Although the brand is arguably best known for its multi-function pocket knives and cutlery, Victorinox also produces a diverse assortment of watches, and the Swiss company has just announced a new collection of divers for its latest release of 2024. Spanning eight different models, the new Victorinox Dive Pro series offers the option of either stainless steel or titanium cases, and buyers also have the choice between quartz or automatic movements.
All of the new Victorinox Dive Pro watches feature 43mm cases that are fitted with flat sapphire crystals above their dials, and they have faceted unidirectional rotating timing bezels, along with screw-down crowns and casebacks to help support their 300 meters of water resistance. However, while the four quartz Dive Pro models have their crowns positioned between two guards at 3 o’clock, the automatic versions have their crowns relocated to the 4 o’clock location. Additionally, while the dials all share the same core design across the series, the automatic versions feature horizontal lines embossed into their center sections, and they feature both day and date displays at 3 o’clock. Meanwhile, the quartz models offer a more pared-down appearance with a smooth central section on their dials, and they omit the day display of their automatic siblings in favor of just a standard date window.
The two quartz models with stainless steel cases from the new Victorinox Dive Pro series are the ref. 241990 with a black dial/strap, and the ref. 241991, which is the dark blue version that swaps out the small yellow accents found on the black model for equivalent details in bright orange. The other two quartz Dive Pro models have cases made from sandblasted grade 2 titanium, and they both feature black dials with bright yellow accents. Where the two titanium models differ is when it comes to their straps, and while the ref. 241992 is fitted with a matching yellow rubber strap, the ref. 241993.1 is paired with a handwoven black paracord strap, and it comes as a set with an extra black rubber strap and accessories wallet.
Similar to the quartz versions, the four automatic Victorinox Dive Pro watches are also spread evenly between stainless steel and titanium models, and colorways for the stainless steel duo are the same as what can be found among the quartz models from the collection. Consequently, the ref. 241994 is the black version with yellow accents, while the ref. 241995 is the dark blue and orange version; however, the automatic Dive Pro models have diagonally striped seconds hands that showcase their accenting colors, while the quartz versions simply feature these colors on the central shafts of their seconds hands.
As for the pair of titanium Victorinox Dive Pro models with automatic movements, the ref. 241996 features a black PVD finish on its bezel, and it gets paired with a black dial, bright orange accents, and a matching orange rubber strap. Meanwhile, the ref. 241997 has a black PVD finish on both its case and bezel, and it features bright yellow accents with a teal-colored ring surrounding the central section of its black dial. To maintain its largely back color profile, the ref. 241997 is fitted with a black rubber strap, and both titanium versions of the automatic Dive Pro feature the same diagonally striped seconds hands that can be found on their stainless steel siblings.
On the topic of the hands, the handset fitted to the new Victorinox Dive Pro collection is arguably even stranger than the trail sign-inspired set that can be found on the brand’s Journey 1884 series. At first glance, they look rather similar to what you might find on a Seiko diver; however, upon closer inspection, the Dive Pro’s handset is far more unusual. The hour and minute hands both feature a partially skeletonized design with open-worked sections near their bases, although a far more bizarre detail exists at their tips. Attached right beyond the luminous portions of the hands are thin rectangular frames with an additional piece sticking out from the end, and on select models, this frame is finished in the same accenting color that can be found throughout the rest of the watch.
Rather than being fitted with inserts like the bezels found on most dive watches, the bezels fitted to the new Victorinox Dive Pro models appear to be a single piece of metal constructed from the same alloy as the case. The angular faceted design is intended to assist with grip during operation, although they offer an overall profile that is very similar to the fixed bezels that can be found on the brand’s INOX Chrono watches. A large luminous dot is embedded in the surface of the bezel to represent the zero marker, and the scales on the bezels are punctuated by small details that appear in the same accenting color that is used throughout the rest of the watch.
Although no lume shot has been included among the press images, two different colors of Swiss Super-LumiNova are used on the watch, and while the majority of the markings glow green, the ones used for tracking elapsed time (the minute hand and bezel) glow blue to offer increased contrast in low-light settings. While the quartz versions of the new Victorinox Dive Pro are powered by the Ronda 715 Swiss quartz movement, the automatic versions receive the Sellita SW220, which runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. Additionally, since the Dive Pro series is compliant with ISO 6425 standards, the new models are also resistant to shocks outlined by ISO 1413 and offer antimagnetic protection according to ISO 764 certification.
In regards to pricing for the Victorinox Dive Pro collection, the two quartz models with stainless steel cases are both priced at $800 USD, while the titanium versions are priced at $1,100 USD and $1,200 USD for the model that comes as a set with two straps and an accessories wallet. Meanwhile, the automatic Dive Pro models cost $1,200 USD for the stainless steel versions, or $1,500 USD for either of the two titanium models. Although the aesthetics of the bezel and hands are undeniably a bit divisive, Victorinox always produces quality products, and these design cues ultimately connect the new Dive Pro series to the rest of Victorinox’s modern catalog. For more information on the Victorinox Dive Pro collection, please visit the brand’s website.
