There are watches that defy easy description, and the Formotion N-Wave Professional Chronograph is one of them. At first glance, it looks like a watch that was partially melted in the fires of Mount Doom, but closer inspection shows that the designer who put this watch together knew a thing or two about creating drama on the wrist.
Meet the melted watch… the Formotion N-Wave Chronograph
Formotion is a motorcycle parts company and they have a history of making watches, clocks, and gauges for some big names in the motorcycle industry. From the Formotion website: “Since 2000, we have produced a professional line of clocks, thermometers, chronograph wristwatches, and unique motorcycle, auto, boat and aircraft accessories.ย We have dedicated ourselves to making the most functional accessories with the finest materials.ย Formotion uses only the best manufacturing methods and endurance certified materials in all our gauges and wristwatches.”
Daring, bold, interesting and maybe a little bonkers! This N-Wave Chrono is no wallflower
I have had so many watches pass through my hands throughout the years that it can be difficult to remember them all, but I cannot forget this one. The Formotion N-Wave Chronograph is a remnant of my early watch collecting days when I was into so-calledย fashion watches. Those might be watches that are more a result of a style exercise than a creation of serious horology. Some of those brands are derided by watch snobs, but I like to argue that a whimsical watch design can always have a place in your collection. Whether you call the Formotion N-Wave Chronograph a novelty or gimmick watch does not matter to me. The design’s complete disregard for being predictable makes me smile.
The N-Wave Chrono fits under a cuff, but why would you want it to?
Even though I have jettisoned many of my fashionista watches, I still happily own my Formotion N-Wave Chronograph… mainly because I still like it. This watch has wrist presence like no other in my collection, and it might be the one that people notice the most. Imagine my constant surprise when I receive more compliments on this watch than any of my “serious and much pricier” mechanical watches. Most non-watch-collectors don’t know a chronograph from a chronometer (like we watch nerds) so they are simply responding to a watch that catches their eye. This proves that attractive and interesting watchesย do not have to cost a fortune to make a statement.
Wrist presence dialed up to the danger zone
The Formotion N-Wave Chronograph is definitely unique. Can you think of another watch that looks like it? I’m not sure that I can. Perhaps the first thing that people notice is the unusual shape that does not have a name. I can imagine the watch designer trying to explain this concept to the factory that had to mill it. It’s not a circle, rectangle, square, oval or any of the other common watch shapes. It is a combination of curves and angles that I would call complex and unexpected. Maybe the case is best understood by looking at the rear first.
From this angle, you can get a good idea of the immense size of the pushers and crown
From the back, you can discern a distinctive barrel-shaped body with short lugs. It does not look so complex here. The case back has a reversed etching so that the background is matte and the lettering is highly polished. The case back has screws to secure it, which makes sense given the shape. This case back styleย limits the water resistance to only 50 meters, but this watch is not one to go swimming with anyway. This one is safer on dry land.
The case shape with no name sure is interesting
Back on the front, unfamiliar shapes become melted and harder to wrap your head around. One recurring design theme of this watch is its use of protrusions and subtractions. The N-Wave Chronographย watch has things sticking out of it from all different angles, but it also has scallops removed from the metal in interesting places. Its unpredictable “give and take” are what make the watch so interesting to me. Notice the metal removed at the base of the pushers and crown and the extra horns added over the lug area.
The crown and pushers are distinctive and major focal points of the N-Wave’s design
Protruding from the side of the case are extra large chronograph pushers and a crown that jut out defiantly from the flank. Each of these controls is 8.5 mm long and similar in width. The crown has a flattened head and the pair of pushers have rounded heads for differentiation. The controls are extremely oversized and brightly polished meaning that you cannot miss them. Their mirror finish compels you to look at them and their smooth finish makes you want to touch them.ย Six matching polished orbs of stainless steel add texture and visual interest to the brushed case.
Check out the complex crystal shape!
The shape of the Formotion N-Wave Chronograph’s domed mineral crystal is also unlike any other watch glass that I have ever seen. Honestly, what shape is this? I could have to call it “the glass cutter’s challenge” and I suspect that was not an easy thing to accomplish. This piece of glass is domed to match the case shape perfectly. It is perhaps a teardrop shape if viewed from one angle. I wonder if a complexly shaped gasket holds the crystal to the case? I suppose that would have to be custom fit as well.
The shape of the dome perfectly matches the melted shape of the case
The dazzling display of distortion and magnification
You would think that would be enough excitement for one watch, but wait… there’s more. The dial on my watch is a brilliant indigo blue that has a guilloche pattern stamped into it. The subdials and teardrop-shaped indices are made in highly-reflective steel. Each teardrop has a metallic bump. The dauphine hands and splashes of red on the chronograph subdials and seconds hand take it over the top. I’m not even going to try to describe it so just enjoy the photos. All of these details reside under the domed crystal that acts as a funky magnifying glass to emphasize reflections, distortions, and visual fireworks.ย The original black deployant strap has long since been replaced by an orange ostrich leather strap. I figured that only another unusual material would be fitting for this watch. I think it works.
A deep blue guilloche dial sometimes looks blue and sometimes purple
While the N-Wave Chronograph is no longer sold by Formotion, you can still find them on the used market from time to time. There were red, black,ย white and blue versions of the design watch. The white version has slightly different indices that look like Star Trek symbols. Any of the four colorways would be worth picking up if you get the chance. Just make sure that the irreplaceable crystal is not scratched because that will not “buff out” as some sellers have claimed.
The white version of the Formotion N-Wave Chronograph
Those are some of the quirks that I enjoy about the Formotion N-Wave Chronograph. In fact, most of the elements on this watch are turned up to 110% and in danger of causing an overload. For me, I think it’s just about right, but you can make up your own mind based on your personal preferences.ย This chronograph has some “out of the box” design and if you think that it looks a bit strange… you are not all wrong.
Formotion N-Wave Chronograph in indigo blue
However, so many watches are predictable to the point of boredom these days. Most watches are round with traditional features that you have seen a thousand times. Try to name another watch that looks like the Formotion N-Wave Chronograph, and you will come up short. That alone is worth enjoying. It is an untraditional design that is not encumbered by traditional watchmaking philosophy. Isn’t kind of devil may care attitude refreshing?
Dramatic in almost any lighting situation
The N-Wave Chronograph has a unique profile
These N-Wave Chronographs are somewhat rare. I have only seen a handful over the years for sale and they are no longer made by Formotion. I know of two of these in Atlanta… if you have an N-Wave Chronograph, leave a comment or send me a wrist shot. I’ll add it to the article.
A rare pair of Formotion N-Waves
