Invicta Pro Diver amzn.to/3BD8TZu Steeldive SD1953 amzn.to/3ePS9VH Watch Giveaway (Subscribe, Follow Me on Instagram instagram.com/cheapwatchman and fill out the form forms.gle/drMjWa8LHwYUvA6t9
Hey Randy I really like your channel! You need to check out Aragon watches (formerly Android watches). I think they might have the best value out there! Wing, the owner/designer, is doing some incredible things in the industry. I'd love to see what you think.
I own both. To be honest, I had one of my SW200 movements fail. I’m not impressed with them. I’ve had a SEIKO SKX for 15 years and it’s perfect. The Steeldive 1953 is beautifully finished. It looks closer to the Rolex at a glance. Get the Steeldive!
I can make this comparison myself as I’ve got the Invicta and last week during the Ali express sale I got the steeldive for 71 uk pounds. I really like this watch. For the money it’s excellent, the lume is amazing. For me the Steeldive is the easy winner.
I got the blue face steeldive about 3 weeks ago and have worn it since. I agree the bracelet is a bit jangly but on wrist is good..The lume on the dial and bezel is awesome. .Owning a few tissots , a Mido, Orient, Seiko, and Longines I of course went for the sapphire crystal, screw down crown, and solid end links. ..my only other real complaint is though the caseback looks cool it can be a bit abrasive on the wrist. ...
Just got my new Steeldive SD1953, they have improved the bracelet and it now has a milled clasp with 6 micro adjust holes, much better than the previous bracelet.
China isn't a member of ISO, so they can literally print anything they want on the watch. At least the Invicta has to be ISO22810 compliant. Unless the Steeldive has a manufacturing and testing standard that can be reviewed and audited, the words on the case are merely words.
Seeing the movement through the back is a huge deal for me. I have dismissed long-standing desired watches against others for not having that particular feature. Might as well be a quartz, but even at that, there are some sweet ones with see-through backs or even skeletons, and boy oh boy, do I like a skeleton. Splendid comparison, Randy. Really enjoying these! it was just the other day we had our little exchange about switching the channel names, and here we are. Moots the need to _officially_ talk about the other one too, I guess :)
The exhibition case back is your deal maker/breaker? Personally, I could take it or leave it w/ a slight preference for engraved metal CB. The glass usually adds thickness. That said, it's up against your arm all day so I don't really care.
The invicta has great movement bracelet and case and dial at this price point but there many quality hommage company's and they win on having larger aoplied indices like the steeldive that resemble rolex appropriately....im loving the san martin.. pagani is ok but they have lots of sharp edges everywhere
$55 Invicta , $125 Steeldive...both NH35 autowinders. No brainer decision which for daily and wet use. At these prices, both are disposable watches unless a loved one gifted you .
I agree; the small hour indices and sub-par lume are the only complaints I have with my Invicta 9937OB Pro diver with the Swiss Sellita-200 movement. The Steeldive has the Seiko NH35A movement, which requires a taller, larger case, and that was the deciding factor for my choice to purchase the Invicta, however I still haven't ruled out the possibility of buying this Steeldive model in the future.
Even a year ago, I remember the SD1953 selling for Under $60 during the major AliExpress sales. I bought my SD1953 for $51. Also, I own a Version 2 model, and the bracelet is much better, with a milled clasp. The V3 comes with a glidelock-style clasp. Also, you failed to mention that the Invicta has open end links, versus solid end links on the Steeldive,
I have an Invicta Speedway (Two Tone Version) that lasted me 10 years without any maintenance outside of battery changes. Additionally, I also own multiple mechanical pro divers that have lasted over 5 years without ANY servicing whilst also maintaining reasonably accurate time keeping. (Usually ~ 5 minutes over the span of a week.) If you are a casual watch wearer, Invicta is a superb choice.
I payed $31.60 US for the Invicta on black friday 2022 including tax. I did apparently make a mistake in the purchase, unless I was limited to just 1...I cant remember if this was the case. If not, I should have bought at least 5 of them. It is now May 28, 2024, and the watch has been flawless.
I didn't want to sub to this channel, cause I knew it wouldn't end well. Love the cheap audio man and audio (and some alcohol from time to time😉) is my guilty pleasure.. But cheap (and some more "expensive" ones) watches are winding up to be.. A problem in the family! 😂 All jokes aside this is another great channel kudos to Randy. Have a great day! 🙂🇸🇪
For a beater watch, I quite like the feel of a cheap bracelet. It's lighter on my smaller wrist. I also prefer aluminium bezels, kinda rugged. Bough my first Invicta today and can't wait for it. I have a beautiful San Martinb BB54 and an Orient Kamasu for slightly classier effect but I wanted an Invicta for the silly logo and for wearing instead of my prettier watches. I don't always want to wear my G-Shock when doing rough stuff! Thank you for your down to earth reviews.
Just picked up my first Pro Diver on clearance for $30, believe it or not. Extremely happy with it, especially for that price. I would've easily paid $60+ just based on first impressions. Great video!
As a Company Invicta is a lot like a broken Watch ,Right twice a Day and wrong the rest. I feel the Pro Diver was and still is a great watch, But I have to say since discovering Steeldive I have found my new Go to Watch, This Blue Collar workers Homage treasure-trove .Great Channel BTW Brother, Keep up the good work!
I have a Pro Diver and I'm planning to get an SD1953 when I can afford it and enjoy every minute of it. I may sell the Invicta on for some of the reasons you cite here, mostly the dial.
As a submariner owner. And also these two watches that I use as substitutes. I firmly think that the steeldive is more similar to the rolex. not counting the closure of the bracelet
I think the 17-year-old pro diver bracelet is much better quality than the new bracelets Invicta is making, just my opinion because I have some old pro divers and some new ones and you could tell that the new ones are cheaply made compared to 17 years ago, but the new pro divers have better magnification, and no haze in between the crystal and face like they used to have years ago
I personally like the Invicta more. The reason why I like it more is that it gives you the 5 digits Rolex vibe. The overall bracelet and case consistance is comparable to an 80s Submariner,my favourite.
I have both and I flip flop on which one I like better. I will say that the crown on the SD is very gritty and the bezel has vertical play, the Invicta has better quality control out of my two.
Lol im watching this review because a just purchased a modded steeldive. Side note, if your invicta is 17 years old it would have come with the Miyota movement, not the Seiko. They didn't start using those till later if I'm not mistaken...
Picked up a Steeldive SD1953 on sale for $69 and am very happy with it, if I want to change the bracelet I'll get a copy of the Rolex one from Ali for $25 and be happy with it again! Thanks for the comparison, once thought about getting an Invicta, but changed my mind, not a fan of that brand and still want a sapphire.
Exactly, just did a upgrade for my Casio Duro bought a bracelet off AE for $15 was fantastic value and transformed the watch. I agree the brand kinda puts me off and I sense its fallig behind in terms of value to AE watches now, in terms of variations and designs.
I bought the Blue/Gold center link Pro Diver. The bracelet was a little disappointing. I bought a two tone gold/stainless replacement bracelet with the glide lock style clasp. Now a feel much better wearing this watch. It is not an everyday watch as it is too flashy for most days and gold on the plated center links will show scratches and wear off if I am not careful with this watch.
Invicta looks the best overall the internals are good - 1953 looks and the bracelet just don't appeal to me nowhere close - my winner is the Invicta !!!
This was very interesting to me. I have had the Invicta for a few months and have a SD 1953 coming in the mail (should be here today), so this video is perfectly timed as it just popped up in my recommendations. I'm seeing many reviews saying that SD just recently upped their bracelet game. It is supposed to have a new clasp with more micro adjustments, so maybe the weak points in this review for the SD will be less of an issue. Either way, I'll have both of these watches for a grand total of under $200. How can you beat that?
@@Shannon_Robbie In my mind, the Steeldive is the better watch, not by much though. The bracelet is better than the Invicta. It feels more solid and has 6 micro adjustments meaning that I can play with the size more precisely. I also like the understated look of the Steeldive. The Invicta has a very pronounced etching on the side of the case that is hard to ignore and borders on gaudy. FWIW... both of these watches have taken a backseat to the Watchdives 1954, with is pretty much identical to the Steeldive but without the date complication and that ugly cyclops magnifier that juts out from the crystal.
Right now in Canada the Invicta is $132 in black but on sale for $104. The Steeldive is $201 in black. I would go with the Invicta only because I don`t want to spend $200 on a watch. I really do like both though.
My wife cureses the day I subscribed to your channel. Watch addition is real. Now that I live in the doghouse, I prefer super bright lume, so please keep those type of watch reviews coming. Love your channel...thanks man.
The only thing I like about the invicta is they make a 38mm version for smaller wrists like mine. Otherwise I would’ve gone with a steel dive. Wished they made it in a smaller case.
Steeldive is more expensive, therefore the clear winner there is the invicta. You get more for the value. Steeldive like you said should be the winner because it costs more and they give you other items like the sapphire glass. I’ll take the invicta anyday. Under 100 bucks cmon.
I actually love the Invicta engraving on the side of the case because it's something that nobody else does and it's also screaming "I'M NOT A ROLEX!" which I have a lot of respect for. My Grand Diver #3049 even has "Grand" and "Diver" engraved on the other side with the crown in the middle. I think it looks awesome and is a nice touch.
I get this eerie and surprising sensation that you might like metal, both physically and musically. Can't really put my finger on why I'd think that is, though.
it's funny you're reviewing that blue pro diver now because it's been on my wrist for the past week and a half after sitting in my closet for 6 months. I'm actually amazed at the quality, apparently they're doing something right where this one is made. Mine is gaining about 2-5 seconds a day.
@@cheapwatchman_official This blue model looks excellent on a "flatwater" Barton elite silicone strap. The different shades of blue. It makes it almost look high end.
I have both. The Steeldive is objectively better in almost every aspect except the cyclops, which is ridiculous on the Steel Dive. Thank You Tube for instructions to remove it. It looks so much better without. Like I said, from a side by side spec, the Steeldive beats the Invicta in every category. But I still wear the Invicta more. Why you ask? 1. The steel dive is simply just a little TOO on point with the Sub Homage. I have no issues with Homages, but the closer they get to deep fake, the more I wonder what's the point? The Invicta has some distinguishing features including the counterweight on the seconds hand, the position of the lollipop and the size of the indicies. Not to mention the Invicta Billboard etched on the side of the case, which I actually like. Let me see, somehow etching Rolex all around the internal case of a submariner is less obnoxious then putting your name on the inboard side of the outer case. Ok,. 2. Believe it or not, I trust Invicta's water resistance more, despite numerous examples of Pro Divers "flooding". Invicta is a US company, so it's water resistance rating has to conform to ISO standards regarding marking. Granted, ISO 22810 is way more lax than Divers ISO 6245, it still is "something". It means that the design has been tested and select units have been tested even though there's no guarantee your particular watch was tested. China, on the other hand, is not a member of ISO. Which means they literally can put anything they want on the watch. Unless there is a Chinese standard that is reviewable, and enforced, I'm going to wear the watch that at least is manufactured to a "standard" as minimal as it might be. If I'm Scuba Diving, I'm wearing my Divers ISO marked Citizen over any of these two. 3. Invicta is a recognized global brand. Divisive as it is, it still is a recognized brand with horological history. The ProDiver, in some form has been around for a quarter century. Steeldive has only been around since 2018. If Steeldive becomes a more visible brand that distinguishes itself from all the other Chinese homage brands available from AliExpress, it might get more wrist time. But right now, my Steel Dive is a bang around the house watch. I actually wear the Invicta to work. (amongst others)
Man, such a joy to watch your channel, thanks for your effort. I liked the finals...it all comes down to how I feel wearing the watch....sooo true. Do you think the Steeldive has the same durability for years to serve? Funny I innitialy wanted Seiko 5S, than Orient, my mind changed after seing Citizen Promaster, and now I watch an Aliexpress watch :D :D
Hmm, how about taking these two and putting them up against a homage that's a little less clone like - against the Orient Mako 2/Ray 2. :-). Sure the orient is a little more price wise, but it's pretty darn close (and one is getting something that isn't a 1:1 clone).
Merci beaucoup pour ces informations pertinentes,grâce à vous cela m’a convaincu d’acheter la steeldive.Depuis novembre 2022 le fermoir est usiné donc le bracelet est de meilleur qualité.Merci pour le partage 👍
Invicta always gets a bad rap because of their huge and ugly monstrosities that shadows the history of the brand.But the pro diver has a huge cult following . Even the mod community has made some amazing looking pieces. If they just get rid of the Cyclops side logo and use better loom ,they have a banger out of the Box.
6:02 I disagree about the exhibition back on the Invicta being better than the plain steel back on the Steeldive. These are ostensibly 'tool watches', and an exhibition back doesn't fit that description. It makes the watch feel less rugged. I actually have a couple of the Invictas, both automatic, and also one of the quartz versions. I swapped out the backs on them for plain steel ones, and it makes the watches feel much more rugged and 'serious'.
It is fun to see you doing the same journey as every new in the watch space to. Now when we know that we almost have the same materials and parts that makes up for a watch. We know that a robot has assemble especially the movement just that another high end brand. So for a 100 USD we can do all that plus the manufacturer makes money on that price level. But what is the difference between the high end brand and a 100 USD watch. Maybe some additional water resistant that is totally uninteresting when 99.9% of them are desk diving and the watch is hopelessly dated for a driver that has a diving computer instead. The high end is manufactured in Switzerland and the 100 USD is not. And it is also certified chronometer that the cheaper is not. The thing I can't accept when I see a watch as a watch and not a status symbol or something else. Is if in practice you can do a profit as a company with charge 100 USD to in practice doing the samt thing. But say if we use the same materials and get it certified let's say that if we are very generous adds additional 100 USD so in total approx 200 USD. So it is just to congratulate the high end watch brand(s) to have created successfully a unrealistic priced market for them self. Where it is not a watch anymore and something else. 👏 So in a way a guy with a 100 USD watch on his wrist has from me MORE respect than he had a high end one. Then for me it is signaling to me he is not willing to pay the unrealistic and made up price levels that many of the high end labels has made a market for. When a high end wearers I think has been deceived to thinking they has got something extraordinarily when the have not in practice and in my eyes git fouled.
I own two of the Invictas & one Steeldive; I personally believe that the Steeldive is a better quality watch, also the QC is far better than the Invicta. If you want a luxurious watch, Steeldive is the one & I actually think it's worth paying the extra money. I like both, but the Steeldive feels far more superior & looks that way also. Bless
Hi Randy love this new watch channel. I'm looking into purchasing the Invicta pro diver but I see many different numerations on Amazon.. What is the model number I should be looking for.. Thank you very much and continue the great work on both channels.
Hi Randy. If you occasionally check comments on older videos, I am curious how does your 17 year old Invicta keep time. Certainty not something you would get serviced!
Hey Randy. I enjoy your hi fi reviews. I've been a watch-afile for no years. How can I get your 'watch' reviews to not show up as one of my 'subscriptions' on TH-cam?
I just don't understand how a brand like Invicta with such brand history doesn't lean in and up their quality and take back the brand. I mean they could come in the $250-$500 dollar range and make quality watches for the money. I know they now have glycine for that, but i just don't get why they don't up the quality.
![อยู่คนเดียวกับเขา - ส้ม มารี (Zom Marie) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gq1cWAIQDLg/mqdefault.jpg)
Invicta Pro Diver amzn.to/3BD8TZu
Steeldive SD1953 amzn.to/3ePS9VH
Watch Giveaway (Subscribe, Follow Me on Instagram instagram.com/cheapwatchman and fill out the form forms.gle/drMjWa8LHwYUvA6t9
Hey Randy I really like your channel! You need to check out Aragon watches (formerly Android watches). I think they might have the best value out there! Wing, the owner/designer, is doing some incredible things in the industry. I'd love to see what you think.
Great review... Been thinking about either but never made the jump. Steel dive seems like the one
Howdy Randy , I’m seeing one of these made by a company named Watch Dive that maybe better than both of these ?
I own both. To be honest, I had one of my SW200 movements fail. I’m not impressed with them. I’ve had a SEIKO SKX for 15 years and it’s perfect. The Steeldive 1953 is beautifully finished. It looks closer to the Rolex at a glance. Get the Steeldive!
Glad to hear this as I’ve got one already shipping :)
hmm I'm thinking which one to buy. I'm gonna go for steeldive
The date on the Steeldive is comically over magnified. That ruins it all. It doesn't look like a Rolex at all for that simple reason.
I can make this comparison myself as I’ve got the Invicta and last week during the Ali express sale I got the steeldive for 71 uk pounds. I really like this watch. For the money it’s excellent, the lume is amazing. For me the Steeldive is the easy winner.
yeah. me too
Owning both, I'll say the Steeldive is a $300 watch that sells for $120. The Invicta is a $25 watch that sells for $75.
I got the blue face steeldive about 3 weeks ago and have worn it since. I agree the bracelet is a bit jangly but on wrist is good..The lume on the dial and bezel is awesome.
.Owning a few tissots , a Mido, Orient, Seiko, and Longines I of course went for the sapphire crystal, screw down crown, and solid end links. ..my only other real complaint is though the caseback looks cool it can be a bit abrasive on the wrist. ...
I like the Invicta, based on the dial and the fact it pisses people off so bad.
Just got my new Steeldive SD1953, they have improved the bracelet and it now has a milled clasp with 6 micro adjust holes, much better than the previous bracelet.
Does the bracelet also no longer have loose links or is it only the points clearly mentioned in your comment that have changed?
@@vantagedriver6477 my bracelet is pretty good, no looseness and doesn't rattle, still has male end links though.
IMO 300m water resistance is more important than a transparent caseback
China isn't a member of ISO, so they can literally print anything they want on the watch. At least the Invicta has to be ISO22810 compliant. Unless the Steeldive has a manufacturing and testing standard that can be reviewed and audited, the words on the case are merely words.
Seeing the movement through the back is a huge deal for me. I have dismissed long-standing desired watches against others for not having that particular feature. Might as well be a quartz, but even at that, there are some sweet ones with see-through backs or even skeletons, and boy oh boy, do I like a skeleton.
Splendid comparison, Randy. Really enjoying these!
it was just the other day we had our little exchange about switching the channel names, and here we are. Moots the need to _officially_ talk about the other one too, I guess :)
Will have to check out steel dive.
The exhibition case back is your deal maker/breaker? Personally, I could take it or leave it w/ a slight preference for engraved metal CB. The glass usually adds thickness. That said, it's up against your arm all day so I don't really care.
The invicta has great movement bracelet and case and dial at this price point but there many quality hommage company's and they win on having larger aoplied indices like the steeldive that resemble rolex appropriately....im loving the san martin.. pagani is ok but they have lots of sharp edges everywhere
$55 Invicta , $125 Steeldive...both NH35 autowinders. No brainer decision which for daily and wet use. At these prices, both are disposable watches unless a loved one gifted you .
Worth trying to learn a diy service with amazon china tools. If you mess up, disposable as you said.
I paid £63 for the Steeldive and its one of my best watches in my collection
Both great looking watches, but I also give the edge to the Steeldive, I prefer the larger hour markers and that lume too!
I agree; the small hour indices and sub-par lume are the only complaints I have with my Invicta 9937OB Pro diver with the Swiss Sellita-200 movement. The Steeldive has the Seiko NH35A movement, which requires a taller, larger case, and that was the deciding factor for my choice to purchase the Invicta, however I still haven't ruled out the possibility of buying this Steeldive model in the future.
Even a year ago, I remember the SD1953 selling for Under $60 during the major AliExpress sales. I bought my SD1953 for $51. Also, I own a Version 2 model, and the bracelet is much better, with a milled clasp. The V3 comes with a glidelock-style clasp. Also, you failed to mention that the Invicta has open end links, versus solid end links on the Steeldive,
I have an Invicta Speedway (Two Tone Version) that lasted me 10 years without any maintenance outside of battery changes. Additionally, I also own multiple mechanical pro divers that have lasted over 5 years without ANY servicing whilst also maintaining reasonably accurate time keeping. (Usually ~ 5 minutes over the span of a week.) If you are a casual watch wearer, Invicta is a superb choice.
I have just received my Steeldive. I paid 54 dollars in AliExpress. Great watch. I'm so happy! 🙌🏻
The Invicta brand name originally starting in Switzerland is an acceptable brand name as it has a history.
I only own the pro diver but based on specs alone I'd go with the steeldive most likely
I payed $31.60 US for the Invicta on black friday 2022 including tax. I did apparently make a mistake in the purchase, unless I was limited to just 1...I cant remember if this was the case. If not, I should have bought at least 5 of them. It is now May 28, 2024, and the watch has been flawless.
I didn't want to sub to this channel, cause I knew it wouldn't end well. Love the cheap audio man and audio (and some alcohol from time to time😉) is my guilty pleasure.. But cheap (and some more "expensive" ones) watches are winding up to be.. A problem in the family! 😂 All jokes aside this is another great channel kudos to Randy. Have a great day! 🙂🇸🇪
thanks, brother!
I had a suspicion that mug wasn’t always filled with coffee😅
For a beater watch, I quite like the feel of a cheap bracelet. It's lighter on my smaller wrist. I also prefer aluminium bezels, kinda rugged. Bough my first Invicta today and can't wait for it. I have a beautiful San Martinb BB54 and an Orient Kamasu for slightly classier effect but I wanted an Invicta for the silly logo and for wearing instead of my prettier watches. I don't always want to wear my G-Shock when doing rough stuff! Thank you for your down to earth reviews.
I’ve got the Steeldive on order. This comparison makes me feel good about my decision. Thanks!
How long did it take too deliver? I'm guessing you ordered from aliexpress?
I've been thinking about picking up the SD1953 this put me over the edge just ordered it
Steeldive goes so hard on lume + bezel. Never knew I was a lume guy until I got my 1st SD (Willard)😎
Pro diver is usually cheaper online. I got couple of those between $45 to $60. BUT, invicta glass is easier to chip off.
Just picked up my first Pro Diver on clearance for $30, believe it or not. Extremely happy with it, especially for that price. I would've easily paid $60+ just based on first impressions. Great video!
As a Company Invicta is a lot like a broken Watch ,Right twice a Day and wrong the rest. I feel the Pro Diver was and still is a great watch, But I have to say since discovering Steeldive I have found my new Go to Watch, This Blue Collar workers Homage treasure-trove .Great Channel BTW Brother, Keep up the good work!
I have a Pro Diver and I'm planning to get an SD1953 when I can afford it and enjoy every minute of it. I may sell the Invicta on for some of the reasons you cite here, mostly the dial.
As a submariner owner. And also these two watches that I use as substitutes. I firmly think that the steeldive is more similar to the rolex. not counting the closure of the bracelet
What i like about the Invicta is if the movement needs a service I just order a new one, swap the movements and return it to Amazon.
I think the 17-year-old pro diver bracelet is much better quality than the new bracelets Invicta is making, just my opinion because I have some old pro divers and some new ones and you could tell that the new ones are cheaply made compared to 17 years ago, but the new pro divers have better magnification, and no haze in between the crystal and face like they used to have years ago
Yea you can't compare things from 17 years ago to the cheap quality items companies are pumping out today!
Yes, I can attest to that. I bought 2 Invictas about 10 years ago. Both of them have the tendency to develop haze/ fog underneath the crystal.
I personally like the Invicta more. The reason why I like it more is that it gives you the 5 digits Rolex vibe. The overall bracelet and case consistance is comparable to an 80s Submariner,my favourite.
Happy to hear that! I texted you on Instagram!
I have a few invicta pro divers and waiting for my first Steeldive to arrive. Stoked to compare them myself.
How is it
@@spaceman022 the steel dive is gorgeous but I had issues with either the stem or the stem tube.
@@dire67 Oof.Thanks for replying
I just bought the green bezel black dial for $92. Hope it works well, thanks for the review
I have both and I flip flop on which one I like better. I will say that the crown on the SD is very gritty and the bezel has vertical play, the Invicta has better quality control out of my two.
Lol im watching this review because a just purchased a modded steeldive. Side note, if your invicta is 17 years old it would have come with the Miyota movement, not the Seiko. They didn't start using those till later if I'm not mistaken...
Invicta I think is great, I have 10 and enjoy everyone.
There you have your winner! 17 years of good operation.
Greetings!
Picked up a Steeldive SD1953 on sale for $69 and am very happy with it, if I want to change the bracelet I'll get a copy of the Rolex one from Ali for $25 and be happy with it again! Thanks for the comparison, once thought about getting an Invicta, but changed my mind, not a fan of that brand and still want a sapphire.
А дайте ссылку на Али на браслет, плз
Exactly, just did a upgrade for my Casio Duro bought a bracelet off AE for $15 was fantastic value and transformed the watch. I agree the brand kinda puts me off and I sense its fallig behind in terms of value to AE watches now, in terms of variations and designs.
I bought the Blue/Gold center link Pro Diver. The bracelet was a little disappointing. I bought a two tone gold/stainless replacement bracelet with the glide lock style clasp. Now a feel much better wearing this watch. It is not an everyday watch as it is too flashy for most days and gold on the plated center links will show scratches and wear off if I am not careful with this watch.
Invicta looks the best overall the internals are good - 1953 looks and the bracelet just don't appeal to me nowhere close - my winner is the Invicta !!!
The pro diver is my everyday watch. I really like it, but the bezel does scratch easily.
Did you ever get into any pilot/field watches?There are some really nice affordable ones in that style
I have 3 Steeldives and I love them all.
This was very interesting to me. I have had the Invicta for a few months and have a SD 1953 coming in the mail (should be here today), so this video is perfectly timed as it just popped up in my recommendations.
I'm seeing many reviews saying that SD just recently upped their bracelet game. It is supposed to have a new clasp with more micro adjustments, so maybe the weak points in this review for the SD will be less of an issue.
Either way, I'll have both of these watches for a grand total of under $200. How can you beat that?
Yeah both lovely time pieces for low cost everyone can enjoy these which is fantastic.
So which one do you like better at this point?
@@Shannon_Robbie In my mind, the Steeldive is the better watch, not by much though.
The bracelet is better than the Invicta. It feels more solid and has 6 micro adjustments meaning that I can play with the size more precisely.
I also like the understated look of the Steeldive. The Invicta has a very pronounced etching on the side of the case that is hard to ignore and borders on gaudy.
FWIW... both of these watches have taken a backseat to the Watchdives 1954, with is pretty much identical to the Steeldive but without the date complication and that ugly cyclops magnifier that juts out from the crystal.
Right now in Canada the Invicta is $132 in black but on sale for $104. The Steeldive is $201 in black. I would go with the Invicta only because I don`t want to spend $200 on a watch. I really do like both though.
My wife cureses the day I subscribed to your channel. Watch addition is real. Now that I live in the doghouse, I prefer super bright lume, so please keep those type of watch reviews coming. Love your channel...thanks man.
😂
The only thing I like about the invicta is they make a 38mm version for smaller wrists like mine. Otherwise I would’ve gone with a steel dive. Wished they made it in a smaller case.
Steeldive is more expensive, therefore the clear winner there is the invicta. You get more for the value. Steeldive like you said should be the winner because it costs more and they give you other items like the sapphire glass.
I’ll take the invicta anyday. Under 100 bucks cmon.
Great review dude. I gotta love your no-nonsense approach. Thank you. Keep it up please!
I actually love the Invicta engraving on the side of the case because it's something that nobody else does and it's also screaming "I'M NOT A ROLEX!" which I have a lot of respect for. My Grand Diver #3049 even has "Grand" and "Diver" engraved on the other side with the crown in the middle. I think it looks awesome and is a nice touch.
Problem is it’s instead screaming ‘I’m Invicta’ which is even worse.
Tengo ambos y son excelentes relojes para mí, gracias por la revisión y tus videos, son fantásticos! ,saludos desde 🇵🇷
Vaya Boricua ! Tambien yo. Pero steeldive es mas calidad.
Love your videos man, nice no-nonsense reviews!
I get this eerie and surprising sensation that you might like metal, both physically and musically. Can't really put my finger on why I'd think that is, though.
Why do you think you'll be wearing the Steeldive more than your Steinhart? The Steinhart looks great, I'm just curious.
Love the channel, btw.
Great vídeo. Thanks. I was really in doubt about what watch to buy and your video helped a lot.
Sapphire crysþal is a huge plus. I scratch the hell out of mineral crystal if im not treating it like it's fragile.
it's funny you're reviewing that blue pro diver now because it's been on my wrist for the past week and a half after sitting in my closet for 6 months. I'm actually amazed at the quality, apparently they're doing something right where this one is made. Mine is gaining about 2-5 seconds a day.
I always enjoy wearing them
@@cheapwatchman_official This blue model looks excellent on a "flatwater" Barton elite silicone strap. The different shades of blue. It makes it almost look high end.
I have both. The Steeldive is objectively better in almost every aspect except the cyclops, which is ridiculous on the Steel Dive. Thank You Tube for instructions to remove it. It looks so much better without.
Like I said, from a side by side spec, the Steeldive beats the Invicta in every category. But I still wear the Invicta more. Why you ask?
1. The steel dive is simply just a little TOO on point with the Sub Homage. I have no issues with Homages, but the closer they get to deep fake, the more I wonder what's the point? The Invicta has some distinguishing features including the counterweight on the seconds hand, the position of the lollipop and the size of the indicies. Not to mention the Invicta Billboard etched on the side of the case, which I actually like. Let me see, somehow etching Rolex all around the internal case of a submariner is less obnoxious then putting your name on the inboard side of the outer case. Ok,.
2. Believe it or not, I trust Invicta's water resistance more, despite numerous examples of Pro Divers "flooding". Invicta is a US company, so it's water resistance rating has to conform to ISO standards regarding marking. Granted, ISO 22810 is way more lax than Divers ISO 6245, it still is "something". It means that the design has been tested and select units have been tested even though there's no guarantee your particular watch was tested. China, on the other hand, is not a member of ISO. Which means they literally can put anything they want on the watch. Unless there is a Chinese standard that is reviewable, and enforced, I'm going to wear the watch that at least is manufactured to a "standard" as minimal as it might be. If I'm Scuba Diving, I'm wearing my Divers ISO marked Citizen over any of these two.
3. Invicta is a recognized global brand. Divisive as it is, it still is a recognized brand with horological history. The ProDiver, in some form has been around for a quarter century. Steeldive has only been around since 2018. If Steeldive becomes a more visible brand that distinguishes itself from all the other Chinese homage brands available from AliExpress, it might get more wrist time. But right now, my Steel Dive is a bang around the house watch. I actually wear the Invicta to work. (amongst others)
You didn’t compare the water resistance levels, but it’s a good content.
Invicta all away. Is a better brand vs any Chinese brand
Hey Cheap audio/watch man, do a review on the WatchDives wd5512
Man, such a joy to watch your channel, thanks for your effort. I liked the finals...it all comes down to how I feel wearing the watch....sooo true. Do you think the Steeldive has the same durability for years to serve? Funny I innitialy wanted Seiko 5S, than Orient, my mind changed after seing Citizen Promaster, and now I watch an Aliexpress watch :D :D
Wait! 🤔 What! 😳 The CheapAudioMan is the CheapWatchMan 🤯?? Great Job Watches, Great Job Randy.
You know... I don't ever remember seeing the two of them together!
I finally messed up and said "cheap audio man" today
@@cheapwatchman_official Hey it's All Good!
The SteelDive wins. Lume! And you never mentioned that the SteelDive has blue anti-reflective coating on the underside of the crystal
Hmm, how about taking these two and putting them up against a homage that's a little less clone like - against the Orient Mako 2/Ray 2. :-). Sure the orient is a little more price wise, but it's pretty darn close (and one is getting something that isn't a 1:1 clone).
The steeldive is 300m vs 200m water resistance on the pro diver.
But is the SD really 300m?
Merci beaucoup pour ces informations pertinentes,grâce à vous cela m’a convaincu d’acheter la steeldive.Depuis novembre 2022 le fermoir est usiné donc le bracelet est de meilleur qualité.Merci pour le partage 👍
Invicta always gets a bad rap because of their huge and ugly monstrosities that shadows the history of the brand.But the pro diver has a huge cult following . Even the mod community has made some amazing looking pieces. If they just get rid of the Cyclops side logo and use better loom ,they have a banger out of the Box.
agree
They have the grand divers. But still invicta logo onside.
The logo on the side kills it for me ! looks so cheap IMO.
6:02 I disagree about the exhibition back on the Invicta being better than the plain steel back on the Steeldive.
These are ostensibly 'tool watches', and an exhibition back doesn't fit that description. It makes the watch feel less rugged.
I actually have a couple of the Invictas, both automatic, and also one of the quartz versions.
I swapped out the backs on them for plain steel ones, and it makes the watches feel much more rugged and 'serious'.
It is fun to see you doing the same journey as every new in the watch space to.
Now when we know that we almost have the same materials and parts that makes up for a watch.
We know that a robot has assemble especially the movement just that another high end brand.
So for a 100 USD we can do all that plus the manufacturer makes money on that price level.
But what is the difference between the high end brand and a 100 USD watch. Maybe some additional water resistant that is totally uninteresting when 99.9% of them are desk diving and the watch is hopelessly dated for a driver that has a diving computer instead.
The high end is manufactured in Switzerland and the 100 USD is not.
And it is also certified chronometer that the cheaper is not.
The thing I can't accept when I see a watch as a watch and not a status symbol or something else.
Is if in practice you can do a profit as a company with charge 100 USD to in practice doing the samt thing.
But say if we use the same materials and get it certified let's say that if we are very generous adds additional 100 USD so in total approx 200 USD.
So it is just to congratulate the high end watch brand(s) to have created successfully a unrealistic priced market for them self. Where it is not a watch anymore and something else. 👏
So in a way a guy with a 100 USD watch on his wrist has from me MORE respect than he had a high end one. Then for me it is signaling to me he is not willing to pay the unrealistic and made up price levels that many of the high end labels has made a market for.
When a high end wearers I think has been deceived to thinking they has got something extraordinarily when the have not in practice and in my eyes git fouled.
I own two of the Invictas & one Steeldive; I personally believe that the Steeldive is a better quality watch, also the QC is far better than the Invicta. If you want a luxurious watch, Steeldive is the one & I actually think it's worth paying the extra money. I like both, but the Steeldive feels far more superior & looks that way also.
Bless
Yeah ive got both and imo steeldive win for me but Invicta are still good watches .
I would never buy an invicta but I own 5 Steeldives and love them
Two great options! And both happen to be quite handsome.
I wish the invicta wasn't labeled on the side of the case, no need
So buy both and put the Invicta bracelet on the steeldive lol. Great video
Great comparison. You need a Loreo to add in the mix.
The Invicta etch is genius! It says This is not Rolex! I am not a poser!
I will get a Steeldive in the future, I don't like the Invicta, I'm pretty sure it's because of it's poor lume.
I recommend reveiwing Guanqin GJ1699. It's a Longines Hydroconquest homage because I just can't stand Rolex mercedes and Tudor snowflake style hands.
Hi Randy love this new watch channel. I'm looking into purchasing the Invicta pro diver but I see many different numerations on Amazon.. What is the model number I should be looking for.. Thank you very much and continue the great work on both channels.
I linked the one in the description and the pinned comment that was in the vid today. they have many. gets confusing
I think that you chose the steeldive and feels better to you because people mistaken it for the submariner Rolex.
Thanks for the video 👍 any recommendations for a good oyster style bracelet for the steeldive?
Tissot is considered a lower price Swiss watch. Any chance we will see this brand in a future video?
Hi Randy. If you occasionally check comments on older videos, I am curious how does your 17 year old Invicta keep time. Certainty not something you would get serviced!
Nice comparison, I think the watchdives 1680 is better than both of these now
Steeldive is a better watch, period . Aliexpress 79 bucks submariner homage any color all day.
Does the Steeldive bracelet have solid end links? You dont say...
Hey Randy. I enjoy your hi fi reviews. I've been a watch-afile for no years. How can I get your 'watch' reviews to not show up as one of my 'subscriptions' on TH-cam?
I've done one video on a seiko. Very nice.
Thanks Mel Gibson for that excellent review!
I am done with cheap watches , now i buy tissot or better watches only, i got this invicta for 35$ on amazon prime day though .
Yay ... Steeldive the winner. More watches to buy. Thank you as always.
I like your channel - have you tried out a Venezianico Redentore? Cool watches from Italy - I love the red dial variant.
Not yet!
what other bracelets would fit the steeldive?
That cyclop on steeldive is comical isn't it?
Steeldive is a waaaay better watch than invicta..ceramic bezel and sappire? Tss for less than 100?
the lume shot says it all 🤷
You should check out St. Martin and Heimdalr watches! Also, Chinese homages, but really nice watches.
I'm going to be getting a San Martin in very soon
I just don't understand how a brand like Invicta with such brand history doesn't lean in and up their quality and take back the brand. I mean they could come in the $250-$500 dollar range and make quality watches for the money. I know they now have glycine for that, but i just don't get why they don't up the quality.