Today, we’re taking a look at a watch from a brand that holds a special place in my heart—Wenger. It was the maker of my very first “proper” watch. Back in 1999, when I was around five years old, my father returned from a business trip to Switzerland and brought me a Wenger S.A.K. watch as a gift. That watch quickly became a part of my daily life. I wore it everywhere—for years. It followed me through childhood adventures, school days, and countless memories. Today, it bears the marks of that journey, with plenty of scratches and scuffs that tell its own story. I kept wearing it until I was about 14, when it eventually became too small for my wrist. Around that time, my father gifted me another watch—a Breitling—but that’s a story for another day. Even though I can’t wear that Wenger anymore due to its size, I’ve never parted with it. It’s still with me, safely stored, and it remains one of the most sentimental pieces in my collection. It’s a reminder of where my passion for watches began and how a simple timepiece can hold deep personal meaning. Some day I will probably do an article on that one and show it to you all!
Wenger is a Swiss company with a rich history dating back to 1893. Originally founded in Courtételle, in the Jura region of Switzerland, the company began as a knife manufacturer. It quickly gained recognition when it became one of the two official suppliers of the legendary Swiss Army Knife, alongside Victorinox. While Victorinox operated from Ibach, Wenger represented the other half of this national icon from its base in Delémont. For much of the 20th century, Wenger was best known for its multifunctional pocket knives, which were used by soldiers, adventurers, and everyday users around the world. Their knives were marked by the red logo with the Swiss cross, a symbol of quality and functionality.
In 1988, Wenger entered the watch market, applying the same philosophy of practicality, durability, and Swiss precision to timepieces. Their watches were rugged, reliable, and accessible, appealing to a wide range of customers, from outdoors enthusiasts to casual wearers. Many of their models were inspired by military and field watch designs, often featuring robust cases and easy-to-read dials. In 2005, Victorinox acquired Wenger, uniting the two Swiss Army Knife brands under one ownership. While knife production was later consolidated, Wenger continued to operate independently in the watch and travel gear markets. Today, the Wenger brand focuses solely on Swiss-made watches and travel accessories, maintaining its identity as a maker of high-quality, functional products with a modern edge. Though no longer producing knives, Wenger remains a respected name in the world of Swiss watchmaking. It blends over a century of heritage with contemporary design and affordability, offering timepieces that reflect both tradition and innovation.
Today we’re taking a look at a timepiece from Wenger’s new Seaforce 43mm dive watch collection. I opted for the standard three-hand model, though the Seaforce is also available in a chronograph variant. The regular Seaforce comes in a total of eight different combinations of case finishes, dial colors, and strap or bracelet options. The version I selected features a black PVD-coated case—referred to by Wenger as “Black Ice”—paired with a vibrant yellow rubber strap and matching yellow dial accents. I’m personally drawn to bold, playful colors in watches, and with summer just around the corner, this colorway felt like the perfect choice. A big thank you goes out to Melissa from Wenger for kindly providing the watch for review!
The Seaforce arrived in a minimalist white cardboard box, featuring the Wenger logo and subtle red accents. Inside, you’ll find the watch and a basic instruction manual. The unboxing experience is clean and straightforward, placing full emphasis on the watch itself. First impressions are positive—the case finishing looks well-executed and gives the impression of durability. I’m also a fan of the yellow highlights on the dial, which add a nice pop of color. However, one immediate downside is the rubber strap. Unfortunately, it feels a bit subpar in quality. The material is quite translucent under light, and at the lugs, the underlying black components are visible, which detracts from the overall premium feel.
The case of the Seaforce is constructed from stainless steel and coated with a black PVD finish. Interestingly, under direct light, the coating reveals more of a dark grey hue than a true black. The case features a satin-brushed surface complemented by polished edges—a surprising touch of refinement at this price point. Measuring 43mm in diameter, 52mm lug-to-lug, and with a thickness of 11.4mm, the watch has a bold presence on the wrist. However, thanks to its lightweight construction (just 95 grams), it remains very comfortable to wear. At the 3 o’clock position, the watch sports a screw-down crown with a polished finish, topped with Wenger’s Swiss cross logo. The crown action is smooth, and the deep knurling provides excellent grip, making time and date adjustments effortless.
Sitting atop the case is a 60-click uni-directional rotating bezel. The raised sections are satin-brushed, while the recessed areas have a bead-blasted texture, creating a nice contrast. A lume pip is positioned at 12 o’clock, and the bezel is engraved with a functional minute scale—ideal for timing purposes. For a 60-click bezel, the action is surprisingly precise, with minimal backplay. On the reverse, the screw-down case back is left in bare stainless steel and features a circular brushed finish. Around the edge, you’ll find engraved specifications, including the watch’s reference and serial numbers. The Seaforce offers a water resistance of 200 meters (20 ATM), making it more than capable for swimming, snorkeling, and most recreational diving activities. Covering the dial is a sapphire-coated mineral crystal—an unfortunate compromise. While it offers better scratch resistance than standard mineral glass, it falls short of the durability and clarity provided by a full sapphire crystal. A true sapphire would have been a welcome upgrade, especially for a tool watch, where long-term resilience is key.
The dial features a sleek black finish, complemented by a black and yellow rehaut that includes a printed minute track. Each hour is marked by a lume dot on the rehaut, with double lume dots at the 12 o’clock position for enhanced orientation. The words “Swiss Made” are printed at 6 o’clock, underscoring the watch’s heritage and build quality. At the center of the dial, a raised horizontal line pattern adds texture and visual depth. The applied hour markers are brushed and filled with luminous material for optimal visibility in low light. Raised Arabic numerals are present at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, while the 12 o’clock position features a raised Wenger logo—a red and white Swiss cross flag emblem. Just below the 12 o’clock marker, the Wenger name is printed in crisp white. At 3 o’clock, a date window is neatly integrated, featuring a black date wheel that impressively matches the dial—a rare detail at this price point.
The water-resistance rating, “200M / 660FT / 20ATM,” is printed in yellow above the 6 o’clock position, tying in with the watch’s overall color theme. The broad arrow-style hour hand and the sword-shaped minute hand are finished in dark brushed grey and filled with lume. The seconds hand is matte yellow, echoing the yellow accents on the dial and strap. Overall, the dial offers excellent legibility both day and night, maintaining Wenger’s reputation for producing affordable, reliable tool watches. It’s a clear reminder that Wenger continues to excel at delivering functional design at an accessible price point.
Inside the Seaforce we have Ronda 505. It is a robust and reliable Swiss-made quartz movement known for its accuracy and durability. With a 3-hand layout and date function, it’s commonly used in affordable watches. It features a battery life of up to 45 months and offers hacking seconds, which is a plus for precise time setting. The movement is built with repairability in mind and comes in both Swiss and Swiss Parts variants. While not high-end, the Ronda 505 consistently delivers solid performance and dependability, making it a popular choice for brands aiming to offer value-driven, functional timepieces. I would love if Wenger actually made an automatic version, but I guess it won’t happen as they focus more on affordability and quality.
The strap, unfortunately, is a bit of a letdown compared to the images on Wenger’s website. It’s a yellow silicone strap with a subtle waffle pattern intended to evoke a rugged, tool-watch aesthetic. The stainless steel buckle is coated in the same dark grey PVD as the case and is signed with the Wenger logo—clean, but basic. However, there are a few disappointing aspects. The silicone feels lower quality, and I would have much preferred an FKM rubber strap for a more premium feel. Additionally, the strap has a semi-translucent look, making the black reinforcement in the lug area visible—an effect that cheapens the overall appearance. That said, despite its aesthetic shortcomings, the strap wears surprisingly comfortably on the wrist.
The Wenger Seaforce 43mm is a watch that blends nostalgic sentiment with modern practicality. As someone whose passion for watches began with a Wenger, this review felt personal—and fortunately, the Seaforce mostly lives up to the legacy. It offers rugged reliability, bold design, and strong wrist presence, all wrapped in a Swiss-made package at an affordable price point. The dial is thoughtfully detailed and highly legible, with quality finishing and solid lume. The Ronda 505 quartz movement, while basic, delivers consistent accuracy and ease of use. There are, however, a few compromises. The sapphire-coated mineral crystal doesn’t offer the same durability as full sapphire, and the strap falls short in quality, both in material and appearance. That said, these drawbacks are understandable considering the price bracket, and they don’t overshadow the overall functionality and comfort of the watch. In the end, the Seaforce is a great example of Wenger’s continued ability to produce accessible tool watches that punch above their weight. For anyone looking for a summer-ready dive-style watch with personality and Swiss heritage, the Seaforce is a compelling option—and for me, a meaningful nod to where my horological journey began.
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