Which is cheaper, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

At MSRP the Formex Reef 42 mm is the cheaper of the two at $2,414, against $7,700 for the Grand Seiko SBGH289 — a $5,286 gap before any retailer discounting.

Which is bigger, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 wears larger at 43.8mm versus 42mm for the Formex Reef 42 mm — a 1.8mm difference across the dial.

Which has better water resistance, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

The Formex Reef 42 mm is rated to 300m versus 200m for the Grand Seiko SBGH289.

Which has a longer power reserve, the Formex Reef 42 mm or the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

The Formex Reef 42 mm carries a 56-hour power reserve against 55 hours on the Grand Seiko SBGH289.

What movement does the Formex Reef 42 mm run compared to the Grand Seiko SBGH289?

Both watches run automatic movements — the Formex Reef 42 mm uses the Sellita SW300-1 and the Grand Seiko SBGH289 uses the 9S85.

Side by side

Formex Reef 42 mmvsGrand Seiko SBGH289

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

Grand Seiko SBGH289

sbgh289g

MSRP $7,700

At a glance

9 of 29 specs differ

Diameter

Reef 42 mm42mm

SBGH28943.8mm

Power Reserve

Reef 42 mm56h

SBGH28955h

Water Resistance

Reef 42 mm300m

SBGH289200m

MSRP

Reef 42 mm$2,414

SBGH289$7,700

Full specifications

Case

4 specs

Diameter

42mm

43.8mm

Thickness

11.4mm

14.7mm

Lug-to-Lug

47mm

51mm

Water Resistance

300m

200m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs

AR Coating

Inner

Yes

Lume

Super-LumiNova

None

Movement

2 specs

Caliber

Sellita SW300-1

9S85

Power Reserve

56h

55h

Pricing

1 specs

MSRP

$2,414

$7,700

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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.

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 is praised for its legible blue dial, strong Lumibrite, and the accurate Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85 movement. Reviewers note its bright initial lume glow, though its longevity is questioned compared to other models. The watch features Grand Seiko's Super-Hard Coating for scratch resistance and retails for €7,200. Overall, reviewers highlight the SBGH289's appealing aesthetics and robust movement as key strengths.

From video reviewers

Excellent finishing and smooth bezel action are notable features of the Grand Seiko SBGH289. A weakness of the watch is the relatively low lume brightness. Reviewers disagree on the watch's ideal lug width, with some considering 22mm a limitation for users who prefer a more standard 20mm or 21mm strap width, while others do not mention this as a concern.

Fratello

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