SWIZA URBEX Mirage : a Swiss Army knife designed for modern explorers
With the URBEX collection, the Swiss brand SWIZA continues its move upmarket in the world of contemporary multi-tools. The URBEX Mirage model perfectly illustrates this new direction by combining technical design, innovative materials, and high-end Swiss craftsmanship. Inspired by desert landscapes and Saharan mirages, this multi-tool features a particularly original textured sand finish. Designed to accompany both urban use and outdoor activities, it positions itself as a premium Swiss Army Knife for users seeking performance, robustness, and a strong visual identity. With the URBEX Mirage, SWIZA is no longer simply aiming to produce a traditional multi-tool. The brand has developed a true technical object inspired by the world of adventure, industrial design, and the materials used in contemporary Swiss watchmaking. It is available from €370.
SWIZA: A Swiss Brand Rooted in Jura Craftsmanship
SWIZA's history dates back to 1904 in the Swiss Jura region, the historical cradle of microtechnology and Swiss watchmaking. Originally specializing in watch components and mechanical alarm clocks, the company gradually expanded its activities before turning to the world of the modern Swiss Army Knife. For several years, SWIZA has been reinventing the traditional Swiss Army Knife with a more contemporary approach that blends ergonomics, design, and technical innovation. The company maintains a strong presence in the Swiss Jura, where the knives are designed, developed, and assembled. This close connection to the local watchmaking ecosystem allows the brand to benefit from advanced expertise in micro-precision, technical materials, and premium manufacturing. The URBEX collection is one of SWIZA's most ambitious lines, developed to celebrate the brand's 120th anniversary.
URBEX: A Swiss Army Knife Inspired by the Outdoor and Urban World
The name URBEX directly references “Urban Explorers,” a philosophy that blends urban exploration, adventure, and modern mobility. SWIZA presents this collection as a knife designed for users who move seamlessly between the city and nature, as well as between professional environments and outdoor activities. The Mirage model embodies this philosophy with an aesthetic inspired by desert dunes and the visual illusions of Saharan landscapes. Its sand color and wavy texture reinforce this visual identity, which is quite different from traditional multi-tools. The collection also includes other versions such as Lava and Canopy, inspired by volcanic and forest landscapes, respectively. With URBEX, SWIZA clearly aims to offer a more premium, more technical product with a greater focus on contemporary design than classic Swiss Army knives.
Materials from the Watchmaking and High-Tech Worlds
One of the most striking features of the SWIZA URBEX Mirage lies in its choice of materials. The knife incorporates BIOROC, a high-performance composite combining carbon fibers and bio-based components derived from castor oil. This material was developed to offer:
- High impact resistance,
- Excellent lightness,
- Improved durability,
- A reduced environmental footprint.
The handle also uses VULCARBONE, a technical coating developed by BIWI, a Swiss company specializing in advanced materials for the luxury, watchmaking, and medical sectors. This material provides:
- Improved grip,
- A soft touch,
- High UV resistance,
- Abrasion protection,
- Improved overall durability.
All the tools also benefit from a matte black PVD coating, a finish widely used in high-end watchmaking to improve scratch and corrosion resistance.
A versatile multi-tool
Beyond its design, the URBEX Mirage retains the practical DNA of the Swiss Army knife. The model includes:
- A 75 mm 1.4110 stainless steel blade,
- A one-handed opening system,
- A safety lock,
- A sommelier's corkscrew,
- A can opener,
- A bottle opener,
- Several screwdrivers,
- An awl with an eye,
- Tweezers.
The blade also features partial serrations designed to improve cutting capabilities on various materials. SWIZA particularly emphasizes the knife's overall ergonomics and its ability to easily transition from everyday urban use to more outdoor situations. The blade locking system also provides an additional level of security absent from many traditional multi-tools.
Premium Swiss and Locally Made
The URBEX Mirage is entirely designed and assembled in the Swiss Jura region, specifically in the BIWI workshops in Glovelier. SWIZA strongly emphasizes this local manufacturing and the short supply chains used to produce the URBEX collection. This approach allows the brand to maintain:
- A high level of quality control,
- A strong artisanal dimension,
- Consistency with the Swiss Made label,
- Close ties to regional watchmaking expertise.
- Local manufacturing is now a key argument in the collection's premium positioning.
A Next-Generation Swiss Army Knife
With the URBEX Mirage, SWIZA clearly aims to redefine the traditional image of the Swiss Army Knife. This model is no longer presented simply as a utilitarian multi-tool, but as a truly premium object blending contemporary design, technical innovation, and outdoor inspiration. Its refined aesthetics, high-tech materials, and more lifestyle-oriented approach mark a significant shift in the Swiss brand's positioning. Priced between €300 and €350 depending on the version and retailer, the URBEX Mirage is positioned in the high-end segment of contemporary multi-tools. This strategy allows SWIZA to offer a more modern and technically advanced alternative to classic Swiss Army Knives. With this URBEX collection, the brand also reaffirms its commitment to leveraging the industrial and watchmaking expertise of the Swiss Jura region to develop premium products that appeal to EDC enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and fans of contemporary technical design.
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Editor: Éric Barse
Journalist, entrepreneur, and founder of the websites www.cafe-racer-only.com and www.scooter-3-roues.com, Eric Barse divides his time between his passions: motorcycles, travel, and watches. A graduate of the Saint-Cyr military academy and the 2nd RPIMA (Parachute Regiment) before pursuing a career in communications and digital media, he has a true passion for authentic watches that have accompanied his two-wheeled adventures for many years, from the Indian Ocean to Africa and Latin America!
