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Announced at Baselworld 2013, Victorinox has updated a number of models in their existing line, including their very popular Air Boss and Maverick timepieces. Most exciting of the updates however is the new Chrono Classic 1/100th model, which features an interesting Swiss-made Soprod SOP FM13D quartz movement with “hidden” chronograph function, numerically displayed 1/100th second indicator and perpetual calendar.
Measuring 41mm in diameter, the Chrono Classic is robust, but not too oversized, and features a mixture of brushed and polished finishing throughout, including guilloche decoration on the dial and a printed tachymeter along the outer rim of the case bezel. The Chrono Classic comes in a number of color finishing and strap combinations, including dark grey PVD with a black leather strap or metal bracelet, or gold PVD with a brown leather strap or metal bracelet.
Water resistant to 100 meters and featuring a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, the Chrono Classic is built with quality in mind. But of course what is most interesting about the piece is its unique chronograph functionality. There are no chrono counters visible on the dial of the Chrono Classic, just three hands for telling time and two large dials at 6 o’clock displaying the perpetual calendar. To activate the chronograph hands, you press the crown down twice quickly, and the hour, minute and second hands that once displayed the current time all readjust to 12 o’clock. Once the hands are in this position, you can operate the chrono pushers on the outside of the case as you normally would, with the central hour, minute and second hands displaying elapsed time.
In the bottom third of the watch face, the two sub dials that display the date readjust to zero when the chronograph is activated with the main crown. Once the chrono is started and paused using the chrono pushers on the side of the watchcase, the two discs rotate to display elapsed time to the 1/100th of a second.
The overall aesthetic of the Chrono Classic 1/100th is true to Victorinox, with references to the shape and texture of their iconic knife series. The inclusion of the Soprod SOP FM13D quartz movement further elevates the Chrono Classic line with an interesting and intelligently purposeful movement, while keeping the watch relatively affordable at well under the $1,000 price point. This price point is certainly on the higher end of what we’d like to see with quartz pieces, but manages to pair functionality, rugged design and build quality quite well.
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By Blake Malin
