Victorinox is a knife maker from Ibach, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1884 as a workshop owned by Karl Elsener and is best known for the Swiss Army knife. Watches came later. In 1989 Victorinox began selling watches in the United States under the name "Swiss Army". Its collection now ranges from luxurious dress watches to tough dive watches, with both mechanical and quartz movements. All of them are made in Switzerland. For buyers of secondhand watches, Victorinox is appealing because the choice is wide, from everyday work watches to watches for heavy-duty activity. What to look at is the series, the movement type, and the condition of the seals, because these have the biggest effect on the watch's value and durability.
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Victorinox began in 1884 as Messerfabrik Carl Elsener, a workshop owned by Karl Elsener in Ibach. In 1897 he patented the Schweizer Offiziers- und Sportmesser, which was later marketed abroad as the Original Swiss Army Knife. The knife was not used as official equipment by the Swiss army, but its sales helped the company recover financially.
The brand name came later. In 1909, after his mother died, Elsener used the name "Victoria" to honor her, and the Swiss national emblem was adopted as the logo. In 1921 the trade name became Victorinox, a combination of "Victoria" and "inox", short for acier inoxydable, the French term for stainless steel.
Watches only entered the picture in 1989, when Victorinox marketed them in the United States under the name "Swiss Army". In 2001 Victorinox and SABI, the company that sold the watches in North America, established Victorinox Swiss Army Watch AG. A year later Victorinox took over all of SABI's shares. Before that, Swiss Army-branded watches were sold in North America, while Victorinox-branded watches were sold outside that region. After the merger, the Victorinox Swiss Army brand was marketed worldwide. In 2014 the I.N.O.X. line arrived, which according to the company's claim is highly shock resistant, even to being run over by a tank.
- I.N.O.X.: a line introduced in 2014 and claimed by the company to be highly shock resistant, even to being run over by a tank.
- Divemaster: one of the Victorinox watch collections; the range does include tough dive watches.
- Heritage: another collection, alongside Infantry and Airboss; our source does not detail the features of each.
What we check before listing
We match the writing on the dial to the era, because these watches have been sold under the names Swiss Army, Victorinox, and later Victorinox Swiss Army. We check the movement type, mechanical or quartz, then see whether the watch keeps stable time and the battery has not leaked. Because these watches are often used for outdoor activity, we check the crystal for deep scratches or cracks, as well as the condition of the crown and rubber seals. We also look at the case, clasp, and strap links for signs of impact or looseness. The serial number on the case and the completeness of the box and card are taken into account as additional considerations.
Caring for it
Rinse the watch with fresh water and wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing it in sweaty or dusty places. Rubber seals age over time, so have the water resistance checked by a watch technician from time to time, especially before swimming. Have the battery of a quartz watch replaced at a reputable service shop so the seals are not damaged. Keep the watch away from heat, strong magnetic fields, and hard impacts.
FAQ
What is the difference between Swiss Army and Victorinox watches?
According to our source, these watches first went on sale in the United States in 1989 under the name Swiss Army. There was once a split in branding: Swiss Army in North America and Victorinox outside that region. After 2002 the two were merged into Victorinox Swiss Army. For this reason, the writing on the dial can differ depending on the era of the watch.
Are Victorinox watches made in Switzerland?
According to our source, all Victorinox watches are produced in Switzerland. Even so, we judge authenticity from a physical check, not from a single feature, and that is not a guarantee.
Are Victorinox watches mechanical or quartz?
Both exist. Victorinox makes watches with mechanical and quartz movements. We always state the movement type in the item description so you know what care it needs.
Is the I.N.O.X. really shockproof?
The company claims the I.N.O.X. line is highly shock resistant, even to being run over by a tank. That is the manufacturer's claim. On a secondhand watch, durability depends on the current condition of the seals, crystal, and case, so it is best not to rely on that claim right away.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).