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Hello guys, here's a review of the XLS241445, it will cover some basic information of the watch as well as some personal opinion. I will be comparing to the classic chrono version which I had.
Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Chrono XLS 241445
100M WR
ETA 252 quartz 22 jewels serviceable movement
Saphhire crystal with AR
45mm stainless steel case
23mm lugs
Push down crown
Fixed Tachymeter bezel
Screw on caseback
Date display at 6 o'clock
Case:
Full stainless steel case with the "OMEGA flare" lugs at 23mm, beautiful polished with brushed side. The case is generously sized at 45mm, wearing bigger than it's actually is due to the the long and sweeping lugs design. The thickness is well match for the width which gave the watch a great wrist present. The signed crown is oversized and very easy to operates, beside the crown you'll find the classic VSA "cat's eye" shaped pushers for the chronograph. Both pushers provide a better tactile and audio feedback than the regular VSA class version, perhaps something to do with the better movement inside.
The caseback is a screw down stainless steel unit, engraved with the usual logo, specs and serial number.
Bezel:
Like the classic chrono, this version of XLS sports a fixed tachymeter, the insert is gunmetal gray in color which shifts with light source from a daker silver to a dark gray. The bezel insert is housed in a polished finish ring in a contrasting manner.
Crystal:
Sapphire crystal with AR coating, the flat crystal does sits slightly higher than the bezel which makes it more prone to chipping and scratches.
Movement:
22 jewels serviceable ETA swiss quartz movement, which is a better movement than the run of the mill ETA g10 you find in the regular version VSA classic chrono. Time keeping has been fantastic. Independent hour change which make changing timezone on travelling trip a breeze, hacking second hand and date window at 6 O'clock. 30 Minutes chrono with 1/10 Second counter similar to the regular classic chrono.
Dial/Hands:
241445 is 2011's version of the XLS model, the dial, hands and subdial has been updated to a much more elegant and sophisticated looks. The silver dial has a sun burst finish in detail, the lume dots has chrome setting and it's applied. The bigger XLS version has a more usable charter ring due to it's increase of real estate. Sub dial has a contrasting turned finish with chrome ring on it's inner circle as well as outer circle. The chrono hands been updated to a more refined looking hand than the old toolish looking triangle block.
The classic VSA stick hands were left unaltered but mated with an updated glossy red chrono hands with lume. The Lume on the hands and dial is good(not seiko good but decent for a dressy chronograph). Over all the dial facelift is overwhelming positive other than the placement of the texts under the subdial, perhaps they would look more balance if it's wrapping the chrono subdial or main dial.(especially consider there's quite a lot of space to play with)
Bracelet:
All the classic chrono line has fantastic braclet, the xls version has a beefier bracelet and it feel a tag more steady and better build(vs the regular classic chrono) perhaps it's just an illusion from the increase of weight. All the links are solid milled stainless steel with brushed finish mated to an equally rock steady solid end link. The butterfly clasps is the usual treatment for the classic chrono line, finished off with a signed safety flip lock. The flip lock has a detent which limits it's range of motion to prevent scratches on the bracelet. Very effective, well engineered solution for a wide spread problem with flip lock clasp. Overall construction and ergonomic is fantastic, it rivals my Omega Seamaster and years ahead of the clasp design on my TAG heuer F1. The only drawback is the lack of micro adjustment, which you'll have to fiddle with full and half length links.
Packaging/Presentation:
Watch comes signed matt black paper outter box, a faux leather presentation box with faux leather holder inside, the box is weighted and it's larger than the average watch box. Manual, warranty cards included as well as a movement identical card.
Conclusion:
As some of you know already I gotten the XLS version after I sold the regular classic chrono, to me the price difference is minor considering how much more refine the new XLS is. The facelift really sets it apart from the older version, the movement inside is well worth the price different. With that said it meant no disrespect to the g10 but it doesn't take much convincing once you take a good look of both movement side by side. Be warn the watch does wears larger because it's combination of "all dial" design, long sweeping lugs and the long solid end link.
High Point
+Built quality is fantastic
+Fresh look with the updated design cues
+Great movement(esp compare to the toss away g10)
+Bracelet and clasp that rivals and perhaps suppress some luxury swiss piece
+One of the best customer service I have experience post sale
Low Point
-Higher msrp vs the regular version
-Hefty and large wrist present that might turn off some "classic men's" watch buyer
-chamfered and pointy case/link design make it more prone to ding vs fillet edge.
Thanks for reading and feel free to let me know if I missed anything.
Jay
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Originally Posted by aermotor
