Why wouldn’t you be interested in Victorinox? They offer Swiss timepieces that are made with craftsmanship, yet are not too expensive. Their watches are largely rugged. They should be your go-to if you want something a bit sportier. In our Victorinox watch review, a look at some of their best pieces as well as a look at them is discussed.
Like most Swiss companies, they have quite the history. Founded by Karl Elsener, Victorinox was established in Schwyz, Switzerland in 1884. They made and sold Swiss army knives.
In 1908, Elsener partnered with Wenger to increase their supply of army knives to the Swiss forces. Half of their products were made in the German-speaking part of the country, Schwyz. The rest were sold in the French-speak part, which is Bern.
Although they’ve been around for a while, they only started creating watches in 1989. They widely boast a sporty exterior, and the company says that they go undergo at least 100 tests before being sold.
In 2005, Wegner merged with the company. This expanded the type of timepieces they could produce. Speaking of the things they produce, it’s not just timepieces and durable knives. You’ll find travel gear, fragrances, and cutlery as well.
They offer quite a few watch selections. We reviewed watches from the best, helping you know what you’re getting into.
Before diving into our review, go through the following table. We summarized the specs of some of our most notable picks.
Our Pick
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It rocks a chunky case. Being so thick, it can handle a beating. It is made from Titanium, so you never have to worry about damaging it. The fact that it’s titanium also makes it very waterproof.
Not only is it thick, but it’s large too. Its case stretches 1.77 inches (45 mm) across. When underwater, you want such a thing. The watch is made easier to read. However, it might look gigantic on you if your wrists are small.
Speaking of your time underwater, the device is NIHS 92-11 Swiss certified. This means you can snorkel with it, just don’t try to dive. Although it’s called the ‘Pro Diver’, it’s unfortunately not ISO 6425 certified. So, how deep of depths can it handle? Up to 660 feet (200 meters).
The mechanism inside of it is Swiss quartz. This means it’s accurate and was made with craftsmanship.
The glass on it is high-quality. It is sapphire. If you didn’t know, sapphire is the strongest glass around. It’s anti-reflective. When by the pool, you won’t blind yourself.
Its strap is waterproof. It’s para-cord, so it’s also durable. It’s got a cool blue design to it. Being para-cord, the 241813 has a strong outdoorsy look to it.
Yes, its bezel rotates. You’ll be able to time yourself underwater. We have a bit of a problem with it, though. It isn’t the easiest to grip.
What makes it special:
Its paracord strap.
The watch is a vision in black. The black on it was ion-plated, which is why it looks so chic. The 241797 is made from high-quality stainless steel. You’ll find it hard to scratch and rust. The metal is super water-proof.
There are chronographs on it. They are the three sub-dials on its face. They’re stop-clocks. They read the milliseconds, seconds and minutes passed. The pushers on its sides work them. You’ll find them easy to work, they are very tactile.
The presence of the chronographs is great. However, you get a calendar too. It reads the day’s date. At first glance, you might not be able to spot it. It’s small and in the 6 o'clock position.
Not only is its body durable, but so its window. It is made from sapphire. As you know, it’s the best you could get. What’s even better about it is that it’s anti-reflective. Victorinox boasts that an anti-reflective coating has been lathered on three times.
It can handle 330 feet (100 meters) underwater. With such depths, you can snorkel and swim at most.
As you’ll be deep underwater with it, you’ll appreciate the crown-guard. It prevents its crown from snagging onto your wet suit.
Along with the chronographs, you are getting a tachymeter on its bezel. You’ll use it with the stop-clock to tell the speed and distance between objects.
Just like the entry above, it’s huge. Its case stretches 1.69 inches (43 mm) across.
Its bezel rotates. You’ll easily be able to grip it. There are ample edgings on its sides. You’ll easily be able to read the timepiece as well. There’s high-quality lume on its display.
No surprise, it is a Swiss quartz device.
What makes it special:
Its chic black body.
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Immediately when you look at it, you’ll be able to tell that it’s a Swiss unit. To begin with, it’s got the country’s flag in-place. The red and black colourway is swiss dress-watch like too.
You’re looking at a field watch. The timepieces were first made for military men, for them to be able to tell accurate time. Always out-and-about, they needed watches that were easy to read. That’s why the 249085 has a large face. Its case stretches 1.69 inches (43 mm) across. The device’s dial is also plain, with large Arabic numerals.
You’ll notice two rings on it. One of them reads the time in a 24-hour format, while the other tells you the time in a 12-hour one.
Being a field watch, it isn’t surprising to see nylon on its strap. That being said, many of its counterparts come with NATO versions. It would have been easier to use, as you’d simply have loops to strap it into. It’d be able to handle water better as well.
Unfortunately, regular nylon gets soaking wet. This is a bummer as the watch is water-resistant up to 330 feet (100 meters). The company says that snorkeling is the most it can handle.
To be honest, we don’t think its band is very comfortable. The texturing on the fabric might irritate your skin.
There’s a calendar on it. It’s in the 3 o'clock position, so you won’t be straining your neck. It only reads the date. It’s small, but the numbers are bolded well.
Of course, it is Swiss quartz. It has sapphire on its window too. Like the other 2 entries, its window has an anti-reflective coat on. Victorinox says that there are around 3.
What makes it special:
It is the only field watch on our list.
Being a women’s watch, it’s no surprise that it’s smaller than the timepieces above. Its case is 1.37 inches (34 mm). For a women’s piece, it still isn’t the most petite, though.
The watch has a masculine look to it. This is probably due to its Daytona-like appearance and size. We’re huge fans of its green and gold colourway. You normally don’t see watches rocking the shades.
Of course, the gold isn’t real. The timepiece had the metal-plated on. Onto what, you ask? High-quality stainless steel. It is hypoallergenic, so anyone can wear it.
You’ll notice that its bezel has expert edging. This makes it easy to turn.
It wouldn’t be a Victorinox piece if it wasn’t water-resistant. It can handle considerable depths. Its rating is 330 feet (100 meters). The company says that the most you can do with it is snorkel.
Like the entry above, it reads military time alongside regular time. There are also the minutes in an hour right on the edge of its dial.
Like the rest, it is quartz. It rocks a quality Swiss movement.
There is a calendar on it. It reads the day’s date and is in the 6 o'clock position.
What about the glass on its display? It’s durable sapphire. As you guessed it, it comes with an anti-reflective coat. Victorinox says that it was lathered on 3 times.
What makes it special:
Its green, gold, and silver colourway.
The Most Durable
We wanted to switch things up and review a leather timepiece. Thankfully, the watch company has quite the selection. The 241778’s band feels like a dream on your hands.
It uses the same leather that’s used in firefighter boots. Victorinox says that it can withstand water, salt spray, acidic substances, and fire. This is great as regular versions of the material are horrible at being water-proof.
Its strap is very soft. What’s better, it’s thin. Wearing a lot of leather on your hand won’t be fun, your wrist would be drenched with sweat.
It has a durable case. It’s sandblasted titanium - good luck trying to scratch it. As it’s titanium, you know it’s water-proof too.
So, how much water can it handle? It’s capable of depths up to 660 feet (200 meters). You might be wondering if you can dive with it or not. The answer is no, it’s not ISO 6425 certified. The most you can do with it is snorkel.
Reading the timepiece underwater won’t be an issue, there’s lume in place. The pigment is on its hands and markers. Speaking of its markers, there are two sets. One of them reads military time. The thing is, the one that reads you the military time isn’t that great. It’s dark red, while the 241778 has a black dial.
It’s a big watch. Like the majority of its siblings, its case comes in at 1.69 inches (43 mm). There’s also a crown-protector.
If you’re wondering why we haven’t talked about its window yet, it’s because it’s made from sapphire. The glass wears an anti-reflective coat like the rest.
What makes it special:
It is the only entry on our list with a leather strap.
Our Budget Pick
You will easily be able to tell that it’s a women’s watch as its small. That being said, it’s not too petite. Its case is only 1.33 inches (34 mm). Its case is made from high-quality stainless steel. You’ll find it very hard to dent. It’s also hypoallergenic, which is a plus.
Its band is thin. It’s a material we haven’t seen so far. It’s silicone. If you didn’t know, the material is very water-proof. It probably repels the liquid the most from all the materials we’ve discussed. It’s also tough. But like leather, a lot of it on your wrist will make you sweat.
You need no introduction to the glass on its display. It is sapphire with three anti-reflective coats. You need no introduction to its movement either. It’s Swiss quartz. Like the rest, we don’t know the name of its specific mechanism. However, it’s buttery.
Although its face is small, it has large Arabic numerals. They are a sharp white, while its dial is a deep black. This lets them contrast well. We think the 26033.CB is the easiest to read from all the watches discussed. There is a superb luminous pigment on its display too.
A date-window is in place. It’s in the 3 o'clock position. Much of Victorinox’s calendars are in easy-to-read positions.
It is water-resistant. This shouldn’t shock you - it’s capable of 330 feet (100 meters) underwater. The manufacturer says that snorkeling and swimming are fine, just don’t try to dive with it.
The brand’s logo is plastered in bright red, right in the 12 o'clock position. As it contains the Swiss flag, you’ll make it very obvious that you’re sporting a device from the country. Victorinox’s devices are affordable, but people won’t know this.
What makes it special:
Its silicone band.
The Best Looking
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We’re topping off our list with a fabulous women’s watch. What makes it one of our favourites is the presence of the moon-phase sub-dial. Its name is pretty self-explanatory – it tells you how the moon is doing. For a hunter, such a thing is important. You’ll be able to go after deer and fish better.
It doesn’t look like a watch for the outdoors. It’s ultra-chic. It comes in a shiny stainless-steel body. Its case is thin while its face is wide, making it look rich. About its case, it’s similar in size to the other women’s pieces. It stretches 1.37 inches (35 mm) across.
Something that helps its chicness is its colourway. Its body is a glossy silver, while its face is a deep blue. You even get sleek markers and hands. Being so thin, it shouldn’t surprise you that its markers have no lume. That being said, its hands host them.
Something it shares with all of the watches is the glass on its window. It also has a durable stainless-steel body. Its movement is smooth Swiss quartz too.
It is a water-resistant device. It can handle as much water like the rest. Its resistance rating is 330 feet (100 meters). The quality stainless steel on it makes it waterproof.
What makes it special:
The presence of the moon-phase dial.
With that done with, let’s answer some burning questions you may have. These would tell you everything you need to know about the company.
Their timepieces are manufactured in Switzerland. Not only are their watches made there, but so is everything else they make. They say the highest quality standards are met when their devices are being produced.
The company isn’t known for the most luxurious Swiss watches. They’re loved by watch enthusiasts for being a brand that’s a great introduction to the country’s watch industry. Their biggest competitor is Tissot, which offers devices that are equally as affordable.
As you saw from our list, their pieces are very sporty. Enthusiasts wouldn’t tell you to purchase them if you’re looking for a more classic unit.
If you purchase their devices from authorized retailers, you will get a hold of 5-year warranties. They would cover manufacturing and material defects. If the 5-year period has passed, you can still reach out. You won’t get their team to tend to your watch for free, but they promise service at affordable rates.
All of their watches rock Swiss movements. They don’t all host quartz mechanisms, though. We just happened to pick some amazing Victorinox watches that do. They offer automatic as well as mechanical timepieces.
Let’s sum things up:
The watch manufacturer produces timepieces that are not too expensive, however, are full of craftmanship. They are known to be rivals with Tissot, so they’re a Swiss entry-level brand. Their watches are superb. That being said, you probably shouldn’t pick them up if you’re interested in devices that look classy. As you saw, the majority of our entries rock sporty exteriors.
We believe the I.N.O.X Pro Diver 241813 is the best as not only is it super durable, but it comes with a reliable build. Being so fit for the outdoors, it’ll catch your eye – and not in a bad way. The cherry on top is the fact that it’s not very expensive at all.
