Invicta (& Fortis too)

R

rajan

Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
110
A few inquiries from you watchnuts:

1. where is the best price and reputable online dealers for the invicta divers and fortis flieger?

2. anybody here have owned the invicta 8926? how was it? how is the fit and finish after a year of use? any tarnishing or issues in the accuracy?

3. it is a bit hard to gauge their size but would the 8926 fit nicely on a 6" wrist?

TIA.
 
The Invicta 8926 is a hell of a watch for the money. The fit and finish are outstanding, and it keeps excellent time.

Paul
 
One of the problems I have heard about Invicta is that they have terrible luminosity. I don't personally own one. Hope this helps.

Ryan
 
Anybody has smaller wrists to compare to?

BTW, the 8926 has new brother for 2003. It is using the ETA 2824-2 movement using, I would guess, the same case and bracelet. The bump in price at close to $300 isn't too good however. But if the case and bracelets hold up as Paul could attest, even with the problem with luminosity, I think it is still a good value given the swiss movement.
 
I have been using my Invicta 8926 for a little over a year now... I have a few comments for you.

1) It does get hard to read in the dark... the glow from the hands and face is gone in less than two hours. One thing I have noticed though, it takes very little light to read the watch due to the bright reflective trim on the hands and face... even if the glow is gone you can typically find an angle which will catch enough light to read the time.

2) This is one watch that needs to be warn every day... the power reserve spring is good for 24 hrs on the best days. On days I don't wear it, I find a minute of shaking by hand will keep it running while it lies on the dresser. Any more than a day and you'll find it's stopped.

3) When it does stop; setting the date can be a challange... when using the date position on the crown you have to be careful of the time of day... too late and the date changes too soon. I find setting the date is easier by just using the hour position on the crown and spinning the hands and date together... never get into trouble with this method.

4) The quartz face is pretty tough, although I have managed to scratch the date window. I accidently rubbed it on a glass window in a screen door when carring a box outside. I wouldn't of guessed the glass would have been hard enough to scratch the quartz but it did.

5) The band length on the one I bought was huge, thankfully the links are easy to remove, just be sure to only push the pins in the direction of the stamped arrows. I can imagine this watch not fitting on anyone's wrist... I wouldn't want to meet the guy it wouldn't in a dark alley.

Overall it's a great watch. It keeps great time, looks sharp, is hands down the most comfortable watch I own, and best of all didn't break the bank to buy. Couldn't ask for much more.
It's been mistaken for a Rolex a few times... I love to tell them what I paid for it...:D
 
The Swiss Invicta line has some changes other than the movement.

While the actual case is the same, the crystal is now scratch resistand anti-reflective sapphire, rather than standard glass. The bracelet has also been upgraded and now features solid endlinks and an improved deployant clasp.

The luminous compound seems to have been much improved as well, although details are sketchy.

You can read a nice review of the differences here.

Although I really don't like the Rolex Sub-like styling I think that the upgrades are definately worth the increased price of the Swiss Invicta, and it is among the best deals in the watch industry. If you like the Sub look you might also want to check out Sandoz and Marcello C watches. They are all nice products, but the Marcello C divers that I have seen are expecially impressive.
 
I did not want to hijack another thread but you mentioned in the Oris one that you are not fond of the 2824-2 movement. Why so and what are the better ETA movements and why.

TIA


Originally posted by fishbulb
The Swiss Invicta line has some changes other than the movement.

While the actual case is the same, the crystal is now scratch resistand anti-reflective sapphire, rather than standard glass. The bracelet has also been upgraded and now features solid endlinks and an improved deployant clasp.

The luminous compound seems to have been much improved as well, although details are sketchy.

You can read a nice review of the differences here.

Although I really don't like the Rolex Sub-like styling I think that the upgrades are definately worth the increased price of the Swiss Invicta, and it is among the best deals in the watch industry. If you like the Sub look you might also want to check out Sandoz and Marcello C watches. They are all nice products, but the Marcello C divers that I have seen are expecially impressive.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by rajan
I did not want to hijack another thread but you mentioned in the Oris one that you are not fond of the 2824-2 movement. Why so and what are the better ETA movements and why.

TIA
Click to expand...

Maybe I wasn't clear enough, sorry.

There is really nothing wrong with the 2824 movement at all, it is a very reliable and efficient movement, and capable of great accuracy if properly adjusted.

They are better described as rustic than refined.

I have owned a few 2824 watches and they all served me well, but I didnt like the way they felt when winding and setting, more clicky than smooth. I'm probably a bit partial, since I prefer manual wind watches anyway and they are by design much smoother. Just a matter of personal preference.

I also don't really like that there is basicly one movement in virtually every lower-priced Swiss automatic. I'd prefer to see some genuine variety in the marketplace. Once again, just a matter of opinion.

Interestingly, ETA has announced that they are going to start raisning prices and lowering sales volumes, so anybody who isn't part of the Swatch group is going to have to find another source of movements. I've heard both Poljot and Miyota mentioned as possible replacements.

The 2836 is somewhat smoother and rarer, and still moderately priced.

If there is a watch you like you shouldn't hesitate to get it with a 2824, in all likelihood it will work out great for you.
 
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