Some watches are worth writing about more than once. The Victorinox Swiss Army 2006 Legacy Réserve de Marche Platine Limited Edition watch has already appeared on the Watch Hunter web site. Check out the previous article MEET THE WATCH: Victorinox Swiss Army 2006 Legacy Réserve de Marche Platine Ultra Watch if you want more information on this extremely unique limited edition watch. In a nutshell, Victorinox Swiss Army V.251086 was the only model from the Swiss brand to be made from budget-busting platinum, and only 60 were ever produced. It is in the top-3 most rare Swiss Army watches ever made (not including prototypes or custom watches).
A stunning, rare watch in platinum. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
The reason for rehashing an article for the Victorinox Swiss Army 2006 Legacy Réserve de Marche Platine is because good photos of this watch are difficult to come by. In fact, most existing images are from the dark ages of digital photography in the mid-2000s. Many of those images are dreadfully blurry and low-resolution. They did not do the watch any favors, and they turned off many potential collectors, including your’s truly. In the previous article, I was skeptical of why anyone would pay so much for this model. My earlier opinion was based on the lack of details seen in blurry photos. However, a new eBay auction for this incredible watch has a brand new set of photos that show the timepiece in a better light, pun intended.
The watch’s name has the words “Réserve de Marche” which is French for power reserve. The movement is good for about 46 hours untouched before it needs winding. The spinning rotor in the watch keeps the mainspring wound up as the owner wears it. The power gauge indicated how much potential energy is stored in the mainspring. The photo below shows roughly 24 hours of reserve left. If the watch’s power gauge shows “low power” with the needle pointing to the left, simply wind the watch, or wear it on your wrist for a while. The gauge’s needle will creep rightward in an arc as the mainspring is wound.
A skeletonized dial, rubber bezel and power reserve gauge. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
The dial has an interesting multi-layer design. The outer rubber bezel is a thin frame that surrounds the Arabic numeral track. It looks like the numerals are applied and deeply filled with white lume. The date is a frameless cutout at the 4:00 position. I’ve never seen this treatment before on a Swiss Army watch. Inward, the dial opens to thin air revealing gears, pearlage, Geneve Stripes and blued screws. I am not 100% certain, but it appears that the familiar 24-hour military scale, power reserve, and logo text is printed on the underside of the sapphire crystal. These features appear to float over the skeletonized dial and it might be the first time that Swiss Army used this glass printing technique. The hour, minute and seconds hands are brushed steel and the power reserve hand appears to be blued steel. Note that the shield logo is precision-cut from part of the movement. Swiss Army designers seemed to apply multiple processes to make this limited edition watch memorable.
Plastic crown guards are held in place by screws. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
Platinum is usually reserved for high-end luxury jewelry and watches. It has an astronomical cost per ounce. In fact, the Victorinox Swiss Army Legacy Reserve de Marche Platine had a suggested retail price of $19,500 back in 2006. If your eyes are not watering, then you probably make more money than the average person. Considering that original price, the current list price of only $6,995 seems like a relative bargain. You know you want it!
eBay auction for Victorinox Swiss Army Legacy Power Reserve Limited Edition in Platinum
This watch has a 43mm platinum case with black rubber accents including two screw-on rubber bumper crown guards and a sloped bezel (and caseback). There are also rubber bumper inserts seen in the milled-out lugs. The large crown appears to be made in stainless steel and has a Victorinox shield logo. The case is beautifully brushed, which is a sportier treatment than a mirror polish.
Finely brushed platinum flanks. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
The watch band is rubber and has a brushed stainless steel tang buckle. It is signed with the Victorinox shield logo engraved on the buckle and embossed on the rubber itself as a 3-dimensional relief. A rubber strap will keep the watch snuggly positioned on your wrist, making it a comfortable wearing watch despite the heft of platinum.
A rubber strap with a steel pin buckle. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
The watch features an edge-to-edge display window that allows the owner to see the entire back of the Caliber ETA Valgranges A07.161 automatic movement. This caliber is designed for larger watches and had Geneva Stripes, pearlage decoration and a custom logo rotor. The case is stamped with PL 950, which indicates that it is made from 95% platinum. The other 5% is comprised of other alloys. Platinum is a very dense and heavy material. This particular watch weighs in at 141 grams according to the seller. Much of that weight comes from the heavier-than-steel platinum.
A custom rotor on a Valgranges movement. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
This particular watch appears to be in amazing shape. It is in excellent condition with minor signs of wear. According to Meyer Fine Jewelry, “The case has a few marks, mostly where you can’t see it while wearing it. The case sides have no major dings or scratches. The rubber inserts on the case, as well as the bezel, are in great condition. The watch was serviced by Victorinox Swiss Army in March 2019, and it is in proper working order and keeping time.” This means the watch can simply be bought and enjoyed.
The watch was just freshly serviced by Swiss Army. Photo: Meyer Fine Jewelry
Are there any downsides? Very few if any. The original box, extra leather strap, red-anodized loupe, and strap changing tool are not included. This can happen if the original buyer lost them or discarded them. It’s not a big deal if you plan to wear the watch, but it might annoy the most hardcore collectors who want every single part that came with the watch. Also, you will probably have to educate your watch buddies at your local meetup because very few people will be aware that this rarity exists.
If you are in the market for a platinum watch like the Swiss Army 2006 Legacy Réserve de Marche Platine, then head over to the eBay auction or the web site for Meyer Fine Jewelry. I am sure that the owner would love to sell it to you. There might be less “eBay tax” with a direct sale from Meyer Fine Jewelry so it might be worth reaching out to them. Ask for Jeff Meyer. Thank you to Meyer Fine Jewelry who graciously allowed me to use their photos.
