I bought my first mechanical watch about twenty years ago. It cost $225 and I had no idea if it was worth it or not. I knew I wanted to get a better watch, even without knowing what that would entail. Boy, has my opinion changed. My "low end watch" has a saphire crystal, solid screw in end links, solid links, a six pin adjustable milled clasp and a Sellita SW200 movement. My every day watch and still looks like new. And the snobs still turn their noses up and I don't care. What is it? An Invicta Pro Diver 9937OB and I love it!
You have something called "independent outcome" meaning you know the result of the purchase and have stepped out of the brand hype and marketing and think for yourself. Bravo sir bravo
20 years ago Invicta followed a different business model. I own a few with their Swiss and Seiko movements. They destroyed themselves with their ridiculous retail prices, crazy designs and licensing of everything known to man. Lead to their bankruptcy IMO
As an owner of this Invicta Hommage- I wear it for years now and I’m still happy with it. For this money I have I nice option for all kinds of outdoor activities. This watch proofed reliable even in tough conditions. The other monsters invicta created don’t bother me.
Agreed…I bought the same model because the original Submariner case is so much classier than the new. It’s a simple but great watch especially at $100 or so.
@@hvrijsse I agree with you on the 1953 model. For the price you’re getting an excellent watch with a classic design. I wish Invicta would pivot towards 1953 designs.
I own 3 Invictas-a Pro Diver, a Grand Diver and a 1953, and you’re right-you have to be selective, because as good as Invicta’s Pro and Grand Divers are (and they are good, especially for the price), Invicta also, unfortunately, makes some watches that can only be described as monstrosities that only a pimp or a drug dealer could love.
I actually enjoy the branding. I own vintage pieces from invicta as well, 2 of them have “limited edition” engraved on the other side of the case as well as the normal “Invicta” branding.
Since 2000, I must have bought 20 or more of this same watch, and maybe 10 of the two tone with a blue dial. And 3 or 4 of their “date just” with Roman numerals, silver and blue dials. They are fantastic watches. The snobs can hate them all day long. More power to them.
@@crybabychrononautGifts and hoarding. Friends, colleagues and watch aficionados would ask me if it’s a Rolex Sub. They liked them so I would give them one.
@@orangeyellow-me1pz yeah, I'm a total snob. That's why my most expensive watch is $400 and one of my favorite brands is Vostok. Guilty as charged. Lol.
While I agree that a vast majority of Invicta’s new watches are too big and gaudy, the Pro Diver was my first automatic watch 7 years ago. I paid around $50 for mine and for that price it was great!
I own several Rolex's including two subs but understand there are those without the ability to buy the Submariner so with the Invicta Pro Diver 8926 OB allowing everyone access to the mechanical watch hobby is awesome and I hope that never changes. And when you think about how long its been around, since the mid 90's, I think in earns the title as the "Official" best and lowest price homage to to the submariner. I love the Invicta Pro diver so much I own one myself and it sits proundly next to my two Submariners.
@@Horologique Thanks. Life's to short for snobbery. I want everyone to have the ability to enjoy the watch hobby and take pride in their collection no matter what their income is and to be honest, the Submariner should really be at most a thousand dollar watch but we know that will never happen. Cheers.
The takkiness of their other models precedes the quality of this one. Hard to beat the price for what you get. I think is a great watch for a young man starting his journey.
Excellent video Olivier. I don't think the Pro Diver itself is hated, but the mostly horrible monstrosities they sell on the US shopping channels that are catering to people who have absolutely no taste whatsoever !😂 I had a Pro Diver many years ago for a short time, it was ok, the lume was awful and eventually it did leak while I was in the ocean and that was the end of it. However, I would never bash anyone for having a pro diver, it's not the worst. I will say though, you'll get better quality for a similar price from the likes of Steeldive and Addies Dive, Heimdallr etc and in the Steeldive and Heimdallr, they definitely won't leak while diving or snorkeling. The downside for new models is that they ditched the nice yellow Invicta branded rotor which gave it a bit of personality. I think that's a cost saving decision that will open up more competition from Chinese brands.
That’s interesting. I’ve seen reviewers who HATE AliExpress, say how great this watch is. Probably because they have the heritage. Just like no one gets upset with Steinhart for copying Rolex because they have “heritage.” Like you said, this is a fantastic entry level watch or heck, just a great value for money watch period. Thanks for your perspective. 👍🏼
I've had a ProDriver for over 5 years and it's a tank and runs and looks great for its price point. I enjoy it it particular because it works so well and its soooo cheap. It looks very good too.
I have an Invicta watch that keeps time well, and would be fine if it were not so enormous. I love the big numbers on the dial, but the watch diameter is 55mm. It is so large that the dial is nearly bigger than my wrist, and the case is very thick as well. I'm 5'8" tall, and this watch really fits someone much taller and/or bigger than I am. My wife bought me the watch online, and neither of us realized it would be so huge.
I don't judge any watch manufacturer with a broadbrush. I have Omegas, Tudors, Breitling, etc in my rotation including a Glycine moon phase which is owned by Invicta ND it is very good watch. A friend of mine has three watches, a gold Rolex daydate, a datejust and his third is this exact Invicta and I respect him for it. He is his own man as I am. All these uppity critics need to stop with the attitude.
@@manueljnegrete5048 totally! I have Rolex, Omega and many other luxury watches alongside my homages and entry level Casios, Orients and Citizens and I love them all equally 👍
I bought this watch in gold, black bezel and dial in March this year for 74 euros. I must say I am quite happy with the purchase. It's good looking, shiny, for this price I don't care if I bang it with something like a doorframe, nobody's gonna try to rob me and it's an automatic watch. As a matter of fact, I never thought about my first mechanical watch being a diver because I saw them as very associated with questionable characters that want to flash their watches (precisely because of how common is for noveau-rich people to wear Submariners), but this one was so cheap that I just got it and I must say it really really made me see why divers are so popular, because it has got me used to how a diver watch looks on my wrist. Had this watch not existed, I wouldn't have bought any for a long time yet, because the automatics I'd have bought were twice as expensive, so I think this brand should get a bit of love for its ability to attract people to the mechanical watch world as a first time/juvenile watch.
I bought this exact model last year when Amazon marked it down to only $49 and I couldn't pass up the deal. Extremely happy and satisfied with the purchase. It really looks and wears GREAT. Have read and watched RUclips testimonials about how these watches can take a beating and last forever and I am a firefighter so I figured it would be a dressier beater watch. This Pro Diver is more than up to the task. Don't question it, if you find a deal like I did just BUY IT and I swear you will be surprised how much you enjoy wearing this watch.
Are those gaudier watches designed for a market we don’t understand? Why would they make them if everyone hates them. Maybe they are popular in some places..
Exactly. Pro athletes, goofy celebrities, rappers, and people who are kids at heart eat that stuff up, and it's honestly refreshing to know they don't bother "checking what the community thinks." They buy what they like and move on with their lives.
Hello Olivier! I don't have any Invicta (they are not for me) but, If I would buy one it would be the 1953 sub homage from them. I do think that the Steeldive sub homage (I think the model is 1953 also) is the best sub homage that there is for 1/2 a price of an Invicta Prodiver
I own an Invicta Signature III Chrono... I am rather happy with that watch. Personally... I don't see an issue with the Divers Watch you have there. Looks like.
I’ve got 5 Invictas. All based on the pro diver. Two are the DLC/black coated models, the others stainless steel. All run NH35 movements & are all terrific watches for the money.
I think that you are confusing this particular watch with the perception of the brand name. The Pro Diver is in fact the most applauded Invicta model of a generally tacky brand.
I own an Invicta Grand Diver. I rarely wear it because admittedly it’s a boat anchor on my wrist, but well made. The divers are well made. I’d never buy the gaudy ones. I just happen upon it in eBay for a great price. I never cared what watch snobs (or anybody for that matter) thinks. They can go back to their corners.
I believe they defeated Rolex in the lawsuit against them which has led the way for everyone else to duplicate or clone the big brands and not be sued back to the stone age also judging by their sales figures I think that alot of those haters actually own or have owned one or more of these watches Be well Big Daddy and God Bless 👍
In the mid 2000s, there was a watch reviewer/blogger who looooved Invicta watches and lambasted Rolex as overpriced snob magnets. He changed his tune and became a rabid Rolex fan, kind of like a closeted gay man exhibiting massive homophobia before embracing his inner Mardi Gras.
The short answer is: Yes. Because it isn't a homage, it is a clone, which is little different than a replica. The long answer: The Pro Diver is an interesting watch, precisely because of what it is: A decent Rolex clone that ALSO happens to be the cheapest NH35 equipped diver. Period. This is why it is so overwhelmingly popular, and also why watch enthusiasts snub it. It's basically the Honda Civic of mechanical watches, if Honda made it look like a Benz. As such, it serves so many purposes: 1. Cheap Automatic 2. Cheap Rolex Clone 3. Cheap, decently made watch in general So why is it subbed? And why is that hate deserved? Because it is a clone. Homage is a pretty generic term applied as loosely as saying a Seamaster is an homage to a Submariner, and as tightly as a 1:1 San Martin replica, save the logo. But the latter, and this Pro Diver as well, really are clones more than inspired watches (often called clomages). The hate then comes from the fact that the company just Xerox copied someone else's design, and sold it as their own. In some ways, they are similar to actual unlicensed replicas that copy the trademark... or at least 99% of the way there. Now, I do understand that a cheap Rolex clone can be a gateway into watch enthusiasm, but so can a replica, so that argument really isn't a justification for the copy. On the consumer side, in reality, from 10 feet away, there is functionally zero difference between wearing a Pro Diver and wearing a fake: no one can see the Invicta vs Rolex logo from that distance, so the end result is identical. For the average person who likes the look of a Submariner, but only has less than a hundred bucks to spend, the Pro Diver is the perfect watch. But watch enthusiasts love not just a watch design, but horology in general. History, specs, craftsmanship, original design, and all the work in our own personal journeys of achieving our grail watches all matter to us. The Pro Diver is sort of a slap in the face to all those tenets.
@@Horologique My stance on the little difference between replicas and clomages is a hot take, and seems to be a controversial opinion... which I get. Everyone universally condemns replicas, but a lot of people still want to have a Rolex clone, so they defend the "homages"... I get it, but the hard core enthusiast community, generally, doesn't care for copies, regardless of what logo they sport, which is why the Pro Diver is snubbed, imo.
With "INVICTA" emblazoned across 1) the dial, 2) the clasp, 3) the back cover, and 4) the side of the case, even as a submariner homage, this is tacky. Add in the tiny and oddly colored indices, and poorly lumed hands, this is not great when compared with aliexpress brands. Not just inexpensive, it looks cheap. A Casio Duro is infinitely better.
Odiada y amada. Personalmente no tengo ni el uno ni el otro sentimiento hacia Invicta. No e smi favorita pero fue una de las que me introdujo a la relojería en algún momento. Buen video mi pana 👍🏽
Muchas gracias Byron! Gracias por tu comentario, es efectivamente uno de los puntos potitivos de Invicta, ayudar a introducir a muchas personas al mundo de la relojería. Un abrazo!
The case thickness and uncomfortable wear would put me off immediately before mineral crystal etc, but they're not ripping people off like Daniel Wellington, and I agree it is OK as a starter for someone who'd like to try a mechanical watch.
So a 5 digit Submariner (IMO best sub ever) is a women’s watch to you? Wrist size determines wearable diameter for me, not height and weight. I’m close to your size and 40 to 42 is my ideal depending on lug to lug dimensions. Good thing you’re not part of the “greatest generation” where a 40 mm watch was considered large.
I now have 15 watches in my fledgling collection but im working with a budget (they range from 50- 250 uk pounds) and the pro diver is still one of my favourites to wear. At the £86 pounds i paid for it its hard to beat and draws a lot of compliments from my non watch wearing friends. Its strange in a world where people are complaining that everyone is so "easily offended" here people are getting offended by a WATCH 😂
I try to stay away from designer brand watches however, I did fall in love with a Kenneth Cole "Reaction" watch....and it was for a real low affordable price, so I bought it, but I understand what you are talking about. I don't have any Invicta brands in my collection, but I do see them often and even if they are at a very low price, I shy away from even thinking about purchasing one.
Watch guys hating a watch is funny lol. That's also the least hated Invicta model. It's the brand that gets the hate, while the 8926 gets a lot of love. The 30598 is a much better option for a modern day Submariner 'Homage'. The 8926 is more a vintage 'Homage.
I owned this watch and I think this is a flat out well made watch at an excellent price. My biggest gripes were the polished center links on the bracelet and the thickness. The dial is great, nice bezel action and overall feels solid. Great review!
I picked up a special edition diver with a waffle dial and is a great looking watch. Invicta brought out a minute repeater in it's range which is pretty impressive considering most big brands except citizen haven't done.
I could say too that Invicta is one of the Swiss Producers how owned a logo "with wings" like Breitling or Longines !!! But I prefer add a little bit more money and buy a Citizen...
I bought one of these twenty years ago for $100 and it’s been spot on from the get go. It’s a little small on my wrist so I don’t wear it as much as back in the day, but I still enjoy it. My only other automatic is a Tag Heuer Formula 1 which I enjoy also. Screw the watch snobs and buy what appeals to you, I do.
Better lume and a sapphire crystal / better cyclops and they'd have a winner. I have one, tried to love it... the lume is among the worst in the market. They should raise the street price a few bucks and improve it just a hair.
I'm not trying to be offensive or racist or anything but what I have seen is Invicta seems to appeal more to black people and more specifically urban/ghetto black people. I say this from personal experience and from also watching many RUclips videos made by black people over the past few years. Obviously many white people also wear these watches but they are extremely popular in the black community.
Yes, I have bought from amzwatch more than once. I even bought a new Omega Speedmaster which came with the fancy box and packaging. I am thrilled with all my purchases here. I would purchase from amzwatch again for sure.
Possibly the best value and quality for money watch available at any price. The NH35 movement is reliable and well proven over years or production. A decent buy for an everyday beater watch.
Great video! Invicta gets a lot of hate. But why? Who cares what they make and who wears it? I personally don't like most of their designs, BUT I do see some invicta watches that are really nice. In fact I have an Invicta 1953 and I really like the watch. I just have to be a bit more selective when it comes to Invicta watches. I don't particularly like the invicta logo counterbalance and the name engraved on the side of the case, but others may like that. Thanks again for this review. Glad you put this one up.
I think that's what the watch snobs hate about the Invicta Pro-Diver is its quality, reliability and sturdiness for a watch that costs $100 or less. They love to hate it because they know it's solid watch. My brother bought me the gold version with blue bezel and jubilee bracelet. It's still a good looking watch.
Before WW1 the best luxury watches were made in England. The best affordable watches were made in the USA. Most Swiss watches were absolute rubbish. Omega and IWC were originally low end brands.
If it fits your budget and does what you need it to then its all good. Its not a financial investment nor a statement piece, its a tool, The look however shows what you would really have if money was no object. Also you won't lose your arm walking around central London !
It's sad that watches that look good cost over 1k+. amzwatch watches are REALLY well made, and it just shows how a brand name on a watch can make its price 10x higher. I understand that if you look under a microscope, you'll find the difference, but just how many of you really inspect a watch at that level when you see someone with a watch?
The dial, second hand and name on the side and clasp are absolutely offensive. But this has been said for decades and yet they still violate the senses today.
Thanks for the video. I've no issues with Invicta. We have 3 in the house. Two of the 1953's and a Gold/Black Pro Diver subby. These are mainstays in our collections (mine and my wifes) I cannot wear the larger gaudy ones, but to each their own. Some love those ones. Cheers!!!
"Horrible" watch? "Vulgar"? I'd direct people towards some of the diamond encrusted "high-end" brands costing 100's of thousands of dollars. Those are quite horrible. Invicta is just another watch brand. If you like a particular watch, buy it. It's not rocket surgery.
One of the first mechanical watches I ever bought. I don’t wear it often but it’s still running, keeps good time and it’s a nice looking watch. I do wish the lume was a bit stronger but apart from that I think it’s a good watch.
Thanks Olivier, again very interesting. I am not fan of invicta except this model even i have found Real better hommage quality for less invest... Steeldive, addiesdive or watchdive... 😊😊😊
Hello my friend and thank you for your comment. Yes there are better quality homages like the ones you mentioned, although this watch has to be mentionned among them for other reasons
It's amazing how someone would spend presumably a substantial amount of money to buy into a watch company's celebrated heritage and history and instead of capitalising on this, obliterating it. Surely it would have been cheaper to start a new company from scratch!
It's all subjective. I think the Pro diver series of Invicta isn't that bad as a daily beater, you could have worse specs for the same money. It's whether you choose to buy into the snobbery or not. At the end of the day, it's just a watch. That said, if you put a bit more money away and looked a little higher, you could have a much better watch. Glycine are a good option, as an example.
Invictas were my first foray into watch collecting. I love my Pro Divers. They may not be my favorites anymore, but that’s more because my tastes have shifted in regard to the luxury watches, my watches homage. That being said, the Invictas are my oldest and have been the best, compared to the likes on Pagani, Addiedivex Watchsdives, and Sturhlinger. I’ve had issues with water getting into the cases, crowns failing, paint/enamel on the bezel coming off, on all of them. But not my Pro Divers.
The Invicta warranty is worthless. It will cost you $30 plus shipping just to have Invicta look at it. You will then be told your needed repair isn't covered under warranty, but they will be happy to fix it, at a cost to you more than what a new watch would cost. This business practice, along with their deceptive pricing, help to make Invicta such a hated brand. Nonetheless, I own seven lol
I have the sweet pizza right you said you want pizza 43 mm Swiss made sellita movement two tone blue dial for 22 years. Still works great worn in the ocean many many times. I don’t wear it as much now I’ve favor smaller sizes now
Im no fan of invictus , but just had to buy a unique freak to collection =a homage inspired rollie deep sea challenge weighing in at a ridiculous 800gm!!!
Invicta Pro Diver is no doubt the GREATEST watch to irritate 'Rolex fanboys' (if you can even count those whiny brand fanatics as horology enthusiasts anyway) and while steel version is fairly plain and with Seiko NH35 movement kinda OK everyday wear, the gold tone Pro Diver with blue dial and blue bezel is THE most ideal to irritate Rolex fanboys... Golden tone $85 Invicta Pro Diver just hits so well on faces of Rolex fanboys. No need for $65,000 Rolex Submariner when can doing same effect with Invicta... What more Rolex fanboys hate and whine about wonderful Invicta.., more satisfying ownership of Invicta 'Submariner' is... And Rolex fanboys hardly know anything about true horology anyways... :D Now, Invicta also has stellar homages of "Richard Mille *shi*ters" (who would be enough idiot to spend 6-digit amount of $$$ to such ugly junk when you can buy Invicta version of same junk with price less than a Seiko) Those who buy Richard Mille watches know nothing about elegance, and those who buy Rolex... LOL :D "Rolex prices crashing down..." So, be bold and wear Invicta! It is like showing middle finger to Rolex fanboys... (and they can feel free to whine about Invicta, but truth is Rolex fanboys know nothing about really fancy watches... )
Why do all the anti Invicta videos show all the crazy watches (which actually sell a lot) and not include the hundreds of other watches which a lot of people would like . It's almost like hearing from fools who make comments about Invicta without knowing about watches or about anything in general.
I owned an Invicta Pro Diver and liked it fine. I needed an NH35 movement for another watch so I took the Invicta apart and never put it back together. It's an okay watch but I'm tired of Submariner homages.
Today's Invicta is no longer related to the historic Invicta of old. Just like Zodiac today is not the original company. I bought an Invicta quartz version of this watch as a gift to my stepson. I didn't last a year when it fell apart. Bezel broke off.
Interesting. I don't find the Pro Diver interesting enough to be all that hated. I have two, I think. I've bought maybe five of them and have given most of them away. I think I've only paid more than $50 for one of them. Don't get me wrong... many of the other Invictas are atrocious and I don't respect their pricing model.
The Invicta heritage is meaningless at this point. For the same money I prefer a Pagani Design (Ali express) watch. Same or better specs, trimmer case profile, more reliable bracelet and clasp. Same movement. I do own some Invictas but the only watches that see the light of day very often are the 1953 variants.
Some Invictas are super tacky; too large, too gaudy, etc. However, some of the more conservative designs are just fine. Especially for $40-$60USD. There is one model, the Invicta 1953. Its an homage to the 1953 Rolex Submariner. It has very little branding and is an excellent homage to a vintage Rolex.
i like the giant style Gladiator, Seahunter, Venoms.. and similar, they are spectacular watches from a design point of view, they could even be used as furnishing clocks for the spectacle they offer to the eye.. ;-)
Yes I did and it wasn't necessarily great but better than I had anticipated. It might depedn a lot on the individual units I suppose, mine came with lots of QC issues others don't seem to have
I don't hate Invicta, I hate the Submariner watches as there are way to many real ones for wannabe's and copies and " hommages" of it, totally booooooring!
Gatekeeping snobbery, the pro diver is a solid watch & costs nothing, I have a '53 & for the price I think its unbeatable in the retro skindiver category & its a "real" brand not a micro or revival
I bought several Invictas in the past but I found them too big, bulky, not very attractive and frankly crap for watches as of the three I owned none lasted more than a year. Never again.
How on earth did you break three watches in a year? What part(s) broke?? What exactly were you doing to these watches? I've owned a total of five Invictas over the years, and I still have four of them (I sold one). Short of using a Grand Driver to drive a nail into the wall, I can't figure out how I'd manage to break one.
Thing is Invicta has been homaging this Rolex, long before those chinese watches came along, and they mastered it, sure some are brash and ugly, but the Invicta pros are pertty good
Been watching your videos for a while now and was inspired to start a collection. Started with the amzwatch, its specs for price and clean looks, now am looking for a dress watch to add.
There are far better offerings, don't buy an Invicta pro diver. I'm not saying this out of snobbery but if someone wants a decent Subby homage, they can buy from the likes of San Martin, Cronos, Watchdives or Steeldive. This Invicta has only got mineral crystal, yellow indices, a tacky looking engraving of the brand name on the side of the case, a cheap looking bracelet with polished centre links, and a pretty nasty clasp.
I bought my first mechanical watch about twenty years ago. It cost $225 and I had no idea if it was worth it or not. I knew I wanted to get a better watch, even without knowing what that would entail. Boy, has my opinion changed. My "low end watch" has a saphire crystal, solid screw in end links, solid links, a six pin adjustable milled clasp and a Sellita SW200 movement. My every day watch and still looks like new. And the snobs still turn their noses up and I don't care. What is it? An Invicta Pro Diver 9937OB and I love it!
That’s an excellent watch.
You have something called "independent outcome" meaning you know the result of the purchase and have stepped out of the brand hype and marketing and think for yourself.
Bravo sir bravo
I bought an Invicta 9937OB in August of 2023 for $170.25, and I love it! Great watch!
20 years ago Invicta followed a different business model. I own a few with their Swiss and Seiko movements. They destroyed themselves with their ridiculous retail prices, crazy designs and licensing of everything known to man. Lead to their bankruptcy IMO
As an owner of this Invicta Hommage- I wear it for years now and I’m still happy with it. For this money I have I nice option for all kinds of outdoor activities. This watch proofed reliable even in tough conditions. The other monsters invicta created don’t bother me.
Last week I bought an Invicta "1953" in all black. Looks great, runs great. You just have to be very selective.
Agreed…I bought the same model because the original Submariner case is so much classier than the new. It’s a simple but great watch especially at $100 or so.
@@davidsparling3505 At the time I was looking, the all black 1953s were gone. I got one with color on the bezel for less then $75USD.
@@hvrijsse I agree with you on the 1953 model. For the price you’re getting an excellent watch with a classic design. I wish Invicta would pivot towards 1953 designs.
I own 3 Invictas-a Pro Diver, a Grand Diver and a 1953, and you’re right-you have to be selective, because as good as Invicta’s Pro and Grand Divers are (and they are good, especially for the price), Invicta also, unfortunately, makes some watches that can only be described as monstrosities that only a pimp or a drug dealer could love.
Get rid if the INVICTA on the side of the case and they would sell a lot more.
Tell that to Squale as well.
I actually enjoy the branding. I own vintage pieces from invicta as well, 2 of them have “limited edition” engraved on the other side of the case as well as the normal “Invicta” branding.
Since 2000, I must have bought 20 or more of this same watch, and maybe 10 of the two tone with a blue dial. And 3 or 4 of their “date just” with Roman numerals, silver and blue dials. They are fantastic watches. The snobs can hate them all day long. More power to them.
Why did you have to buy so many??
@@crybabychrononautGifts and hoarding. Friends, colleagues and watch aficionados would ask me if it’s a Rolex Sub. They liked them so I would give them one.
@@crybabychrononautlol, you thought he kept buying them because they were breaking. Got to love the snobbery.
@@orangeyellow-me1pz yeah, I'm a total snob. That's why my most expensive watch is $400 and one of my favorite brands is Vostok. Guilty as charged. Lol.
I have a pro diver with a Sellita SW200. Thing runs close to COSC specs and is a tank. 40mm and looks great.
While I agree that a vast majority of Invicta’s new watches are too big and gaudy, the Pro Diver was my first automatic watch 7 years ago. I paid around $50 for mine and for that price it was great!
Yeah it is a good watch for the nowadays price.
I love my big Invicta watches. 42 to 46 mm is how much I normally go to.
One of my work beaters, all last week it gained 15 seconds, for the price and no need to worry about it you can’t beat it?
I own several Rolex's including two subs but understand there are those without the ability to buy the Submariner so with the Invicta Pro Diver 8926 OB allowing everyone access to the mechanical watch hobby is awesome and I hope that never changes. And when you think about how long its been around, since the mid 90's, I think in earns the title as the "Official" best and lowest price homage to to the submariner. I love the Invicta Pro diver so much I own one myself and it sits proundly next to my two Submariners.
That is wonderful that you have the Prodiver sitting with your 2 Subs, it says a lot about your character and lack of snobbery 👍
@@Horologique Thanks. Life's to short for snobbery. I want everyone to have the ability to enjoy the watch hobby and take pride in their collection no matter what their income is and to be honest, the Submariner should really be at most a thousand dollar watch but we know that will never happen. Cheers.
The takkiness of their other models precedes the quality of this one. Hard to beat the price for what you get. I think is a great watch for a young man starting his journey.
@@etebol totally, thank you for pointing it out 👍
If it's a good watch why shouldn't anyone buy one? Not everyone believes in spending $500 on a watch.
It’s a great watch for the money. Seiko nh35 movement is unbeatable in this price range.
Excellent video Olivier. I don't think the Pro Diver itself is hated, but the mostly horrible monstrosities they sell on the US shopping channels that are catering to people who have absolutely no taste whatsoever !😂 I had a Pro Diver many years ago for a short time, it was ok, the lume was awful and eventually it did leak while I was in the ocean and that was the end of it. However, I would never bash anyone for having a pro diver, it's not the worst. I will say though, you'll get better quality for a similar price from the likes of Steeldive and Addies Dive, Heimdallr etc and in the Steeldive and Heimdallr, they definitely won't leak while diving or snorkeling. The downside for new models is that they ditched the nice yellow Invicta branded rotor which gave it a bit of personality. I think that's a cost saving decision that will open up more competition from Chinese brands.
That’s interesting. I’ve seen reviewers who HATE AliExpress, say how great this watch is. Probably because they have the heritage. Just like no one gets upset with Steinhart for copying Rolex because they have “heritage.” Like you said, this is a fantastic entry level watch or heck, just a great value for money watch period. Thanks for your perspective. 👍🏼
Thank you for your kind comment and support my friend 👍
I've had a ProDriver for over 5 years and it's a tank and runs and looks great for its price point. I enjoy it it particular because it works so well and its soooo cheap. It looks very good too.
I have an Invicta watch that keeps time well, and would be fine if it were not so enormous. I love the big numbers on the dial, but the watch diameter is 55mm. It is so large that the dial is nearly bigger than my wrist, and the case is very thick as well. I'm 5'8" tall, and this watch really fits someone much taller and/or bigger than I am. My wife bought me the watch online, and neither of us realized it would be so huge.
I don't judge any watch manufacturer with a broadbrush. I have Omegas, Tudors, Breitling, etc in my rotation including a Glycine moon phase which is owned by Invicta ND it is very good watch. A friend of mine has three watches, a gold Rolex daydate, a datejust and his third is this exact Invicta and I respect him for it. He is his own man as I am. All these uppity critics need to stop with the attitude.
@@manueljnegrete5048 totally! I have Rolex, Omega and many other luxury watches alongside my homages and entry level Casios, Orients and Citizens and I love them all equally 👍
I bought this watch in gold, black bezel and dial in March this year for 74 euros. I must say I am quite happy with the purchase. It's good looking, shiny, for this price I don't care if I bang it with something like a doorframe, nobody's gonna try to rob me and it's an automatic watch. As a matter of fact, I never thought about my first mechanical watch being a diver because I saw them as very associated with questionable characters that want to flash their watches (precisely because of how common is for noveau-rich people to wear Submariners), but this one was so cheap that I just got it and I must say it really really made me see why divers are so popular, because it has got me used to how a diver watch looks on my wrist. Had this watch not existed, I wouldn't have bought any for a long time yet, because the automatics I'd have bought were twice as expensive, so I think this brand should get a bit of love for its ability to attract people to the mechanical watch world as a first time/juvenile watch.
I bought this exact model last year when Amazon marked it down to only $49 and I couldn't pass up the deal. Extremely happy and satisfied with the purchase. It really looks and wears GREAT. Have read and watched RUclips testimonials about how these watches can take a beating and last forever and I am a firefighter so I figured it would be a dressier beater watch. This Pro Diver is more than up to the task. Don't question it, if you find a deal like I did just BUY IT and I swear you will be surprised how much you enjoy wearing this watch.
Are those gaudier watches designed for a market we don’t understand? Why would they make them if everyone hates them. Maybe they are popular in some places..
Exactly. Pro athletes, goofy celebrities, rappers, and people who are kids at heart eat that stuff up, and it's honestly refreshing to know they don't bother "checking what the community thinks." They buy what they like and move on with their lives.
They are massively popular in some circles
They are popular for those who have no taste, and just want to garner attention. Like Influencers.
Hello Olivier! I don't have any Invicta (they are not for me) but, If I would buy one it would be the 1953 sub homage from them.
I do think that the Steeldive sub homage (I think the model is 1953 also) is the best sub homage that there is for 1/2 a price of an Invicta Prodiver
Hello Ricardo! Yes, the 1953 is quiet good for the price, sadly Invicta haven't restocked then and they appear to always be sold out...
Most hated watch is baloney..!!! I have two of them and love them dearly. No complaints here...!!!
I own an Invicta Signature III Chrono... I am rather happy with that watch. Personally... I don't see an issue with the Divers Watch you have there. Looks like.
I’ve got 5 Invictas. All based on the pro diver. Two are the DLC/black coated models, the others stainless steel. All run NH35 movements & are all terrific watches for the money.
The best beater ever made🎉
I think that you are confusing this particular watch with the perception of the brand name.
The Pro Diver is in fact the most applauded Invicta model of a generally tacky brand.
I own an Invicta Grand Diver. I rarely wear it because admittedly it’s a boat anchor on my wrist, but well made. The divers are well made. I’d never buy the gaudy ones. I just happen upon it in eBay for a great price. I never cared what watch snobs (or anybody for that matter) thinks. They can go back to their corners.
I believe they defeated Rolex in the lawsuit against them which has led the way for everyone else to duplicate or clone the big brands and not be sued back to the stone age also judging by their sales figures I think that alot of those haters actually own or have owned one or more of these watches Be well Big Daddy and God Bless 👍
Thank you so much for the information Michael, it serves Rolex well 😂. All the best to youand your family my friend
As if a Rolex Daytona isn’t an Omega clone.
In the mid 2000s, there was a watch reviewer/blogger who looooved Invicta watches and lambasted Rolex as overpriced snob magnets. He changed his tune and became a rabid Rolex fan, kind of like a closeted gay man exhibiting massive homophobia before embracing his inner Mardi Gras.
The short answer is: Yes. Because it isn't a homage, it is a clone, which is little different than a replica.
The long answer:
The Pro Diver is an interesting watch, precisely because of what it is: A decent Rolex clone that ALSO happens to be the cheapest NH35 equipped diver. Period. This is why it is so overwhelmingly popular, and also why watch enthusiasts snub it. It's basically the Honda Civic of mechanical watches, if Honda made it look like a Benz. As such, it serves so many purposes:
1. Cheap Automatic
2. Cheap Rolex Clone
3. Cheap, decently made watch in general
So why is it subbed? And why is that hate deserved? Because it is a clone. Homage is a pretty generic term applied as loosely as saying a Seamaster is an homage to a Submariner, and as tightly as a 1:1 San Martin replica, save the logo. But the latter, and this Pro Diver as well, really are clones more than inspired watches (often called clomages). The hate then comes from the fact that the company just Xerox copied someone else's design, and sold it as their own. In some ways, they are similar to actual unlicensed replicas that copy the trademark... or at least 99% of the way there. Now, I do understand that a cheap Rolex clone can be a gateway into watch enthusiasm, but so can a replica, so that argument really isn't a justification for the copy.
On the consumer side, in reality, from 10 feet away, there is functionally zero difference between wearing a Pro Diver and wearing a fake: no one can see the Invicta vs Rolex logo from that distance, so the end result is identical. For the average person who likes the look of a Submariner, but only has less than a hundred bucks to spend, the Pro Diver is the perfect watch. But watch enthusiasts love not just a watch design, but horology in general. History, specs, craftsmanship, original design, and all the work in our own personal journeys of achieving our grail watches all matter to us. The Pro Diver is sort of a slap in the face to all those tenets.
@@herewegoagain... Thank you so much for that in depth analysis, whixh6I mostly agree with 👍
@@Horologique My stance on the little difference between replicas and clomages is a hot take, and seems to be a controversial opinion... which I get. Everyone universally condemns replicas, but a lot of people still want to have a Rolex clone, so they defend the "homages"... I get it, but the hard core enthusiast community, generally, doesn't care for copies, regardless of what logo they sport, which is why the Pro Diver is snubbed, imo.
Rich people love fancy cars. Normal people love cars that work. Variety is the spice of life.
By the way my gada watch is an Invicta, peo diver 8932OB lol. slim and precise 38mm quartz with a grey/black strap. Loveit. Cheers!
With "INVICTA" emblazoned across 1) the dial, 2) the clasp, 3) the back cover, and 4) the side of the case, even as a submariner homage, this is tacky. Add in the tiny and oddly colored indices, and poorly lumed hands, this is not great when compared with aliexpress brands. Not just inexpensive, it looks cheap. A Casio Duro is infinitely better.
I agree that the Casio Duro is a better watch 👍
My invicta pro diver is a work watch that is reliable, durable solid watch. For the price I give it a 8. Loose the bracelet put a good one on
Odiada y amada. Personalmente no tengo ni el uno ni el otro sentimiento hacia Invicta. No e smi favorita pero fue una de las que me introdujo a la relojería en algún momento. Buen video mi pana 👍🏽
Muchas gracias Byron! Gracias por tu comentario, es efectivamente uno de los puntos potitivos de Invicta, ayudar a introducir a muchas personas al mundo de la relojería. Un abrazo!
The case thickness and uncomfortable wear would put me off immediately before mineral crystal etc, but they're not ripping people off like Daniel Wellington, and I agree it is OK as a starter for someone who'd like to try a mechanical watch.
Honestly as a guy that is 6’3 210lbs I enjoy large watches. The smaller 40mm watches and less seem like they are made for women to me.
So a 5 digit Submariner (IMO best sub ever) is a women’s watch to you? Wrist size determines wearable diameter for me, not height and weight. I’m close to your size and 40 to 42 is my ideal depending on lug to lug dimensions. Good thing you’re not part of the “greatest generation” where a 40 mm watch was considered large.
I now have 15 watches in my fledgling collection but im working with a budget (they range from 50- 250 uk pounds) and the pro diver is still one of my favourites to wear. At the £86 pounds i paid for it its hard to beat and draws a lot of compliments from my non watch wearing friends. Its strange in a world where people are complaining that everyone is so "easily offended" here people are getting offended by a WATCH 😂
I try to stay away from designer brand watches however, I did fall in love with a Kenneth Cole "Reaction" watch....and it was for a real low affordable price, so I bought it, but I understand what you are talking about. I don't have any Invicta brands in my collection, but I do see them often and even if they are at a very low price, I shy away from even thinking about purchasing one.
I am a staunch defender of the Invicta Pro Diver. It's the best sub homage around at it's price point. It is an awesome value proposition.
Watch guys hating a watch is funny lol.
That's also the least hated Invicta model. It's the brand that gets the hate, while the 8926 gets a lot of love.
The 30598 is a much better option for a modern day Submariner 'Homage'.
The 8926 is more a vintage 'Homage.
I owned this watch and I think this is a flat out well made watch at an excellent price. My biggest gripes were the polished center links on the bracelet and the thickness. The dial is great, nice bezel action and overall feels solid. Great review!
I own several expensive watches and proudly wear my Invicta Pro Diver as a beater.
I picked up a special edition diver with a waffle dial and is a great looking watch. Invicta brought out a minute repeater in it's range which is pretty impressive considering most big brands except citizen haven't done.
I could say too that Invicta is one of the Swiss Producers how owned a logo "with wings" like Breitling or Longines !!!
But I prefer add a little bit more money and buy a Citizen...
I bought one of these twenty years ago for $100 and it’s been spot on from the get go. It’s a little small on my wrist so I don’t wear it as much as back in the day, but I still enjoy it. My only other automatic is a Tag Heuer Formula 1 which I enjoy also. Screw the watch snobs and buy what appeals to you, I do.
Better lume and a sapphire crystal / better cyclops and they'd have a winner. I have one, tried to love it... the lume is among the worst in the market. They should raise the street price a few bucks and improve it just a hair.
I'm not trying to be offensive or racist or anything but what I have seen is Invicta seems to appeal more to black people and more specifically urban/ghetto black people. I say this from personal experience and from also watching many RUclips videos made by black people over the past few years. Obviously many white people also wear these watches but they are extremely popular in the black community.
Yes, I have bought from amzwatch more than once. I even bought a new Omega Speedmaster which came with the fancy box and packaging. I am thrilled with all my purchases here. I would purchase from amzwatch again for sure.
Possibly the best value and quality for money watch available at any price. The NH35 movement is reliable and well proven over years or production. A decent buy for an everyday beater watch.
Great video! Invicta gets a lot of hate. But why? Who cares what they make and who wears it? I personally don't like most of their designs, BUT I do see some invicta watches that are really nice. In fact I have an Invicta 1953 and I really like the watch. I just have to be a bit more selective when it comes to Invicta watches. I don't particularly like the invicta logo counterbalance and the name engraved on the side of the case, but others may like that. Thanks again for this review. Glad you put this one up.
I thought this was the only Invicta worth buying. I just haven't gotten around to getting one yet.
I think that's what the watch snobs hate about the Invicta Pro-Diver is its quality, reliability and sturdiness for a watch that costs $100 or less. They love to hate it because they know it's solid watch. My brother bought me the gold version with blue bezel and jubilee bracelet. It's still a good looking watch.
I purchased a solid bronze Pro Diver 3 or 4 years ago, without the "Invicta" on the case side. I absolutely love it, runs fine and looks great.
Before WW1 the best luxury watches were made in England. The best affordable watches were made in the USA. Most Swiss watches were absolute rubbish. Omega and IWC were originally low end brands.
If it fits your budget and does what you need it to then its all good. Its not a financial investment nor a statement piece, its a tool, The look however shows what you would really have if money was no object. Also you won't lose your arm walking around central London !
It's sad that watches that look good cost over 1k+. amzwatch watches are REALLY well made, and it just shows how a brand name on a watch can make its price 10x higher. I understand that if you look under a microscope, you'll find the difference, but just how many of you really inspect a watch at that level when you see someone with a watch?
The dial, second hand and name on the side and clasp are absolutely offensive. But this has been said for decades and yet they still violate the senses today.
Thanks for the video. I've no issues with Invicta. We have 3 in the house. Two of the 1953's and a Gold/Black Pro Diver subby. These are mainstays in our collections (mine and my wifes) I cannot wear the larger gaudy ones, but to each their own. Some love those ones. Cheers!!!
No hate for Hublot?
"Horrible" watch? "Vulgar"? I'd direct people towards some of the diamond encrusted "high-end" brands costing 100's of thousands of dollars. Those are quite horrible.
Invicta is just another watch brand. If you like a particular watch, buy it. It's not rocket surgery.
One of the first mechanical watches I ever bought. I don’t wear it often but it’s still running, keeps good time and it’s a nice looking watch. I do wish the lume was a bit stronger but apart from that I think it’s a good watch.
The Incicta doesn't have incredibly sharp edges like some other brands in the price range...
Thanks Olivier, again very interesting. I am not fan of invicta except this model even i have found Real better hommage quality for less invest... Steeldive, addiesdive or watchdive... 😊😊😊
Hello my friend and thank you for your comment. Yes there are better quality homages like the ones you mentioned, although this watch has to be mentionned among them for other reasons
It's amazing how someone would spend presumably a substantial amount of money to buy into a watch company's celebrated heritage and history and instead of capitalising on this, obliterating it. Surely it would have been cheaper to start a new company from scratch!
It's all subjective. I think the Pro diver series of Invicta isn't that bad as a daily beater, you could have worse specs for the same money. It's whether you choose to buy into the snobbery or not. At the end of the day, it's just a watch. That said, if you put a bit more money away and looked a little higher, you could have a much better watch. Glycine are a good option, as an example.
Invictas were my first foray into watch collecting. I love my Pro Divers. They may not be my favorites anymore, but that’s more because my tastes have shifted in regard to the luxury watches, my watches homage. That being said, the Invictas are my oldest and have been the best, compared to the likes on Pagani, Addiedivex Watchsdives, and Sturhlinger. I’ve had issues with water getting into the cases, crowns failing, paint/enamel on the bezel coming off, on all of them. But not my Pro Divers.
The Invicta warranty is worthless. It will cost you $30 plus shipping just to have Invicta look at it. You will then be told your needed repair isn't covered under warranty, but they will be happy to fix it, at a cost to you more than what a new watch would cost.
This business practice, along with their deceptive pricing, help to make Invicta such a hated brand.
Nonetheless, I own seven lol
I have two of those.😂
Best watch ever. Period.
Thank goodness they didn't Invictaize Glycine. Glycine combat 42 is still best Swiss Diver value period.
Most modern Rolex buyers are in it for the prestige only…kinda like a Bentley buyer.
That's a better option indeed
I have the sweet pizza right you said you want pizza 43 mm Swiss made sellita movement two tone blue dial for 22 years. Still works great worn in the ocean many many times. I don’t wear it as much now I’ve favor smaller sizes now
Im no fan of invictus , but just had to buy a unique freak to collection =a homage inspired rollie deep sea challenge weighing in at a ridiculous 800gm!!!
Invicta Pro Diver is no doubt the GREATEST watch to irritate 'Rolex fanboys' (if you can even count those whiny brand fanatics as horology enthusiasts anyway) and while steel version is fairly plain and with Seiko NH35 movement kinda OK everyday wear, the gold tone Pro Diver with blue dial and blue bezel is THE most ideal to irritate Rolex fanboys... Golden tone $85 Invicta Pro Diver just hits so well on faces of Rolex fanboys. No need for $65,000 Rolex Submariner when can doing same effect with Invicta... What more Rolex fanboys hate and whine about wonderful Invicta.., more satisfying ownership of Invicta 'Submariner' is... And Rolex fanboys hardly know anything about true horology anyways... :D Now, Invicta also has stellar homages of "Richard Mille *shi*ters" (who would be enough idiot to spend 6-digit amount of $$$ to such ugly junk when you can buy Invicta version of same junk with price less than a Seiko) Those who buy Richard Mille watches know nothing about elegance, and those who buy Rolex... LOL :D "Rolex prices crashing down..." So, be bold and wear Invicta! It is like showing middle finger to Rolex fanboys... (and they can feel free to whine about Invicta, but truth is Rolex fanboys know nothing about really fancy watches... )
😂
The aesthetics of some of Invicta watches did seem off to me.
Why do all the anti Invicta videos show all the crazy watches (which actually sell a lot) and not include the hundreds of other watches which a lot of people would like . It's almost like hearing from fools who make comments about Invicta without knowing about watches or about anything in general.
I owned an Invicta Pro Diver and liked it fine. I needed an NH35 movement for another watch so I took the Invicta apart and never put it back together. It's an okay watch but I'm tired of Submariner homages.
Today's Invicta is no longer related to the historic Invicta of old. Just like Zodiac today is not the original company.
I bought an Invicta quartz version of this watch as a gift to my stepson. I didn't last a year when it fell apart. Bezel broke off.
Yes. The hate is warranted…it’s an Invicta!
😂
Interesting. I don't find the Pro Diver interesting enough to be all that hated. I have two, I think. I've bought maybe five of them and have given most of them away. I think I've only paid more than $50 for one of them. Don't get me wrong... many of the other Invictas are atrocious and I don't respect their pricing model.
The Invicta Royal Marine and 1953 are solid entries IMO
The Invicta heritage is meaningless at this point. For the same money I prefer a Pagani Design (Ali express) watch. Same or better specs, trimmer case profile, more reliable bracelet and clasp. Same movement. I do own some Invictas but the only watches that see the light of day very often are the 1953 variants.
Invicta is not historic. The Invicta of 1837 is NOT the same company of today at all.
IMHO you get more watch buying an automatic Invicta then buying a Bulova or Timex these days.
Some Invictas are super tacky; too large, too gaudy, etc. However, some of the more conservative designs are just fine. Especially for $40-$60USD. There is one model, the Invicta 1953. Its an homage to the 1953 Rolex Submariner. It has very little branding and is an excellent homage to a vintage Rolex.
i like the giant style Gladiator, Seahunter, Venoms.. and similar, they are spectacular watches from a design point of view, they could even be used as furnishing clocks for the spectacle they offer to the eye.. ;-)
Haters are gonna hate. I’m not a big fan of the ones with cables, and. All kinds of other nonsense, all over the dial of the size of the Buick
Not the Pro Diver is hated, the brand is.
Did you try turning the bezel?
Both the 8926 and 30598 I have are completely unusable!
Yes I did and it wasn't necessarily great but better than I had anticipated. It might depedn a lot on the individual units I suppose, mine came with lots of QC issues others don't seem to have
I don't hate Invicta, I hate the Submariner watches as there are way to many real ones for wannabe's and copies and " hommages" of it, totally booooooring!
Gatekeeping snobbery, the pro diver is a solid watch & costs nothing, I have a '53 & for the price I think its unbeatable in the retro skindiver category & its a "real" brand not a micro or revival
If I were to buy one it would be the 31290. No name on the side and no logo on the second hand.
I bought several Invictas in the past but I found them too big, bulky, not very attractive and frankly crap for watches as of the three I owned none lasted more than a year. Never again.
How on earth did you break three watches in a year? What part(s) broke?? What exactly were you doing to these watches? I've owned a total of five Invictas over the years, and I still have four of them (I sold one). Short of using a Grand Driver to drive a nail into the wall, I can't figure out how I'd manage to break one.
Thing is Invicta has been homaging this Rolex, long before those chinese watches came along, and they mastered it, sure some are brash and ugly, but the Invicta pros are pertty good
An Invicta without a yellow counterbalance 🙃 is not an Invicta. 😁
@@pzwolski that's what I thought! From what I understand they are rolling both yellow rotor and plain versions now, surely as a cost saving measure
I love INVICTA watches they are fantastic value for money.
The positive is....., i dont own one
It is a good watch for the price - maybe if they raised the ptice to £5000 the watch snobs would love it
Been watching your videos for a while now and was inspired to start a collection. Started with the amzwatch, its specs for price and clean looks, now am looking for a dress watch to add.
There are far better offerings, don't buy an Invicta pro diver. I'm not saying this out of snobbery but if someone wants a decent Subby homage, they can buy from the likes of San Martin, Cronos, Watchdives or Steeldive. This Invicta has only got mineral crystal, yellow indices, a tacky looking engraving of the brand name on the side of the case, a cheap looking bracelet with polished centre links, and a pretty nasty clasp.
Modern Invincta just never got the fit and finish correct. They always look goofy and cheap