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Our selection of the best Victorinox Swiss Army watches

Victorinox men’s watches: the secret behind the Swiss manufacture of these robust watches

Victorinox is much more than a brand of Swiss knives. Behind the name lies a veritable Swiss institution, founded in 1884 by Karl Elsener. Based in Ibach, the company initially specialized in the manufacture of precision steel tools.

In 1891, Elsener created the Swiss soldier’s knife, which became world-famous under the name « Swiss Army Knife ». With the addition of the Swiss cross to its knives in 1909, the Victorinox brand was born. Today, it is the world’s largest manufacturer of pocket knives.

But Victorinox didn’t stop at knives. From the 1980s onwards, the brand diversified and entered the watchmaking business in 1989, after acquiring the Wenger manufacture. Victorinox watches were born.

Like its knives, Victorinox watches focus on sturdiness and reliability. To achieve this, the brand uses a special steel:Swiss X50CrMoV15 stainless steel.

This chromium and molybdenum-based alloy was developed in the 1980s by Victorinox’s parent company. It offers extreme mechanical resistance, even at sub-zero temperatures. It is 50% stronger than other stainless steels.

It is thanks to this high-performance steel that Victorinox watches are so robust. Combined with extensive testing, it makes the INOX and Journey 1884 ranges virtually indestructible.

Victorinox uses an exclusive Swiss stainless steel, X50CrMoV15. This alloy has been specially developed to offer extreme resistance.

Extensive tests have been carried out to prove the robustness of this steel:

Tensile tests: the steel undergoes very high stretching forces before yielding. Its elastic limit is 50% higher than the norm.
Resilience tests: subjected to violent impacts at various temperatures, the steel resists without breaking, even at -42°C.
Hardness tests: Vickers hardness is 50% higher than average. It is very difficult to scratch or scuff.
Corrosion tests: immersed in a salt spray chamber, steel does not rust after 720 hours of exposure.
Ageing tests: after accelerated ageing simulating 10 years of use, the steel shows no degradation.

These tests demonstrate that Victorinox stainless steel is extremely resistant over time, even under extreme conditions. This is what makes the watches in the INOX and Journey 1884 ranges so famous.

Victorinox has 4 main watch ranges:

The INOX range
FieldForce range
Journey 1884 range
The Alliance range

Each of these ranges has its own characteristics and offers models for specific uses.

The Victorinox I.N.O.X range

The INOX range is one of Victorinox’s technological showcases in watchmaking. Launched in 2014, it is built to withstand absolutely anything.

History

The name INOX refers to thestainless steel from which the cases are machined. Victorinox has developed an exclusive alloy, X50CrMoV15, offering outstanding strength.

This high-tech steel enables the INOX range to shine in extreme conditions. Each model undergoes more than 130 toughness and endurance tests before going to market.

These tests include

10-meter drop onto concrete
Crushing by a 64-tonne vehicle
Projection by sledgehammer
Exposure to sulfuric acid
Thermal cycling from -57°C to 71°C
Simulation of 10 years of accelerated ageing

The INOX range is designed to accompany adventurers and extreme activity enthusiasts on their wildest expeditions, without ever failing.

Technical specifications

One-piece stainless steel case X50CrMoV15
Water-resistant to 200 meters
Resistant to shock, water and extreme temperatures
High-resistance anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Swiss Made quartz or automatic movement
Screw-down crown
Interchangeable bracelets

Flagship models

INOX

The original model in the range, launched in 2014, theINOX is available in a quartz or automatic version. It boasts an imposing 43 mm case in monobloc steel.

TheINOX Quartz houses a Ronda 715 movement. Its battery lasts up to 10 years.

TheINOX Automatic is powered by an ETA Caliber 2671 automatic movement. It offers 38 hours of power reserve.

INOX Carbon

A variant of INOX with a carbon fiber bezel and bracelet, for a sporty look and increased lightness. It retains the same legendary resistance.

Available here

INOX Mechanical

The most advanced version of INOX, with its guilloché dial, ETA 2824-2 automatic movement and 43 mm solid steel monobloc case.

A true technological concentrate, theINOX Mechanical symbolizes the ultra-resistant mechanical watch. It embodies the Victorinox motto « Forever New ».

Available here

The aesthetics of the INOX range are resolutely sporty and technical. The watches feature clean lines and a functional design that exudes robustness.

With their imposing faceted monobloc case, stripped-down dial and massive bezel, INOX watches have a masculine, assertive look. Their no-holds-barred style appeals to adventurers and extreme sports enthusiasts.

The target audience is young and middle-aged men, sporty and dynamic, looking for a watch that reflects their image. INOX watches are for those who push their limits on a daily basis.

Click here to discover Victorinox INOX watches

The Victorinox FieldForce range: Fieldforce Classic, Fieldforce Sport etc

With the FieldForce range, Victorinox pays tribute to the field watches once worn by Swiss army officers. Rugged and functional, these timepieces are built for action.