The Victorinox Night Vision and the Night Vision Chronograph are two great pieces. They are a combination of an analog display and special lighting functions that are normally not even found on a digital watch. These Two pieces have 6 different lighting functions, that can be found in 3 different places on the watches.
Design
42mm and 6.2oz, The size of the watch can be perceived as being small compared to all of the features it contains. When the watch is on the wrist you will notice and feel that the watch is actually a decent size, this is partially caused by the thickness of the case as well as the elongated lugs. Built into the lugs are actually the end links for the bracelet. These were built in to allow the flashlight to be integrated into the case, without taking up too much space. The black ice stainless steel case gives this watch a dressy and somewhat formal appeal, but to some people, including myself, the color and the polishing of the case give the watch a cheap and flimsy look.
This piece is a chronograph which includes a crown, which is protected by a crown guard and two pushers on the right side of the case. On this piece you will get an extra pusher which controls the different lighting functions.
The polished, stainless steel bezel gives the appeal of simplicity. No writing, numbers, markings will be found on this bezel. It is purely meant for aesthetics.
The dial, my favorite part of this piece, can be broken up and seen as 3 different levels or parts.
The first part, a minute scale ring and the sub-dials for the Chronograph, is the base of the entire dial. Also found on this part is a small locator light. This light is found at 6 o’clock. Everything else is applied to this part or found above it.
The second part is a black 12 hour Dial. This is applied to the grey dial below it. On this second part you will find the indices, These are applied to the dial, as well as the Hour, Minute and Chronograph seconds hands. Cutouts in this piece were made for the sub-dials. These cutouts, overlap with the numerals at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, which are still significant in size. A date window takes the place of the 6oclock marker. All of the indices as well as the hands are coated in lume.
The Third part, an angled ring, runs around the perimeter of the whole dial. This part is the same dark grey found on the base dial. On the ring you will find numerals at every 5 minute interval and markers at the rest. A small, raised box/cover can be found at the 60 minute position. This is what lights up the dial. It is also known as “Time Vision”. The dial really helps the look of the watch, it is very well designed and built and takes away some of the cheap and flimsy look from the case.
Straps
A Black Ice, Stainless Steel bracelet is one of the three choices of straps you can choose. The other two are leather, and rubber. Don’t make a mistake. Just like the case, the bracelet also looks cheap and flimsy; however, is it very strong and durable. The bracelet fits into the lugs very nicely and has almost no space or wiggle room. This is definitely surprising because
the end links are built into the watch case. The true end links are normal links connected to the lugs. A butterfly deployment as well as a safety clasp are used to allow the band to stay secure enough on your wrist.
Movement
Inside the watch you will find a Swiss-Made Quartz movement. This movement features hacking, and quick date change. The watch is powered by two batteries. One is for the actual movement, the other battery is used for the lights.
Light Features/Functions
There are 6 different light features on this piece and each feature is activated by clicking the left button a different number of time for different amounts of time. These are dial illumination, Extended light mode, Signal mode, SOS signal mode, Locator Mode, and Battery End-of-life mode. Dial illumination, which is found on the dial at the 60 minute mark, is what lights up the whole dial. You will get 8 different light color choices. Extended light mode, is using/keeping the flashlight on for 2 minutes without flashing, Signal mode is also using the flashlight for 2 minutes but this will flash 150 times per minute and SOS mode is using the flashlight to flash an Intensified SOS signal. Locator mode and Battery End-Of-Life both use the light found at the 30 minute or 6 o’clock marker. That light is a red beacon. Locator mode is flashing the red beacon every 10 seconds and Battery End-Of-Life mode flashes 3 times every 10 seconds using the beacon. This is indicating the batteries need replacing.
Opinion
The watch has some very cool features, and sports a nice dial, although the color and the polishing definitely take some appeal away from the watch. Despite its cheap look the watch is definitely strong and durable. I would suggest this piece for anyone looking for a different, and uncommon watch. If you are looking for a watch to get the most of your money out of, I would probably say look at some of Victorinox’s other watches in the same price range unless you can easily afford this. Pricing for this piece starts at $695.
To have a look at Victorinox’s entire range visit their official website.
I own this watch. After six months it stopped running. Battery was still ok according to a watchmaker. Victorinox repaired it. And again after a few months the same problem. Again to Victorinox, without a watch for ten weeks. Now a year later, the same problem. Batteries are fine. No idea what is wrong with this watch. Never again a Victorinox for me.