Momentum VS-3 Altimeter

by Ariel Soltura

The dial is simple, which is what you want from a watch that is designed to provide you with easy to read pieces of information. Having to stare at a watch for hours only to decipher the time is the last thing any adventurist wants. As Sweet Brown put it best, โ€œAinโ€™t nobody got time fo dat.โ€

Momentum-VS-3-Altimeter

The main dial readout displays the day of the week, the date and month, the time (in 12- or 24-hour format), and the seconds. In addition, you will see two small marks making their way around the dial near the chapter ring. These rotating marks are your seconds as well, adding a bit life to this digital dial. The chapter ring, which I quickly mentioned, appears to be aluminum, with the word Momentum positioned horizontally at the 6โ€™oclock.The sporty case is made of plastic, and its proportions are just right for this style of watch. The watch, of course, wears large, coming in at 50.50mm. After picking yourself off of the ground, remember: This watch is designed for easy readout at a glance, sometimes while youโ€™re ascending or descending a mountain. You just canโ€™t accomplish that visual feat at 40mm. The watch is uber comfortable, and Iโ€™ve had zero issues wearing it despite its mammoth size.

Momentum-VS-3-Altimeter

One of the coolest features making the Momentum VS-3 Altimeter stand out above all other ABC watches is its sapphire crystal upgrade option. Of course, it isnโ€™t the only watch company to offer sapphire, but at this price point, they are far and few between. Mine came with a sapphire crystal, and it has taken some tough blows already. A day before writing this review, I took it to the shooting range as I wanted to throw at it everything my profession had to offer. The crystal was hit no less than 15 times with flying hot brass and Iโ€™m happy to report it came out unscathed. As for my arms and neck, not so much. Sometimes itโ€™s hard to explain where all of the marks are from. Luckily, my wife is understanding. For those that want to save a few bucks, the mineral crystal option is available to you as well.

Momentum-VS-3-Altimeter

Cradling the crystal is the plastic case with its stainless steel stationary gray bezel. The bezel has a bead blasted look with four applied hex screws for aesthetic purposes only. Etched into the bezel youโ€™ll find your โ€œmodesโ€ wording, letting the user know exactly what button to push to activate the VS-3โ€™s features. On the right side of the watch youโ€™ll discover three stainless steel pushbuttons. Each looks like the head of a rounded off flathead screw. I wonder if this was done to add visual pop or if it was purposely done to better allow the edge of a knife to push them down in extreme circumstances. The one located in the two โ€˜oโ€™clock position accesses your barometer, while the one in the threeโ€™ oโ€™clock position accesses your magnetic north compass. The fourโ€™ oโ€™clock pushbutton brings up your altimeter. And, since we are on the altimeter topic, make sure that you donโ€™t use this watch when drastic changes in altitude are eminent (i.e. sky diving). This watch is intended to measure gradual changes and not โ€œIโ€™m about to throw up my stomachโ€ type terminal velocity changes. Momentum mentions this in their manual, and for litigious reasons, Iโ€™m doing the same. I wouldnโ€™t want to make anyone a โ€œthousandaireโ€ overnight. Something else that Iโ€™ll quickly mention is the watchโ€™s water rating. This watch is intended to by โ€œlightly usedโ€ around water but nothing past a shallow swim or a quick shower. Since I wanted to test it to its limit, I did opposite, subjecting it to swimming, garden hoses, vigorous hand washing, etc. As of yet, I have not been able to get the watch to malfunction, despite the manufactureโ€™s warnings.

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8 comments

Steve August 20, 2014 - 2:42 pm

Great looking watch. I’d be tempted to try it out if it weren’t for the size of the face. My favorite part of the watch is the back battery access area. The smooth look and what appears to be a non-hairpulling surface is what would draw me in. Well written review. It appears that you do indeed have a passion for watches. Keep them coming.

Reply
Ariel Soltura August 21, 2014 - 4:12 pm

Thank you Steve. I appreciate the feedback!

Reply
Dave August 21, 2014 - 2:00 pm

How’s the accuracy of the ABC features?

Reply
Ariel Soltura August 21, 2014 - 4:10 pm

Dave, as a LE official, I use only two of the three available; the baro for weather and the compass for direction. So far, spot on!

Reply
Zegarek August 22, 2014 - 3:52 am

Very nice watch!

Reply
Ariel Soltura August 22, 2014 - 6:53 pm

Thank you sir. Should you have any questions, please ask!

Reply
micdundee September 9, 2014 - 8:07 am

Nice review…
But the watch looks like a copy of Suunto watches!

Reply
Scott September 15, 2014 - 3:11 am

Nice review Ariel! Keep up the great work!

Scott

Reply

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