Saturday, September 20, 2014

Victorinox Swiss Army Launches I.N.O.X. -- a Watch Forged to Resist

I'm sure we're all familiar with the legendary Victorinox Swiss Army Knives. To mark its 130th anniversary this year, the iconic brand pulls off a tour de force -- a watch of sharp, versatile design that is so strong, it defies the imagination!


I.N.O.X. is the new watch that pays tribute to the history and industrial know-how of Victorinox by showcasing authenticity, strength, quality, expertise, and Swiss design --values that made the brand famous.

Mr. Alex Bennouna, Victorinox Swiss Army CEO
Like the popular Swiss Army Knife, I.N.O.X. was made to be as iconic because it represents nothing less than the very essence of the brand. Its name comes from the French word for stainless steel, which is the solid, durable, and corrosion-resistant material that Victorinox has been using for more than half a century before stainless steel even became the norm in the Swiss watch industry.


What's different about I.N.O.X. is that it's designed to withstand the kinds of stress never before seen in watchmaking. In fact, it has passed a ruthless battery of 130 strength tests with flying colors. The 130 tests go beyond the standard tests of the Swiss watch industry because a series of new tests was developed specifically for I.N.O.X., showing Victorinox's passion for pushing boundaries and imposing new rules on resistance.


Over a period of six months, the brand's testing team sacrificed 421 I.N.O.X. prototypes to answer a single philosophical question: What does it take for a Swiss-Made watch to become a Victorinox Swiss Army watch?


I watched several videos of the tests done on the I.N.O.X. during the launch held at Whitespace and I was definitely impressed! Some were so insane, one really has to see the clips to believe them. Some examples:
  • 8 tons compression under a hydraulic press and being driven over by a truck of 25 tons and a military truck weighing up to 64 tons
  • temperature shocks from -57 to +71 degrees Celsius, which corresponds to the standard set by the US Army for manufacturing missiles
  • salt spray corrosion or chemical attacks by all kinds of fuels, oils, solvents, cleaning products, insecticides, including sulfuric acid and nitric acid solutions, which are, again, standards for the military
  • a fall of 10 meters (equivalent to a 3-floor building) onto a smooth concrete surface with an impact speed of 50km/hr
  • exposure to a flame at a distance of 5mm for more than one minute, corresponding to +1200 degrees Celsius
  • glacial cold still enables the watch to function non-stop; even when frozen in an ice cube for 168 hours 
  • extreme conditions at a stratospheric altitude of 21,300 meters; twice the height where airplanes fly
  • two hours in a washing machine at 90 degrees Celsius and with full spin cycle


Someone who has heard of these mind-blowing tests and not see the videos would probably expect I.N.O.X. to look like an ugly, overly fortified watch. Surprisingly, it looks very elegant! This timepiece has a 43mm stainless steel case enhanced by a skillfully polished hexagonal bezel. It is available in black, green, and blue, and can be further personalized with a bumper, a removable accessory made of silicone and nylon that lets users change the watch's look to match their mood. 

Andrew Wolff
It should be noted though that all 130 watch tests were done without the bumper. I.N.O.X. will change how you perceive quality and functionality as well as convince you that it is no doubt a perfect "companion for life."  

John Spainhour
I.N.O.X. endorsers Andrew Wolff and John Spainhour, as well as friends of the brand Mark Nelson and event host Rovilson Fernandez, all shared how impressed they were at the watch's craftsmanship and durability. 


Now, here's hoping I can save up for one so I can give my husband a Christmas gift he would most likely be ecstatic to have :)

The Victorinox Swiss Army Watch is available at SM Megamall Boutique, Century City Mall Boutique, Lucerne, Elemento, Chronos, Wrist Pod, Swiss Gear, L Timestudio, SM Department Stores, and Robinson’s Department Stores.


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