We’re all thankful for all of the development that new technology has brought to our lives. From the smart devices that make an entire house “run” only from the sound of our voice to the smartphones that come with apps for everything in our life (no more forgetting about your anniversary with your fiancé! There’s an app for that too!), we are surrounded by technology that makes our life incredibly easy (too easy?).
However, some things should never change. Or, if they do, we should always remember how it all started. It’s the same old story for the watches. No matter how great automatic movement is, there’s nothing as durable or classic as the mechanical movement. Not yet, anyway…
Is Victorinox a memorable name within the watch industry?
You may have heard about the Victorinox name, especially if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. It’s because Victorinox is a respected brand when it comes to knives industry as the knives made of Swedish steel stand out as highly performant and reliable tools to use in life.
However, this isn’t the only thing that Victorinox is manufacturing. The Swiss brand is also creating and designing watches, outdoor gear and travel gear that never disappoints in terms of reliability or overall value.
When it comes to watches, the Victorinox watches present as tough and nicely looking watches that take excess wear for a very long time. Many of the models come with water-resistance to 100 meters (and even higher than that), but it’s the rugged construction and the excellent design combination that makes the Victorinox watches stay with you.
Why take a look at the Victorinox I.N.O.X. Mechanical?
If you’re a timepiece aficionado, you know that you should include a mechanical watch into your excellent collection.
Victorinox Swiss Army released the long-lasting I.N.O.X. Watch collection in 2014 and Victorinox have been waiting for the mechanical series for quite some time now. The watches within the series are the most durable, taking the 130 torture tests from Victorinox.
We’re not going to debate about the strength and durability of automatic versions as opposed to the quartz ones. This is not the right place, but we should mention that if you think that your watch is going to have to take emotional abuse, you should go with a quartz movement for your watch. If you’re still going with the looks of Victorinox I.N.O.X., but it’s for your business meetings, the mechanical series is your best shot.
No matter if you go for the strap or the bracelet model, you need to be prepared to pay less than $1000. The watches in the mechanical collection come with Swiss ETA 2824-2 automatic movement which works at 4HZ with two days of power reserve. The automatic movement is visible thanks to the translucent exhibition case back
The looks are somewhat formal, and the most appealing detail is the “Alox-style” dial pattern which resembles the appearance of the iconic metal-cased pocket knives. The dial within the mechanical series is somewhat rigid but very easy to read. The guilloche pattern of the dial gives some depth to the face of the watch, but in a perfect way.
The case is still 43mm wide (just like the automatic models), and it’s made with steel. It’s a water-resistant case (up to 200m) with a screw-down crown. The watches come with triple AR-coated sapphire crystal over the dial and protective removable bumper, taking the challenges of outdoor activities. Even though its looks recommend it for the office, you can also take it outside for a spin, sort to speak.
When it comes to the straps, there are several options. You can go with the combination of wood and leather (which is supposed to be an environmentally friendly option according to Victorinox) or the stainless steel bracelet. Either way, both types take the use for the right amount of time and provide a comfortable and secure fit.
The I.N.O.X. comes with a black or blue dial, so there are several options for you to choose from.
At the end of the day, the I..N.O.X. Mechanical is a bit more modern and elegant than other similar mechanical Victorinox Swiss Army watches. The watches are durable and even cheaper than you’d expect for a mechanical model.
The features of Victorinox I.N.O.X Mechanical 241835
The watch comes with all the other elements within the case. The case is made with high-grade Swiss stainless steel, and the anti-scratch coating of the bezel make it a solid option for the outdoor scenarios as well.
The bracelet is made with patented stainless steel that isn’t just highly resilient but also very elegantly looking.
The watch is also water resistant to 20ATM/200m/660ft. The screw-in case back and the screw-down crown, along with the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, ensure its toughness and ability to handle even the outdoor challenges.
What is it that we don’t like?
It’s not your ordinary outdoor watch, but more of an office watch that you can also take while hiking.
Even if its look is elegant and sleek, some think that it’s not the most supple watch out there either.
What’s our final take on the watch?
In all fairness, the watch doesn’t disappoint on many levels. It comes with the robust build, the reliable performance, the accuracy and the overall quality that you’d expect to see in Victorinox watches. Besides, you’re also paying a lot less than you’d typically pay for a mechanical automatic movement watch.
Add the long-lasting materials, the incredible craftsmanship and the clarity of the dial into the equation. Suddenly, it makes sense why you should add the watch to your collection. After all, it’s not every day that you buy a mechanical watch that you can wear both at work and hiking!
RESOURCES
Victorinox I.N.O.X. Mechanical in blue, 43 mm – 241835
