Home » Victorinox Swiss Army Watches » Victorinox Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph Watch
Originating from the Classic series, the new Vicorinox Infantry Mechanical Chronograph has placed itself among the top timepieces of the company that received world fame for the construction of the famous Swiss army knives. It is a fully mechanical chronograph with a smart and sporty appearance and pristine faux-military design. With a retail price of about $1800, it is certainly a very affordable timekeeper, considering it is a self-winding mechanical watch with a chrono feature.
The overall design of the new watch from the Classic collection by Victorinox Swiss Army is elegant yet sporty, which recommends this watch for various formal and informal occasions. The watch has a number of appealing features, such as the execution of the dial, the use of quality materials and decorative finishes, which all contributes to the successful end result. The casing of the wall is made from stainless steel that in some cases involves Black Ice PVD treatment (or gunmetal finish in different terms). The width of the circular case is 44 mm, while the thickness measures up to 15 mm, including the stationary bezel. Victorinox made a classy selection to involve a sapphire crystal with triple glare-proof treatment to insure the effortless readability and optimal protection of the dial from scratches. The construction of the case guarantees water resistance to pressures up to 100 meters below the surface. Another neat detail on Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph timepiece is that it has a transparent case back.
Victorinox Classic Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph 241460 Watch
The see-through screwed in case back offers its wearer the look into the functioning of the automatic mechanical caliber that Victorinox utilized in the model. The choice is not that spectacular, considering that it chose good old and reliable ETA Valjoux 7750 self-winding caliber with 25 jewels. This type of automatic movement, widely used on a number of different timekeepers by various brands, offers a power reserve of about 40 hours.
Measure Distances with the Use of Telemeter Scale
The dial of Victorinox Infantry Mechanical Chronograph timepiece from the Classic collection is textured and made in order to match the color of the case. The dial includes Arabic numerals, sword-shaped large hands and three subsidiary dials. The hands and numerals are treated with a luminous matter, thus providing excellent legibility even in very harsh and dark environments. Two chrono subsidiary dials that include12 hour and 30 minute scales are on the top and bottom of the dial, respectively. Small seconds counter is executed in an original manner in order to resemble a retrograde scale. The flange of the timepiece includes a telemeter scale that in the combination with the chronometer with accuracy of 1/4th of second can be used to calculate distances.
Victorinox Classic Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph 241449 Watch
Telemeter scale is actually a very cool feature and it works on a rather simple principle. The calculation of the distance takes into account the fact that light and speed travel at different speeds. One of the usual examples of this phenomenon occurs during a thunderstorm when the lightning is immediately visible, and a thunder follows after a few seconds. If the wearer activates the chronograph when he or she sees the lightning, and stops it when the sound is heard, the distance can be revealed by the information on the scale. Although it is not a highly practical function, and doubtfully one you would often use, it still is a neat feature that could even come handy at some point.
Victorinox Classic Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph 241526 Watch
There are five different versions of Victorinox Vintage Mechanical Chronograph timepiece that share the same basic characteristics. The first one (Ref. No 241520) has a gunmetal PVD finish on the case, a charcoal brown dial and an appropriate brown leather strap with a convenient push-button deployment clasp (in this version, like all the others with Black Ice PVD treatment case treatment, the clasp has the same finish). The next variation of Swiss Army Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph with the designation 241448 has a 316L stainless steel case and a green dial. The attachment of this timekeeper is a brown leather strap with contrasting stitching. The third variation is the only one with a light-colored dial. The product with the reference number 241449 has a silver dial and a black leather strap. The next variation (Ref. No 241526) of the model is with Black Ice PVD finish on the case, a dark gray dial and a leather strap with matte stitching in the same color. The final of the versions (241460) has the most powerful presence, featuring a black dial, supplemented with gunmetal finishes on the case and a 3-row steel bracelet. This is the most expensive version and it retails around $2000.
All in all, Victorinox Vintage Mechanical Chronograph is a very versatile wristwatch. It is elegant and dynamic at the same time, with the probably most interesting versions being the ones with Black ice PVD finish. The watch only includes a chronograph complication and a date display. Still, it is a classy self-winding mechanical chronograph with a dependable movement, produced in a classy package that Victorinox named Infantry Mechanical Chronograph.
Nice review. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new 241460. This is the best source of info on the watch I have found. Thank you.