NickDolin
September 8th, 2007, 06:11
Well when I woke up this afternoon I went to check the mail and to my surprise, there was a package for me. Well I knew what it was but I wasn't expecting it so soon. After opening the package I saw my new V-7.. now for the review and then the pictures.
When opening the package I was somewhat disappointed with the box that the watch arrived in. A somewhat plain Jane (no offense to any Jane's out there) box with no special presentation. Not that I expected any for a $60 watch, but for one that originally retailed for $250, I expected some more.
The watch it's self is not nearly as big and heavy as I expected it to be, while it isn't light or small by normal people's idea of a watch, it is probably one of the smaller and lighter ones I own. The watch is only about 39mm in diameter and has a very comfortable 20mm non-tapering band. The curved lugs are a nice touch as well, and I wouldn't have minded if it weren't as tall as it is, because with a small diameter it looks a little awkward. The design of this watch was/is the primary reason I fell in love with this piece. It has some heft and ruggedness to it while having a very minimalist face and bezel. I also enjoy the fact that there isn't a spot of polished metal to be found, a first for a watch of mine. The watch actually looks better in person than I thought it would. Although because of the fact that it has probably been shipped 4-6 different times, it had some nicks on the band, but nothing significant, I expect this for an outlet/whole seller watch.
Now on to the watch, I had a big scare when getting ready to set the time. The crown would not turn, and when looking for instructions, it made no mention it was or could be a screw down. Well, I tried both ways, pulling and turning and no luck. I became frustrated until I figured out a way to get a hold of it. I would use a crescent wrench (the one you manually tighten). I gently tightened it onto the crown and turned, to my surprise it freed up easily and I haven't had an issue yet. I am guessing it was just seized from 1-2-3 years of sitting around. The watch uses some sort of ETA quartz movement which is nice, but many have made mention that Victorinox is somewhat famous for sticking high end quartz in their watches. The Bracelet is somewhat of a let down.. it looks really nice but the quality isn't quite what I had been looking for. No complaints at $60 but, the Zodiac I paid $49 for has a bracelet that weighs 3x as much and the metal feels solid whereas the Victorinox looks solid but is so light I wonder if it is hollow. The case back is one of the nicer ones I have seen, very tasteful with some color, two thumbs up here. Last thing, the bezel is solid with very little play and requires an average amount of power to turn but sounds plastic like when turning.
Score
Fit and Finish- 8/10
Movement- 8/10
Bracelet- 7/10
Value- 10/10
Looks (Subjective)- 9/10
Bezel- 7/10
Packaging- 5/10
Score- 54/70
All in all, for a $60 watch, this thing is a steal based on a good bracelet, Swiss made, ETA movements, and killer looks. Give em a try if you happen to have a little spare change laying around! BTW, the pics are on a 7.25 inch wrist.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0624.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0622.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0615.jpghttp://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0617.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0614.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0612.jpg
When opening the package I was somewhat disappointed with the box that the watch arrived in. A somewhat plain Jane (no offense to any Jane's out there) box with no special presentation. Not that I expected any for a $60 watch, but for one that originally retailed for $250, I expected some more.
The watch it's self is not nearly as big and heavy as I expected it to be, while it isn't light or small by normal people's idea of a watch, it is probably one of the smaller and lighter ones I own. The watch is only about 39mm in diameter and has a very comfortable 20mm non-tapering band. The curved lugs are a nice touch as well, and I wouldn't have minded if it weren't as tall as it is, because with a small diameter it looks a little awkward. The design of this watch was/is the primary reason I fell in love with this piece. It has some heft and ruggedness to it while having a very minimalist face and bezel. I also enjoy the fact that there isn't a spot of polished metal to be found, a first for a watch of mine. The watch actually looks better in person than I thought it would. Although because of the fact that it has probably been shipped 4-6 different times, it had some nicks on the band, but nothing significant, I expect this for an outlet/whole seller watch.
Now on to the watch, I had a big scare when getting ready to set the time. The crown would not turn, and when looking for instructions, it made no mention it was or could be a screw down. Well, I tried both ways, pulling and turning and no luck. I became frustrated until I figured out a way to get a hold of it. I would use a crescent wrench (the one you manually tighten). I gently tightened it onto the crown and turned, to my surprise it freed up easily and I haven't had an issue yet. I am guessing it was just seized from 1-2-3 years of sitting around. The watch uses some sort of ETA quartz movement which is nice, but many have made mention that Victorinox is somewhat famous for sticking high end quartz in their watches. The Bracelet is somewhat of a let down.. it looks really nice but the quality isn't quite what I had been looking for. No complaints at $60 but, the Zodiac I paid $49 for has a bracelet that weighs 3x as much and the metal feels solid whereas the Victorinox looks solid but is so light I wonder if it is hollow. The case back is one of the nicer ones I have seen, very tasteful with some color, two thumbs up here. Last thing, the bezel is solid with very little play and requires an average amount of power to turn but sounds plastic like when turning.
Score
Fit and Finish- 8/10
Movement- 8/10
Bracelet- 7/10
Value- 10/10
Looks (Subjective)- 9/10
Bezel- 7/10
Packaging- 5/10
Score- 54/70
All in all, for a $60 watch, this thing is a steal based on a good bracelet, Swiss made, ETA movements, and killer looks. Give em a try if you happen to have a little spare change laying around! BTW, the pics are on a 7.25 inch wrist.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0624.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0622.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0615.jpghttp://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0617.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0614.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t58/nick_dolin/IMG_0612.jpg