Victorinox Dive Pro Quartz
A Week on the Wrist: Victorinox’s New Dive Pro Collection
While I was excited to test drive one of the new watches from this collection for a few days, I quickly learned that I would need several more weeks to decide which of these compelling dive watches was my favorite. Movement, case material, colorway, strap options, they all look great!
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
Even if you are only somewhat familiar with my work on Watchonista, more likely than not, your overwhelming impression of me as a collector is that I am a guy who loves a good dive watch. In fact, a refrain I find myself uttering to the other watch people in my life with increasing frequency is, “I’m starting to think I own too many dive watches” (in truth, I think I am up to four, total).
Their responses range from, “Yeah, you should branch out into other types of watches for your collection,” to, “It is IMPOSSIBLE to own TOO many dive watches.” Of course, I agree with both statements wholeheartedly; however, it is with the second of these responses ringing in my ears that I write about Victorinox’s new Dive Pro line.
Dive Pro For Reason
After wearing one of Victorinox’s new Dive Pro models for a week, I can attest to the value they represent. Moreover, the collection has clear workhorse chops as well as professional design language that is pleasing to the eye.
For starters, every watch in the new collection is ISO 6425-certified, with a water resistance rating of 300 meters. However, as makers of the Original Swiss Army knife, Victorinox seeks to always go one step further on its “tool” watches.
That is why, at the brand’s Watch Competence Center in Delémont, Switzerland, instruments like dive watches are put through even more rigorous, real-life testing to ensure consistent performance and top-of-the-line functionality amid challenges from sand, shocks, and magnetism (in addition to precision and accuracy testing).
Pick Your Diver
The new Dive Pro models break down into two core offerings. One is the Dive Pro Quartz, with a rock-solid Ronda 715 quartz movement and a crown at 3 o’clock.
The other is the Dive Pro Automatic, which sports a new Sellita SW 220-1 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve, a quick-set day/date aperture at 3 o’clock, and a 4 o’clock crown position to preempt any wet suit entanglements.
Regardless of the model, all share legible dive watch dial designs, sporty colorways, and an intriguing hexagonal shape to the inner edge of the unidirectional bezel.
This six-sided cut is a real sleeper; you recognize that there is something unique going on visually, but the smart inner cut balances the circular knurled dive bezel perfectly and adds a bit of unexpected style and oomph to the package (most dive watches leave the bezel circular on both sides).
Also, regardless of the core model, some very thoughtful dial texture, highlight color, and strap options lend the collection an additional air of customization.
My Pro Dive
I opted for the Pro Dive Quartz model on a paracord strap for my test drive because it is the only model in the collection that comes on the paracord strap, and I’ve always been drawn to the watchmaker’s use of this tough material.
Fun Fact: According to Victorinox, you can unweave the strap and tie the two pieces together to create a very sturdy rope to get you out of a tough spot.
Typically, fabric straps and I don’t get along that well. However, after wearing the paracord strap for the first time, I am happy to report that I found it incredibly comfortable, with the plastic aglets that hold the weave together recessed on the back of the strap. Plus, it was just as visually edgy as I had hoped.
Sadly, I haven’t had to disassemble the strap and create the rope yet, but I still have a few days before it goes back. So, here’s hoping I need to rescue someone from a well or something.
Also notable was the overall weight of the watch I wore.
Paracord is, by definition, light in weight. However, with a 43mm diameter, the cases and bezels of the collection are on the larger end of the size scale. Luckily, my test model, like many in the collection, was crafted in sand-blasted titanium. As a result, the weight on my wrist was far less than I anticipated, adding even more to the comfortable wear.
The Line Up
For the Dive Pro Quartz, you have your pick of several models. First are two sandblasted titanium-encased models with black dials and yellow highlights. One comes on the paracord strap ($1,200), while the other comes on a yellow rubber strap ($1,100).
Then, there are two stainless steel models. One features a deep blue dial, a matching rubber strap, and orange detailing. The other features a black dial, a matching rubber strap, and yellow details. Both of these models retail for $800.
For many brands, automatic movement executions in a unified collection often result in some hefty price increases. Not so for Victorinox, who has priced the Pro Dive Automatics at a very accessible entry point.
Like the quartz-powered models, the Dive Pro Automatic has two titanium and two stainless steel models.
The titanium executions are coated in black PVD, sport black dials with Victorinox’s signature ridged texture, and retail for $1,500. However, one comes on a black rubber strap with striped yellow details, while the other comes on an orange rubber with striped orange details.
As for the stainless steel models, both have ridge-textured dials and retail for $1,200, so the difference here is down to color. The first has a black dial with striped yellow details and comes on a black rubber strap. Meanwhile, the second sports a deep blue dial with striped orange details and comes on a deep blue rubber strap.
Final Thoughts
Since June, I’ve written about outstanding dive watches from Ulysse Nardin, Panerai, Breitling, TAG Heuer, and Alpina. Meanwhile, my colleagues have also covered their fair share of new dive watches, including new pieces from DOXA, Oris, and Mido. Now, we have added Victorinox to the list.
With the road ahead seemingly poised for a downturn, it looks as if watchmakers are leaning into tried-and-true, strong-selling models, which means 2024 is likely to go down as a banner year for dive watch production.
Luckily for Victorinox, the watches of the new Dive Pro collection are standout examples of dive watch excellence. All models are available as you read this. Find out more at Victorinox’s website.