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Invicta Sea Base 18002, thoughts?

9K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  petepango 
#1 ·
#3 ·
Well, I already own a few dive watches. Superocean 44" and an Aquaracer. The reason why I speficially asked about this Invicta model is that it claims to have swiss automatic movement, shappaire glass, and 600m WR.

But I am curious, why would you recommend against it?
 
#6 ·
Before you proceed, do some research on the Invicta brand. Take your time and form an opinion. The MSR prices are hugely inflated, some watches are offered at almost one tenth of the asking price. That means a lot if you have to pay 28 bucks just for return shipping.

But it is your choice, not ours. I'm a great fan of micro brand watches myself, the quality and CS are almost always outstanding because the businesses are small with proud owners. Not huge factories and retail channels where no one seems responsible. But those watches are also subject to strong personal preference and sometimes not everybody's cup op tea.

B.t.w., don't know if you already purchased it.
 
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#7 ·
No I didn't purchase it. I am probably not going to after some research today. People are complaining about poor materials and leaking!


I love the look of the Steinhart Ocean 44. Does anyone recommend any other mico brands? Its either get a few mico brands now or save for the sub.
 
#16 ·
He is referring to the CEO of Invicta. He tore one by mistake during an on air presentation.

There are a bunch of documented reports of issues with Invicta products. From misrepresentation of where their watches are manufactured, to the actual components contained in the watches as well as poor quality control and lacking customer service. This is all documented on several of the online forums and doesn't need to be gone into in any further detail.

I suggest that if folks want to purchase their watches that they do so with their eyes wide open and fully educated on the brand's background.

Buy what you like, like what you buy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#19 ·
You said it. I'm talking 1999, when their Sub clone was still hard to find in Europe. High quality watch for the money.
 
#20 ·
Invicta's can be fantastic

I have been wearing an Invicta 3079 for several years now, it's definitely my favorite watch, I always come back to it. Very sturdy, sapphire crystal is perfect, I have smashed this thing against so many things and it still just keeps on trucking and looking great. I think if you get reserve level quality, Swiss made, with what Invicta calls "Sea Base Execution" (which basically means sapphire crystal) you really shouldn't have any problems with this watch. For the price, it is an outstanding deal

I just purchased the 18004 from Evine, the blue face version of the 18002, I'll report back once I get it. I'm not sure if I will like the larger case size, I'm used to 44mm, but we'll see. for $188, it is really a no brainer especially considering my past good experience. Don't order from Ebay though-there are a few scammers that sell defective items as new, possibly where Invicta gets a large portion of their bad reviews.
 
#21 ·
I have been wearing an Invicta 3079 for several years now, it's definitely my favorite watch, I always come back to it. Very sturdy, sapphire crystal is perfect, I have smashed this thing against so many things and it still just keeps on trucking and looking great. I think if you get reserve level quality, Swiss made, with what Invicta calls "Sea Base Execution" (which basically means sapphire crystal) you really shouldn't have any problems with this watch. For the price, it is an outstanding deal

I just purchased the 18004 from Evine, the blue face version of the 18002, I'll report back once I get it. I'm not sure if I will like the larger case size, I'm used to 44mm, but we'll see. for $188, it is really a no brainer especially considering my past good experience. Don't order from Ebay though-there are a few scammers that sell defective items as new, possibly where Invicta gets a large portion of their bad reviews.
Bad QC/CS does not come from flea bay. Comes from Nvictr.
 
#26 ·
As was said by all, to each his own. I do appreciate hearing the different experiences people have had with Invicta.

To the OP: After I get a chance to wear the watch, if it turns out to be fantastic, then I would recommend you go against much of the well meaning advice on this board and buy it.
 
#28 ·
As was said by all, to each his own. I do appreciate hearing the different experiences people have had with Invicta.

To the OP: After I get a chance to wear the watch, if it turns out to be fantastic, then I would recommend you go against much of the well meaning advice on this board and buy it.
Welcome to the forum, petepango. Post an intro thread when you have the chance...
 
#27 ·
The best advice to the OP is to do his research on ANY watch purchase. Most quality, customer service, consumer claims or any other bad news will show up with good due diligence. Watch forums are a fantastic source of this information, in addition to consumer rating sites and reputable review resources.

In the case of the watch brand being considered, there are hundreds of threads on many watch forums that discuss the quality of the brand's watches as well as the company's business practices. There are also many threads on these watch forums that discuss actual owner experiences with the company's customer service and warranty service. A simple google search will turn this information up.


The key thing to remember -->> Buy your watches right by doing your research and 99 times out of 100 you should not be disappointed.
 
#30 ·
The watch looks amazing, quality looks very good, all functions working, very solid construction. Lume is pretty amazing too.

Now that I see this model in person, I'm not a fan of the blue color, in fact there appears to be a slight color difference between the bezel and the face, which looks a little weird to me. Also, as I suspected, I am not a huge fan of the larger case size, I could get used to the 47mm diameter, but the thickness makes the case look too high on my wrist, IMO.

All in all, it is a very beautiful, bold, and unique looking watch, and appears to be top quality as well, although time will tell.
 

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#31 ·
Invta, why not?

I have many invictas. I have had no problem with them, except for one rubber band which I will have to replace. In so far as dive watches, the sea base is a good bet for the money. You can spend more or less for different invicta dive models and get a good, serviceable machine. pick what you like and enjoy it. You can get a bad apple from any brand. Invicta sells thousands of watches. Why should you get a bad one? I haven't.
 
#32 ·
OK, as I said about the 18004, I didn't like the bezel color, more of a green, doesn't match the dial color in my opinion, so I sent it back. Received refund about 5 days after shipping back, had to pay 6.99 for return shipping to evine, but oh well. As I suggested in an earlier post, getting money back from evine was indeed no fuss.

So because I loved the watch, just not the 18004 color arrangement, when I saw the 18002 come up on evine, I had to grab it. Good thing too, because it was sold out in about 24 hours. This watch is amazing, amazing, amazing! I am totally used to the size already, now I feel my old 3079 looks small. But the mother of pearl dial and black bezel on this watch look absolutely fantastic! See some shots below.

To the OP: I hope you got in on this deal, it is a steal for $188, if not, maybe they will sell more later or another style (they may have sold the entire 1000 limited edition batch already)
 

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