Introduction: 1962/63ish (based on advertising and catalogs)
Discontinued: 1994 (based on serial numbers) then reissued 2011 to present
Background: One of the world’s most revered and legendary cymbal lines in history, renown and loved for its fine, delicate musical tone.
Robert Paiste had been experimenting with cymbals made of B20 bell bronze starting in 1957, this (new to Paiste) B20 alloy first came onto the market under the name "SUPER FORMULA 602" the predecessor to the Formula 602. It is believed that Robert spent a couple of years refining the production process ('57-'59), sound characteristics and model names and sizes, then we think the "Super Formula" series ran to about 1962. Evidence shows that the Formula 602 series became available in 1962 and was produced until Paiste's B20 supplier Swissmetal ran into financial difficulties and stopped production of blanks in 1994.
Innovation: Second B20 cymbal made by Paiste, the Formula 602 line also saw the introduction of the Sound Edge Hi-Hat, the Flatride, China Type with a Turkish bell, Splash and Bell.
Alloy: B20 Bronze, also known as "Bell Bronze".
Quality: Professional
Offered as: Formula 602 - Formula 602 Modern Essentials
Production: Manually machine hammered, fine tuned with hand hammering and hand lathed B20 bronze.
Applications: Most volume settings • Low to medium loud settings • especially well-suited for recording, live • Jazz, Fusion, Blues, Pop and Rock, Country, Folk, acoustic music.
Users: Professional musicians, refined drummers and sound specialists with precise requirements that need a fully developed character in their cymbal sound

Sound:

• Musical, transparent, beautiful, rich, colorful, full, clear, expressive sound • The model range features everything from particularly delicate, well balanced and sensitive to expressive, potent and powerful and projective qualities
• Warm, silvery, mellow, cool, light, fine, precise and controlled • Cymbals with clarity and retro vintage character combined with a velvety, sensitive, very responsive feel. (4)
• Formula 602 sounds are very precise, very clear and very pure. They are suited to acoustic music, jazz, classical performances and recording. Only a delicate touch is required to produce their distinctive, cool and natural response. (1)
• Forged from the legendary «602 Bronze» (CuSn20), handcrafted from start to finish by highly skilled Swiss craftsmen, Formula 602 Classic Sounds cymbals produce a true, pure sound of unique clarity and consistency.