Victorinox
Ibach, Switzerland · Est. 1884
Founded by Karl Elsener
Victorinox is a Swiss company founded in 1884 by Karl Elsener in Ibach-Schwyz, famous as the maker of the original Swiss Army knife. The watch division, established in the 1980s, produces rugged timepieces inspired by the brand's military and outdoor heritage.
- Founded
- 1884
- Headquarters
- Ibach, Switzerland
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- I.N.O.X. — Victorinox I.N.O.X. is the brand’s rugged, performance-focused watch collection, presented officially as a Swiss-made line built around durability, strong case geometry, and materials chosen for everyday resilience.
- Alliance — Victorinox Alliance is a refined dress-leaning collection that pairs clean, businesslike styling with Swiss engineering heritage, offering a more elegant counterpart to the brand’s outdoor-focused watch lines. Key references: officialUrl.
- Fieldforce — Victorinox Fieldforce is the brand’s field-and-sport oriented watch family, positioned around legibility, durability, and everyday reliability within the broader Victorinox watch assortment. Key references: officialUrl.
Timeline
- 1884 — Karl Elsener founds his cutlery workshop in Ibach, Canton of Schwyz, which later becomes Victorinox.
- 1891 — Victorinox begins supplying knives to the Swiss Army, starting the relationship with the military that defines the brand's identity.
- 1897 — Elsener patents the Swiss Officers' Knife, which later becomes internationally known as the Swiss Army Knife.
- 1989 — Victorinox enters the watch business in the United States under the 'Swiss Army' brand name, leveraging its military credentials.
- 2005 — Victorinox acquires rival Swiss Army knife maker Wenger, becoming the sole official supplier of knives to the Swiss Armed Forces.
Frequently Asked Questions about Victorinox
- Are Victorinox watches related to the Swiss Army knives?
- Yes, Victorinox watches and Swiss Army knives come from the same company — Victorinox AG, headquartered in Ibach, Switzerland. The brand entered the watch market in 1989, using the 'Swiss Army' trademark it had established through decades of knife production. The watches carry the same emphasis on durability and Swiss quality that defines the knife business.
- Are Victorinox watches Swiss-made?
- Yes, Victorinox watches are Swiss Made, with movements sourced from Swiss suppliers and assembly completed in Switzerland. The brand's watch division, Victorinox Swiss Army Watch SA, operates to the standard Swiss Made requirements, which mandate that at least 60% of production costs occur in Switzerland.