Swiss army watch

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
The Swiss army watch doesn't really look like it's anything special. And yet, it has a formidable reputation.

I saw a friend wearing a black one. It looks great. It is simple, elegant and "solid". It was almost love at first sight.

I am just curious to know who makes Swiss army watches. Does that Swiss government grants special permission to one watch maker to produce this famous watch?

How is it in terms of durability?
 
I bought three SA wataches for myself and my sons
a couple of years ago. I couldn't wear mine as the
case was cheap base metal and my skin oils ate into
the back. Both of my son's had to have the battery
replaced which on a SA watch must be done by a
jeweler due the odd battery placment. After the
watches were back in service neiter one ever worked
correctly again.

So IMO, THEY ARE JUNK!!:mad: :mad: A Timex will do
a better job cheaper.
 
I'am with Tightwad on this one.

I purchased a SA watch 2 yrs ago, and consider it to be junk, too.
The strap it came with was poor quality, so I did replace it with a black NATO. However, the bezel is junk, it either has to be turned with a pair of vise grips, or it does not turn at all. Also, the bezel refuses to line up accurately :( .
It keeps time ok, but I to had to get a battery changed relatively early on, which I consider sub - par.
I replaced it with a Marathon SAR, a far better watch.
The ONLY time I would / will wear this SA is in the sauna or steam room at the gym.
For similar amounts of money, I would look at : Seiko, Marathon SAR, Casio, Citizen, Luminox, Yao Customs, etc.
Maybe the new, more expensive SA watches are of better quality ??
Mine cost around $ 250.00.
 
Were these bad Swiss army watches made by Victorinox or Wenger? There could be a large quality difference between the two manufacturers.
 
Good point Buzzbait,

My Wenger SA watch (large dial 100 m WR) is one of the most precise watches I have it runs about 1+ second in 2+ months.
Bought it in the USA about 6 years ago, just 6 months ago had battery changed by jeweler cost me $7 incluiding battery and testing on 100 m waterproof.

Great watch, just wished they made it with Traser tubes for night viewing because the phosphor glow on it sucks it only glows for 30 minutes after charging it with E2E with KL1 head.

Best Scouting wishes,

Bagheera
 
The watches that I have seen from both Wenger and Victorinox have left me unimpressed.

First of all, it is extremely unlikely (bordering on impossible) that either company is actually manufacturing these watches themselves. They almost certainly just licensed their name and logo to a mass-production watch company and maybe had a hand in deciding what the products would look like. Because of this any opinions of Wenger or Vic knives or tools should not translate to their watch products.

The watches that I have seen are just a standard lower rung Swiss quartz watch that can command a higher price because ot the SAK name on them.

The quality of their cases and bracelets is below other quartz watches in the same price range.

Because they are quartz they should be very accurate, but a Timex or Casio will give you equivalent accuracy for significantly less money.

If you desire a quartz watch you would be better off with a similarly priced Seiko or Citizen model. The Citizen Eco-Drives are particularly nice.

If you want a real mechanical watch in this price range you should look at Poljot, or some of the Seiko auto divers.
 
I have a Wenger swiss army watch that i got a couple years ago at Sam's for $40.00 on clearance.I like it,keeps good time,never had a problem w/it.Still running on the original battery too.Anyone have a Pulsar solar watch?..My wife got me one for our anniversary in June and i've been wearing it everyday.It has the stainless case and band and is 100m water resistant.Never had good luck w/the solar watch i owned before this one,but it was a cheapo though..So far the Pulsar is great.
 
Buzzbait,

Mine was made by Victorinox. It's waterproof rated to 100 m, however I can not remember what model it is, and it does not say anywhere on the dial or the caseback the model or ref number.
I do know that I paid somewhere around $ 200-250.00 in San Diego, 2001.
 
I have two Victorinox SAK watches. A black "Original" model purchased in 1992 and a Renegade model from 1999. I have had the battery in the Original replaced three times by the usual mall jewelers and it cost maybe $6 each time. They both have been great with no problems at all. I really like the black on white face of the Original.
 
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