Collection spotlight: Swiss Army Cavalry
Let me present you the oldest watch in my collection, my Swiss Army Cavalry.
My father got it as a gift after attending a company dinner for one of his clients over 15 years ago, and he gave it to me. During half of high school, it was the only watch I wore. I changed the strap to a NATO when I started wearing it again a little over a year ago because the one that was on there was about to tear.
I'm not a big fan of the shape and the lugs, and I find it a little too small, but I love the dial! The lume is also very bright and quite long lasting.
So, even though it's not my most worn piece, it's not going anywhere!
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Jean-Philippe
Professional guitar player and teacher, cat dad, coffee lover and watch enthusiast.
Montréal
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
7.50” / 19.05 cm
Just found my old Swiss army,used it years ago for work,not working at the moment,I think it needs a new battery
Just found my old Swiss army,used it years ago for work,not working at the moment,I think it needs a new battery
Talk about a tool watch!!
My Victorinox (Swiss Army) is my oldest watch - a little over 20 years old. The anodized aluminum case shows the wear, but looks interesting. I recently took a 2-week trip to help with my nephew's two young children (5 and 3) after his surgery, and took my Apple Watch for fitness/sleep tracking and my Victorinox "beater" since it has smooth edges and would be suitable for roughhousing with the kids. At the end of the first week, the battery on the Apple Watch expanded and popped off the screen, so the Victorinox was the only watch for the second week. I was surprised to find that the lume lasted most of the night. My biggest complaint is the proprietary rubber strap - I'm on my third (they disintegrate after about 7-8 years) and they are getting expensive and hard to find.
My Victorinox (Swiss Army) is my oldest watch - a little over 20 years old. The anodized aluminum case shows the wear, but looks interesting. I recently took a 2-week trip to help with my nephew's two young children (5 and 3) after his surgery, and took my Apple Watch for fitness/sleep tracking and my Victorinox "beater" since it has smooth edges and would be suitable for roughhousing with the kids. At the end of the first week, the battery on the Apple Watch expanded and popped off the screen, so the Victorinox was the only watch for the second week. I was surprised to find that the lume lasted most of the night. My biggest complaint is the proprietary rubber strap - I'm on my third (they disintegrate after about 7-8 years) and they are getting expensive and hard to find.
Cool watch!! That's a shame about the strap though (and your Apple watch)... I had to change the strap on mine twice (the second time was for the nato that's on it now). It was canvas and leather, and the leather around the buckle dried off and started to crack. Although it's not an integrated strap like yours, it's a 17mm one, so almost impossible to find something that fits... I hope yours lasts you a good long while still!
Cool watch!! That's a shame about the strap though (and your Apple watch)... I had to change the strap on mine twice (the second time was for the nato that's on it now). It was canvas and leather, and the leather around the buckle dried off and started to crack. Although it's not an integrated strap like yours, it's a 17mm one, so almost impossible to find something that fits... I hope yours lasts you a good long while still!
It was cheaper to fix my Apple Watch ($16 battery & repair kit from Amazon) than to replace the strap ($41) on the Victorinox.
It was cheaper to fix my Apple Watch ($16 battery & repair kit from Amazon) than to replace the strap ($41) on the Victorinox.
Wow, who knew Apple could be cheaper than something else! (I'm an Apple guy, so I don't judge :P)
Talk about a tool watch!!
Does look like I used it as a hammer
Does look like I used it as a hammer
Well, did you?!
Well, did you?!
I wasn't that bad ,just clumsy,I didn't realise it was this bad until I photographed it
I wasn't that bad ,just clumsy,I didn't realise it was this bad until I photographed it
It seems like polishing the crystal could make a big difference here if you want to put it back into rotation.
It seems like polishing the crystal could make a big difference here if you want to put it back into rotation.
I do have some polywatch I use on my 1990 cwc g10
I do have some polywatch I use on my 1990 cwc g10
I'd be curious to see the result if you decide to do it!
Also, do you have a picture of your CWC?
I'd be curious to see the result if you decide to do it!
Also, do you have a picture of your CWC?
This is my oldest watch in my collection perfect wrist size thats why I kept it this long.
This is my oldest watch in my collection perfect wrist size thats why I kept it this long.
It looks nice in black with that strap, and I love the hour hand!
It looks nice in black with that strap, and I love the hour hand!
Yes indeed the lume is still good.
Battery don’t last long I notice.
Battery don’t last long I notice.
Really? I've had quite a different experience with this one!
For some reason battery don’t last long 5-8 months. And I have put the good brand battery. And works great for a few months. I still have it put away in a closet.
For some reason battery don’t last long 5-8 months. And I have put the good brand battery. And works great for a few months. I still have it put away in a closet.
That's too bad... I have a watch like that, lasts exactly 8 months every time. I don't wear it often now, so I'm holding off on changing the battery unfortunately...
Breaks my heart it’s a nice looking watch. I took a vacation and on my 2nd day wow died on me. Wasn’t expecting that especially if you out of state or country. It’s a late 80s or early 90s model. consider it plastic vintage.
Breaks my heart it’s a nice looking watch. I took a vacation and on my 2nd day wow died on me. Wasn’t expecting that especially if you out of state or country. It’s a late 80s or early 90s model. consider it plastic vintage.
That's too bad indeed!