Zelos Vitesse.

What movement does the Formex Reef 42 mm run compared to the Zelos Vitesse?

Both watches run automatic movements — the Formex Reef 42 mm uses the Sellita SW300-1 and the Zelos Vitesse uses the La Joux-Perret L100.

Side by side

Formex Reef 42 mmvsZelos Vitesse

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

Zelos Vitesse

vitesse

MSRP $1,499

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

Reef 42 mm42mm

Vitesse40mm

Power Reserve

Reef 42 mm56h

Vitesse40h

Water Resistance

Reef 42 mm300m

Vitesse50m

MSRP

Reef 42 mm$2,414

Vitesse$1,499

Full specifications

Case

7 specs

Crystal & Dial

2 specs

Dial Color

Black

Gulf

Lume

Super-LumiNova

None

Movement

2 specs

Caliber

Sellita SW300-1

La Joux-Perret L100

Power Reserve

56h

40h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$2,414

$1,499

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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.

Owners widely praise the Zelos Vitesse for its vintage motorsport design and striking dial options, with particular appreciation for the salmon and panda configurations and their finishing. The bracelet, clasp, and overall value at $1200 are frequently highlighted as strong points. Some owners note the watch sits high on the wrist, and a few have observed minor cosmetic imperfections on subdials. The La Joux Perret L100 movement's accuracy varies, with one report of +5 seconds per day, and several owners find the winding action stiff and noisy, the pushers sticky, and the screw-down crown's feel underwhelming. On balance, owners rate the Zelos Vitesse highly for its captivating dial and strong value proposition, despite some reservations about the chronograph's operational feel and case height.

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