Side by side

Astor + Banks AB ClásicovsFormex Essence Fortythree

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

AB Clásico
Astor + BanksAB Clásico
MSRP $1,500
Essence Fortythree
FormexEssence Fortythree
MSRP $1,850

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
AB Clásico40mm
Essence Fortythree43mm
Power Reserve
AB Clásico40h
Essence Fortythree38h
Water Resistance
AB Clásico50m
Essence Fortythree100m
MSRP
AB Clásico$1,500
Essence Fortythree$1,850

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
40mm
43mm
Thickness
10.6mm
Lug-to-Lug
49mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm
Material
316L Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
50m
100m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Dial Color
Silver
Black
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
ETA 6497-1
Sellita SW200-1
Type
Manual
Automatic
Power Reserve
40h
38h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$1,500
$1,850

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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.

Astor + Banks AB Clásico

The Astor + Banks Silver is praised for its nice finishing on the case and dial, with a nice texture on the dial. The watch's lug-to-lug fit is relatively slim, making it comfortable to wear. A weakness of the watch is its lume, which could be a bit brighter.

Formex Essence Fortythree

Owners widely praise the Formex Essence Fortythree for its comfortable wearability, excellent finishing for its price point, and a dial that plays well with light, with one owner noting the blue dial's variable appearance. The bracelet's micro-adjust system is functional, and the leather strap and deployant are considered exceptional. Reviewers highlight the watch's legible design and slim 10mm case, noting its significant value under $1,300. Some find the dial design derivative and the hardware-style logo out of place, while others consider the white dial stark. Consumer confusion exists regarding COSC versus non-COSC movement options. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Formex Essence Fortythree highly for its luxury-level finishing and comfortable, value-driven design.

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