📝 Victorinox Altimeter

March 15, 2026

The First Electronic Instrument Swiss Army Knife

Introduction

The Victorinox Altimeter was introduced mid 2000 and represents the first regular production Swiss Army Knife integrating an electronic altitude measurement module directly into the scales.

This model belongs to a short-lived generation of electronic Swiss Army Knives, where Victorinox experimented with combining traditional tools with digital outdoor instruments.

The Altimeter follows the earlier Timekeeper Alarm experiment, which introduced electronic timekeeping scales. With the Altimeter, Victorinox expanded the concept by integrating a sensor capable of calculating altitude and measuring temperature.

Physically identical to the later Voyager and Traveller, the Altimeter marks the beginning of this electronic instrument platform.

I. Technical Overview

The Altimeter follows the classic 91 mm Officer Knife architecture, based on the Climber toolset, combined with an electronic scale module.

Main Tools

Large blade
Small blade

Scissors

Can opener + small screwdriver
Bottle opener + large screwdriver + wire stripper

Back Layer Tools

Corkscrew

Reamer / awl

Multipurpose hook

Scale Tools

Toothpick

Electronic LCD module
(altimeter / thermometer)

Catalogue 2000

II. The Altimeter Electronic Module

The defining feature of the Altimeter is its electronic measurement module integrated into the scales.

Functions include:

altimeter
thermometer

The altitude measurement works through a miniature pressure sensor, calculating altitude from variations in atmospheric pressure.

Temperature measurement is also integrated, allowing the knife to function as a compact environmental instrument, useful for hiking, mountaineering and outdoor navigation.

The electronic module is powered by two CR1225 lithium coin-cell batteries housed inside the scale unit.

III. Evolution of the Model

The early Altimeter models retained a simplified rear scale configuration containing only a toothpick, reflecting their direct heritage from the earlier Timekeeper Alarm electronic scale design.

Catalogue 2001 - no Pen nor Tweezers

Early Altimeter without Pen

From around 2003, the Altimeter adopted the Plus scale configuration, adding a ballpoint pen and small tweezers to the rear scale.

Catalogue 2003 - pen is present

Altimeter post 2003 with Pen & Tweezers

In the 2006 Victorinox catalogue, the Traveller replaces the Altimeter, consolidating the electronic instrument lineup into a single model.

Collector Perspective and Significance

Although produced for only a limited period, the Altimeter occupies a unique position in the history of electronic Swiss Army Knives.

Collectors appreciate it for:

being the first Victorinox model with an integrated altimeter
its direct connection to the Timekeeper Alarm electronic experiment
its role at the origin of the Altimeter / Voyager / Traveller platform

A rarer configuration also exists combining the Altimeter module with a wood saw, creating an unusual variation of the platform.

Another notable variant was produced for REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue).
This version features distinctive transparent grey scales with the REGA rescue helicopter emblem, making it one of the most unusual color variations of the Altimeter family.

Early Altimeter Rega

Black Altimeter for Leysin American School

Explore the electronic AVT models and the evolution of Victorinox digital scales:
👉 🤖 Victorinox AVT Models — Electronic Scales, Digital Tools & the Swiss Army Knife

Conclusion

The Victorinox Altimeter represents one of the most ambitious attempts to expand the Swiss Army Knife beyond mechanical tools.

By integrating altitude and temperature measurement directly into the scales, Victorinox created a knife capable of acting both as a traditional tool and as a compact outdoor instrument.

Although eventually replaced by the Traveller, the Altimeter remains a fascinating milestone in the evolution of electronic Swiss Army Knives.

This article is part of the SAKnife Archives, an independent collector-driven project dedicated to documenting Victorinox Swiss Army Knives. All photographs shown come from the SAKnife private collection unless otherwise noted. The historical and technical information presented here is based on period catalogues and expert collector databases. Additional material will be added as new information emerges.

Identify every Victorinox 91 mm configuration using the structural identification tree:
👉 🔎 Victorinox 91mm Identification Tree – Identify Your Swiss Army Knife by Toolset

Identify the production period of your Swiss Army Knife using the interactive visual tool based on tang stamps and tool evolution:
👉 ⌛ Swiss Army Knife Production Period Guide – Victorinox Interactive Tool Evolution

Explore the evolution of Victorinox 91 mm Swiss Army Knives and discover related model sheets in the historical timeline:
👉 📘 Swiss Army Knife History & 91 mm Model Evolution