Swiss Army watches - how good are they?

[spongebob_squarepants]

I see they get up over $500 in certain models, but I used to think Swiss Army was a novelty brand that was not very high quality.

Are these actually very nice watches in their price range?

[WillMK5]

The term Swiss Army itself is very misleading. From what I've read on watchusseek, although you may want to do some more reading yourself , two Swiss companies create Swiss Army/Millitary watches. Victorinox watches are sold under the name "Swiss Army" and Wenger Watches are sold under the name "Swiss Military".

Both Wenger and Victrinox make good timepieces, but it is generally believed that Victorinox is a sligthly superior brand.

i personally love this Victironox:



Modified by WillMK5 at 12:28 AM 5-15-2009

[.Mad Hatter.]

^that is VERY nice

[MrVent]

I have no complaints with my Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick Chrono II, though i've only had it for a week but i think they make very nice timepieces. I"ve also gotten a few compliments as well. If you dont want to spend $500 just check your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls or maybe even Nordstrom Rack they may have some. I got mine at TJ Maxx for $130

pic from google

[flat4one]

Although I don't personally own a Swiss Army brand watch, I did try a few on when I was looking at watches last year and I have to say, for $450 (Nordstrom) it is NOT worth it. They feel very light and weak. The band had far too much play in it and wasn't very thick for the size of the watch. Also, it didn't have a sapphire crystal or an automatic movement in it. I have to say that it honestly felt like a Fossil watch. I'm sure that there are many people that love these watches but I really don't think that they are worth $400. I've paid less for watches that offer more for the money. I guess it depends on if you are a "watch guy" or someone who just wants a cool-looking watch.

[WillMK5]

Quote, originally posted by flat4one »

it didn't have a sapphire crystal or an automatic movement in it. I have to say that it honestly felt like a Fossil watch.

really? how many Fossil's are automatic and have a sapphire cystral?

[Hostile]

Quote, originally posted by WillMK5 »

i personally love this Victironox:

Me too...but holy $4000!

[flat4one]

Quote, originally posted by WillMK5 »

really? how many Fossil's are automatic and have a sapphire cystral?

None. And they don't cost upwards of $500 either. That's my point. Swiss Army watches are cool-looking watches but they aren't (in my opinion) worth the $500 price point. What features do they have that make them worth $500? I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money on a fashion watch.

[WillMK5]

Quote, originally posted by flat4one »

None. And they don't cost upwards of $500 either. That's my point. Swiss Army watches are cool-looking watches but they aren't (in my opinion) worth the $500 price point. What features do they have that make them worth $500? I'm just not willing to spend that kind of money on a fashion watch.

Well there are plenty of Victrinox watches that are both automatic and have sapphire crystals. And their both rugged and sophisticated pieces. I think the confusion here is over the term fashion watch. I personally don't think Victrinox watches are fashion watches, not in the sense that Fossil's, Seikos, and Orients are. Victrinox watches are very impressive, rugged watches. Just because they look good doesn't mean they are fashion watches.

[flat4one]

I think the confusion lies with the brand "Victorinox Swiss Army" and "Swiss Army" because as far as I know, they are two different brands from the same company. The watch I looked at had a mineral crystal and DIDN'T have a Swiss movement. I just know that for $500 you should be able to buy a swiss watch with a swiss movement and a sapphire crystal. I think that if you're paying more than $200, you should get you something at least a little better than a Fossil. I wasn't trying to start an argument. I was just offering my opinion based on my personal experience. That's all.

[WillMK5]

Quote, originally posted by flat4one »

I think the confusion lies with the brand "Victorinox Swiss Army" and "Swiss Army" because as far as I know, they are two different brands from the same company. The watch I looked at had a mineral crystal and DIDN'T have a Swiss movement. I just know that for $500 you should be able to buy a swiss watch with a swiss movement and a sapphire crystal. I think that if you're paying more than $200, you should get you something at least a little better than a Fossil. I wasn't trying to start an argument. I was just offering my opinion based on my personal experience. That's all.

I agree with you 100%. If you're going to shell out that much money, you better get what you pay for. Many companies try to market their watches as "swiss mov't" or even have similar logos to Victrinox and Wenger, and are, in fact, nothing in comparison.

[wRek]

I have a titanium Victorinox Swiss Army watch and love it. I own about 6 watches, and regularly wear the Swiss Army.

[twindusties]

For 500 bones you could get a lot better watch than Swiss Army IMO. If you look at Orient, Bernhart, Boschett, Dievas and Osra are just a few that offer really nicely made watches for a very good price. But Swiss Army does have some good looking watches out there.

[Tristan]

I had a swiss army chrono classic in titainium for a while. I really liked the looks of it and being Ti was enough to win me over. But after a bump of something the stop watch hand skipped a few steps (so it wouldn't return to zero anymore). Obviously not happy with this I was going to exchange the watch for another one until the only other one at the store had the same problem. That shook my confidence in their quality so I just returned it.

[IvanGDR]

Very nice watches. I purchased this a couple of months ago for about $460.00

[DRGSR]

I was with many of you when talking about Swiss Army. Decent watches, but nothing special. My dad has a Wenger that was meh. But to have picked up one in a department store or to just go by what you have read online doesn't give you much to go on. Listen to those who own and live with on a day to day basis.
My most recent purchase was this Swiss Army Ambassador XL chronograph. Had the look and features that I was searching for. Let me tell you, it is fantastic. Uses the Valgranges a07.211 automatic chronograph movement from ETA. This is an enlarged Valjoux 7750 with a 46 hour power reserve. Beautiful silver face with blued hands. Triple layer anti reflective coating.
I own 12 watches. The feel of this watch is as good or better than anything else I have. I paid $575 used and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[WillMK5]

Great looking watch.

[albeevr6]

Quote, originally posted by flat4one »

I think the confusion lies with the brand "Victorinox Swiss Army" and "Swiss Army" because as far as I know, they are two different brands from the same company. The watch I looked at had a mineral crystal and DIDN'T have a Swiss movement. I just know that for $500 you should be able to buy a swiss watch with a swiss movement and a sapphire crystal. I think that if you're paying more than $200, you should get you something at least a little better than a Fossil. I wasn't trying to start an argument. I was just offering my opinion based on my personal experience. That's all.

I am not disagreeing or arguing just rather kind of putting my opinion in here . I dont wear Fossils or really like them but I do think they are regarded as a pretty good quality inexpensive timepiece these days. I believe they also are licensed by and make the diesel watches for diesel. ( not sure if thats all of them or just some )

But I think when it comes to watches to get a good automatic movement , sapphire crystal, etc you do need to spend over $500 bucks. Not to say that you cannot find them its just not easy.

[Sirocco]

I've had a lot of watches in the past, mostly cheap ones. Between loosing them and just generally abusing them I've rarely had one last more than a couple months. Always looked at a watch as a tool as apposed to jewelry or a fashion item.

My mother purchased this Victorinox V7-22x "chrono racer" about 6 years ago for me for an X-mas present. I thought it might would last me a little longer than previous watches due to it's better construction. 6 years later I still have it and it still works flawlessly with a flawless crystal face and I've worn it every single day of those six years. The stainless band has a nice patina to it now though. I wrench on cars with it, have accidently banged the face against the pavement a few times...it's been splashed with brake cleaner, gasoline, and other automotive fluids and been in the salty Pacific numerous times. This thing is completely indestructable. This watch may very well last me the rest of my life.

The one below isn't my actual watch, pic snagged of the net. Mine also has a black face verses the blue one in the pic below.

Hope that helps.

[westsideseal]

Quote, originally posted by DRGSR »

I was with many of you when talking about Swiss Army. Decent watches, but nothing special. My dad has a Wenger that was meh. But to have picked up one in a department store or to just go by what you have read online doesn't give you much to go on. Listen to those who own and live with on a day to day basis. My most recent purchase was this Swiss Army Ambassador XL chronograph. Had the look and features that I was searching for. Let me tell you, it is fantastic. Uses the Valgranges a07.211 automatic chronograph movement from ETA. This is an enlarged Valjoux 7750 with a 46 hour power reserve. Beautiful silver face with blued hands. Triple layer anti reflective coating. I own 12 watches. The feel of this watch is as good or better than anything else I have. I paid $575 used and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I've had my Ambassador XL (non chrono manual wind) for about 3 years now. It keeps good time, it's been through hell, and all I've had to do was replace the strap a couple times after sweating a bit too much in the original. I paid around $500 for mine. It gets a big from me.

[DubberNix]

Quote, originally posted by Sirocco »

My mother purchased this Victorinox V7-22x "chrono racer" about 6 years ago for me for an X-mas present. I thought it might would last me a little longer than previous watches due to it's better construction. 6 years later I still have it and it still works flawlessly with a flawless crystal face and I've worn it every single day of those six years. The stainless band has a nice patina to it now though. I wrench on cars with it, have accidently banged the face against the pavement a few times...it's been splashed with brake cleaner, gasoline, and other automotive fluids and been in the salty Pacific numerous times. This thing is completely indestructable. This watch may very well last me the rest of my life.

I agree 100%, I feel the same way about my Victorinox V7. It is virtually indestructible and I use it as my daily wear. Sapphire crystal, solid stainless steel links, water resistant, screw down crown, swiss made, etc.

The funny thing is that I have looked at other Swiss Army watches and the ones from Wenger never seem as well made. Judging my by own experience and some of the examples above, Victorinox is the way to go

Bottom line, if it doesn't have a sapphire crystal, it's a fashion watch


Modified by DubberNix at 9:51 PM 6-7-2009

[Jordan 191]

Quote, originally posted by WillMK5 »

I think the confusion here is over the term fashion watch. I personally don't think Victrinox watches are fashion watches, not in the sense that Fossil's, Seikos, and Orients are.

More confusion here: What makes Seikos fashion watches? Don't they make their own automatic movements? Maybe I don't understand the term.

[DRGSR]

Right. Seiko and Orient are not fashion watches. Both make their own movements.

[Bird]

sapphire crystal or GTFO!

scratched faces are a major pet peeve

[WillMK5]

Quote, originally posted by Jordan 191 »

More confusion here: What makes Seikos fashion watches? Don't they make their own automatic movements? Maybe I don't understand the term.

I don't know what I included Seiko and Orient in that. In retrospect, that was a foolish thing to say.