The latest addition to my collection is the TimeKeeper. The TimeKeeper has been on my mind for a very long time. In fact, I think I first saw it in it’s introduction year. The year I got my first SAK, the Handyman.
I found a new in box TimeKeeper in stylish black, I didn’t hesitate.
The TimeKeeper was introduced in 1992, it was discontinued in 2007. I wondered when my TimeKeeper was produced, so I tried to date it.
Dating Swiss Army Knives is a bit of a challenge. Over time changes were made to the knives, some more obvious and some very minute.
So let’s give it a shot.
Large blade
The large blade is a good place to start. The tang stamps are a very good way to roughly determine the age of a knife.
The Victorinox stamp has a large V and says ‘Victorinox Switzerland Stainless Rostfrei’. On the back is the Officier Suisse stamp. The crossbow touches the C and the cross touches the crossbow.
This stamp dates 1987-2004. That’s a pretty wide range.
And only narrows it down to 1992-2004 for now.
Multipurpose Hook
The Multipurpose Hook is paired with the Scissors, a combination used after 1991.
Also, the Hook has no nailfile. The nailfile was added in 1998 on some models.
There are TimeKeepers with a nailfile (the one I saw also has numbered hour markers) so it’s safe to say this is before 1998.
So now we’re at 1992-1998.
Scissors
A close look at the scissors shows a screw in the hinge. Victorinox chaneged this in the early 1990’s. So let’s say first half, 1995.
Which brings us to 1992-1995. That’s pretty good actually. But based on an assumption.
The TimeKeeper is available with new type Scissors and Roman numerals.
Keyring
The keyring is interesting, it’s a shim style keyring. After 1991 Victorinox changed to a spring-type keyring. Since the TimeKeeper was launched in 1992 it’s safe to say production started before that year. So it could be a very early made TimeKeeper, or Vicotrinox used old stock to make this model (which is also plausable).
Mini Screwdriver
The Mini Screwdriver dates from 1983, so that’s no help. The design of the screwdriver changed however. This is an older style. It is round, has the Pat. stamp, has a tapered tip and is longer that the current hexagonal Mini Screwdrivers.
However, since I don’t know when Victorinox changed the style of Mini Screwdriver it’s useless in dating this knife.
Swiss Watch
The Watch is the keyfeature of this knife. Victorinox launced the TimeKeeper with striped hour markers and roman numerals. Later they changed to numbered hour markers (1-12).
I do not know when this change was made. So unfortunately it does not help dating. All we know it’s one of the early models.
Combination tool
Introduced in 1982, and no changes made. No use for dating.
Corkscrew
The corkscrew has 4 turns and no decorations. Decoration was dropped in 1991. So this does not really help dating either.
Toothpick
The toothpick has changed over time but there is no dating data available (to me).
Pressurised ballpoint pen
First introduced with the introduction of the Plus Scales in 1993 it contradicts with the introduction year of the TimeKeeper in 1992.
Straight Pin
Introduced in 1991, no real help in dating. But that makes the TimeKeeper one of the first models with a straight pin.
Mactire Pocketknives 