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?

Precision ground stainless steel construction. Extremely accurate. These calipers will out perform most mid level micrometers. Carries every trait of a Tesa/Etalon made tool. You're not just buying a tool, you're buying an heirloom.

I work with several gentlemen with old eyes, in my opinion and theirs, the black face with orange hand contrasts even better than black on white/silver.

The jaws move very smoothly. Other customers have mentioned that they are a little stiff. While that is true, that feel is adjustable via the two screws on the top of the sliding jaw. Keep in mind while you're making adjustments that you must think like the Swiss. It's a little strange at first, but when you figure it out, you'll discover its brilliance.

These calipers are built for the long haul. The men I work under have used the same Etalon/Tesa/Brown & Sharpe tooling for many, many years and they're as sweet as the first time they laid hands on them. Bear in mind that they have cared for their tooling properly and with an instrument this fine, you'll want to do the same.

Other customers have mentioned that there's no Brown & Sharpe name anywhere on the case or caliper. What you're getting is a Tesa made pair of calipers branded with the name Etalon (due to its thumb wheel design) and imported by Hexagon Metrology which has owned Brown & Sharpe since 2001 (see Product Description). Brown & Sharpe has had a relationship with Tesa for many years. Most, if not all, "Swiss Made" Brown & Sharpe tooling was manufactured by Tesa.

I do have two minor complaints.

Amazon lists the white face model at a higher price than the black face model whereas other suppliers list them at an equal, yet slightly higher price. If you absolutely have to have the white face model, I recomend looking elsewhere for a better price. If it's all the same to you and/or like the black face look, you're in the right place. There is NO difference in quality between the white and black face models.

Secondly, there's a slight residue on the calipers right out of the packaging. Not really a problem, just a little difficult to tend to in the middle of a work day.

Other customers have mentioned the case may scratch the dial. I haven't seen it myself yet, but it is something to watch out for.

Overall, these calipers are the best calipers you'll come across. Repeats the same measurement every single time, built for quality steel, made by a name you can trust.

Had to clean and oil them and make some adjustments but after all that they are great. almost perfect. I expected them to be great out of the box they were not. I fixed them up now they are the most accurate most repeatable calipers I have used to date. 9/2014 one more thing thay are Etalon brand the description saies Brown and Sharpe the picture was an Etalon I knew what I was getting. Basicly the same company owns Brown and Sharpe, Etalon, Tesa. Etalon used to be better slightly but now they are about the same . I like the picture of the horse and the thumb roller and the old stigma of slightly better quality. I recommend these especially for the price.

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.

I ordered the B&S caliper based on the great user reviews and I received it in three days; I am always impressed with Amazon's shipping.

It arrived in a heavy-duty plastic case with a cardboard sleeve over the case. The case indicates that it is a Browne & Sharpe but the caliper itself reads, "Etalon, Switzerland." My expectation was that "B & S" would be inscribed on the caliper itself.

Upon inspection, I was pleasantly surprised with its' feel. It is quite sturdy compared to my Lyman & HF caliper. It is a precision instrument as it returns to zero every time. This is what i was hoping for! Another user review indicated that his caliper's face was scratched by the inside of the unlined plastic case. To prevent scratches, I installed a 2"x4" cotton patch using double-backed tape inside the case near the "face" area.

Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase. Time will tell how it holds up. I gave it 4 stars because I have not used it extensively.