Swiss Army

As you might have already known, the Swiss army watches are the latest commercial forays of the two official suppliers of Swiss Army knives, Victorinox and Wenger into the watch industry. From outdoor camping gear to timekeeping items that can either be seen as luxury or as essential, the Swiss army watches are huge depart from the flagship product consumers are accustomed to seeing. Yet both manufacturers’ logo, the white cross on a red background (also can be seen as the Swiss flag) has long became synonymous to durable performance and excellent workmanship, and incomparable reliance.

As early as 1890, both the Swiss knife manufacturers, Victorinox and Wenger are commissioned by the Swiss government to produce pocketknives for the use of the army. The outcome product was the compact, multi featured, and surprisingly convenient Swiss army knives that became the staple equipment for outdoor activities worldwide. And in 2006, NASA confirmed the usage of Swiss army knives in space exploratory. So much was the success of this product of real life applications that its use extended even further than the Swiss military. Whenever there is outdoor activity, there is always the Swiss army knife, by convention and by convenience.

Until recently, Victorinox and Wenger extended merchandise to the realm of watches, relying heavily on the name that created the most solid base of clientele. By compromise that has existed since 1908, Victorinox’s products carry the Original Swiss Army label and Wenger carry the Genuine Swiss Army.

Perhaps the world-renowned Swiss ingenuity in watch making played a pivotal role for the two companies shift to the realm of watch making. Yes, the Swiss army watches of both Victorinox and Wenger carry also the label Swiss made when it is appropriate (e.g. Swiss movements are used).

Victorinox had released a generous line of prestigious watches, most with Swiss movements with prices ranging from $500 to $2000. Victorinox’s logo is a white cross on a red shield.

Victorinox Airboss Mach Series

Most of the designs in Victorinox Airboss Mach Series use an ultra hard, anti reflective sapphire crystal on a high-grade stainless steel case that’s water resistant up to 100 meters/ 330 feet or on 10 ATM. Made in Switzerland using precision Swiss movements. A selection of leather or metal straps is available. Price ranges from $425 for the Victorinox Airboss Mach 1 and $1,295 for the Airboss Mach 6. Most designs of the Airboss have the chronograph capability, which is displaying time and day along with the week and month.

The Victorinox Convoy Chrono Titanium

One of the newest Swiss army watch battery from Victorinox, the Victorinox Convoy Chrono Titanium is also surprisingly cheap. It is still made in Switzerland using Swiss precision analog quartz movement. Its face is treated with anti reflective agent and is water resistant up to 100 meters. The Victorinox Convoy Chrono Titanium is chronograph, displaying the 30 minutes, 60 seconds and 1/10th of the second along with the date. Also has a tachymeter scale. Costs $395 in most authorized US retail outlets.

The Victorinox Dive Master 500M

Another of the exceptionally crafted, yet remains cheap is the Victorinox Dive Master. Yes, it has the capacity to go at depths of 500 meters, or withstand pressures of 50 ATM. To remain affordable, the Dive Master uses Swiss precision analog quartz movement. For the demanding nature of diving, the face uses the toughest, anti reflective sapphire crystal. Stainless steel on a screw down crown, screw in case, stainless steel strap, and luminous hands and markers. In short perfect for any deep-sea applications. Costs $525.


Around 2005, the competitor Victorinox acquired Wenger. And though it was announced that a merging could be possible, Victorinox had made statements to keep both brands integral for the meantime.