Swiss Army/Victorinox Maverick II Quartz Chrono Watch Review

Swiss Army's classic Maverick II collection insists on keeping a few elegant features while introducing several diving and sports ones at the same time. Resulting is a curious combination: a diver's or sports watch that lacks the aerodynamics we're accustomed to see in such instruments; instead there's a notable trace of formal, business-like design. Some brands took this approach further and developed a separate sports-elegant, or even sports-jewelry collections, but Victorinox keep things more simple and subtle.

All Maverick II watches feature a unidirectional rotating bezel and a black dial with luminous hands and Arabic numerals – an must have list of diver's timer's functions. Complications include a chronograph, and relatively uncommon dual time utility, positioned at six o'clock in the form of another fully functional subdial. The pitch-black color of the face and the bezel remind of Blancpain Fifty Fathoms – a classic high-end luxury diving timepiece.

Maverick II watches some equipped either with rubber straps of with stainless steel bracelets, clearly demarcating between the main functions of the timepiece: diving in the former, formal wear in the latter. These two principal options make the task of choosing a watch easier, eliminating ambivalence in design and objective.

Bracelet models render the watch notably brighter and more conspicuous, whereas black rubber goes in line with the general camouflage characteristics of Swiss Army products.

Both complications require the addition of push buttons and subdials. Dual time surprisingly retains the overall elegant aesthetic, whereas the three subdials in Maverick Chrono, though arranged and designed to avoid clutter, lead to a characteristic sports&racing look.

The second time zone subdial, however, boasts its own unusual quality: a contrasting white backdrop that appears like a full moon on a very dark sky.

All watches contain Swiss quartz movements and the cases are water resistant up to 100 meters. Official (announced on Swiss Army website) prices range between $350 and $550.