A Sustainable Signature
In 2017 “Swissness” is the talk of Swiss watch producers, as new legislation brings tough demands to the “Swiss made” label. At Victorinox Swiss Army, this signature has long been etched into the heart and soul of the brand. Victorinox innovative new watch competence centre represents a door to the future. It is situated in Delemont, a cradle of Swiss precision engineering that brings together two of the heroes of Swiss industry: knife making and watchmaking. Specifically it unites dedicated watch case production with a library for extreme material and functionality testing under one roof. Caring about the future shapes everything we do, from cutting-edge research and development, through to highly efficient energy and waste management. Victorinox subject each of their I.N.O.X watches to no less than 130 harsh tests. That means you can trust them to rise to whatever challenges your lifestyle presents. Victorinox Swiss Army products are capable of both measuring and defying time. We can’t think of a better co-pilot for your everyday adventures, today and tomorrow.
History
The spirit of innovation & sustainability
Responsibly meeting the needs of the present – and ensuring that future generations will be able to meet theirs – requires innovative thinking on an unprecidented scale. robustness, durability and quality are the key requisites.
1884 – Karl Elsner opens a cutlery workshop in Ibach, in the canton of Schwyz, with the support of his mother Victoria.
1891 – Initiated by Karl Elsener, the Swiss Cutlery Union is founded. Karl Elsener and his co-work deliver soldier’s knives to the Swiss Army for the first time.
1897 – The name “Swiss Officer’s and sport knife” is legally protected on June 12. This model later becomes known around the world as the “Original Swiss Army Knife”.
1909 – Following the death of his mother, Karl Elsener introduces the brand name “Victoria” in her honor. The company’s founder legally registers the distinctive emblem with the cross and shield as a trademark. It is now a registered trademark in more than 120 countries.
1921 – The invention of stainless steel being of central importance for the cutlery industry, Karl Elsener coins the company’s new name, “Victorinox” by combining his mother’s name with “Inox”. (Inox is an abbreviation of the French word “inoxydable” which means stainless)
1931 – The Brown Boveri Company sets up the world’s first fully electric heat treatment facility for Victorinox.
1945 – The “Original Swiss Army Knife” begins its successful progression around the world and is particularly popular in US Army PX stores.
1979 – On January 2, the previously solely-owned “Messrfabrik Calr Elsener” is converted to the family-owner company “Victorinox AG”.
1984 – The company doubles the size of its plant and office space with 810 employees generating revenue of more than CHF 80 million.
1989 – Victorinox;s American distribution partner enters the timepiece market in the USA under the “Swiss Army Brands Inc.” label and launches the brand’s first watches collection produced in Biel, Switzerland.
1992 – The company opens its own sales subsidiary in Japan. Further subsidiaries follow in subsequent years.
1999 – Victorinox enters the travel gear market, issuing a manufacturing license to the American TRG Group in St. Louis. Expanding its timepiece business, the ecompany establishes Victorinox watch SA in Bonfol, in Switzerland’s Jura watch-making region.
2000 – The Victorinox Foundation is set up. It holds 85% of the shares in Victorinox AG. A further 15% are held by the charitable Carl and Elise Elsener-Gut Foundation.
2001 – Victorinox apparel is introduced in the USA. The first Victorinox Flagship store opens its doors to the public in New York’s trendy Soho district.
2002 – The publicity traded US distribution partner Swiss Army Brands Inc. is privatised. The timepiece brand Victorinox Swiss Army is launched internationally.
2003 – Victorinox takes over the US-American company Wenger NA, including the fragrance label “Swiss Army Fragrance”.
2005 – Victorinox takes over the traditional Swiss cutlery and watch manufacturer Wenger SA in Delemont in the Swiss Jura.
2006 – Victorinox Swiss Army moves to its new watch production facility in Porrentruy, in the Swiss Jura, to meet increasing demand and to ensure high-quality timepieces.
2007 – Victorinox sets up Victorinox Swiss Army Fragrance AG based at its head office, The former Wenger fragrance line is re positioned in the market and is branded with the Victorinox Emblem.
2008 – The company’s first European Flagship store opens on London’s New Bond Street.
2009 – Geneva City hosts first Victorinox Flagship Store in Switzerland. 125 years after its foundation, Victorinox now employs 1800 employees worldwide and generates revenues of around CHF 500 million.
2012 – Launch of the first Victorinox global Brand Campaign.
2014 – To celebrate the brands 130th anniversary and the watches division’s 25th anniversary, Victorinox Swiss Army launches I.N.O.X Designed and built to withstand unusual levels of stress, this watch has passed a battery of 130 tests certifying it is “forged to resist”.
2015 – Victorinox Swiss Army moves to its new watchmaking competence centre in Delemont in the Swiss Jura.
2016 – Inauguration of the watch case production facility in Delemont.
Brand Values
Each Victorinox Swiss Army Watch embodies the spirit of the legendary original Swiss army knife, a universal symbol of functionality, innovation, quality and iconic design.
Quality
Victorinox Swiss Army produces its watches in its own workshops based on criteria that emphasise technical performance, so as to optimise usefulness and practicality. They meet the highest standards of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Before leaving the facility each watch reference is certified after undergoing a battery of at least 100 tests. Among the most important tests are water resistance, temperature, corrosion, UV, traction and torsion, vibration and shock resistance, ageing and wear. In addition to this long control process, they are also visually inspected between each manufacturing step. For these reasons, Victorinox Swiss Army watches have a three year warranty. They are genuine precision instruments, modern and timeless in design and built to last.
Functionality
All Victorinox Swiss Army watches are designed for maximum utility. Functionality is a focus of every aspect of the timepiece, from the dial, which should be easy to read, to the most sophisticated professional functions. All design details are based on their practical application. Functions are never mere additions or embellishments.
Innovation
The objective of Victorinox Swiss Army is to enrich its collections regularly with new design elements and innovative features, while seeking creative solutions for the updates of existing components.
Iconic Design
Victorinox Swiss Army watches are inspired by the Original Swiss Army Knife, which has become, over many decades, one of the world’s most recognisable objects of functional design. Sharing the same source of inspiration, both the history of Victorinox and its contemporary interpretations.
If you would like yo view Victorinox Watches on our website click here. If you would like to email us please send your message to info@firstclasswatches.co.uk or alternatively give us a call on 01926 298 499.
