REVIEW – I like watches. I’m sure a lot of gadget fans do. I’ve had the opportunity to review a couple and really enjoyed it. Watches are kind of like knives, one is never enough. So when the Infantry Revolution Chrono-Master came up to review I quickly volunteered. I prefer mechanical watches to quartz but I thought it might be nice to not have to worry about having to reset the time and date should I decide not to wear it for a day or two. So was it? Did it do what it was supposed to do, you know, like keep the time and date? If you want to know my thoughts keep reading.
What is it?
The Infantry Revolution Chrono-Master is a quartz watch powered by a Seiko VD57 movement that’s contained by a carbon fiber case with stainless steel components and a sapphire crystal.
What’s included?
- The Chrono-Master watch
- Warranty card
- Instruction manual
- Storage box
Tech specs
Click to expand
Analog time display
Date indication
1/10 seconds chronograph
100 meters water resistant (10ATM)
Seiko VD57 quartz movement
Composite carbon fiber watch case
Stainless steel face plate and ring
Sapphire crystal top
Stainless steel case back
Silicon strap (quick release)
Super lume hands
Stainless steel watch buckle
Design and features
The design of the Infantry Revolution Chrono-Master watch is decidedly tactical. The watch’s look isn’t going to suit everyone’s taste, but I like it. I’m not a dressy-watch type of guy. It just doesn’t suit my jeans and T-shirt wardrobe. The case is made from carbon fiber, so it’s super light despite the rather large size. It’s tough, too. I’ve worn it every day for over a month and haven’t done any sort of damage to it. The crystal is sapphire crystal, the highest grade crystal for watches. Being second only to diamond means it’ll resist scratching.
The guts of the watch is the Seiko VD57 movement. From what I was able to find online, the Seiko VD57 is a budget quartz chronograph from Lorus. It has a quartz mechanism and is powered by a Renata R371 371 / SR920SW / SG6 / AG6 battery that can last up to 36 months. That’s a lot of NOT winding. The movement also includes three indicators the 12, 6, and 9 positions on the face for the 1/10 seconds chronograph and the date.
The case back, face plate, and ring are stainless steel and the whole thing sports a wide silicon strap with a stainless buckle.
The version I received was all blacked out. You know, so I’m ready for my next night op. Speaking of night, the Chrono-Master uses two different colors of lume. The number and indication marks are green while the hour and minute hands are blue. Additionally, the watch is water resistant to 100 meters, so it’s not a dive watch but you won’t have to worry about getting it wet in the shower or a quick dip in the pool.
And for all those curious, here’s a shot from the Infantry website with the measurements.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
Setting the date and time of the Infantry Watch Co. Revolution Chrono Master watch was simple enough. The crown pulls out to two positions but the notches are so close together, that it’s quite easy to miss the first one. To set the chronograph, there are also two buttons, one above and one below the crown. You’ll need to use the instructions to set the dials to zero.
Performance
The Infantry Revolution Chrono Master performs like any decent watch should. It has kept perfect time during the time I’ve worn it. The chronograph works fine but it’s not something I really have a need for. I will say that the third indicator representing minutes doesn’t seem to work. I can’t get it to zero and it doesn’t seem to work when I was playing with the chronograph’s functions.
What I like about Infantry Revolution Chrono-Master watch
- Lightweight
- Good materials
- Keeps time
What needs to be improved?
- Better instructions would be appreciated
- An explanation of how that minute counter is to be reset
Final thoughts
The Infantry Revolution Chrono-Master is a fine watch. I think it looks nice and works well. I will continue to wear it. With the Seiko movement being described as budget level is a bit disappointing considering the price of the watch. Maybe the price is justified with the use of the carbon fiber case and sapphire crystal? I guess if I was more of a watch nerd I could answer the question. My thoughts though are that the watch doesn’t quite add up to the asking price. I could be wrong and if I am, please let me know.
Price: $180
Where to buy: Infantry Watch Co
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Infantry Watch Co. Infantry Watch Co. did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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One of the questions asked of a watch is do the hands land on the ‘marks’? From the pics it seems as they do (second hand). Another is noise. Waterproof is can you leave it in a cup of water overnite without leakage into the dial. For $180 you’ve got to know these questions.
I love the look and have a weakness for chrono’s. That’s a good movement but again, has a battery, I was SO hoping it was an automatic. I have, however, completely lost interest in quartz watches. When you have a collection that needs like 20-25 batteries replaced annually (this is only the portion of the collection with dead batteries so the collection is notably larger) you lose your taste for it regardless of the coolness factor of the watches. Great review and it’s still a tempting item.