You say, slow down, you’re moving too fast. Well, forget that noise, we’re moving right along. At the end of October, we brought you word (LINK) of two new models that had been announced by Victorinox. In that writeup, I stated that the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono is what comes to mind when I think of watches from the brand, and I declared the one with the mint green indices (which seems to be in running for accent color of the year) to be the obvious winner. Lo and behold, that is precisely the model we were able to get in for review.
Colors
When you are dealing with lighter colors, what you are setting them against can make a big difference. While you can certainly set a pastel in the midst of a very dark hue, that can be a bit jarring. Which is why I was glad to see that on this version of the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono, the main dial color is actually a grey. It steps down from the brighter green without being jarring, and then allows the transition to the black present in the subdials and the case finish. I also really dig the fact that they made the Victorinox shield on the dial a similar shade of green (rather than the traditional red) – and that it’s luminous as well.
Case
When you’re dealing with a chronograph, particularly one with a tri-compax layout, you’re going to want a little extra room to get the dial laid out (or otherwise be asking if this is a watch for ants). So, to that end, the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono has itself a 42mm stainless steel case (in this option, with a gunmetal PVD coating) which I find to be on the upper end of what I would consider for my own wrist, but it’s by no means a giant watch. That’s helped by the slimmer profile that the quartz movement (a Ronda 5030.D, to be precise) allows the watch to take.
Dial
One detail that felt odd – at first – on the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono was the fact that it has a triangle down at the bottom of the dial. We’re used to seeing that at the top, and think of it (or at least, I do) as a way of orienting the watch so you’re reading the time correctly. So, yes, it’s different, but it’s a canny choice. You see, if they had placed a 6 there, the lowest subdial (and the date window) would have cut it off, and instead looked more like a lopsided zero. So, yeah, I think they made the right choice here in putting something onto the dial that keeps things balanced top-to-bottom and doesn’t look weird.
Day-to-Day Usage
If you’re like me, you could quite easily wear the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono and never make use of the chronograph functions. They’re there for you, of course, and the rest of the watch is just solid everyday capability. You’ve got your date and time, of course, all under a sapphire crystal with AR coating on it. Throw in the fact that you’ve got a rubber strap and 100m WR rating, well, this watch can handle anything in your day-to-day for sure. If you want something that might mix into something a bit dressier, then the bracelet might be of interest (a $100 premium).
Casual Watch
I wore the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono over a number of days, and it was a pleasant companion to have on the wrist. I definitely viewed it as a more casual watch, and it felt most at home on the weekends, though I did have it at the office as well (which, in my case, has a very casual dress code). In short, I feel like the the Victorinox watches – and the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono in particular – are a solid way for someone to get a decent Swiss watch that just works day in, day out, without having to fuss about with the intricacies of a mechanical movement (especially a chronograph). Sure, we like our tiny mechanical marvels, but this, I think, is something that someone who isn’t as into watches as us would definitely appreciate and make good use of.
Price
While I found myself drawn to the mint green version of the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono , there are certainly other variants from the brand as well, with prices ranging from $475 to $595 (I’ve listed those out below). For the one we were sent for review, the price comes in at $495. And yes, you?re easily into mechanical movement pricing here, but I don’t think you’ll find a chronograph anywhere near here.
And as I said, not everyone wants that mechanical movement. If you’re on the hunt for grab-and-go reliability and accuracy, well, quartz is your friend. And if I saw this one on your wrist, I’d congratulate you for a solid choice, and get into talking about what you like best about it. Watches are accessories (useful ones, to be sure, but still accessories) and you should get what you enjoy and works for your life. And if that happens to be the Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono? I think you’ll be doing a-ok. swissarmy.com
Review Summary
- Brand & Model: Victorinox FieldForce Sport Chrono
- Price: $495 (as reviewed)
- Who’s it for? Someone who wants a reliable, accurate watch with a classic Victorinox look
- Would I wear it? While chronographs aren?t my thing, this is a fairly attractive and compact one – so yes
- What I’d change: Have some fun, and blast that green luminous paint onto the subdials (or at least the subdial hands)
- The best thing about it: Just how minty it is (mint green, that is)
Watch the video version of this post here:
Tech Specs from Victorinox
- 42 mm stainless steel (316L), gunmetal PVD*, case
- Scratch-resistant, triple-coated and anti-reflective sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant to 100 m (10 ATM / 330 ft)
- Chronograph function & tachymeter scale
- Screw-in case back
- Crown protection
- 5 year international warranty+ on the watch
- Dial and Strap
- Black or anthracite dial
- Super-LumiNova? on hands and numerals
- Date calendar at 6:00
- Orange or black genuine rubber strap* or stainless steel* (316L) black PVD bracelet
- Movement: Ronda 5030.D Swiss-made quartz movement
- Pricing
- Orange Strap: $475
- Black Strap with yellow numerals: $475
- Black Strap with red numerals: $495
- Black Strap with green numerals: $495
- Stainless Steel bracelet: $595
