Alpine adventure inspired Victorinox as it designed its new Journey 1884 collection of 43mm steel-cased quartz and automatic watches.

The new collection, which includes two automatic models and five sporty quartz watches, features watches with blue or black dials and hands and colors that reference outdoor activities common just outside the doors of the Victorinox facilities in Delémont, Switzerland.

For example, the dials on the quartz models are finished to replicate a rocky hiking path.

The hands on all the watches replicate the signs seen while on those paths in Switzerland, while the counterweight of the seconds hands echo the shape of the familiar Swiss Army Knife, a product for which Victorinox is well known. Even the markers at 3 and 9 recall a pocket knife shape.

Victorinox differentiates the quartz models from the automatic models beyond the two movement types. The quartz models are sportier, with aluminum-inlay unidirectional rotating bezels, a black rubber strap option and its red seconds hand and red logo.

One quartz model is offered in a black PVD steel case with a matching bracelet (pictured above). The automatic models both feature ceramic-inlay unidirectional rotating bezels, yellow accents and a yellow seconds hand.

All models in the Journey 1884 collection are ISO certified for shock and water resistance (rated to 200 meters). Victorinox offers quick strap change options with all models allowing the wearer to change from strap to steel bracelet without tools. One particularly interesting strap option (offered on the blue-dialed automatic model) is made of patterned wood.

Victorinox notes that all its watch case components are made of stainless steel 316L that use a minimum of fifty percent up to ninety percent of recycled steel. The company also utilizes numerous recycling and energy efficiency system throughout its Delémont production facility.

Prices: $575 to $1,150.

Specifications: Victorinox Journey 1884

• 43mm recycled stainless steel case (black PVD on selected model), manufactured in Delémont, Switzerland
• Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Water-resistant to 200 m (20 ATM / 660 ft)
• Unidirectional rotating bezel with inlay in aluminum on quartz models and ceramic on automatic models 
• Screw-in case back, with exhibition crystal on automatic models 
• Protected screw-down crown

Dial and strap:

• Swiss Super-LumiNova on hands, number, indexes and dot on bezel
• Date calendar at 6 o’clock
• Three-dimensional dial featuring military time
• Genuine rubber, leather or wood strap and stainless steel bracelet
• All straps/bracelet are tool free changeable

Movements:

• Ronda 715 Swiss-made quartz movement with battery end-of-life indication
• Selitta SW200-1 Swiss-made automatic movement with 38 hours power reserve

Special functions

• ISO 764 certified antimagnetic protection for all quartz models
• ISO 1413 certified shock resistance on all models (quartz and automatic)
• ISO 22810 certified water resistance up to 200 meters / 20 ATM

Prices: $575 to $1,150.