When the chronograph begins, it first functions as a countdown timer, and then chronograph. Allow me to explain. The countdown timer moves slowly across the dial counting down ten minutes. The movement provides little beeps along the way, but if you are out on the sea in a boat you probably aren’t going to hear them. The good news is that the scale is large and easy to see, and the gradual movement of the hand serves as an effective visual guide of how much time is left. There is a subsidiary dial near 10 o’clock that also counts, but the hand moves each two or three seconds. The other small counter is a subsidiary seconds counter for the time.
After the ten minute countdown is complete, the chronograph turns into a normal chronograph using the large central hand to count minutes, and the smaller hand to count the hours. According to Swiss Military the watch is able to count up to 96 hours. It is a bit odd as it is combined with the countdown timer, but I suppose with quartz movements there is much more flexibility in these things. It does not surprise me that the movement is produced by Swiss ISA, who is known for producing such quirky quartz movements. The movement in question is actually the ISA caliber 8270.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the dial has a smiley face on it. The two subdials are the eyes and the date window is the mouth. This was no doubt an intentional move. How else can you explain the extremely expanded date window. We’ve complained in the past about “open” date windows that show three date numerals at a time. How about seven date numerals at a time?! Yes, the Typhoon probably has the largest open date display I’ve seen… that isn’t one of those “skeletonized” date displays where you can see the entire disc. The dial is no doubt strange for sure. The addition of the happy face helps a bit, but it is still… avant garde to say the least.
There is also the matter of the alarm function. The large red arrow hand on the dial is used to set the alarm. You move it to the hour you want it to go off, and then it will. You turn the alarm on and off with the red-wrapped pusher located at 8 o’clock on the case. The alarm beeps enough, but as is the case with most quartz watches, the beep is going to be mostly audible indoors or in other quiet environments, not on boats. In fact, from a design perspective there is so much that could have been done with this dial to make it cleaner, and still be a really good regatta timer. It all works of course, but it is hard to feel that the dial design is 100% refined.
As I said, I give the CX Swiss Military Typhoon watch high marks for the case, in terms of design and comfort. The dial, while functional, prevents the piece from living up to its full potential. The watch could have been much prettier, and more timeless. Though what we know from Swiss Military they prefer to do things a bit differently, and we have to respect that as they aren’t trying to gouge anyone when it comes to price.
Having said that, I think if Swiss Military wanted to revisit the Typhoon case and incorporate perhaps a different movement or dial design, they could extract a whole lot more life out of it. Perhaps they will do that, there is nothing stopping them from doing so. As it is, the Swiss Military Watch Typhoon is nevertheless an interesting watch, with utility for some people. We like the brand and the watches are genuinely unique. The Typhoon comes with a range of dial colors and is priced at 1,222 Swiss Francs. swiss-military.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: CX Swiss Military Watch
>Model: Typhoon
>Price: 1,222 Swiss Francs
>Size: 45mm
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Maybe
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Rough around the edges guy who spends time around boats and wants something masculine but also a bit showy.
>Best characteristic of watch: Nicely design case with great detailing.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Dial design is awkward and doesn’t always seem to fit the theme of the watch.
