Imagine my wonder when I saw the bright red dial on a Japanese Limitedย Edition Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision 2 on eBay. It looked similar to the regular Night Vision 2 in black, but the red dial kicks the “wow factor” up a notch. It would be similar to adding a spoonful of wasabi to your sushi. This Night Vision 2 is the new spicy version of the standard model.
The red Japanese limited edition version of the Night Vision 2. Photo: eBay user green_disk
I am still pleasantly surprised when I encounter a watch from Victorinox Swiss Army that I simply did not know about. I find most of my new-to-me Swiss Army watches on eBay and have a series calledย Notable Watches Seen on eBay. I have tirelessly cataloged thousands of watch models in the Watch Hunter Victorinox Swiss Army Watch Identifier, but seeing this forgotten regionally limited edition proves that there are more watches left to discover.ย There is a good reason that I have never seen this one before, and that is because I don’t live in Japan.
The red dial makes this Night Vision 2 rare.ย Photo: eBay user green_disk
The Night Vision 2 was launched in the mid-2000s and was a decidedly more sane replacement for the sci-fi inspired Night Vision 1. The streamlined case and strap were updated to a bolder tool-like design. This second version is handsome and remarkable for its legibility. It’s swoopy case changed from “starship” to “slab-sided”. Both models have specialty straps that are integrated into the case so there are no aftermarket strap options for these watches.
The standard issue Night Vision 2
The earlier Night Vision 1 model looked like a Star Trek prop, which could be a plus for people like me who like that sort of thing. Both early models are interesting for different reasons and you can read more about them at MEET THE WATCH: Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision Flashlight Watch Series.
Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision Flashlight watches. Generation 1 and 2.
The limited edition Night Vision 2 that I saw on eBay might technically be considered a special edition watch. Most limited edition watches are numbered and have a specific amount produced. From all the images that I could find of the v.249012, I did not see any sequential numbers on the back of the watch to indicate a limited series. I did not even see a serial number, which is a little unusual on a modern Victorinox Swiss Army watch. Regardless, there are probably not a lot of these watches around.
The case back for the Japanese limited edition Night Vision 2.ย Photo: eBay user green_disk
Only the dial of the Victorinox Swiss Armyย Night Vision 2 was modified on the Japanese Limited Edition version. The brushed stainless steel case and integrated rubber strap are carryovers from the standard issue models.
The rubber strap has a special attachment link so you. No aftermarket straps here.ย Photo: eBay user green_disk
The modern profile is an exercise in simplicity. Photo: eBay user green_disk
I found this a veryย old listing for this model v.249012 on another Japanese website, Rakuten. Translating the page did not reveal much more information except maybe the originalย MSRP was 51,840 yen, close to $400 USD. This model is long since off the market because it was released in 2008 to a limited run in Japan only.
An old listing for the watch appears on Rakuten
If you want a chance to buy one, check out the eBay listing as of Novemberย 18, 2018. It looks like the seller, named green_disk, is accepting offers. Maybe you could work an agreeable price between you. This Limited Edition Night Vision 2ย would make a nice addition to any collector of Victorinox Swiss Army watches or a Japanophile. The fact that these watches were made specifically for the land of the rising sun makes it only cooler.
The original listing on eBay from the user green_disk
