Wenger Men's 70891 Swiss Raid Commando Chrono Series Watch

Wenger Men's 70891 Swiss Raid Commando Chrono Series Watch Review

This watch is branded after the famous 'Swiss Raid Commando' military competition held annually in Switzerland and France since 1986 of which Wenger is a sponsor. The watch features the SRC logo on the obverse in color along with the French language motto "Vouloir, Croire et Oser", which translates in English to "Want, Believe and Dare". This branding may be important to a special ops soldier, military veteran or collector, but it should be understood that such branding comes with a price premium.

PROS:

Overall the watch has a heft and feeling of quality and refinement, it should prove quite satisfying for those looking for a unique style military piece. The stainless steel case is coated in black via Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD which bonds to the steel on a molecular level, meaning no chipping or flaking and high resistance to scratching (as are the crown and two activators). The mineral crystal is slightly domed and without flaws. The screw back is non-coated stainless with the SRC color logo inset at center and encapsulated in what appears to be mineral crystal. On the back is also the lightly etched Wenger logo and specs.

*The face of this watch is the draw for many; a large clean, crisp dial in "nuclear green" with three sub-dials in the same hue. The watch is quite readable at most angles although the rather large arrow point hour/minute hands can obscure the sub-dials. If you want something strikingly clean and purposeful, this is it.

*The luminance of the dial at night is astonishing! Every detail is visible in the dark after just a couple hours of sun. If the watch is exposed to sun (even overcast, winter skies in the Northeast US) it will be visible throughout the darkest, moonless nights. I have never owned a watch with this ability.

*The rubber(*) strap is substantial and comfortable.

*The 30 minute/12 hour chronograph is intuitive and accurate. The lap time feature is easy to use.

CONS:

You can easily buy a watch with the same quality and more functions for less money. Without the SRC branding, unique style dial and Swiss caveat this watch would be priced 0 less.

*I am a fan of the accuracy of battery-quartz watches, but there is no excuse for selling one at this price point without a solar recharging system similar to Citizen's Eco-Drive. I purchased this Wenger despite the fact that one day in the near future I know it will stop working and I will have to take it to a jeweler for an expensive battery replacement/resealing. The Japanese have figured out how to do this, why haven't the Swiss?

*Lacking a screw down crown and only certified to 10atm is a bit lackluster for a 0+ watch branded to a rigorous military competition. I would be highly dubious of jumping into a lake or snorkeling with a watch lacking a screw-down crown. I own two Citizens (one titanium) rated to 20atm with the same features plus solar and screw crowns costing 0 less. Once again, the Swiss need to catch up.

*The crystal is neither sapphire nor non-reflective, add to that its slight dome and I wonder how long before an unsightly scratch? A rugged military time piece of this price should have a sapphire crystal.

*While the rubber(*) band is comfortable and thick, it's also quite gummy. Time will tell how durable it is but it seems as though if pulled too hard over time it might harden and separate. Once again I feel a military branded piece such as this should have been given a more durable band.

SUM UP:

While this Wenger is a quality watch and has some collector appeal, its main selling point is appearance, not function or economy. There are dozens of watches which perform the same functions with similar or better quality at a much lower cost. But if you're a sucker for a striking "nuclear green" on black watch which will perform perfectly until the battery runs out, then you'll buy one just as I have and enjoy it in the dark!

(*)It is unclear whether the band material on this watch is organic rubber or silicone rubber. The Wenger site states that the band of this watch is "rubber" while using the term "silicon" for bands on other watches. This is an important distinction and one which Wenger should clear up.

Sale Price : $207.41

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 21, 2010 00:55:21

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