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Victorinox’s I.N.O.X. collection is expanding beyond steel and quartz to include new materials, colors, and movements. Their new Carbon Mechanical is ample proof of that.
I.N.O.X.—“Impact Neutralizing Object for X-tremes”—was launched as a line of watches that could take on any rough treatment. When it was first launched, the watches were subjected to 130 “strength tests.” Victorinox even went to the extreme of boiling, beating, scraping, and tumble drying the watches at an event in New York to show how tough the watches are.
The watch’s steel construction held up (in fact, French speakers will recognize “inox” as an abbreviated form of “inoxydable,” the French term for stainless steel). Wanting to keep that reputation means that the materials used to make the watch need to be nigh unto indestructible. Carbon’s scratch-resistant properties definitely fit the durability bill. The case is water resistant up to 200 meters. Carbon also has the added benefit of being lightweight, making the watch more comfortable to wear.
The 43mm-wide case houses a Sellita SW200 movement that comes with a 38-hour power reserve and automatic winding. A transparent case back gives you a peek at the movement. The carbon case also has a unique texture and a matte black finish. On the front, the bezel is slightly raised, presumably to offer a bit more protection for the sapphire crystal. The dial of the watch is done in a repeating square pattern that brings to mind Victorinox’s Alox metal. Between four and five o’clock there is a date window. Set on a black rubber strap, the I.N.O.X. Carbon Mechanical could easily become a new favorite amongst military professionals (especially with its 24-hour scale on the dial), or anyone who will be dealing with extreme conditions. Plus, the watch comes with Victorinox’s black Spartan PS pocket knife and a black rubber bumper. The Carbon Mechanical is available exclusively through the Victorinox web site and is priced at $1,150.
