Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Men’s Features

• Swiss-made quartz movement
• 40mm stainless steel case (316L)
• Crown protection
• Water resistant to 100M (10 ATM, 330 ft)
• Shock-resistant hardened mineral crystal
• Date calendar

The Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp was my choice for a watch that was functional and rugged but simplistic in design. It has a conventional round dial and runs on top notch Swiss quartz movement. This of course means the battery needs replacing on an occasional basis. The dial is quite well spaced and clear to read, though the date window isn’t very convenient since it displays the preceding as well as succeeding date which can get quite confusing when viewed at an angle.

As far as the build quality goes, the watch is built in the classic Victorinox fashion with rugged and strong material. I’ve had this watch for a couple of months and it has dropped more times than I would have liked but there are hardly any marks on the surface; be it the glass, the bezel or the clasp on the strap.

The numbers are all Arabic numerals with the 12, 3, 6 and 9 larger than the rest. The date window is placed at the 4’o clock position and all the numbers are placed on a silver contrast band in the dial. It might seem trivial but it makes reading the numbers off the white dial easier when there is a distinct background. The hands are luminous with radium coating that glows in the dark.

Coming to the casing, the high quality toughened steel is a good 40mm thick and lends a solid feel to the watch. The crown for adjusting the time and date is protected on both sides by raised metal and protects the crown from physical and mechanical shocks. Having had crowns knocked off in previous watches while hiking and trekking, I’m more than thankful for this protection.

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this watch even though it offers only simple quartz movement. There are several brands that offer a fully automatic mechanical movement for the same price but the build quality is questionable and I’ve experienced they simply doesn’t last with rugged use. An improvement I would have liked to see in the Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp is to have the option of a perpetual calendar, since without it one has to adjust the date every month whenever the number of days is uneven.

Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Men’s Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Rugged build quality
• Comfortable strap
• Luminous hands for easy reading

Cons:

• No perpetual calendar
• Battery operated

Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Men’s Watch Features

• Swiss-made quartz movement
• 40mm stainless steel case (316L)
• Crown protection
• Water resistant to 100M (10 ATM, 330 ft)
• Shock-resistant hardened mineral crystal
• Date calendar
• Stainless steel bracelet
• Double-locking safety clasp

The Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp with the steel bracelet was my choice for a watch that was minimally functional and had a rugged feel. I preferred it over the one with the rubber strap mainly for the reason that I wanted it to work with professional attire too. The dial is a simple circle with a black background and clearly contrasted white Arabic numerals. The simple design makes it very easy for me to read the dial and the crystal hardly reflects any light so there is no annoying glare. This watch comes with a date calendar that shows the current date, the preceding and succeeding date. I found this rather pointless and would have preferred to have just one date in a slightly larger font.

The build quality is superior than any watch that I have seen so far and there are no surprises as to why Victorinox was the official supplier to the Swiss military. This watch was on my wrist for several adventure sports such as rafting and mountain climbing and there is hardly any damage. All the materials used are robust and rugged and are designed to withstand strain, shock and anything else that you might throw at it.

The Arabic numerals are very easy to read given the contrast of white over black with the 12, 3, 6 and 9 larger than the rest. Number 4 is missing from the dial because of the date window and all the numbers are placed at the optimum position on the dial for easy reading. Hands and index have been coated with a luminous material that has the capability to absorb light and reflect when it is dark. This is a certain necessity for those who are out during the dark. The glow is rigid and it is easy to make out the time with just a glance.

Coming to the casing, it is made of high quality stainless steel and the back is screwed on carefully. It is tight but at the same time easy enough to open up to replace the battery. The movement is certified Swiss quartz and while it is of very high quality and efficiency, I would have liked a mechanical automatic self winding movement but I figured that would be asking for too much. The crown is well protected by metal protrusions that prevent any damage considering the fact that the crown is of utmost importance to the movement of the watch and adjusting the date and time. Moreover, the metal extras around the crown add to the aesthetic appeal of the watch.

What I would have liked to see in the Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp was at least a perpetual calendar. The date needs to be adjusted at the end of every month that has fewer than 31 days. For the same price, other brands offer the perpetual calendar and sometimes even automatic movement but the superb quality of this watch makes it a compelling choice.

Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Men’s Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Rugged build quality
• Double clasp safety strap
• Diver Extension increases length of strap

Cons:

• No perpetual calendar
• Battery operated

Victorinox Swiss Army Sport Tech 5000 Path Finder Gents Watch Features

• Swiss made analog/digital quartz movement
• Domed shatter-resistant hardened mineral crystal
• A unique pusher gives you access to 2 modes: Compass and pathfinder mode
• Magnetic north indicator on the dial with 8 LEDs
• Pathfinder: 5-point LED color light system shows heading accuracy
• Locator to find the watch in darkness

The Victorinox Swiss Army Sport Tech 5000 Path Finder also called the ST 5000 Pathfinder offers great value for money. I was initially going to buy something with a simple design and basic functions but the markup between this model and the basic model wasn’t much so I decided to go for this one, especially in light of the enhanced features this watch offers for outdoor expeditions.

The numbers are big and bold and have a clear contrast over the black background of the dial. Along the index, the compass bearings in degrees are clearly listed for easy reading. The cardinal markers of N, S, E, and W are written out clearly along with the intermediate directions NE, NW, SE and SW. All the bearings are marked in increments of 15º so you probably won’t have much trouble finding the direction. In addition, the bearing is also displayed on the LCD screen at the bottom of the dial.

The crystal is dome shaped though I think a flat crystal would have been more useful simply because the dome shape results in a glare when viewed in direct sunlight. I have no complaints about the quality of the crystal since it is shatter proof and has survived more than few rough knocks on hiking and trekking trips.

The compass and pathfinder modes are two unique features of this watch that make it ideal for hiking, camping or any adventure sport for that matter. Either mode can be easily accessed with just a press of a button. The compass is built into the dial and on the periphery are 8 LEDs which mark the approximate direction. The pathfinder mode activates 5 LEDs which gauge the accuracy of the bearings displayed on the digital screen. On more than one occasion, these bearings have proved to be extremely accurate and useful for finding the right direction.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Sport Tech 5000 Path Finder comes with a 3 year warranty which is rather disappointing considering the fact that Victorinox usually provides a lifetime cover for its watches. However, I’ve had no problems with the watch since it offers impeccable time keeping and directional functions.

Victorinox Swiss Army Sport Tech 5000 Path Finder Gents Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Comfortable rubber strap
• Pathfinder & compass very effective
• Excellent build quality

Cons:

• No metal strap alternative
• Very limited warranty

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chronograph Gents Watch-Leather Strap Features

• Swiss-made quartz chronograph movement
• Scratch-resistant triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Water resistant to 100M (10 ATM, 330 ft)
• 41mm stainless steel case (316L)
• Allows 1/10th of a second timing 60-second and 30-minute counters
• Tachymeter scale
• Split timing

When I was on the lookout for a Swiss Army watch, there were a number of choices available but the Classic Chronograph Gents Watch stood out because of its beautiful strap. With threaded edges distinctly contrasted from the black leather strap, the effect was classy and elegant. The leather is of very high quality and has developed no cracks despite heavy use. The strap still retains its original sheen and is equally well suited for formal and semi-formal occasions.

The case of the watch is decently thick and I must say that I have seen watches that pack in more functions into cases of the same thickness but honestly, I enjoy wearing something substantial on the wrist. The bezel is made out of high quality polished steel with lines grading out from the dial. The crown is sufficiently large for easily adjusting the time and date and setting the chronograph. My only concern was the absence of crown protectors in the form of metal protrusions that are usually present on most watches.

The dial of the watch is a brilliant black with the numbers in bold Arabic numerals in strong contrast. The dial has a subtle outward radial design that further adds to the aesthetic appeal. The three sub-dials for the second, chronograph 1/10^th second and minutes are placed conveniently far apart for easy readability and unlike some watches I had before, this one never confused me while I was reading the time and chronograph data at the same time. The chronograph is particularly well designed with highly responsive buttons which press with a distinct click and pop back up instantly. The seconds hand of the chronograph is the large one in the dial which is what conventional watches would use to count seconds under normal time.

The other features in the watch are quite standard. There is a date window at the 4’o clock position which is ideal to read the date when looking at the dial from a distance. In addition, the tachymeter scale on the dial is useful for measuring speeds over a measured kilometer. All one needs to do is to turn on the chronograph and turn it off at the end of a measured kilometer. The seconds hand will point to the speed on tachymeter.

In conclusion, I think the Classic Chronograph Gents Watch is a steal for the price especially because of the strap, which is unlike any other I have seen on the Classic series in the Swiss Army line. It has all the standard features with no noticeable omissions and goes well with every kind of attire.

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chronograph Gents Watch-Leather Strap Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Soft leather strap
• Brushed metal of high quality for case
• Easy to use chronograph

Cons:

• Battery operated movement
• Tachymeter scale font too small

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chronograph Gents Watch Features

• Swiss-made quartz chronograph movement
• Scratch-resistant triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Screw-in caseback
• Date calendar
• Allows 1/10th of a second timing 60-second and 30-minute counters
• Tachymeter scale
• Split timing

I was gifted the Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chronograph Gents Watch by a friend on my birthday. I’ve always had the desire to own a Swiss Army watch and it didn’t disappoint! The watch is a beautiful blend of ruggedness and exquisite craftsmanship. The grey graded dial suits almost every kind of attire and though the watch seemed a bit on the heavier side, that could be entirely due to my habit of wearing lighter watches in the past. The dial of the watch is grey in color with a pattern of whitish dots that add to the aesthetic appeal. However, I found that this pattern hinders the viewing angles quite significantly. The numbers are written in large, well spaced Arabic numerals with a luminous glow which was unexpectedly bright in the dark.

As far as functionality of this watch goes, it shows the time, date and has a chronograph. The movement isn’t exclusive as it is a battery operated Swiss quartz movement, requiring manual replacement when the battery runs out. Chronograph functions include 1/10^th second precision and a 30 minute dial with a large seconds hand for easy reading, though the seconds hand was on the smaller side. There is also the split function which is ideal for timing laps. The date window is conveniently placed at the 4’o clock position and shows just one number so there is no chance of misreading even from an angle. However, it needs to be reset at the end of months that have fewer than 31 days.

I found the build quality of this watch to be top notch. The hardened steel has been designed to withstand shocks and the linked stainless steel bracelet is not only very comfortable to wear but suits any occasion; formal or casual. It is secured by a double-locking clasp which ensures extra protection during rough use. The bezel has a tachymeter scale which is useful for calculating the speed. All one needs to do is start the tachymeter, measure a kilometer and the speed is calibrated into a km/h format.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chronograph Gents Watch is perfect for me i.e. someone who just wants simple functions with an elegant appeal. I can’t think of any major aspects of the watch which are a potential deal breaker but removal of the pattern on the dial would certainly be helpful. Additionally, as I mentioned before, the watch isn’t the lightest one around.

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chronograph Gents Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Great build quality
• Amazing aesthetic appeal
• Functionally sound

Cons:

• Pattern on dial reduces readability
• Date calendar needs resetting

Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Mechanical Gents Watch Features

• Mechanical self-winding
• Anti-reflection Sapphire crystal
• Water resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters/330 feet)
• Stainless steel case
• Screw-in caseback
• Steel bracelet
• Push-button deployant clasp

The Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Mechanical Gents Watch combines elegance with efficiency and yet keeps a simple design. The watch face is quite spartan with a white dial with highlighted numbers and a date window. The numbers are evenly and spaciously placed and the simply arrangement works well in ensuring easy readability. The dial and the numbers are also luminous with a bright glow during night time.

What I found impressive about this watch was the movement and the power reserve. The watch runs on a self winding Swiss mechanical movement, which means that the watch is powered entirely by natural hand movement. It comes with a 38 hour power reserve; eliminating the need for manual rewinding overnight or even if it hasn’t been used for day or two. Manual rewinding is also a breeze and requires a few turns of the winder and a simple adjustment of the time. A truly unique feature of this watch is the transparent case back which gives you a great view of the exquisite interior workings of the watch. If for nothing else, it’s a treat to watch. The case back is also screwed in, so any future repairs will be quite easy.

As is expected of Victorinox, the build quality of this device is superb. The body can easily withstand rugged use and has withstood a fair bit of knocking around without any damage whatsoever. The stainless steel strap goes well with formal occasions as well as outdoor use and the brushed finish gives the watch a classy and elegant look. On the side, the crown is easy to handle for adjustment as well as winding and is well protected by two metal protrusions.

A rather interesting and unique feature of this watch is the placement of the date window at the 6’o clock position rather than the more conventional 3’o clock or 4’o clock position. Far from being cumbersome, this placement is actually even more convenient for viewing the date. Overall, I found this watch to be a perfect fit for someone who needs simple functions with an elegant appeal. Apart from the absence of a perpetual calendar,the Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Mechanical Gents Watch does exactly what it claims to do: keep the time and look elegant at the same time.

Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Mechanical Gents Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Self winding movement
• 38 hour power reserve
• Elegant look of strap and dial

Cons:

• No perpetual calendar

Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch Features

• Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss analog quartz movement
• Anti-reflection Sapphire crystal
• Water resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters/330 feet)
• Stainless steel case
• Luminous hands and hour markers
• Screw-in case back

This watch epitomizes high quality in a simple yet elegant product. The design of the Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch is very simple; it is nothing more than a normal wristwatch that tells the time. However, combined with the tradition and heritage of the Victorinox brand, this watch is a great choice for those looking for a simple, elegant but reliable watch.

The dial is simple in shape; a mere circle with large Arabic numerals. However, the numerals are of similar color as the dial, which reduces the viewing angles and readability to some extent, especially in bright sunlight when the numerals become almost completely illegible. There is an inner ring of numbers which mark the time in 24 hour time format. These are smaller in size and are surprisingly contrasting as they are solid black. In addition to the two sets of numbers in the dial, there is also a date window positioned at the 6’o clock position and shows only one number, the current date. It is the perfect size for a dial of this size and I have no trouble reading it from any angle. However, the date calendar is not perpetual and needs resetting at the end of every month that has fewer than 31 days.

The watch runs on high quality Swiss made simple quartz movement. Being essentially battery operated, the only drawback is that the battery needs replacing every 3 years or so. The crown is positioned on the right side, as with most watches, and lacks any explicit form of crown protection but considering that this is a ladies’ watch, I suppose it won’t be going through much rough usage. There is a half covering present for the crown which is adequate for protection from the odd knock or bump.

Overall, I am quite happy with this watch. The strap is very comfortable and the case is conveniently thick for a ladies’ watch. However, I would have preferred an improved dial with a more of a contrast with the color of the numerals. While the hands and hour markers are luminous to make reading in the dark easier, the lack of contrast between the dial and the numerals again reduces the effect of the luminous hands. The Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch comes with a three year warranty which is rather disappointing considering that most Swiss Army watches usually have a lifetime warranty. Despite these drawbacks, none of these aspects make a big difference in daily use, so I’m quite happy recommending this watch to anyone who just needs a simple design and basic functionality.

Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• High quality strap and materials
• Swiss quartz analog movement
• Luminous hands and hour marker

Cons:

• No distinction of numbers from background
• Only three year warranty
• Battery needs replacing every 3 years or so

Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Chronograph Gents Watch Features

• Swiss-made quartz movement
• 40mm stainless steel case (316L)
• Crown protection
• Screw-in case back
• Water resistant to 100M (10 ATM, 330 ft)
• Luminescent hands and index
• Allows 1/10th of a second timing 60-second and 30-minute counters

The Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Chronograph Gents watch is a versatile watch with basic chronograph functions as well as a rugged build to withstand rough use. The silver dial is clear and non reflective, so glare is never an issue. With a distinct contrast, the large Arabic numerals can be read clearly from any viewing angle. The date window is positioned at the 4’o clock area and the two chronograph dials are at the 2’o clock and 10’o clock areas respectively.

The bezel is fixed and is made of smooth, hard and toughened steel. The hands and the index are luminous and make for easy viewing in the dark. The steel link bracelet is very comfortable to wear without being very heavy and is quite sturdy as well. It functions well for both casual wear and sportswear and being very light, doesn’t hinder hand movement in any way. The font of the date is simple and readable but its positioning could have been better since it tends to become confusing when viewed at an angle.

On the side, the crown is well protected against mechanical shocks and accidents with hard steel protrusions. This makes adjusting the time and date a little inconvenient but if you’ve had experience with crowns coming off due to rough use, you will definitely appreciate the protection the crown offers. The chronograph buttons are also on the side and respond with a satisfying click. The chronograph has a minute, second and 1/10^th second counters and the reset button also serves the function of a stopwatch.

The watch is very well secured with a double locking clasp on the strap. Moreover, the case back is screwed on to ensure that it doesn’t break but at the same time making the process of battery replacement easier. There is also a diver’s extension that makes the strap a little longer.

Rounding off this review, the Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Chronograph Gents watch is a great device but there are a couple of aspects which can be improved. For example, I’d prefer to have a single date window rather than displaying the preceding as well as the succeeding date. The minutes display for the chronograph is also not very clear, and the lack of a perpetual calendar means one needs to adjust the date every month. Overall, the drawbacks are minor and the quality and functions of the watch are unsurpassable at this price. The hardened casing is extremely durable and does not scratch or dent with minor falls and scrapes and is hence ideal for sports and rough outdoor usage.

Victorinox Swiss Army Base Camp Chronograph Gents Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• High quality material
• Chronograph function
• Stainless steel secure strap

Cons:

• No perpetual calendar
• Unclear chronograph window

Swiss Army Night Vision II Features

• Swiss-made analog quartz movement
• Solid 41mm diameter stainless steel case (316L)
• Water resistant to 50 M (5 ATM/ 165 FT)
• Scratch-resistant, triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Luminous hands and numbers
• Flashlight Swiss developed and Swiss made low consumption light module with 3 different light sources:

This Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision II Gents Watch caught my eye when I was looking for something with basic functionality but also sporty as far as aesthetics go. To go with first impressions, this watch is about as sporty as you can get. It has a simple black dial and a rubber strap which goes well with most casual clothing and to some extent formal wear as well. The dial has large bold Arabic numerals around the periphery. The 12’o clock number is missing and instead has the red Victorinox logo and the 6’o clock number is replaced by the date window. The date is displayed quite simply with a single number in a large, clear font.

Functionally, the Night Vision II is the model of simplicity. It has a Swiss quartz analog movement along with 24 hour alternate numbers on the dial. The unique feature of this watch is the flashlight. There are three different colored LEDs built into the watch. The first is the white LED which is meant to be used as a torch and has effects in the likes of signal and strobe functions. The signal mode flashes the light in repetitive periodic signals and is meant to be used for an SOS call.

Though I’ve been lucky enough not to have to use this feature yet, it’s good to know it’s there. Next, there is the blue LED which is used to illuminate the dial at night. It is quite bright and the display can be read quite clearly. Finally, there is a red LED and honestly I haven’t been able to understand what this is for. The website merely mentions it as multifunction. Perhaps the manual can be more informative.

The three different LEDs are accessed by one button, which is the only addition to the crown on the side of the watch. The crown is a double-O ring version and is basically used for adjustments and functions of the LEDs. There is no protection to the crown and frankly speaking, this was a big let down since I tend to put my watches through rough outdoor use.

The case of this watch feels solid and is around 40mm thick with water resistance up to 50 metres. The crystal is triple sapphire coated and scratch resistant, which was quite handy on my hiking and trekking trips which invariably included a few hard knocks and physical shocks. The crystal is also antireflective and remained easy to read even under direct sunlight.

I love the Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision II Gents Watch for its simplicity and elegant appeal. For the price, this watch is a compelling option for anyone with a need for basic functionality coupled with simple but classy looks.

Swiss Army Night Vision II Pros & Cons

Pros:

• High quality materials; strap and casing
• LEDs offer amazing illumination
• Easy to read and simple dial

Cons:

• No crown protection
• Fixed bezel

Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch Features

• Made in Switzerland with precision Swiss analog quartz movement
• Anti-reflection Sapphire crystal
• Water resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters/330 feet)
• Stainless steel case
• Luminous hands and hour markers
• Date

For a watch with a rubber strap, the Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch seemed to be the best choice for the price bracket that I had in mind. It comes with simple features but the overall design and aesthetics of the watch give it a distinctly premium feel. The dial of the watch is a very dark black in color, matching the rubber strap. The numbers are to the edge of the dial and are large and bold white Arabic numerals in strong contrast to the dial thereby ensuring easy readability.

Looking at the case and the other parts of the watch, I am happy to say that the simplicity is taken to a whole new level with the minimalistic design. The case is made of stainless steel and is about 35mm thick. This is a comfortable thickness and weight for anyone who wishes to wear the watch for either active sports or formal or casual occasions. The strap is made of high quality rubber which is unexpectedly soft on the skin and doesn’t crumble or wear off as is the case with other watches. I can safely say that this strap is one of the best features of the watch as I have been wearing this for the past couple of months and it is still in the same condition as the day I bought it.

Movement wise, it is powered by Swiss made quartz analog movement that is essentially battery powered. I was told while purchasing this watch that the battery would need replacing occasionally, around three years on an average. There is also an End of Life indicator which goes off when the battery is nearing its end. For the great outdoors, this watch features water resistance and bright luminous hands.

The material of the Victorinox Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch seems to be of high quality with a stainless steel case and a screwed in back, which allows the battery to be replaced painlessly. The caseback is smooth and feels great to wear. The minor details of the watch such as the date calendar are worked out to perfection and the date is easily readable on the white background of the date window which is located at the 6’o clock position.

Overall I am happy that I bought this watch and the only improvement I could see if there was a rotating bezel like other Swiss Army watches.

Swiss Army Officers Ladies Watch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Rubber strap very comfortable
• End of Life indicator
• High quality materials

Cons:

• Fixed bezel
• No perpetual calendar