Isn't it strange how we . . .

1906 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by dedward, Dec 14, 2009

randyswagon

Discussion Starter · Dec 14, 2009

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. . . . decide what to wear, and if you are anything like me, how we get hung up on a certain watch.

I was puttering with a few today, switching autos around to the winders, and pulled out this $40 Invicta quartz I bought off a member at WG's. Hadn't worn it but once . . . and I realized it is a decent watch regardless of the price. Japanese big-date, small seconds movement . . . satin finished case and buckle . . . and a nice thick, soft leather strap. I'm going to wear it tomorrow . . . this one . . .

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[align=left]. . . Now, here's a question for you. [/align]

[align=left]How is it that Invicta can make a watch this inexpensive, with half-assed decent quality materials, reasonably well made . . . but they seem to be struggling with the models that cost actual, real amounts of money . . . . Puzzles the hell out of me . . . . I feel the same way about my Pro-Divers and the Pythons . . . . love my low enders, scared to death of the high enders . . .[/align]

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TVDinner

· #2 · Dec 14, 2009

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Randy, how do you define struggling? Their sales are up. From a sales standpoint they are one of the most successful watch companies on the planet. So with that in mind I would say they are doing well with all their models - high or low end.

Maybe it is US that changes and not the brand. We see "high end" differently then we once did. As our knowledge expands so does what we consider and classify as one level or another.

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Randy, before I move this thread to the Invicta section my question to you is this - is this an Invicta question you are asking - or a general question about how watches are good at all levels when they hold some unknown meaning for us?

dedward

· #3 · Dec 14, 2009

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Maybe where some of these are made. most are made in china, at least for the low to medium range invictas.Figure this one. A chinese worker makes about 60 usd a month.Invicta buys mass quantities of movements, cases, parts, all from china.Most likely, that Japanese movement is made in the factory that seiko does have in china.Even Eta has one.Their plant produces a number of quartz movements there like the g10.This year, for the 1st time, some of etas movements cost less than one dollar,usd.As far as invictas swiss made line of watches? so far, I've had really good results with them.But its not just Invicta.I kind of like their watches.Theres a host of other companies with the same way of doing business.

randyswagon

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 14, 2009

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TVDinner wrote:

Randy, how do you define struggling? Their sales are up. From a sales standpoint they are one of the most successful watch companies on the planet. So with that in mind I would say they are doing well with all their models - high or low end.

Maybe it is US that changes and not the brand. We see "high end" differently then we once did. As our knowledge expands so does what we consider and classify as one level or another.

------------

Randy, before I move this thread to the Invicta section my question to you is this - is this an Invicta question you are asking - or a general question about how watches are good at all levels when they hold some unknown meaning for us?

. . . I am defining struggling, by the reported issues and QC problems that seem to be more inherent to thier costlier models. Not by the success level of sales over-all. This is not a bash thread. This is a lament.

In this instance it was an Invicta question. Since the watchI posted has no attachment for me in particular. It simply seemed to be a really solid little watch for the money.

True though, what you pointed out, there are also watches that hold a special place to me regardless of cost . . . .

Chux95

· #5 · Dec 14, 2009

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Hey Randy,

I bought the same model Invicta, only in BLUE. It was a "just because" gift, that he just absolutely loves.

The point you made, referencing the higher end models, having more QCissues, is something that I've noticed on the increase, among other collectors. As for myself, I've collected quite a few Invictas and have had very minimal issues. My issues usually, dealt with a lemon (which does occur once in a while), I would reach out to the approrpiate/designated points of contact and the issue would be resolved immediately.

Understanding,a few collectors havehad QC issues, that are completely opposite of mine..

I can only share with you, my personalexpereinces and opinions.

Either way, the watch that you're wearing within the first post, is definately a well built watch! (for the money)

Thanks for Sharing!

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randyswagon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 14, 2009

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Chux95 wrote:

Hey Randy,

I bought the same model Invicta, only in BLUE. It was a "just because" gift, that he just absolutely loves.

The point you made, referencing the higher end models, having more QCissues, is something that I've noticed on the increase, among other collectors. As for myself, I've collected quite a few Invictas and have had very minimal issues. My issues usually, dealt with a lemon (which does occur once in a while), I would reach out to the approrpiate/designated points of contact and the issue would be resolved immediately.

Understanding,a few collectors havehad QC issues, that are completely opposite of mine..

I can only share with you, my personalexpereinces and opinions.

Either way, the watch that you're wearing within the first post, is definately a well built watch! (for the money)

Thanks for Sharing!

. . . I have been lucky myself. A couple of "duds" that I just sent back and never re-ordered. Of the 10 or so Invictas I own, all are stellar. But I do pay mind to the trends I think I see on the boards . . . . So, I have to say that I agree with you completely.

Just me making an observation here . . .

TVDinner

· #7 · Dec 14, 2009

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well here are my thoughts, and they might not make sense at all, lol.

I have some some higher end models (like the SAS and SAN) and some lower. The Ocean Ghost I just got in the past 2 weeks is one that would be considered on the middle end models. It is one of the cheapest feeling Invictas I have ever purchased. It is rattly, the bezel clicks and seems loose and flimsy and the end link to the case is 100% not tight, no matter how much you adjust it. I am keeping it because it was so discounted that it is a good beater.

On the same price level my Invicta lefty or Orange automatic pro divers are solid and feel like they are much more valuable then the price tag. So personally I have positive and not as positive experience with the middle to lower end models.

A little higher the Scubas I have that were around $100 are among the most solid watches I own and have had not problems at all.

On the higher end I have personally owned 3 SAN III, 1 Reserve Excursion, 2 SAS and a few other "higher end" models. I have not had 1 problem I can report. Literally nothing. They have all been solid, well made, and run accurately. No issues at all to date.

I do believe that we are a tiny tiny tiny fraction of the actual buyers of these watches. When we see 5000, 6000 or 10,000 sold the forum people are a tiny tiny tiny percentage of that sales total. Problems are magnified. They are real problems for some, but we never really know the overall percentage of actual problem watches. could be high, or could be low. No way we ever really know because we just don't have access to the info.

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randyswagon

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 14, 2009

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. . . really hard logic to disagree with James.

I agree with you on the OGII's for darn sure. Yet . . . . I do like the styling a lot, I have 3 of them. I have looked for way to better the bracelets, and will continue to do so . . . . it would kick the watch up a notch for sure.

dedward

· #9 · Dec 14, 2009

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Some of the issues that get reported on forums aren't really issues at all.Most are from people who bought there 1st automatic and don't know how they work.others bought a watch with a screwdown crown, the 1st one they've owned, and it stripped.This year, we've seen real dive watches get introduced and even for some of the longer term collectors, these also caused problems that weren't problems at all, like the lug tube issue that going on at the moment.Ask the guys who have been buying dive watches for years about these issues.They don't consider them issues at all.Just people not familiar with how something works.Most on the forums think strap changing is a no hassle deal.Thats just not the case.The inexperienced make the attempt before asking questions or taking it to a jeweler 1st.Now theres a problem and thats what gets reported.Most complaints about movements, lugs, screws, are from lack of experience.Watch forums are designed to educate and introduce new watches and designs.

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Watchguru58

· #10 · Dec 14, 2009

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Hmmm!!! "Scratching me head" Interesting topic. I will just say that I'm happy with the Invicta's I've purchased, but I no longer have any interest in these watches whether they be considered "High-end" or "low-end". I have found that Invicta makes good gateway watches that lead to a bigger interest in higher quality timepieces. I think a lot of Invicta buyers start to see this after a while IMHO. I'm not bashing Invicta at all, they just don't intrigue me anymore.

RipitRon

· #11 · Dec 14, 2009

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All argumentative and I am staying out of it!

arnie11

· #12 · Dec 14, 2009

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Hey guys! I've been collecting Invicta for a number of years along with other time pieces as well. Probably have around 150 of them. Many of them I was able to purchase when "Shop" had a store on ebay and on "deal-tree" on ebay as well. So got quite a few at great prices. Many of course, I purchased from "Shop" as well and paid what the going price was when aired. Regardless of where or how much, I have have had buttwo problems with Invicta and those were resolved with relative ease. So my opinion (for what it's worth) would be that for a mass producer of time pieces, Invicta is not only the leader in many ways, but IF YOU ARE PATIENT and wait for the right deals, they are also a good "bang for the buck" as well. Like some of you, I have been diversifying my collection for quite some time, but if Invicta has a "hot watch", it is difficult for me to lay off! Quality? For what they do, I just don't see an issue. JMHO. Hope this helps.

LOL!!! As I have said before though, if you're lookin for an investment piece, look to the "higher end" watches. No resale value with the latter, but then again, that's not why we buy them is it?

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randyswagon

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 14, 2009

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. . . All great perspectives guys. I suspected there is no right or no wrong when I threw it out there for discussion . . .

djpop

· #14 · Dec 14, 2009

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I only have 16 invictas and have not really had problems. I am tired of the same watches coming out with new colors and movements and tend to agree with Rob

argabright

· #15 · Dec 14, 2009

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Interesting thread! I have thought about this topic and several similar ones and here might be as good a time as any to share a few of my perceptions.

I have PRIMARILY purchased the higher end Invictas. Reserve collection pieces mostly and SANIIIs, but I have a lefty, a really weird corduba auto and two OGs. I have had ONE problem, it was the sw200 movement and it was returned to Shop for a refund. Conversely, I have had TWO problems with 2824-2 ETAs, so go figure.

I think problems reported on internet sites are IMPOSSIBLE to use as a gauge of quality control, but it is virtually INDISPUTABLE that Invicta takes too long for repairs. These are just facts to take into the equation, I generally buy where I can return if I get an out-of-box failure or used (which unless the guy is a crook, it's usually pretty solid...)

So I think Invicta generally provides pretty good value.

ON THE OTHER HAND...(and you had to know THIS was coming...)

Invicta is THE most polarizing brand of watches on the planet. Bar NONE. I have to chalk this up to it's marketing and specifically the use of a cable TV shopping channel as the primary sales and marketing vehicle to sell and advertise them. I have no idea how history will judge this pioneering effort and, who knows, maybe other brands will choose to mass market in this way in the future, but I see this as a two-edged sword:
On one hand a LOT of new people are "brought-to-the party" every week, but on the other, LIVE TV can create a LOT of opportunities for customers to feel like they have been oversold.

With a background in advertising and marketing, I have a pretty good "filter" for the word-parsing that is part and parcel of watch-marketing (SWISS, SWISS MADE, SWISS COMP, SWISS MOV'T, etc.), but I get caught up in the hype too. Hey, I'm an adult and nobody forces me to watch the shows, right? Nobody forced me to BUY anything. I have no animosity toward Invicta or ShopNBC or anybody.

But A LOT of other people do. I think it's a TOS violation to point to other sites, so I won't, but a quick search should prove my point.

Interesting thread, Randy. I hope I haven't taken it too far off course.

David

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TVDinner

· #16 · Dec 14, 2009

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argabright wrote:

Interesting thread! I have thought about this topic and several similar ones and here might be as good a time as any to share a few of my perceptions.

I have PRIMARILY purchased the higher end Invictas. Reserve collection pieces mostly and SANIIIs, but I have a lefty, a really weird corduba auto and two OGs. I have had ONE problem, it was the sw200 movement and it was returned to Shop for a refund. Conversely, I have had TWO problems with 2824-2 ETAs, so go figure.

I think problems reported on internet sites are IMPOSSIBLE to use as a gauge of quality control, but it is virtually INDISPUTABLE that Invicta takes too long for repairs. These are just facts to take into the equation, I generally buy where I can return if I get an out-of-box failure or used (which unless the guy is a crook, it's usually pretty solid...)

So I think Invicta generally provides pretty good value.

ON THE OTHER HAND...(and you had to know THIS was coming...)

Invicta is THE most polarizing brand of watches on the planet. Bar NONE. I have to chalk this up to it's marketing and specifically the use of a cable TV shopping channel as the primary sales and marketing vehicle to sell and advertise them. I have no idea how history will judge this pioneering effort and, who knows, maybe other brands will choose to mass market in this way in the future, but I see this as a two-edged sword:
On one hand a LOT of new people are "brought-to-the party" every week, but on the other, LIVE TV can create a LOT of opportunities for customers to feel like they have been oversold.

With a background in advertising and marketing, I have a pretty good "filter" for the word-parsing that is part and parcel of watch-marketing (SWISS, SWISS MADE, SWISS COMP, SWISS MOV'T, etc.), but I get caught up in the hype too. Hey, I'm an adult and nobody forces me to watch the shows, right? Nobody forced me to BUY anything. I have no animosity toward Invicta or ShopNBC or anybody.

David

I agree 100% with the post above. Well said.

randyswagon

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 14, 2009

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argabright wrote:

Interesting thread, Randy. I hope I haven't taken it too far off course.

David

. . . not at all off course. Spot friggin' on as a matter of fact. You have brought it into clear focus . . . something I did not do in the OP. Your background really cleaned up the edges . . .

dedward

· #18 · Dec 14, 2009

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nice response.I didn't see anything that was argumentative.I did see a debate though.Kind of we do with differing opinions.Debate the topic.:wf

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