I wanted to buy an American-made caliper but then learned that Brown & Sharpe had been bought out by a foreign company so this really was the closest thing to it when it comes to Calipers. I previously purchased the lower model 599-579-4 with the white dial background but it didn't have a thumb wheel like the picture showed. In my opinion a thumb wheel is a requirement on a caliper and this model has one. I had been using some cheap calipers and they constantly required zeroing out and this one goes back to zero every time--if it doesn't then you likely have something on the surface of the jaws and you need to wipe them clean. It is easy to read and is a great tool. It seems like the dial is covered in plastic, not glass, so that is a bit disappointing and I've heard some people report that it scratches. I put a thin layer of rubber down on the case where the dial face would touch to protect it. The only other thing I'd mention is that although the tips of the jaws were like needle sharp when I got it, after a few months of scribing layouts I have noticed that they have begun to wear down. This won't effect the accuracy of this precision measuring tool though.

This caliper will always return to EXACTLY zero. Its sliding action is very smooth; it is easy to set the caliper precisely where you want it. Even approximate reading between the graduations are trustworthy. The feel is very nice, and there is no plastic on product except for the small black piece next to the metal wheel. The four points of the measuring faces are so sharp that they will easily draw blood. The depth measurement rod is accurate enough that if you extend it a bit, then push it down on a flat table, it will return to 0.000.

These words might be strong, but there are few things in the world I trust more than this caliper.
I take a lot more caliper measurements now that I have these, and I have a lot more confidence in my measurements before sending parts to be fabricated.

I ordered a Browne & Sharpe 6" caliper. I have known that Browne & Sharpe and Tesa have a relationship. But, it came in a case marked TESA with TESA's logo and the Caliper came marked as "ETALON Switzerland". No Browne & Sharpe to be found....

They seem every bit as good as the last pair of Browne & Sharpe's I bought years ago. But, they need to get their product ID straightened out.

I've looked a many dial calipers, and owned more than a few. I bought this one based on previous reviews. I have to say that this is by far the highest quality dial caliper I've ever owned. It is more expensive, but it is well worth it for a precision instrument that will last a lifetime. I like non-electronic calipers - I've owned the electronic display ones and when the batteries go out the display goes blank. I know - just change the batteries, right? Buy why do I even need that when those digital displays offer no increase in accuracy over a dial?

I received the B&S 75.116550 6" dial caliper SS Black Face yesterday, a day earlier then projected. The instrument seems to be very well made. Time will tell how well it will hold up, but I satisfied. It has the feel of a well made tool, and that's what I wanted, and that's what I paid for. Moving the jaws to measure is not a light touch, it moves with some resistance. My previous one made in China moved very easily. I'm guessing the closer tolerances in this Swiss made instrument are the reason. The black face is easy to read, and has dots between the .001" markings, very nice.