In this article, we'll be taking a closer look at one of Victorinox's best mechanical offerings: the Inox Mechanical.
At TeddyBaldassarre.com, we are an authorized dealer of various watch brands, including Victorinox. Throughout this review, I’ll provide a deep dive into the features of the Inox Mechanical and offer some final thoughts at the end. If you have further questions or are interested in purchasing this watch, check out the product page linked in the description. Now, let’s dive in and take a closer look at the watch!
Brand Background
Before we get into the details of the watch, let's briefly cover some history about Victorinox. Founded in Switzerland in 1884, the brand is perhaps best known for its high-quality cutlery and legendary Swiss Army knives. However, since 1989, Victorinox has also been producing robust Swiss tool watches, with collections like the AirBoss and Swiss Army Heritage offering excellent value for Swiss-made timepieces.
Since its release in 2014, the Inox collection, known for its ability to withstand over 130 extreme tests, has become a defining product line for Victorinox among both enthusiasts and the general public. For this review, we’ll focus on the more premium option in the Inox Mechanical family, priced at $875 with a stainless steel bracelet. Let’s take a closer look at this powerhouse of a watch.
Construction and Wearability
The Inox Mechanical is a substantial watch, as you’d expect from something often described as a "tank." It has a 43mm diameter, a 53mm lug-to-lug distance, and a thickness of 13.5mm. Despite the listed 43mm, the watch wears more like a 44mm due to its broader case length. With these dimensions, it’s best suited for larger wrists, ideally 7 inches or more in circumference.
That said, the lugs are turned down slightly, and both the bracelet and strap variations articulate well, making the watch more wearable than it might seem based on its specs.
Case Design and Finishing
The case design of the Inox Mechanical takes a bold approach to the classic dive watch silhouette. It features prominent sloping crown guards and a large 7.2mm screw-down crown. The sides of the case fall sharply away from the top, and the lugs have sharp 90° angles with a rounded top surface.
The broad bezel adds a distinctive touch with its faceted edges, alternating between brushed and polished finishes. Unlike the Inox Professional Diver, this version has a fixed bezel, serving only a visual purpose.
The back of the watch features a nearly flat screw-down exhibition case back, which, along with the crown, helps maintain its 200-meter water resistance. This makes it suitable for all but the most extreme aquatic activities.
Bracelet and Strap Options
The watch comes with a 21mm H-link style bracelet, secured by solid straight end links that rotate at the lugs. The bracelet is primarily brushed, with small polished accents, and it tapers to 20mm at the clasp. The clasp is mostly stamped but includes a folding extension. The bracelet is extremely well-made, especially for a watch in this price range.
Alternatively, the khaki tan leather strap offers a lighter wearing experience with its waffle-textured surface and folding deployant clasp. While the bracelet might be the better option for most, especially at just a $50 upcharge, the strap is still a solid choice if you prefer a less bulky feel.
Dial Design
One of the standout features of the Inox is its dial, which has impressive depth. The dial consists of a sharply angled, multi-tiered chapter ring with minute markings, secondary 24-hour markings, and trapezoidal, polished indices filled with luminescent material. The Victorinox logo at 12 o’clock doubles as the hour marker, giving a unique touch reminiscent of Rolex's Oyster Perpetual design.
The dial itself has a fine waffle texture in dark blue, offering excellent contrast against the hands. Both the dial and hands are luminescent, although the lume is adequate but not exceptional compared to competitors like Seiko.
Movement
The watch is powered by the Sellita SW200, a well-regarded third-party movement. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), the movement features hacking and hand-winding capabilities, with a power reserve of 38 hours. When tested in five positions, the accuracy ranged from +8 to +12 seconds per day, which is respectable for this price range.
Final Thoughts
The Victorinox Inox Mechanical is a well-built, durable watch that caters to a specific type of enthusiast. It’s rugged, reliable, and offers excellent finishing, especially in the case and bracelet. While the SW200 movement is common in watches over $1,000, getting it at this price point is a bonus.
However, this watch won’t be for everyone. Its large size will likely rule out those with smaller wrists, and the lume could be improved. Despite these drawbacks, the Inox Mechanical offers great value for those who appreciate a robust, everyday tool watch.
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