This is a new 2024 limited-edition version of the latest iteration of the now-iconic Victorinox I.N.O.X (INOX) Automatic watch. It features a Swiss Made automatic movement, an updated dial design, and a well-proportioned 41mm-wide case made from a black carbon composite material. 2024 has seen a slew of new INOX models (including at least nine INOX Automatic models), with four of them using this carbon case material. This particular reference 242024.1 is a limited edition version of 1,000 pieces.
What I like about this INOX Automatic watch is that it mixes some of the newer design language at work by the company today, as well as elements that work really well with the INOX family. More so, the lightweight and modest size of the case makes for a very comfortable wearing experience. The dial is not boring, but very legible and easy to read. Likewise, the black rubber strap is practical but has enough design elements to keep it from looking ordinary or standard. If you already have similar Victorinox INOX watches in your collection, there might not be a need to add a new one, but if it has been a while since you’ve checked out the INOX (and perhaps only seen the metal ones with Swiss Made quartz movements), then a watch like the Victorinox INOX Automatic Carbon 41mm should prove interesting to you.
The core theme of the watch is to mix the essence of a reliable tool watch with the designer appeal of a Swiss luxury product. Think of it like hiking gear that is nice enough to wear to dinner. As the new crop of creatives at Victorinox want to leave their mark, they are smartly keeping the core INOX hexagonal case shape and making adjustments to other areas such as the dial, hands, straps, and caseback decoration. According to the Victorinox website, this is “a timepiece at the top of its technical game.” That means Victorinox needs to balance adding novelty to the INOX without changing its core personality and impressive durability. Accordingly, the watch is ISO 1413 certified for shock resistance and ISO 22810 certified for water resistance (200 meters).
At launch, this carbon-cased version of the 41mm wide (and 12mm thick) INOX Automatic comes in four models, with this black and red version being a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. A green, black, and blue-accented version (all with the same forged carbon composite case, with what I believe is a titanium caseback) is also available as non-limited edition models. Of course, there are also steel versions of this watch, with similar dials and two bracelet options (which are a nice look). The benefit of the carbon is not just a cool organic texture, but also that they are comparatively much lighter in weight than the steel models. With that said, the steel INOX Automatic 41mm watches are no slouch by any means. I think a lot of people will like this 41mm-wide case size for the INOX, with models ranging up to 44mm and down to 32mm in width.
Over the dials are flat AR-coated sapphire crystals, and the faces themselves are attractive and legible. The luminant is good, and the various levels and textures make the watch feel refined and more high-end. These are not my favorite style of hands for the INOX, but in black, the extra section at the ends is not really visible. I will also say that I know the new design team likes the arrow on the bezel pointing at the crown, but it doesn’t really serve a functional purpose, and I think there are other ways to play with adding a dash of color to the case.
The rubber strap (which is also Swiss Made, as I understand) is probably the fanciest I have seen on a Victorinox INOX watch to date. The texture is nice, and it has a sort of ribbing that adds visual interest. On the inside are red rubber comfort bumpers, and it closes with a fold-over deployant that hides the excess strap on the inside for a cleaner wearing look. Inside the watch is a Swiss Made Sellita caliber SW200-1 automatic movement that operates at 4Hz with about two days of power reserve. It features the time and the date, with the latter complication displayed symmetrically on the dial at 6 o’clock. You can view the movement through the sapphire caseback window on the rear of the case.
I like the new design language of Victorinox, which includes a picture of a Swiss Army pocket knife over the movement window. This limited-edition reference 242024.1 INOX Automatic actually comes with a Victorinox Spartan model pocket knife with black-colored steel hardware. I didn’t have that handy, but I did shoot the watch with other excellent Victorinox pocket knives including the lesser-known but highly capable (and grippable) Victorinox Work Champ XL, and also the showy Victorinox Evoke Alox that features an aluminum body and a larger folding blade.
The entry-level model of this generation Victorinox INOX Automatic 41mm is currently priced at $1,050 USD and has a steel case and comes with this style of black rubber strap. For $1,200 USD you can get the steel on the matching steel bracelet. The non-limited versions of this carbon composite version of the INOX Automatic are priced at $1,375 each (they also come with matching pocket knives), and this limited edition of 1,000 pieces reference 242024.1 Victorinox I.N.O.X Automatic 41mm carbon watch has a retail price of $1,425 USD. Learn more at the Victorinox website.
