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Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph Review

By Cameron Martel

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Updated on

About Victorinox

Founded in 1884, Victorinox is now the sole supplier of knives to the Swiss Army (hence “Swiss Army Knife”). Victorinox began building watches in 1989. A multi-faceted company that produces many products, Victorinox timepieces tend to be more focused on utility and sensible design.

Victorinox watches are built in Switzerland.

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Review Summary

The Infantry Vintage Chronograph is designed to do its job and do it well. Excellent visibility – day or night – and solid build means that you can confidently wear this watch almost anywhere. This is an excellent watch for someone that wants a chronograph and wants something that will work and look like new for many years.

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph Technical Specifications

  • Model Number: 241578
  • MSRP: $795
  • Case Diameter: 44mm
  • Alternate Models: Quartz and automatic options available
  • Movement: Quartz chronograph
  • Complications: Date display, chronograph
  • Battery Life: Approximately 3 years
  • Water Resistance: 100m/330ft
  • Crystal Material: Sapphire

Setting the Time

The quartz chronograph used is very simple to operate. The top button activates and pauses the chronograph (if already running), and the bottom button resets the chronograph. Note that the date display will automatically roll over at midnight. Be mindful when setting the time.

How To set the time:

  • Pull crown to the furthest position (position 3). Turn the crown clockwise to set the time.

How To set the date:

  • Pull the crown to the middle position (position 2) and turn clockwise to set the date.

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph Aesthetics & Design

January 2016 update: I’ve added a couple of pics from Amazon as mine do a poor job showing off the watch.

One of the hallmarks of a brand is its identity, and I’ve always felt that Victorinox does a good job giving their watches a defined identity. Looking at the Infantry Vintage Chronograph, it’s immediately obvious that it’s a Victorinox piece: the logo takes the 12 o’clock spot, and the typeface is the same as what is used on other Infantry timepieces, like the Infantry Vintage Mechanical I reviewed some time ago.

I like that Victorinox doesn’t get crazy with their design department. The face is busy but not cluttered, and aside from the grooved chronograph dials, the face is flat and smooth.

The black leather strap is also finished smooth, with no outwardly visible texture or decor. The strap matches the dial exactly, and the two are further complimented by the brushed steel case. The entire effect is quite subdued, though still attractive in my eyes.

The crown is embossed with the Victorinox Swiss Army logo and is also grooved. The chronograph buttons are smooth finished and inoffensive.

Overall, the Infantry Vintage Chronograph is a good looking watch.

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph Build Quality

The Infantry Vintage Chronograph has a good weight on the wrist. The stainless steel case feels solid, too- nothing sounds out of place when you shake it. When setting the hands move smoothly and precisely- there’s no wobble or dead space in the movement.

Crystal, Case, and Dial

The case and crystal are an excellent combination and are typical of Victorinox watches in this price range. The brushed finish on the steel keeps it looking good, as you don’t notice the wear marks as quickly as you would on a polished case.

The crown and buttons feel securely attached to the case. When turning the crown there is no play no matter what position it is in.

Strap and Clasp

The leather strap feels good. Soft, but not too soft, with a more supple underside. Unfortunately the standard steel buckle does introduce some wear marks on to the black leather. This is a by-product of the type of clasp that it is- a deployment clasp would prevent excessive wear, but that benefit comes at the cost of being less durable than a standard clasp.

Given the focus on usability, I think that the standard and strong buckle is a good choice here.

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

More About the Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

Movement

The Infantry Vintage Chronograph has been very accurate, deviating by less than a second per day. All the functions perform exactly as expected and do so with confidence: there’s a satisfying click when the chrono is activated, and when setting the time the movement is very secure.

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find out the specific movement used inside the Infantry Vintage Chronograph. I know Victorinox uses Swiss movements, but that’s as much as I know.

When I learn more I will update this section.

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

Value for Money

Victorinox gives you everything you would want on an upscale quartz chronograph: sapphire crystal, excellent build quality, and a comfortable and durable leather strap. A Swiss chronograph movement completes the package.

However, with an $800 MSRP, that’s not exactly good value. After all, the Tissot Courturier is an automatic Swiss chronograph for just $200 more, and for $800 you can get quite a few complicated automatics or even used automatic chronos. At the Infantry’s selling price of $300 it represents a much better value.

Victorinox is known for rigorous quality control, and those efforts are evident in the Infantry Vintage Chronograph. Priced under $350 it represents good value as far as I’m concerned.

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About Cameron Martel

If it ticks or tocks, I want it on my wrist. I'm a fan of all things that keep good time, and I can't resist a great looking watch. WYCA is my way of appreciating the engineering and artistry that goes into affordable watches. My favorite watch is my Jazzmaster Auto Chrono, and the watch I wear the most is my Weekender Chronograph. I currently have 33 watches in my collection. Learn more about WYCA's Editorial Process.

5 thoughts on “Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph Review”

  1. Great review, i am really thinking on buying this watch, it looks great. It is just that i am pretty sure that the pictures is model number 241314 witch is the same watch as 241578 that your reviewed it is just in a slighty different color.

    Reply
  2. Don’t buy this watch! The chronograph arms come lose, both the second hand, once and the 30 minute arm, twice, have fallen off! For whatever reason the attachment of the arms to the movements are weak. It happened at one year and 2.5 years of ownership. The timepiece was not abused in any way, just poor quality of workmanship.

    Reply
    • Shawn, I purchased this watch the same day I proposed to my wife. Over the course of time, I wore this watch daily as a firefighter/ paramedic. I was probably very rough on this watch and experienced the failure of the chronograph hands, as you described. Though I had moved on to more robust automatic watches, I wanted this watch repaired for sentimental reasons. I took it into the watch shop here in Louisville, Kentucky. I explained my story and after examination, it appears that only the watch hands were faulty. I still feel it is a tasteful, well designed watch. Best of luck with yours.

      -tm

      Reply
      • Same guy, years later. The chronograph hands were not the only faulty part of this watch. The movement has since imploded and it has been relegated to the watch box. Real shame…

        Reply

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