I got the Pro Diver while at university before I really knew much about watches. I just wanted something nice looking to wear as I began my internship and as an engineer I wanted something mechanical. It was my gateway watch. Years later l learned much more and added much nicer watches to my collection, but to this day I still rock my Pro Diver weekly.
Same here, I still have my pro diver. Since then I also added a Rolex sub, Omega Seamaster pro, Speedmaster pro, Tudor Pelagos 39, Grand Seiko, and more. But I still have the pro diver on my work table every day.
The thickness is due to the NH movement. The Pro Diver I have is about 14 years old. It has the Miyota movement and is at least 2mm thinner. Also, the bracelet has split pins not pin and collar as stated in this video.
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I've made an 11.5mm NH34 GMT watch in the Explorer II style and an NH35 sub style with an exhibition back at 12.5mm so it's definitively possible.
I absolutely love mine. It was my first automatic watch and it really sent me down the rabbit hole of watch collecting. I was also very lucky with mine, the overall build quality of is fantastic! The watch always runs within 3-5 seconds per day, the bezel is fantastic, there are none of the mentioned flaws with lume colour matching, the screw-down crown threads are an absolute dream and the display back is great. At the £55 I once paid for it I really can't complain about anything, other than the originality 😅 I can't and won't be buying a submariner any time soon! And the Invicta makes me smile in the meantime. Great video as always btw 👍👍😊
The pro diver was also my first automatic watch, but I wasn't as lucky as you unfortunately. The bezel on mine is GENUINLY unusable, don't know how accurately it runs because I never checked, but the lume is by far the worst of any of the watches that I own. One thing I will say though is that the threads on the crown are very nice, haven't had a watch yet that has replicated it that way. One thing I'm also finding out is that I definitely paid too much for it, I bought it from the Invicta website and I thought I was getting a good deal at the time, since I didn't really know watches that well yet. I don't wear it much anymore, but that's mainly because the color of it isn't very "daily wear" appropriate, just doesn't really appeal to me as much anymore now that I have better options when it comes to my collection.
You took the words out of my mouth. I love my ProDiver. It was my first automatic. I now have some “higher end” automatics including Oris, Hamilton, Seiko5, Steinhart and Tag but my Invicta makes me feel good and seems to be my go-to. I can’t imagine paying $10k+ for a Sub but to each his own. Love my Pro-Diver. Great review.
An Invicta Diver was my gateway watch into this hobby way back in 2001. In those days the Invicta Diver contained a Miyota non-hacking movement and the case didn't have any letters etched on the side. Otherwise it was very much the same. I wore that watch daily for 4 years and beat it up very hard doing field service work on industrial equipment. I sold the watch for nearly what is paid and moved on to Seikos, Orients, Citizens and Casios. I've never owned another Invicta, but can't really think of a negative thing to say about my Invicta experience.
I do appreciate the diversity in price ranges of the watches being reviewed on the channel! I have the 37 ish mm quartz version, it was an amazon prime day deal snatch for less than £30. It was used purely as work watch in my barman days. It held up pretty well. Even the bezel turns okay.
I have the very same watch and it's spot on for me, wears well on wrist and can do anything with it. I've been swimming with it, wore it for a formal dinner and even been trampolining with it today! The bezel on mine moves absolutely fine as well so no complaints from me.
I have the exact same Invicta diver. It has the yellow rotor, the bezel turns just right, it doesn't have a strong lume. It runs accurately, and have no cosmetic flaw. I like it.
When you were just starting I was not much into your channel but now I appreciate and value it. We need more positive, funny and energetic people like you.
I bought an Invicta Pro Diver three years ago. Very reliable, great timekeeper (less than +5 seconds per day) and keeps going for 48h+ off wrist. My only regret is having opted for the gold-coloured model (a bit too flashy) and not the plain steel watch.
I have several Invicta Pro Divers that I purchased as I got into watch collecting. My favorite is the one with a carbon fiber dial. I don’t have any problems with the bezels. Although I don’t own one, I hear the 1953 model is their best homage to Rolex. Great video! Have a great day!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I'll send you my 1953's one of which is brand new if you'd like to review them. O and if you want to sell this invicta I'd love to buy it from you just to be able to say I have a watch once owned by my favorite youtuber/watch expert!
I have a number of Invicta pieces with the Pro Diver being my favorite design. However, seeing the slight changes in quality over the years have become aggravating. Even with members of the Invicta team seeing this great review, I seriously doubt that they will change it for the better!
Appreciate you watching the show my friend! I’ve also noticed the length of the bracelet you initially get is significantly smaller than what was sold in the past just by seeing 3/4 year old unboxings . I honestly think the company need to strip to 25/50 designs instead of the 4500 a year they boast. Rolex are a perfect example of less is more. The more the references you make, the muddier the brand gets
As a collector of Invicta, I fell in love with all of the designs they offered. However, as my knowledge of watches increased and my desires changed, I became vocal with the company through social media and emails about scaling back on the number of watches created and focus on the quality. Facebook is loaded with complaints about broken and unfinished pieces upon arrival.
I bought two Pro DIVERS in the same sale...both had yellow rotors and the bezels work perfectly...it brings a tear to my eye thinking my brothers across the pond were hustled...so very sad...😢😢😢
I bought the pro diver gold 2 years ago. Still works great I never take it off. Pretty durable. The lume on mine will still be glowing in the middle of the night. Was my first automatic watch I ever owned. Made me very happy. Now I prefer the automatic. Also I don’t mind the size because I’m not the shape and size of a little girl.
@@Zippofanatic77outdoors A Seiko "5KX" is an excellent watch for someone on a budget. Also a Citizen Promaster Automatic would be decent choice. Both are FAR superior than an Invicta.
I recall suggesting a pro diver to a mate of mine a few years ago. He was a student at the time and was on a very tight budget. He had narrowed his choice down to the Duro or Pro Diver and eventually settled on the Invicta preferring an automatic. When I got a look at the watch, it was fairly decent for the price. It was fifty pound at that time. The bezel action was definitely acceptable. A bit of back play but not too bad. It also had the signature yellow rotor. I revisited Jody's review from around the same time and it was pretty accurate. I'm almost wondering if Amazon received some factory defect models to sell off on Prime day or has Invicta really gone down hill.
Cheers Andrew. I think the company seems potentially in trouble from the bankruptcy in the brick and motor shops. They have definitely thinned the value out of these watches recently for sure!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Great video, first time watching and it had me hitting subscribe. I bought my Pro Diver off amazon just a little over a year ago, and it has the yellow rotor so their troubles must be really recent.
Little tip - if you don't like the polished centre links on the bracelet, you can brush them out with a scotch brite pad. Brush in one direction only and then curve each link to do the centres. It takes 5 minutes and makes the watch look so much better. I own some high end watches, but still wear my 8926OB on a regular basis. It just looks, well, great!
I bought the Invicta pro diver for both myself, and my son in two different color ways. Both of them have the yellow Invicta counterweight on the back, but my sons Basel twists with no trouble at all mine very much like yours does not twist without ripping the skin off of your fingers other than that, they both keep good time. And are usually worn when a dress watch is called for all and all for the price not a bad watch
I got mine 18 years ago, it's been through scuba diving, rough sea sailing, serious motorbike accident, it refuses to die, I v grown to love it very much, the best 100 euros I have ever spent
I have a blue/gold two tone 8926OB. It was my first automatic watch and to this day I receive more compliment for wearing it than any other watches that I have.
Great review! I have the quartz version of the Pro Diver. Very inexpensive and looks very good. No problem at all with the bezel. I also got a "vintage" Invicta for Father's Day this year from my wife and daughter...it's only 33 mm in diameter! Quite the shock considering some of their supersized models. It's a very nice watch. So, when they want to, Invicta can make some more "modest" models. I'm happy with them!
I have my Pro Diver now for nearly 10 years. Has always been very comfortable to wear. Keeps very good time. Have worn it for swimming a lot over this time with absolutely no issues. No yellow bezels back then. Only change from new was the bracelet which I swapped out this year with a heavier better quality one!
11:19 - - I've owned probably 25+ Pro Driver's (40mm) over the years; all with different dial colors, varying bracelet & case tones. I never had issues with any of them.
I have one with the scalloped bezel (Omega/Rolex combo ripoff). Try turning that one. I had to pull the bezel off and oil it up. Still stiff but loosens the more you use it.
I just got my Pro diver 9110 but they didn't take off the 35% I asked them to adjust the invoice but they sent me a credit instead but it was for double so I bought another model 5053 and with the added 35% to the credit it only cost me like 32 dollars including the shipping. I'm a happy camper.
I respect Invicta. They are all over the watchscape. I own, among others, an Invicta Hulk and a Batman both with Sellita SW500 chronograph movements with. Display casebacks! Lume is 80% amazing! The dials are right up there with the AP Black Panther.
I have this exact model of pro diver purchased just over a year ago. I really enjoy mine for all of the reasons that you listed. The QC seems to be the biggest issue with these watches. My bezel turns pretty well, especially after using it fairly often it has seemed to break in with use. You mentioned that your cyclops is aligned perfectly, mine is not. I find that screwing my crown down can be a bit of a chore sometimes. The thickness of the watch especially when wearing it on a NATO is a bit on the frustrating side. I quite enjoy the movement and mine has the yellow rotor. At first I didn’t particularly care for the yellow rotor and would’ve preferred a plain one like yours but now seeing yours I think I quite like mine with the yellow rotor. The Lume is terribly disappointing and the bracelet isn’t the best. I paid $65 usd for mine and I wear it regularly and I’ve taken it on a few vacations already! I’m not upset with it for the money! Maybe someday it’ll be replaced by a sub. Great show as always Russell!!
I am the owner of a Pro diver and I have a yellow balance but I have a grey box instead 😂, mine have very nice and easy click on bezel movement. In my opinion your problems explain the price you pay I believe better offer worse quality. One of the most impressive thinks none of you guys mention when talking about this watch is that you can made adjustments and have a time keeping compare to top brands mine actually have about one second Los in 24 hours some days is one other wise and it stay like that from more than three months so quite impressive. I want to ask where you can buy orient ray 2 for less than a hundred pounds.
Got the quartz version and it is my daily beater. Wears perfectly on my wrist and it really is a looker. I have the same issue with the bezel being too tight and hard to rotate. Besides that, I love everything else about the watch. Great and spot on review as always 👍
Redditers say that sometimes the bezel needs breaking in. One redditer say, "Just grab some gloves, turn on tv, sit there for an hour watching a movie and just twist that bezel haha" Another redditer says to, "soak in warm water and turn with washcloth. Becomes much smooter to turn. Be sure to screw crown in to waterproof." A thrid redditer says, "pop bezel off, pull off bezel gasket, replace with brand new greased gasket, snap bezel back on with minimal pressure." If you are uncomfortable doing the last on, I'd imagine that a local watch servicer who works with any dive watch brand can do this for you as well .. for a fee.
It’s a no from me. I have two vintage Invicta now which are great but these things are not my bag. I can see why they sell and for 50 quid it’s a bargain for a mechanical. I don’t like the Invicta stamped to the side of the case and I’m annoyed they are not bothering to put their own rotor on. Would be really interesting to see how it would work in a pressure test . If it’s waterproofing holds up then I will give it a nod.
I picked up one for my son for £42 a few years back, after reading great reviews. I was really impressed, and it really looked great on him. The bezel moved freely, the movement was almost COSC, and it did look like a Sub. So I bought a couple more last year, that I share with my son, and again all good. The only real niggle is the lume, but for the price, can’t complain. It’s a shame they seem to have done away with the yellow rotor, that must be a new thing. If I were you, I’d have returned it to Amazon for a replacement, as odds are, the bezel would be ok. For a genuine true beater, a good one is unbeatable for the money. I actually wear the ‘Bluesy’ one often, & forget I’m wearing it, even though I’ve got the 16610 in my box, with a couple of other Rolex. Shame you got unlucky.
Not sure what happened to yours, but I ordered mine off of Amazon in January, 2023 - it has the yellow rotor, the lume matches fine and the bezel rotates fairly easily. It has been a great watch and it is an amazing value. I really like your reviews - keep them coming.
I have the blue dial variant and I love it. But you are right about the bezel. I just leave that alone, because I know it just about takes a pair of pliers to get it back to the zero position. Pros: solid links, display caseback w/decorated rotor, four holes of micro adjust. Cons: too hefty for hot weather, too pretty to be a beater. Overall: makes a good dress watch in the summer, makes a good daily in the fall/winter.
I have the same watch and mine was that way when I got it. Try putting it under water and twisting it with a rag or something to grip it with. Maybe with a little soap. I'm not sure why they arrive so dirty but once you get the dirt out it's actually a great bezel.
A fair review 👍. I have a 1953 it has good bezel action and the yellow rotor. However, I think they should ditch the display caseback to reduce the thickness as that is the only thing that lets it down for the money (well apart from the lume of course!)
My first automatic was a silver and gold diver w black face that I bought from a work buddy. Other than the crown threading wearing out it was a decent watch. I now have Seikos, Bulovas, Farer, Oris, Vaer, Swatch and Rados in my collection 4 years later. Thanks Invicta for having an affordable entry way into my watch wearing passion. Great channel as always mate! Thank you for your work.
I put off the purchase for awhile, but got mine from Amazon as an opened box for 50. I have been impressed, bezel action just like the Urban Gentry review no bezel problems. Mine also came with that classic yellow rotor. It stinks you were robbed of the experience
Had one lasted ten years plus. No yellow rotor though. It was great, not too thick and didn't wear out. Only issue was I myself broke it by smashing the crystal by dropping it in a sink. Oddly in real use the lume was also ok. Not defending Invicta as most models are horror shows but the pro divers are nice looking durable and reliable. My crash damaged one was entirely my fault. Not the watch at all and thank god I didn't have the same accident with a Rolex!
The Pro Diver is a bargain, and as a daily watch a pretty decent choice. I got mine nearly ten years ago, to see if was what it was hyped up to be. Now mine is a lender for those who wonder about a mechanical watch, or a diver, or if they should buy any watch. Some lands on a quartz, some on "something thinner", some quite like the size, some defenitely wants better lume, etc. For what it is, it's an ok watch, and clearly worth more than 48 pounds. I paid close to 100 dollars for mine, and did not feel ripped off. The only scam is the "before" price, not what you paid for it. Mine keep ticking still, it's gains five-ten seconds a day, just the way I like it. For 48 pounds I'd say gor for it. Cheers.
Just seen your joint broadcast with Randy and had to come on over and subscribe. I have owned a couple of Invicta divers, but they now just collect dust in boxes that have not seen the light of day in 15 years. 😂 I do appreciate your presentation and humour, and I look forward to many hours of enjoyment from your channel.
Simon!!!! Appreciate you coming on board! Randy is a top guy! Could not believe the prices of those speakers!!! Looking forward to chatting more in the future!
@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Yes, there are some incredibly pricey pieces of equipment as there are in the watch field. I'm a modest watch collector too, and I hope to chat with you further. Take care, mate, and all the best.
Bought mine a few days ago and we have the same bezel, it does not twist. But I saw a 10 yr old tutorial video on how to fix the bezel and it worked. Just turn the bezel while the watch is submerged in a bowl of water while using a cloth to turn it easier. It worked and I can already turn the bezel. Really worth it and enjoying the watch. My Seikos, Orients, Citizen etc will stayin the box for now. Keeps great time.
When I started getting into watches about two years ago, the Invicta Pro Diver was the one I chose due to the price (about $70 USD),that fact that it was an automatic at that price, the movement was a respected caliber, and the overall look was generally appealing to me. That Christmas I was given the 1953 with Batman bezel and I love that one too. No, it's not up to Rolex build or accuracy quality, abd no the lume isnt good at all. And yes, the bracelet is horrible. But its a solid entry level piece that works great for work or revtrstion (as long as its not dark) and neither of my bezels has ever done anything but click beautifulyy when twiste. Oh, and bith have the yellow rotor which does indeed tart up the somewhat pedestrian lookinh NH35a. Recommend without reservation to bidget cocious buyers snd first time watch shoppers.
Thanks for the video, enjoy your work! Like you, I picked one up on Prime Day for $50. I also grabbed a Grand Diver for $60. Quality certainly is variable as both bezels seem to work fine. The Grand Diver is huge and has even more logos and writing on both sides of the watch! I replaced the bracelets with some basic fkm straps and they wear much better. Ended up giving the Pro Diver away and kept the Grand Diver. So far so good.
I just started with the Invicta Pro Divers because I saw a video of a man getting tied up and robbed for his Rolex collection (two pieces!) and that led me to a video comparing Invicta to Rolex. Now I have several affordable Invicta Pro Divers in different colors and I love wearing them. They are for certain a gateway watch and I’m enjoying learning more about watches all because I saw a video of a man getting robbed for his Rolex . Funny how that worked.
I have 3 Pro Divers. 1 quartz and 2 automatic's. My automatic's have the yellow rotor and all of my bezels work ok. The lume is the worst part for me. I have Casio's with better lume. Overall for what I paid I am happy with them. I wanted 3 different dial colors and Invicta was the cheapest way to get them.
So mineral crystal is only just acceptable on a £50 watch but perfectly acceptable on a £500 seiko? (yes, hardlex is just a slightly tougher mineral that still scratches very easily)
The Prodiver in blue with gold accents was my first automatic around 8 years ago. It got me into watches and I wore it everyday for several years without any issues except for the polished gold centre links wore thin. I have over 30 watches now and it still gets wrist time, on a leather strap now though.
Yeah I have a pro diver and the bezel can become really stiff. I've popped off the bezel and lubed it with a small amount of 3 & 1 oil. It helps but after 6 months it will go stiff again.
I just bought one on Amz Prime Day for $50 (NH35 movt). Will probably mod as I hate the dial & mercedes hands, but it is pretty sweet for this price-point. At minimum it is a value for both case & movement (and I don't mind the INVICTA branding on the caseside). Strap is crap, but it looks pretty snazzy on a Bond NATO, as it should, as its a Rolex mimic
Just got mine today and I love it as much as my seikos! Nicely packaged and presented in the box, just one thing though, there wasn't an instruction manual in the case (not that I need one) just a warranty card.
I own five of them. And each of them i use for work. As a work watch it works really well. It's got the perfect look and can take a beating, plus some of them have the open heart variants which add more style to the dial
My Pro Driver is from 2006. Never been serviced, keeps wonderful time. Fits Nato and other Nylon bands its absolutely class and not going to get you mugged or dead for a watch.
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Warm to hot water removes dirt better than cold, I'd say the hotter the better, you want to remove any grime that be in there. Silicone works well but never use oil (petroleum product) because it deteriorates rubber.
I ordered the same size you did & also one with a bit larger case. The larger case I believe 44/45mm has the yellow rotor & the smaller one you ordered had the plain rotor. Not sure if it was coincidence or not but I figured I’d share that
I have the Swiss movement version but i had to changed a few things.. changed the bezel to a high quality ceramic bezel, added a sapphire crystal imported from sweden and change the bracelet to a full stainless steel with no polish. I love it, it looks great, runs great and it has taken a few bad hits and still 0 scratches
I had one of these in my collection with a blue dial and the signed Invicta yellow rotor. My first mechanical watch and I loved it!...before it was nicked, that is 😢. Bezel action was smooth and water resistance was as advertised. It unfortunately seems like you got one with poor QC. Pretty cool that you reviewed it though, considering how popular it is.
@@nobbynoris To be honest, it was a break-in so a lot of other stuff was also nicked from my apartment. Luckily, the bastards don't know anything about watches and so they nicked the "expensive looking" Invicta and left the "cheap looking" GA2100. So, I'm decidedly looking at it as glass half full 😄
Mad man! Great review. I think tbh the pro diver series of watches is a fantastic choice for anyone starting the hobby as a first automatic watch. I got the coke bezel version and love it, but have same issues with the bezel action. Mind you I turned that bloody thing until it loosened up some and I can turn it now and the action is ok, but friction burns to show for it. Dissapointed to see the bezel action wasn’t just a one off on my part, but overall I think these pro divers are good choices esp if you can get them at a sale like you did!
Isn't the Pro-diver an homage to the subby? If so does it have more cache or deserve more respect than other homages (especially those spec for value chinese watches)?
It’s more a copy than a homage! Pretty sure the ‘Invicta’ on the side of the case was to pro text themselves in the late 90’s from lawsuits! Seems as though you can get away with anything these days!
I have 3 Invictas - 2 automatics and a quartz. All diver styles. The autos work great, including the bezels. I did have to send the quartz back to have the bezel adjusted becuase it was way too tight, also. Works much better afterward.
Invicta certainly has a wide range of watches. I’ve owned several and I’ve given a lot of way as gifts I think they are an excellent watch NH 35 screw down crown. The ones I own in the ones that I’ve given away I think a good value for money. Plus if you keep your eye open you can usually find a sale.
Would you believe I have two, one automatic and one quartz. I keep the quartz on the bracelet and the auto on a couple of different blue straps. I have a 6.75 inch wrist and they honestly give me the look I was wanting.
6:18 - - Another TH-camr (from Australia I think) had the same with his Pro Diver. He contacted Amazon explaining the rotor situation as the seller photos clearly showed the custom Invicta rotor. Within a few days the TH-camr received a new Pro Diver from Amazon sporting the proper rotor.
Love mine had it about 8 months, keeps great time, bezel works and I have the yellow on the rotor, great watch for work it takes a battering and you don't have to worry about it.
Just looking at the black one that is a very close homage to a Submariner it comes in quarts or it comes with a Seiko NH or if you want it's possible to get it with an sw200. The rest of their product line leave something to be desired but honestly this is the watch that got me into collecting watches I say this particular one is a winner
I have the older model with the yellow rotor, and my bezel moves smoothly and on point I also dive with it only about 20 ft and it’s still perfect five years later
I’ve got a couple of faux-lexs about 15 years old. And they still are really good. Now. There are a few questionable choices I made back then but my pro divers aren’t them.
Just discovered your channel, and I want to say I like it. Your videos are both informative and entertaining. The cutaway segments are quite funny too! Keep it up, MWC!! ⌚
I've got several Pro Divers in different colors. They're great for the office. I'm in IT and I have lots of opportunities to bang my watch into a server rack. I once lost a lume pip from a Pagani Design. Anyway, I like having watches I don't have to worry about. The bezels, sadly, are quite the crap shoot. You may get a good one, or one like you got. As for the lume... yeah, we know. Frankly, I'm surprised it didn't get a negative score. 🤣 Honestly, if I suddenly need to tell the time in the dark, I've got other problems. Thanks for another great video. 👍
Have the same issues with the hard to turn bezel and no yellow rotor😢 but there a easy fix with the rotor, just submerged it in water around 5 min or so and you the bezel somehow easy to turn again. Mine works with this method
Confession time. I got one of these around 8 years ago and the bezel was very difficult to move and when it did it felt very 'grainy' like the thing was grinding metal away. Anyway I thought it looked OK but eventually used it to learn about movements and regulation and I learnt a lot. Eventually due to not having the right tools and knowledge I damaged the escapement so RIP Pro Diver. Was it worth it? Yes as it taught me a lot about mechanical movements and regulation but as a watch at the price I paid back then it's another yes for telling the time but as a diver forget it if you want to use the bezel. I still have it somewhere with the aim of fixing it but that may take a long time. Would I get another on a super cheap deal? I doubt it but if you've never had an NH35 powered diver and want to have something that resembles a Submariner then consider giving it a go. Just don't resist getting mugged for it.
I bought a Pro Diver after much research and checking. I was duped by the Invicta brand legacy. I bought a Pro Diver as well. Within a year and change the "wings" logo INSIDE the sealed watch-face came look from the face back, stuck between the hands and stopped any hand movement. I checked the fine print and the warranty says it ONLY covers the watch face and not any of the moving parts... You know, like this exact same thing? So I went through all the hoops to send it in to be repairs to the only Invicta Servicing department that exists, the one off their official page..... And they said they would do it for $200 USD (not counting the money I spent sending it in, and the money I had to pre-pay for the return shipping before they even looked at it). I could have bought 3 or 4 watches and thrown one away each year and opened the next for the same amount of money they wanted to fix what can only be described as faulty manufacturing.
I bought it on the last Christmas sale for a very similar price. I actually bought two. one like this and the other with an omega-inspired bezel. i kept the second one and im really happy with this watch. its my daily and its perfect. it looks good, i got +2s a day (without any regulations), and if it breaks i can buy another one :)
Great, honest review. I know some people I work with that rave about Invicta, and while I try my best to let them know of other brands that could give them better quality for the money, they really seem to enjoy them. To each their own, and it gives us something in common. Maybe I'll ask them for one of those boxes 😂 Excellent video, Russ!
The one i picked up awhile back was used and had the yellow Invicta rotor. It had the stamp of the NH35 Seiko Movement on it as well. I seem to recall there were two versions of this watch. I may be wrong but the one you got may not have the NH35 Movement. You may need to double check. I am probably wrong but it may be worth checking out none the less. Either way I appreciate your channel and your suggestions/reviews. I gotta say mine keeps great time and its smaller than I typically like but its a workhorse and I'll be keeping it in my collection. I'm curious what are your thoughts about Stuhrling automatic or battery operated watches?
I bought the Pro Diver 10 days ago in amazon for 74 euros and, TBH, after watching lots of videos about watches I just thought: "Well, automatic for 74 euros? How bad would it be?" And I am please with it. It is more of a watch than anything I have and it will probably catch an eye, nobody that I know will probably even recognize a Rolex Submariner anyway, so the copy effect is not a problem. I am getting used to see my wrist with a watch that looks somewhat nice and probably will be the first of a collection in the future. Also, I bought it all gold with the black bezel and dial, because if I'm buying a homage disliked by collectors I may as well be tacky with it!
I have had mine for a year and love it. But I got the scalloped bevel which is IMPOSSIBLE to turn without using two thumbs. Still, great looking watch. Got the yellow rotor.
Are you sure that was not a ripoff-watch (which would be a joke in itself 😄)? I had several PDs, and they all had a little spongy but overall nice bezel action. Also, the yellow rotor.
The SteelDive SD1953 with the NH35 movement is a great Submariner homage :) I just ordered it after reading the reviews. Excited to receive it. I'll let you know if I like it!
I’ve just got one 🤯 great timing with the review, thanks for that! Normaly I would never get an invicta.. but I found one in a tj maxx for 79$, and my flight boarding back to europe was 3:30 hours away.. so quick decision, impulses aaaaaand it was already in my suitcase (when I fly, my Seiko GMT has the privilage to be on my wrist for now). My only excuse is that my father-in-law got me a big gold ring, and I had to have a gold tone watch with that - since I always wear a watch. After a week, I have to admit.. despite all the hate (from me too) this gold/blue Invicta watch is one I hope will stay with me for a long time! Thats it, my confession is over. Great show as always! PS: on mine, lume is 2/10 and has a yellow automatic-rotor thing on, which looks great. Is it possible to hate and love this watch at the same time? Yes. It is called love.
I used to have the 1953 which I think is a superior model. Build quality was good, it didn’t have Invicta etched into the case, bezel worked well, although half a click out from lining up, it had the yellow rotor and my word that NH35 ticked away with zero seconds a day lost or gained. Looks like the same bracelet though which was probably the only weak point.
Hello mate. First of all, love your channel! I purchased this watch last year from Amazon on Prime day and paid £70 quid but at £48 I think you've done exceptionally well even with the plain rotar! I did get a yellow rotar though and weirdly my lume colour on the hands and dial is the same and I don't think it's too bad either - just "ok" but I'm happy with it. Gutted they are cheaping out on the rotar now and it looks like the lume too (not that it was amazing to start with anyway!). Bezel - I had excatly the same experience as you - it actually hurt my fingers to turn it but I was able to fix it by submerging it in the bathroom sink full of water and rotating it a few times- not that we should have to even do that but it worked for me and then bezel turns fine now, i I guess rotaing it underwater must have flished out some metal swarf/production debris. Long time viewer, first time commentator - keep doing what you do - I always look forward to your new videos.
I can’t find the video right now, but Richard Perrett the UK watchmaker once blew that caseback right off the watch doing a 60 m pressure test. For similar money, you can get a Steeldive Sub homage with better lume and equally unreliable QC.
I got the Pro Diver while at university before I really knew much about watches. I just wanted something nice looking to wear as I began my internship and as an engineer I wanted something mechanical. It was my gateway watch.
Years later l learned much more and added much nicer watches to my collection, but to this day I still rock my Pro Diver weekly.
does it work? yes. is it cheap? yes. does it look nice? yes. will i cry if i get it mugged? no. problem solved.
This watch was my first automatic watch,still have it after 15 years. Still works great. Most probably works better than the R@@@x.
Same here, I still have my pro diver. Since then I also added a Rolex sub, Omega Seamaster pro, Speedmaster pro, Tudor Pelagos 39, Grand Seiko, and more. But I still have the pro diver on my work table every day.
My Invicta quartz pro-diver died when the original battery was replaced, never to tell time again. It was $100 that I should have put toward a Seiko.
@@PETERJOHN101 It's more likely it must have suffered impact while you were wearing it.
You really took one for the team there ... thanks!
Cheers Garry! Appreciate this!
The thickness is due to the NH movement. The Pro Diver I have is about 14 years old. It has the Miyota movement and is at least 2mm thinner. Also, the bracelet has split pins not pin and collar as stated in this video.
I’ve owned and handled NH35 divers thinner than this 13mm could have been done trust me
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I've made an 11.5mm NH34 GMT watch in the Explorer II style and an NH35 sub style with an exhibition back at 12.5mm so it's definitively possible.
Invicta sells a Pro Diver (36784) with the NH35 movement that is 12mm thick.
I absolutely love mine. It was my first automatic watch and it really sent me down the rabbit hole of watch collecting. I was also very lucky with mine, the overall build quality of is fantastic! The watch always runs within 3-5 seconds per day, the bezel is fantastic, there are none of the mentioned flaws with lume colour matching, the screw-down crown threads are an absolute dream and the display back is great. At the £55 I once paid for it I really can't complain about anything, other than the originality 😅 I can't and won't be buying a submariner any time soon! And the Invicta makes me smile in the meantime.
Great video as always btw 👍👍😊
The pro diver was also my first automatic watch, but I wasn't as lucky as you unfortunately. The bezel on mine is GENUINLY unusable, don't know how accurately it runs because I never checked, but the lume is by far the worst of any of the watches that I own. One thing I will say though is that the threads on the crown are very nice, haven't had a watch yet that has replicated it that way.
One thing I'm also finding out is that I definitely paid too much for it, I bought it from the Invicta website and I thought I was getting a good deal at the time, since I didn't really know watches that well yet. I don't wear it much anymore, but that's mainly because the color of it isn't very "daily wear" appropriate, just doesn't really appeal to me as much anymore now that I have better options when it comes to my collection.
You took the words out of my mouth. I love my ProDiver. It was my first automatic. I now have some “higher end” automatics including Oris, Hamilton, Seiko5, Steinhart and Tag but my Invicta makes me feel good and seems to be my go-to. I can’t imagine paying $10k+ for a Sub but to each his own. Love my Pro-Diver. Great review.
An Invicta Diver was my gateway watch into this hobby way back in 2001. In those days the Invicta Diver contained a Miyota non-hacking movement and the case didn't have any letters etched on the side. Otherwise it was very much the same. I wore that watch daily for 4 years and beat it up very hard doing field service work on industrial equipment. I sold the watch for nearly what is paid and moved on to Seikos, Orients, Citizens and Casios. I've never owned another Invicta, but can't really think of a negative thing to say about my Invicta experience.
I do appreciate the diversity in price ranges of the watches being reviewed on the channel! I have the 37 ish mm quartz version, it was an amazon prime day deal snatch for less than £30. It was used purely as work watch in my barman days. It held up pretty well. Even the bezel turns okay.
I have the very same watch and it's spot on for me, wears well on wrist and can do anything with it. I've been swimming with it, wore it for a formal dinner and even been trampolining with it today! The bezel on mine moves absolutely fine as well so no complaints from me.
@@traindriverdan My only surprise was the lack of the screw down crown despite of the 200m claimed water resistance
@@superdad4324 Yeah I'd take the 200m water resistance with a large pinch of salt but it's certainly good enough for swimming and showering
Dude, I just mentioned that watch. Nice reference.
@@superdad4324 the crown on the Pro Diver is a screw-down crown.
I have the exact same Invicta diver. It has the yellow rotor, the bezel turns just right, it doesn't have a strong lume. It runs accurately, and have no cosmetic flaw. I like it.
When you were just starting I was not much into your channel but now I appreciate and value it. We need more positive, funny and energetic people like you.
He’s quite the character!
I bought an Invicta Pro Diver three years ago. Very reliable, great timekeeper (less than +5 seconds per day) and keeps going for 48h+ off wrist. My only regret is having opted for the gold-coloured model (a bit too flashy) and not the plain steel watch.
The one I've ordered is "carbon" black. Love the Vadar look.
Mine is silver with a red dial and bezel. I really love it
Do you take it in the ocean much?
I have several Invicta Pro Divers that I purchased as I got into watch collecting. My favorite is the one with a carbon fiber dial. I don’t have any problems with the bezels. Although I don’t own one, I hear the 1953 model is their best homage to Rolex. Great video! Have a great day!
Thank you my friend!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR I'll send you my 1953's one of which is brand new if you'd like to review them. O and if you want to sell this invicta I'd love to buy it from you just to be able to say I have a watch once owned by my favorite youtuber/watch expert!
I have a number of Invicta pieces with the Pro Diver being my favorite design. However, seeing the slight changes in quality over the years have become aggravating. Even with members of the Invicta team seeing this great review, I seriously doubt that they will change it for the better!
Thanks for this review interesting
Appreciate you watching the show my friend! I’ve also noticed the length of the bracelet you initially get is significantly smaller than what was sold in the past just by seeing 3/4 year old unboxings . I honestly think the company need to strip to 25/50 designs instead of the 4500 a year they boast. Rolex are a perfect example of less is more. The more the references you make, the muddier the brand gets
As a collector of Invicta, I fell in love with all of the designs they offered. However, as my knowledge of watches increased and my desires changed, I became vocal with the company through social media and emails about scaling back on the number of watches created and focus on the quality. Facebook is loaded with complaints about broken and unfinished pieces upon arrival.
Side note, I've been a fan of your channel for a while now. I consider you and a few others to be legit watch enthusiasts!
@@Trapvision3D appreciate that man I’m always open to all brands! I know there’s a lot of lovers of Invicta and I hope I came across ok!
I bought two Pro DIVERS in the same sale...both had yellow rotors and the bezels work perfectly...it brings a tear to my eye thinking my brothers across the pond were hustled...so very sad...😢😢😢
I bought the pro diver gold 2 years ago. Still works great I never take it off. Pretty durable. The lume on mine will still be glowing in the middle of the night. Was my first automatic watch I ever owned. Made me very happy. Now I prefer the automatic. Also I don’t mind the size because I’m not the shape and size of a little girl.
Do yourself a favor and buy a decent watch. You'll realize how terrible Invicta watches are.
@@NunYa953 I can’t really afford much what do U recommend
@@Zippofanatic77outdoors
A Seiko "5KX" is an excellent watch for someone on a budget. Also a Citizen Promaster Automatic would be decent choice. Both are FAR superior than an Invicta.
@@NunYa953 ok thanks I’ll look into both those watches
@@Zippofanatic77outdoors; don’t listen to that weirdo.
It’s only a watch, you know, a tool to tell what time it is.
I recall suggesting a pro diver to a mate of mine a few years ago. He was a student at the time and was on a very tight budget. He had narrowed his choice down to the Duro or Pro Diver and eventually settled on the Invicta preferring an automatic. When I got a look at the watch, it was fairly decent for the price. It was fifty pound at that time. The bezel action was definitely acceptable. A bit of back play but not too bad. It also had the signature yellow rotor. I revisited Jody's review from around the same time and it was pretty accurate. I'm almost wondering if Amazon received some factory defect models to sell off on Prime day or has Invicta really gone down hill.
Cheers Andrew. I think the company seems potentially in trouble from the bankruptcy in the brick and motor shops. They have definitely thinned the value out of these watches recently for sure!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Great video, first time watching and it had me hitting subscribe. I bought my Pro Diver off amazon just a little over a year ago, and it has the yellow rotor so their troubles must be really recent.
Little tip - if you don't like the polished centre links on the bracelet, you can brush them out with a scotch brite pad. Brush in one direction only and then curve each link to do the centres. It takes 5 minutes and makes the watch look so much better. I own some high end watches, but still wear my 8926OB on a regular basis. It just looks, well, great!
Brilliant tip!!
I did it to mine (actually a 7041) and it looks great!
Can you share a video or more info about the tip? I am trying to find it on the internet but i cant
I still think the polished center links look sharp, I don’t get why some people don’t like it. It matches the polishing on the side of the watch
The bloke in the video is an imbecile
I bought an invicta out of curiosity a while back. And honestly, for what it cost, its actually a decent watch. Its got an nh35 movement in it.
RUSSELL- I LOVED the return of "Mr. PAGANI"!! He was missed! I have had a Pro Diver since 2017 it is still reliable and very durable at that!
I bought the Invicta pro diver for both myself, and my son in two different color ways. Both of them have the yellow Invicta counterweight on the back, but my sons Basel twists with no trouble at all mine very much like yours does not twist without ripping the skin off of your fingers other than that, they both keep good time. And are usually worn when a dress watch is called for all and all for the price not a bad watch
I got mine 18 years ago, it's been through scuba diving, rough sea sailing, serious motorbike accident, it refuses to die, I v grown to love it very much, the best 100 euros I have ever spent
I have a blue/gold two tone 8926OB. It was my first automatic watch and to this day I receive more compliment for wearing it than any other watches that I have.
Great review! I have the quartz version of the Pro Diver. Very inexpensive and looks very good. No problem at all with the bezel. I also got a "vintage" Invicta for Father's Day this year from my wife and daughter...it's only 33 mm in diameter! Quite the shock considering some of their supersized models. It's a very nice watch. So, when they want to, Invicta can make some more "modest" models. I'm happy with them!
Invictas are famous for their watch sizes. I own from 40mm to 65mm
I have my Pro Diver now for nearly 10 years. Has always been very comfortable to wear. Keeps very good time. Have worn it for swimming a lot over this time with absolutely no issues. No yellow bezels back then. Only change from new was the bracelet which I swapped out this year with a heavier better quality one!
I think you mean yellow ROTOR not bezel.
11:19 - - I've owned probably 25+ Pro Driver's (40mm) over the years; all with different dial colors, varying bracelet & case tones. I never had issues with any of them.
I have one with the scalloped bezel (Omega/Rolex combo ripoff). Try turning that one. I had to pull the bezel off and oil it up. Still stiff but loosens the more you use it.
I just got my Pro diver 9110 but they didn't take off the 35% I asked them to adjust the invoice but they sent me a credit instead but it was for double so I bought another model 5053 and with the added 35% to the credit it only cost me like 32 dollars including the shipping. I'm a happy camper.
I respect Invicta. They are all over the watchscape. I own, among others, an Invicta Hulk and a Batman both with Sellita SW500 chronograph movements with. Display casebacks! Lume is 80% amazing! The dials are right up there with the AP Black Panther.
LOL "As I box this up, never to be seen again... I mean, to be worn tomorrow!" Brilliant! :D
I have this exact model of pro diver purchased just over a year ago. I really enjoy mine for all of the reasons that you listed. The QC seems to be the biggest issue with these watches. My bezel turns pretty well, especially after using it fairly often it has seemed to break in with use. You mentioned that your cyclops is aligned perfectly, mine is not. I find that screwing my crown down can be a bit of a chore sometimes. The thickness of the watch especially when wearing it on a NATO is a bit on the frustrating side. I quite enjoy the movement and mine has the yellow rotor. At first I didn’t particularly care for the yellow rotor and would’ve preferred a plain one like yours but now seeing yours I think I quite like mine with the yellow rotor. The Lume is terribly disappointing and the bracelet isn’t the best. I paid $65 usd for mine and I wear it regularly and I’ve taken it on a few vacations already! I’m not upset with it for the money! Maybe someday it’ll be replaced by a sub. Great show as always Russell!!
Thank you for watching my friend!
I am the owner of a Pro diver and I have a yellow balance but I have a grey box instead 😂, mine have very nice and easy click on bezel movement. In my opinion your problems explain the price you pay I believe better offer worse quality. One of the most impressive thinks none of you guys mention when talking about this watch is that you can made adjustments and have a time keeping compare to top brands mine actually have about one second Los in 24 hours some days is one other wise and it stay like that from more than three months so quite impressive. I want to ask where you can buy orient ray 2 for less than a hundred pounds.
Got the quartz version and it is my daily beater. Wears perfectly on my wrist and it really is a looker.
I have the same issue with the bezel being too tight and hard to rotate. Besides that, I love everything else about the watch.
Great and spot on review as always 👍
Redditers say that sometimes the bezel needs breaking in.
One redditer say, "Just grab some gloves, turn on tv, sit there for an hour watching a movie and just twist that bezel haha"
Another redditer says to, "soak in warm water and turn with washcloth. Becomes much smooter to turn. Be sure to screw crown in to waterproof."
A thrid redditer says, "pop bezel off, pull off bezel gasket, replace with brand new greased gasket, snap bezel back on with minimal pressure."
If you are uncomfortable doing the last on, I'd imagine that a local watch servicer who works with any dive watch brand can do this for you as well .. for a fee.
“Is that a pair of testicles?!” Hahahahaha 😂
It’s a no from me. I have two vintage Invicta now which are great but these things are not my bag. I can see why they sell and for 50 quid it’s a bargain for a mechanical.
I don’t like the Invicta stamped to the side of the case and I’m annoyed they are not bothering to put their own rotor on.
Would be really interesting to see how it would work in a pressure test . If it’s waterproofing holds up then I will give it a nod.
I picked up one for my son for £42 a few years back, after reading great reviews. I was really impressed, and it really looked great on him. The bezel moved freely, the movement was almost COSC, and it did look like a Sub. So I bought a couple more last year, that I share with my son, and again all good. The only real niggle is the lume, but for the price, can’t complain.
It’s a shame they seem to have done away with the yellow rotor, that must be a new thing.
If I were you, I’d have returned it to Amazon for a replacement, as odds are, the bezel would be ok.
For a genuine true beater, a good one is unbeatable for the money. I actually wear the ‘Bluesy’ one often, & forget I’m wearing it, even though I’ve got the 16610 in my box, with a couple of other Rolex.
Shame you got unlucky.
Not sure what happened to yours, but I ordered mine off of Amazon in January, 2023 - it has the yellow rotor, the lume matches fine and the bezel rotates fairly easily. It has been a great watch and it is an amazing value. I really like your reviews - keep them coming.
Thank you my friend!
Do you go scuba diving or swimming in the ocean at all
I have the blue dial variant and I love it. But you are right about the bezel. I just leave that alone, because I know it just about takes a pair of pliers to get it back to the zero position.
Pros: solid links, display caseback w/decorated rotor, four holes of micro adjust. Cons: too hefty for hot weather, too pretty to be a beater. Overall: makes a good dress watch in the summer, makes a good daily in the fall/winter.
I have the same watch and mine was that way when I got it. Try putting it under water and twisting it with a rag or something to grip it with. Maybe with a little soap. I'm not sure why they arrive so dirty but once you get the dirt out it's actually a great bezel.
@@Avaddon911 Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try!
A fair review 👍. I have a 1953 it has good bezel action and the yellow rotor. However, I think they should ditch the display caseback to reduce the thickness as that is the only thing that lets it down for the money (well apart from the lume of course!)
My first automatic was a silver and gold diver w black face that I bought from a work buddy. Other than the crown threading wearing out it was a decent watch. I now have Seikos, Bulovas, Farer, Oris, Vaer, Swatch and Rados in my collection 4 years later. Thanks Invicta for having an affordable entry way into my watch wearing passion. Great channel as always mate! Thank you for your work.
I put off the purchase for awhile, but got mine from Amazon as an opened box for 50.
I have been impressed, bezel action just like the Urban Gentry review no bezel problems. Mine also came with that classic yellow rotor.
It stinks you were robbed of the experience
Dude! You crack me up so much. Your’s are among my favorite videos on TH-cam.
Thank you my friend!
Had one lasted ten years plus. No yellow rotor though. It was great, not too thick and didn't wear out. Only issue was I myself broke it by smashing the crystal by dropping it in a sink.
Oddly in real use the lume was also ok.
Not defending Invicta as most models are horror shows but the pro divers are nice looking durable and reliable.
My crash damaged one was entirely my fault. Not the watch at all and thank god I didn't have the same accident with a Rolex!
No bezel face on that cock-up but House of Design makes this review a definite tune in. DO IT!
The Pro Diver is a bargain, and as a daily watch a pretty decent choice.
I got mine nearly ten years ago, to see if was what it was hyped up to be.
Now mine is a lender for those who wonder about a mechanical watch, or a diver, or if they should buy any watch.
Some lands on a quartz, some on "something thinner", some quite like the size, some defenitely wants better lume, etc.
For what it is, it's an ok watch, and clearly worth more than 48 pounds. I paid close to 100 dollars for mine, and did not feel ripped off.
The only scam is the "before" price, not what you paid for it.
Mine keep ticking still, it's gains five-ten seconds a day, just the way I like it.
For 48 pounds I'd say gor for it.
Cheers.
Just seen your joint broadcast with Randy and had to come on over and subscribe. I have owned a couple of Invicta divers, but they now just collect dust in boxes that have not seen the light of day in 15 years. 😂 I do appreciate your presentation and humour, and I look forward to many hours of enjoyment from your channel.
Simon!!!! Appreciate you coming on board! Randy is a top guy! Could not believe the prices of those speakers!!! Looking forward to chatting more in the future!
@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Yes, there are some incredibly pricey pieces of equipment as there are in the watch field. I'm a modest watch collector too, and I hope to chat with you further. Take care, mate, and all the best.
Bought mine a few days ago and we have the same bezel, it does not twist. But I saw a 10 yr old tutorial video on how to fix the bezel and it worked. Just turn the bezel while the watch is submerged in a bowl of water while using a cloth to turn it easier. It worked and I can already turn the bezel. Really worth it and enjoying the watch. My Seikos, Orients, Citizen etc will stayin the box for now. Keeps great time.
When I started getting into watches about two years ago, the Invicta Pro Diver was the one I chose due to the price (about $70 USD),that fact that it was an automatic at that price, the movement was a respected caliber, and the overall look was generally appealing to me. That Christmas I was given the 1953 with Batman bezel and I love that one too. No, it's not up to Rolex build or accuracy quality, abd no the lume isnt good at all. And yes, the bracelet is horrible. But its a solid entry level piece that works great for work or revtrstion (as long as its not dark) and neither of my bezels has ever done anything but click beautifulyy when twiste. Oh, and bith have the yellow rotor which does indeed tart up the somewhat pedestrian lookinh NH35a. Recommend without reservation to bidget cocious buyers snd first time watch shoppers.
Thanks for the video, enjoy your work! Like you, I picked one up on Prime Day for $50. I also grabbed a Grand Diver for $60. Quality certainly is variable as both bezels seem to work fine. The Grand Diver is huge and has even more logos and writing on both sides of the watch! I replaced the bracelets with some basic fkm straps and they wear much better. Ended up giving the Pro Diver away and kept the Grand Diver. So far so good.
It is a small point but I do miss that yellow sticker on the rotor, which gave it a special aesthetic touch, like the red color on the Oris rotor.
I just started with the Invicta Pro Divers because I saw a video of a man getting tied up and robbed for his Rolex collection (two pieces!) and that led me to a video comparing Invicta to Rolex. Now I have several affordable Invicta Pro Divers in different colors and I love wearing them. They are for certain a gateway watch and I’m enjoying learning more about watches all because I saw a video of a man getting robbed for his Rolex . Funny how that worked.
I have 3 Pro Divers. 1 quartz and 2 automatic's. My automatic's have the yellow rotor and all of my bezels work ok. The lume is the worst part for me. I have Casio's with better lume. Overall for what I paid I am happy with them. I wanted 3 different dial colors and Invicta was the cheapest way to get them.
If San Martin had the same history as Invicta, you'd adore them. But they're new enough to be writing future history, so you ignore them.
Never ignore future history!
So mineral crystal is only just acceptable on a £50 watch but perfectly acceptable on a £500 seiko?
(yes, hardlex is just a slightly tougher mineral that still scratches very easily)
My King Samurai does indeed have Sapphire on it.
This one is just class for the price. I bought in 49 dollars and it really gives a bang for the buck. A nice beater.
The Prodiver in blue with gold accents was my first automatic around 8 years ago. It got me into watches and I wore it everyday for several years without any issues except for the polished gold centre links wore thin. I have over 30 watches now and it still gets wrist time, on a leather strap now though.
I too bought it on Prime day for $48 USD and it is now my daily wear. Love it.
I do agree on the rotor being plain is a tad bothersome.
Yeah I have a pro diver and the bezel can become really stiff. I've popped off the bezel and lubed it with a small amount of 3 & 1 oil. It helps but after 6 months it will go stiff again.
I just bought one on Amz Prime Day for $50 (NH35 movt). Will probably mod as I hate the dial & mercedes hands, but it is pretty sweet for this price-point. At minimum it is a value for both case & movement (and I don't mind the INVICTA branding on the caseside). Strap is crap, but it looks pretty snazzy on a Bond NATO, as it should, as its a Rolex mimic
Just got mine today and I love it as much as my seikos! Nicely packaged and presented in the box, just one thing though, there wasn't an instruction manual in the case (not that I need one) just a warranty card.
I own five of them. And each of them i use for work. As a work watch it works really well. It's got the perfect look and can take a beating, plus some of them have the open heart variants which add more style to the dial
I get the feeling the Invicta’s of now just aren’t up to the level they were 3/4 years ago cutting corners in areas they hadn’t done before?
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR perhaps my friend. Everyone is looking for more profit instead of focusing on quality
I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t get the yellow rotor from this prime deal. I was worried I got a counterfeit
Hi, if yellow rotor is not there in my watch do you think it is counterfeit
@@allenjerhald556 it seems like they just don’t make them with the yellow rotors anymore
Verdict: Buy a Casio G-Shock and be happy for a loooooong time 👍🤣🤣🤣
The same thing could be said about my Timex Ironman!
My Pro Driver is from 2006. Never been serviced, keeps wonderful time. Fits Nato and other Nylon bands its absolutely class and not going to get you mugged or dead for a watch.
While running it under warm water turn the bezel, you may have some muck under there, a drop of liquid silicone may help too.
Is it cold or warm I’m getting so many different contradictory tips!! I’ll try yours first!
@@THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR Warm to hot water removes dirt better than cold, I'd say the hotter the better, you want to remove any grime that be in there. Silicone works well but never use oil (petroleum product) because it deteriorates rubber.
I ordered the same size you did & also one with a bit larger case. The larger case I believe 44/45mm has the yellow rotor & the smaller one you ordered had the plain rotor. Not sure if it was coincidence or not but I figured I’d share that
I own one and I really like it. I did get the yellow Invicta rotor and the bezel turns and clicks just fine. I wonder why yours has issues.
I have the Swiss movement version but i had to changed a few things.. changed the bezel to a high quality ceramic bezel, added a sapphire crystal imported from sweden and change the bracelet to a full stainless steel with no polish. I love it, it looks great, runs great and it has taken a few bad hits and still 0 scratches
and the bezel turns 360 beautifully
I had one of these in my collection with a blue dial and the signed Invicta yellow rotor. My first mechanical watch and I loved it!...before it was nicked, that is 😢. Bezel action was smooth and water resistance was as advertised. It unfortunately seems like you got one with poor QC. Pretty cool that you reviewed it though, considering how popular it is.
Someone actually nicked an Invicta???
@@nobbynoris To be honest, it was a break-in so a lot of other stuff was also nicked from my apartment. Luckily, the bastards don't know anything about watches and so they nicked the "expensive looking" Invicta and left the "cheap looking" GA2100. So, I'm decidedly looking at it as glass half full 😄
I've got an Invicta 9302 in Titanium, that I picked up in 1999, it doesn't have a yellow rotor either, although it did come in a yellow box.
Mad man! Great review. I think tbh the pro diver series of watches is a fantastic choice for anyone starting the hobby as a first automatic watch. I got the coke bezel version and love it, but have same issues with the bezel action. Mind you I turned that bloody thing until it loosened up some and I can turn it now and the action is ok, but friction burns to show for it. Dissapointed to see the bezel action wasn’t just a one off on my part, but overall I think these pro divers are good choices esp if you can get them at a sale like you did!
Isn't the Pro-diver an homage to the subby? If so does it have more cache or deserve more respect than other homages (especially those spec for value chinese watches)?
It’s more a copy than a homage! Pretty sure the ‘Invicta’ on the side of the case was to pro text themselves in the late 90’s from lawsuits! Seems as though you can get away with anything these days!
I have 3 Invictas - 2 automatics and a quartz. All diver styles. The autos work great, including the bezels. I did have to send the quartz back to have the bezel adjusted becuase it was way too tight, also. Works much better afterward.
Invicta certainly has a wide range of watches. I’ve owned several and I’ve given a lot of way as gifts I think they are an excellent watch NH 35 screw down crown. The ones I own in the ones that I’ve given away I think a good value for money. Plus if you keep your eye open you can usually find a sale.
Would you believe I have two, one automatic and one quartz. I keep the quartz on the bracelet and the auto on a couple of different blue straps. I have a 6.75 inch wrist and they honestly give me the look I was wanting.
I have to ask, does Mr. Pagani live in Roehampton? The House of Design looks so familiar!
6:18 - - Another TH-camr (from Australia I think) had the same with his Pro Diver. He contacted Amazon explaining the rotor situation as the seller photos clearly showed the custom Invicta rotor. Within a few days the TH-camr received a new Pro Diver from Amazon sporting the proper rotor.
Love mine had it about 8 months, keeps great time, bezel works and I have the yellow on the rotor, great watch for work it takes a battering and you don't have to worry about it.
Just looking at the black one that is a very close homage to a Submariner it comes in quarts or it comes with a Seiko NH or if you want it's possible to get it with an sw200. The rest of their product line leave something to be desired but honestly this is the watch that got me into collecting watches I say this particular one is a winner
My only real complain about the ProDiver is that the clasp can be stiff to open and close and the bezel also can be stiff to turn.
I have the older model with the yellow rotor, and my bezel moves smoothly and on point I also dive with it only about 20 ft and it’s still perfect five years later
I have a Pro Diver and the bezel is fine, easy to turn
I’ve got a couple of faux-lexs about 15 years old. And they still are really good. Now. There are a few questionable choices I made back then but my pro divers aren’t them.
Just discovered your channel, and I want to say I like it. Your videos are both informative and entertaining. The cutaway segments are quite funny too! Keep it up, MWC!! ⌚
I've got several Pro Divers in different colors. They're great for the office. I'm in IT and I have lots of opportunities to bang my watch into a server rack. I once lost a lume pip from a Pagani Design. Anyway, I like having watches I don't have to worry about.
The bezels, sadly, are quite the crap shoot. You may get a good one, or one like you got. As for the lume... yeah, we know. Frankly, I'm surprised it didn't get a negative score. 🤣
Honestly, if I suddenly need to tell the time in the dark, I've got other problems. Thanks for another great video. 👍
Have the same issues with the hard to turn bezel and no yellow rotor😢 but there a easy fix with the rotor, just submerged it in water around 5 min or so and you the bezel somehow easy to turn again. Mine works with this method
Confession time. I got one of these around 8 years ago and the bezel was very difficult to move and when it did it felt very 'grainy' like the thing was grinding metal away. Anyway I thought it looked OK but eventually used it to learn about movements and regulation and I learnt a lot. Eventually due to not having the right tools and knowledge I damaged the escapement so RIP Pro Diver. Was it worth it? Yes as it taught me a lot about mechanical movements and regulation but as a watch at the price I paid back then it's another yes for telling the time but as a diver forget it if you want to use the bezel. I still have it somewhere with the aim of fixing it but that may take a long time. Would I get another on a super cheap deal? I doubt it but if you've never had an NH35 powered diver and want to have something that resembles a Submariner then consider giving it a go. Just don't resist getting mugged for it.
I bought a Pro Diver after much research and checking. I was duped by the Invicta brand legacy. I bought a Pro Diver as well. Within a year and change the "wings" logo INSIDE the sealed watch-face came look from the face back, stuck between the hands and stopped any hand movement. I checked the fine print and the warranty says it ONLY covers the watch face and not any of the moving parts... You know, like this exact same thing? So I went through all the hoops to send it in to be repairs to the only Invicta Servicing department that exists, the one off their official page..... And they said they would do it for $200 USD (not counting the money I spent sending it in, and the money I had to pre-pay for the return shipping before they even looked at it). I could have bought 3 or 4 watches and thrown one away each year and opened the next for the same amount of money they wanted to fix what can only be described as faulty manufacturing.
Great review, as always. I'd like to see you compare that, with a Steinhart Ocean One, and a Rolex Sub, would be a lot of fun I think.
I bought it on the last Christmas sale for a very similar price. I actually bought two. one like this and the other with an omega-inspired bezel. i kept the second one and im really happy with this watch. its my daily and its perfect. it looks good, i got +2s a day (without any regulations), and if it breaks i can buy another one :)
Sweet!
Great, honest review. I know some people I work with that rave about Invicta, and while I try my best to let them know of other brands that could give them better quality for the money, they really seem to enjoy them. To each their own, and it gives us something in common. Maybe I'll ask them for one of those boxes 😂 Excellent video, Russ!
Cheers Chris! To me it definitely seems as though the value is being thinned out of the brand. Still with that movement it’s a good buy but….
Hi, may I ask which ones?
The one i picked up awhile back was used and had the yellow Invicta rotor. It had the stamp of the NH35 Seiko Movement on it as well. I seem to recall there were two versions of this watch. I may be wrong but the one you got may not have the NH35 Movement. You may need to double check. I am probably wrong but it may be worth checking out none the less. Either way I appreciate your channel and your suggestions/reviews. I gotta say mine keeps great time and its smaller than I typically like but its a workhorse and I'll be keeping it in my collection.
I'm curious what are your thoughts about Stuhrling automatic or battery operated watches?
I bought the Squale limited burgandy dial and it had the same issue with the bezel. It’s not doing it now tho luckily
When did the 89260B Pro Diver Submarine Homage first come out ?
bought mine three years ago, none of the problems you have talked about...looks great on band nato.....,
I bought the Pro Diver 10 days ago in amazon for 74 euros and, TBH, after watching lots of videos about watches I just thought: "Well, automatic for 74 euros? How bad would it be?" And I am please with it. It is more of a watch than anything I have and it will probably catch an eye, nobody that I know will probably even recognize a Rolex Submariner anyway, so the copy effect is not a problem. I am getting used to see my wrist with a watch that looks somewhat nice and probably will be the first of a collection in the future. Also, I bought it all gold with the black bezel and dial, because if I'm buying a homage disliked by collectors I may as well be tacky with it!
I have had mine for a year and love it. But I got the scalloped bevel which is IMPOSSIBLE to turn without using two thumbs. Still, great looking watch. Got the yellow rotor.
Are you sure that was not a ripoff-watch (which would be a joke in itself 😄)? I had several PDs, and they all had a little spongy but overall nice bezel action. Also, the yellow rotor.
The SteelDive SD1953 with the NH35 movement is a great Submariner homage :) I just ordered it after reading the reviews. Excited to receive it. I'll let you know if I like it!
I’ve just got one 🤯 great timing with the review, thanks for that!
Normaly I would never get an invicta.. but I found one in a tj maxx for 79$, and my flight boarding back to europe was 3:30 hours away.. so quick decision, impulses aaaaaand it was already in my suitcase (when I fly, my Seiko GMT has the privilage to be on my wrist for now). My only excuse is that my father-in-law got me a big gold ring, and I had to have a gold tone watch with that - since I always wear a watch.
After a week, I have to admit.. despite all the hate (from me too) this gold/blue Invicta watch is one I hope will stay with me for a long time! Thats it, my confession is over. Great show as always!
PS: on mine, lume is 2/10 and has a yellow automatic-rotor thing on, which looks great. Is it possible to hate and love this watch at the same time? Yes. It is called love.
Give us a review!
I used to have the 1953 which I think is a superior model. Build quality was good, it didn’t have Invicta etched into the case, bezel worked well, although half a click out from lining up, it had the yellow rotor and my word that NH35 ticked away with zero seconds a day lost or gained. Looks like the same bracelet though which was probably the only weak point.
Hello mate. First of all, love your channel! I purchased this watch last year from Amazon on Prime day and paid £70 quid but at £48 I think you've done exceptionally well even with the plain rotar! I did get a yellow rotar though and weirdly my lume colour on the hands and dial is the same and I don't think it's too bad either - just "ok" but I'm happy with it. Gutted they are cheaping out on the rotar now and it looks like the lume too (not that it was amazing to start with anyway!). Bezel - I had excatly the same experience as you - it actually hurt my fingers to turn it but I was able to fix it by submerging it in the bathroom sink full of water and rotating it a few times- not that we should have to even do that but it worked for me and then bezel turns fine now, i I guess rotaing it underwater must have flished out some metal swarf/production debris. Long time viewer, first time commentator - keep doing what you do - I always look forward to your new videos.
I can’t find the video right now, but Richard Perrett the UK watchmaker once blew that caseback right off the watch doing a 60 m pressure test. For similar money, you can get a Steeldive Sub homage with better lume and equally unreliable QC.
7:50 The best sound clip of all time.
Hahahaha