[TVDinner]

imported post

I want to toss this out there. Since there always is so much venom and anger when anyone questions the almighty Invicta I will state what everyone who knows me on this site already knows - I am an Invicta fan. I own many invicta watches including SAS, SAN III, Excursion, Grand Divers, Pro Divers, etc etc etc. I had new Invicta watches arrive this week. I will be watching the shows all this weekend. So I am an Invicta fan.

With this deal today - http://www.watchfreeks.com/view_topic.php?id=2169&forum_id=36 I am convinced that we will see a "Reserve" watch for $99 soon/eventually on one of the "daily deal" sites.

Add this to the fact we are seeing SAN III and SAS and Reserve Excursions all in the $200-$400 range and Venoms in the $300-400 range I believe we are seeing a real shift in the perceived and real status of the "Reserve" and "higher end" Invicta models. Even the old revered models with the 7750 movement are regularly available for thousands and thousands less then in the past - sometimes as low as the $500-600 range.

I HAVE POSTED MANY TIMES that I think the lower prices are great for everyone and allow almost anyone to buy a SAN II or SAS. I am excited to buy a venom someday very soon for under $300. We all know it is coming. I am excited to buy another SAN III for under $200. We all know it is coming soon. But that was not once the case. There were always different levels of Invictas and some were more expensive then others. That is not really the case any more.

Bottom line - many of the "Reserve" pieces and "higher end" models are just not that exclusive anymore. The pricing has dropped so low and continues to drop making these once "special and exclusive" models more like all of the rest of the other models. We regularly see new Pro Divers in the $125-150 range. We see the Scuba models in the $150-200 range, Now we see Reserves in that price range.....or lower.

This post is not just about the falling prices. It is also about what I foresee for the future. I could be wrong, but this is just my opinion.

With everything above being said, what I HOPE is happening, and obviously again I am just speculating, is that 2010 will bring a new "higher" level or new line of Invicta models that are at exclusive special levels again. I hope that Eyal has a plan for the brand that does include creating some special models and lines again. We all know that sales numbers are king to any company and high volume sales has always been Invcita's big thing by offering quality watches at affordable prices. But there always was a higher level out there. There always were models that were above the ones that everyone else could easily obtain or afford.

I guess we will see what happens.......

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

My question and the MAIN POINT of the thread was not the dropping prices. that is wonderful for all. The question/point was about having a higher end model or line within the Invicta family. That seems to be all but gone now. They could easily do it and still mass sell 10,000+++ affordable models of everything else to everyone else.

I really believe that the economy is not the reason for there lower prices. We all know Invicta's business plan in this economy to basically lower prices continually and have people hooked on buying 5, 10, 20, (or 100) Invictas in all different color combos of the same models, etc. And because of their price points are so low people perceive they are getting a good deal and Invicta is now able to power sell. They have found their niche in the market and that is fine. But their watches have virtually no long term value and that is a scary thing to anyone, even the casual collector.

But my question still remains about having a higher end Invicta line that does not drop after the initial excitement dies down. Many watch companies have not lowered their prices in the recent economy.

Even if you just buy because you like them (like I do) you are STILL SPENDING REAL MONEY and that money is basically wasted when the same watch drops in price by 50-75% in less then a year or 2. I am fine with the lower end models having fluctuating prices, but there should be consistancy (IN MY OPINION) in the higher end models

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

There is nothing special about the higher end lines anymore because the price drops so fast. Once the initial sale or launch and pricing is over the massive discounts begin on every single model it seems, which lowers the value of the watch for everyone. If you are buying these and don't care about the value and more importantly just don't care about how much money you literally waste when the watch you purchased less then a year before has dropped to 50-75% lower then you paid for it, then fine.

But that does not happen with every other brand out there. Many brands RETAIN their value, or close to it. Some even go UP in value That is a watch you can pass down to children and there is a value to it.

Invicta COULD DO THIS by keeping the prices higher on certain models or lines and NOT dropping the prices a few months later or ever. They could do this, but choose not to, and that is the problem.

they could keep a higher model (Like the SAS for example) at higher prices and just never drop the price. The Oris I have been looking at was around $1100 a year ago. It is still around $1100 today. It will be worth $1100 next year. Same for other watches I have been looking at buying. The price has never dropped, and you know what, neither has the value.

Again, I want to stress. I like Invicta watches and continue to buy them, but would love to see a higher end model that I could buy and KNOW it would retain it's value and not be offered at 50%, or 60% or 70% off within a few months....

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

Ron - I think you know I understand sales. It is what I do and I 100% understand buying volume parts low and then making a lot of money on them down the line.

I am not talking specifically about any of the mass produced lines. those are fine and I love Eyal for putting those out at great prices for very nice watches.

I am specifically wondering why they cant take 1 or 2 lines and keep the prices high. Never drop, never waiver from that high price. never sell to other retailers at low prices so they can drop the prices. Just keep the prices consistent and high and magically they could have models that are just like the Omega's, Brietlings and others. They could specifically make really really nice special watches that actually do cost $1000 (or whatever) and always remain at that price. their value is not destroyed by endless discounting.

We agree about the company in general. They make good quality watches at pretty affordable rates. just please don't sell me a special "Reserve" or Upper Level line of watch only to drop it down BELOW or equal to the new Pro Diver prices 3-6 months later. That means your watches are worth NOTHING.

"Costume Jewelry for Men" is a phrase I have heard thrown around a lot lately for Invicta and I hate that, but it is hard to argue with it sometimes.

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

CJ
I completely agree. I guess I will live with my current Invicta watches because I personally like them. I do, there is no way to deny that I do like the look, feel, and overall presentation of the watches.
I will also fully understand that they have no real long term value and no current sale or trade value for any other brand of value. "Costume jewelry for men" rings true again.

Finally, the higher end Citizen Eco Drive that my father purchased a few months back is still the exact same price at the local jewelry store. You still can not find it anywhere online for much less then he paid. I guess he is a whole lot smarter then me.

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

I finally was able to ask my question directly to Michael, the OFFICIAL INVICTA REP on the thread on WG. If you want to go add on, or see what he says - check it out. But my question is now officially posted to him. IF HE EVER responds it should be interesting.

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

I made my point over there and am moving on. No point.

costume jewelery for men.............

 

[TVDinner]

imported post

I think we all agree that there is nothing wrong with liking one watch brand over another. That has always been my hope for this site. You can love Omega or hate them. You can love Invicta or hate them - both opinions are fine, but we will never maliciously put down one or the other.

I would like to get back to the post that started the thread and not whether one watch is worth the money or not. In reality the actual metal and parts of FEW watches are actual worth what they are sold for at any price range.

The problem with this thread (THAT I STARTED) is that I should have used a different title so this was more about the quote below.

My point/question/hope was about/for higher end line of Invictas that retained their initial price point and was not discounted. I do not think that will happen based on the cycle and way Invicta typically sells their watches - but that is fine with me. As I posted in the first post, I like many of the models and continue to buy them, as well as other watch brands.

With everything above being said, what I HOPE is happening, and obviously again I am just speculating, is that 2010 will bring a new "higher" level or new line of Invicta models that are at exclusive special levels again. I hope that Eyal has a plan for the brand that does include creating some special models and lines again. We all know that sales numbers are king to any company and high volume sales has always been Invcita's big thing by offering quality watches at affordable prices. But there always was a higher level out there. There always were models that were above the ones that everyone else could easily obtain or afford.