Victorinox Maverick Swiss Army Watch

This watch brags to be a beautiful diver’s watch with all the specs one would expect of such a tool, however, there is some reluctance to test it, and the overall design places it under a magnifying glass for failing this particular function. First of all, while it may work beautifully on its timing, what good is it if you can’t actually see it at the depth it is supposed to be used for? The glow only appears at the 12 o’clock dot and on the minute and hour hands. The rest of the watch is unremarkable dark.

When you get to how to set the time, it’s a push and pulls, which doesn’t bode well for the watch actually being able to handle deeper depths without water damage. Though beautiful and doing well above water, users have stated this seems more like a watch designed on the appearance of a divers watch than an actual tool for it. Its sapphire casing does, however, along with its steel band, provide really good protection against scratching and scuffing in a harsher atmosphere.

This watch is elegant if not a bit large in its main appearance, which we will go into later. For its base functions, it tells time very accurately. It even has a date at the bottom of the face so you can get time and date with consistency. This is what a basic function for any watch is, and to say this does so very well is an understatement.

The advanced features play as much into the overall style of the watch, which again, we are trying to hold off rather than dive right in. Its advanced features are actually in the materials used, and this gives it a sense of durability. Of course, like a diver’s watch, you would want it to be able to hold time underwater, and the setting for this seems to be satisfying, though actually testing it out to see if it holds out underwater, again, seems to breed reluctance.

For all its advanced seeming features, like its three-layer discs, it still relies on a push and pulls style setting mechanism. This isn’t exactly the type of mechanism that breeds security of the watch not getting waterlogged, and many people have stated outright, they don’t even want to test it. It just feels like you’d instantly be breaking it for no good reason.

The majority end up advising that this is better off being viewed as jewelry, despite its claims to being able to handle the same types of pressure and abuse as other reliable watches by the same and other companies. It just does not give off the security in confidence.

There are actually three models of the Maverick, and each offers different materials, but the same overall design for the watch. So, while other materials may give more resistance to scratching, dropping or a dive into a swimming pool, it still has the flaw of not being able to hold out against the greater depths and forces. Durability is still high, which is why we listed it, though.

So, what are the options? Well, the first is an all-black version which boasts black dial and bezel with a rubber band type that mimics the metal three-row appearance. The second option is the same until you reach the band, which is replaced by a stainless-steel version of the first option, which closes with a snapping safety clasp. Finally, the last option is a red bezel, silver dial, and back to the black rubber armband that is designed the same as the first option.

All three have the sapphire faceplate, though, which means you are scratch-resistant and not likely to see your watch get harshly damaged by smacks, drops or getting brushed along a hard surface. If you stick to the stainless-steel wrist band, you’ll have that same security against scuffing there and likely have a much more durable surface for harsher environments.

Since we’ve already pointed out that this seems to fit more under jewelry than under the function it was supposedly designed for, having it be more resistant to scratches, bangs and scuffs just seem smarter.

This could be taken in many ways when it could come to watches, like how does the dial move? Do the hands run smoothly? Can you easily rotate the diver's gauge? And not the least, does it shift around too much on your wrist?

The answers are all fairly easy to answer when looking over this watch. All of the moving parts are not only easy to move and set, but they act as one would hope when being used. The divers setting even makes that satisfying click as you turn it the whole 120 degrees.

As for the band itself, since it has the ability to be adjusted as needed, the slide on the arm is going to be as much or as little as you need it to be.

Comfort is one of those things when it comes to watches that we want to assure you is great or not. With some of them it seems like no matter what, you can find a band option that fits your comfort zone, but with this one, it’s a definite matter of taste and opinion. It comes with either a plastic or metal band, and both are designed with the three-layer link style cut to them.

The design is comfortable for most, but some of us simply don’t like the way it feels like the watch is sliding no matter how tight you make it. The only other downside is the size of the face, which with smaller wrists, may just be too bulky to fit properly.

We get an interesting combination of design and appearance when it comes to this particular watch. We have mentioned that it does have a function and that it looks good, but there are mixed feelings when it comes to how stylish it is. We definitely agree with the fact that on its own it looks nice, but it is not built for those with smaller wrists.

The face is simply too big to look good on most people, but to say it isn’t good looking would not be true. With the three looks it has you will find one that appeals, it is simply a matter of it looking good on you. The style itself is not the issue, just the size.

For certain this holds up in durability when it comes to everyday activity, and even when it comes to some areas of rough and tumble. Again, it lays claim to being able to take everything that some of the other Diver’s watches the company sells, but most who have bought it simply don't feel the same level of comfort in testing it that they did with the others.

It does have a stainless-steel frame, and the traditional sapphire face, but there simply isn’t enough other measures in place to give that feeling it could withstand more than a dip in the pool. It has held up against all kinds of dings and scratches though, so it is able to handle what many other watches can’t.

Glass, plastic and clear mineral crystals are often the choices for watches, but not so with most Victorinox watches, which gives them that great reputation for holding out where others fall short. The Maverick doesn’t lose face here either, with its sapphire front you don’t have to worry about scratches or dings. This brand continues to hold us secure in its practices.

The readability is definitely assured as well, and you won’t have to guess what time it is, nor what setting you have put on your diver’s watch. Everything is easy to see and with it is steady and direct on the second's hand, you will know precisely when you should be taking on any task for the day.

The band only comes in two different materials that we found, plastic and stainless steel. The one thing that remains consistent is the style of the band, which is a three-layer link appearance. With how large the face is, the band is going to be wide as well, however, an upside is that the band is adjustable so that you can prevent most of the slip and slide.

The one and only complaint about the band that remains constant is the fact that many do not seem to like the way it snaps closed. There is a feeling that it won’t actually remain closed or will remain too loose overall.

Everyone agrees that this model watch has one of the easiest methods of setting it, but that the method is also harsh for those without fingernails. Victorinox utilized the standard push and pull method for setting time, which can be harder on the fingertips over time. The dial for the divers though is very easy to use and has the satisfying clicking sound as you turn it that lets you know it’s being set.

The part that was agreed on was, if you could see more than just the hands and felt comfortable enough to take it into the depths, it’s definitively able to hold and tell the proper time better than the other diver’s watches. Even the second hand was perfectly on the tick markers when setting for pressure and did not lose that perfect tick mark over time.

Battery? What battery? This watch runs based completely on your physical movement or can be manually wound to give it more power. The life span without giving it ‘enough movement’ to recharge is about 38 hours of reserved energy.

What makes this watch both more interesting and better built based on this particular gain of power, is that most have found that simply walking and the swing of their arms throughout the day gives it plenty of charges to tick through the night and not lose time. In fact, not losing time is exactly what has given this watch its highest praise.

So, if you want a reliable timepiece, it seems this one will not let you down.

This is the final issue many have come to for this watch. With its lower water resistance, it is looked at by many to be too pricey. However, the fact is, that the few who have gotten it despite the strange build and low water pressure resistance issues have found that the actual timekeeping functionality, appearance and overall ability to resist physical damage makes it well worth the $250 that the company asks for.

Is it worth it? Well, if you get it from a certified retailer (and that means making sure if you buy on Amazon that the seller actually is tied to the company) you have a 3-year warranty which includes repairs to the watch if its manufacturing is what resulted in the issue. There is also an agreement towards ‘trading up’ if a better version of your watch emerges. We would say this definitely makes it worth considering for your next everyday watch.

- Perfect timekeeping
- Easy to set and use
- Beautiful appearance
- Physical damage resistant
- 3-year warranty
- Reputation

If what you want is a great looking watch that can handle a bit of water and depth, this may be a great call. It will resist scratches and impact damage caused by day to day life, which many watches can’t.

However, if you need a really good diver’s watch this one probably won’t be able to handle the deeper depths. This has been coined as tool-jewelry, and really, that's what this watch is and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.