Over the summer of 2011 Swiss Army Victorinox released a new version of their “Original watch” that I covered here. It was a modern rendition of the original watch that put the brand on the map. Retaining the good looks and legible dial, the “new” Original watch is more modern in its looks and presentation.

Now just a little bit later Swiss Army Victorinox announces and will soon release a chronograph version of the Swiss Army Original. In case it was not obvious, the watch will be called the Swiss Army Original Chronograph. As you can tell, in comparison to the three-hand Original model the Chronograph features a slightly different dial. This is all due to the addition of the chronograph subdials.

While they don’t specifically mention it, I think that Swiss Army is using an ETA quartz chronograph movement. It is certainly a Swiss made quartz movement at the least. My favorite part of the Original Chronograph is the integration of the chronograph pushers. The large rounded push-pieces look comfortable and stylish. The subdials on the dial for the chronograph functions offer a bold and legible look with 30 minutes of timing and 1/10 of a second precision. While in while and starkly contrasting with the dial – they maintain the colorful military look of the watch.

In its chronograph form the Original watch retains the same 40mm wide size and case material (which is plastic with a “nylon fiber middle case” and aluminum bezel). Water resistance is 100 meters and there is lume on the hands. One thing missing however is the 24 hour scale that most Swiss Army watches tend to have. Colors for the watch are the same “navy grey, commando black, desert beige, and khaki green.” All watches come on NATO style straps.

These fun-looking Swiss Army Original Chronograph watches will be available in the Spring of 2012. Price will be $450 (up from $295 for the three-hand models).