1953 - Invicta's Best Watch ?

I finally gave in !
I have had countless requests for an Invicta review, giving such a devisive brand a wide berth was an easy pass, then they realeased their Vintage Pro Diver.
The Invicta 31290 is a heavy homage to the Rolex 6204 which was realeased in 1953, hence its nickname the '1953'. The Invicta is by no means a Rolex but it's worthy of a guest spot on the channel and quite possibly a place on your wrist.
If you enjoyed the review and are considering picking up the 1953 then feel free to use one of the following Amazon links. I am an Amazon Affiliate and using the links will earn a small commission for the channel, you are under no obligation to use the links and are free to look elsewhere :
Amazon UK - amzn.to/3hJJ9je
Amazon USA - Coke Version - amzn.to/3IIXAQu
If you would like to support the channel or offer a watch for review then please contact Ronnie @ LastWatch via email [e-mail] or @alastwatch on Instagram.
All 3rd party media and references have been used under fair use guidelines for review purposes.

[@theguardian3431]

Invicta is how I started the hobby.

[@LastWatch]

A gateway for many

[@stevemcilvain33]

Just received mine a week ago $59 via Invicta holiday sale. Absolutely love it! Gave my original 1968 Submariner to my son for his graduating AT&M. This 1953 is great for it’s replacement and affordability. Lume on hands does not appear to be nearly as good as lume in numeral positions though.

[@LastWatch]

your son is a lucky boy

[@CL-sp2yv]

You say, "they could have at least upgraded to a Saphire Crystal...". Come on! I think this is a terrific watch just the way it is considering the low amount your pay for it. I absolutely love this watch after owing it for two years. I also owe 4 other Rolex Submariner watches, and I have no reason to complain!

[@LastWatch]

It's worthy of the upgrade

[@alawhie]

Love Your Thorough Reviews. Very impressive 🙂 Keep up the awesome work... Regards 🇿🇦

[@LastWatch]

Thank you very much!

[@davidcrandall4958]

I've had "luxury" watches,had to eat and pay rent. Now have Invicta to remember each one. spent 350 bucks!

[@CarlosPerdomo]

I just ordered this today. Would be my 4th Invicta watch in the last three months. I better stop. I think this is it.

[@LastWatch]

time to look elsewhere

[@thomasderouin72]

I as well started my very new watch collecting journey with Invicta. I'm a fairly big guy 6 ft 4 in. And 260lbs with a 8 1/2 inch wrist. So I need a watch big enough that my size doesn't swallow it up. Now...I must say that the vast majority of Invictas DO NOT APPEAL TO ME so I've gotten quite a few that are dive watch or field watch types. They're built well and I enjoy them and they have a special place in my heart for starting this off. Over the last year or so my tastes have grown though and I'm now wearing Tissot and Glycine and the like. But make no mistake...I LOVE MY INVICTAS.

[@LastWatch]

If Invicta are a gateway into watch collecting then they should be applauded for that alone.

[@thomasderouin72]

@@LastWatch Agreed sir. Thank you for a great video as well. Looking forward to the next one.

[@ajbones4207]

The first watch I ever purchased was the Invicta 9937 with the Sellita SW200 movement. It sent me on my horological path to Rolex, Tudor, Omega, Zenith, Doxa, Steinhart, Yema, and quite a few others. I have a special appreciation for Invicta because of it. .. The only one I'll vouch for is the 9973. It's one of my favorite beaters. Cheers! mate.

[@LastWatch]

Thanks for the reference, I'll check out the 9973

[@Uchoobdood]

The 9973 is great with the seiko nh35a movement. Keeps incredible time for an insane price i got mine ($75)! Love it. My only issues are the bracelet (not fully brushed) and the invicta logo on the side of the case. Love that watch, and my “1953” so much!

[@leohj1961]

Had they given it a sapphire crystal, a slimmer shape, and a potent lume, I very much doubt it’d sell for $119

[@LastWatch]

Maybe 120

[@Florin_AEM]

This model, with the totally black bezel is out of stock and has been like that for a year now. But the Batman is in stock and it is 88 EUR right now. Ant there are 4 more variants of this watch and almost everyday one of them is on sale. The lowest I've seen them is 84 EUR. You can't find a better watch for the money. The cheapest equivalent Seiko or Citizen is at least 300 EUR. Even the OG Seiko 5 (with the 7S26C) costs 110 EUR. The cheapest Lorus with the same Y676 movement costs more than 120 EUR. The only cheaper mass produced automatic watches are the Q&Q Grandeux or the Q&Q Superior, which have old Miyota movements.

[@chriskilner4110]

I've had the "Batman" black-blue bezel version of the 1953 (#34333) for a few months, and think it is a tremendous value for the $88 I paid. While I think the NH35 movement and display case back make the watch a few millimeters too thick, it still wears well and is keeping unbelievably good time (+ 1.8 spd). The rest of my watches are quartz (within +/- 5s per month) and 8-11mm thick, so I was expecting a large adjustment to a 14mm thick automatic... but I've been pleasantly surprised by both the wearability and accuracy of this watch. While many praise the Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB as a great beater for $80, I think that the 1953 models fix nearly all of the major issues with that model, making it the best Pro Diver. The 8926OB is most-often criticized for too much branding on the dial and case, whereas the 1953 only has "INVICTA" on the dial and the signed crown. The 8926OB is also criticized for trying too hard to be a Rolex look-alike (with the crown guards, Mercedes hands, shiny bezel, and cyclops), whereas the 1953 flies more under the radar (more like a Tudor BB58). The applied markers on the 8926OB are sometimes criticized for being too small (and sometimes detaching), whereas the 1953 has larger lume plots applied directly to the gilt dial (like early Subs, SKX's, etc.). And the bracelet on the 8926OB has been criticized for having polished center links, whereas the bracelet on the 1953 is fully brushed. The 1953 has all the good elements of the 8926OB (316L stainless steel, Seiko movement, 200m WR, crisp bezel action, 40mm wearability, 20mm lug width, oyster-style bracelet) and fixes many of its issues (unfortunately, still no sapphire crystal, good lume, solid end links, or machined clasp). I like to think of my watch as the poor-man's Tudor BB58 (or Glycine Combat Sub, Lorier Neptune, Baltic Aquascaphe, etc.) - a vintage-vibe diver at a fraction of the cost.

[@LastWatch]

I only wish mine was as accurate as yours

[@davidcrandall4958]

Good for You!

[@CarlosPerdomo]

Good review!

[@LastWatch]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidcrandall4958]

It seems your complaining that the 1953 IS An homage to the Submariner and then complaining that it's NOT !

[@LastWatch]

You could be right

[@MrLaFocaccia]

I have this coming in tomorrow with a red and black basil. I’m wondering what a good leather strap could be I’m looking for a rum and Coke vibe.

[@LastWatch]

What did you choose

[@jamesblonde2271]

Love this, mine's on a mesh atm for that mid century vibe. Although it is a homage it lacks the mercedes hand and the pumpkinfauxtina of all the other budget vintage skin diver's so only us nerds know .....Also Invicta is a realwatch company and the competition is mainly Aliexpress brands albeit with the same movement... I also promised Niels of the Holland HQ I would always mention him personally for his excellent customer service.

[@LastWatch]

A valid point James, whatever people might think of Invicta, they are a pukka company with a guarantee that you could call on if required

[@KILLJESSE]

Can you please send me a link, or tell me where I can get that same strap that was on the Glycine? Please and Thankyou.

[@LastWatch]

It's from Vario, been a while but I think it was this one vario.sg/collections/twill-strap/products/twill-midnight-blue-watch-strap-beige-divider

[@FiremanFrach]

I own a Grand Diver. It’s a boat anchor, but beautiful.

[@davidcrandall4958]

I would say some Invictas compare to many 500.00 watches but not many 3 thousand dollar ones " mechanically

[@max420thc]

I would say Invicta 500 dollar watches are comparable to models costing several thousands, they will be Swiss with Swiss automatic movements ,

[@davidcrandall4958]

The Pro Divers with Sellita mvts are the real gems

[@max420thc]

The price jumps up for the Swiss made Invicta, but a super nice watch still for the price.

[@davidcrandall4958]

I bought my three several years ago for 175-200.00 a piece

[@LastWatch]

Good shout, I may try and get one in

[@wristcandy5451]

Definitely invictas best offering

[@rogerauclair1670]

I have the Invicta 1953 and I like it very much as it is almost identical to the Rolex 1953, and that is also the year that I was born. I found a flat sapphire crystal online which I have fitted onto it and I’ve regulated the NH-35 to about +3 seconds per day.

[@LastWatch]

Can you do mine

[@rogerauclair1670]

@@LastWatch unfortunately I’m not a professional and wouldn’t feel right working on someone else’s watch. Also I don’t have a timegrapher so my regulating although accurate was trial and error over many days.

[@LastWatch]

@@rogerauclair1670 I was Jesting but appreciate the reply

[@briancolyer8483]

I like the 53, it's clean and simple, I prefer non date pieces....I'd be happy to add one to my collection as an occasional wear....not a fan in general of Invicta, a little over the top for my taste but they're doing something right as they sell by the bucket load and have fan clubs.... horses for courses and all that....🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚

[@LastWatch]

Sounds like we have similar tastes

[@davidcrandall4958]

The 53s are excellent!

[@davidcrandall4958]

So, don't buy the others!!

[@DanyPrasadTK]

Must review new 1953 steeldive with new clasp

[@LastWatch]

I'll take it under consideration

[@lulul]

it's a cool watch and with a pair of snowflake hands it it looks very similar to the Tudor bb56..

[@LastWatch]

I totally see it, the 6204 was no doubt the inspiration for the Tudor

[@sinjinadams2862]

This is a Home Run!

[@pagepro211]

i disagree, this watch is special

[@rawfood18]

Hi, is it better than an Orient Ray 2, thanks 😀

[@LastWatch]

I've not reviewed the Orient but the Kamasu might be the way to go, its all down to personal taste

[@rawfood18]

Thanks for that 😀

[@demonstructie]

@@rawfood18 Can't go wrong either way. As far as fit and finish goes there's not much in it. The Orient has an edge over the Invicta in that it has an in-house movement built by Orient, exclusively used in Orient watches, whereas Invicta procures its movement from Seiko and simply drops it into the watch. That said though, the _quality_ of both movements is pretty much equal, both are solid, dependable auto movements with hacking and hand winding functions. If it's your first mechanical watch, the glass caseback on the Invicta might be a pro over the Orient's steel one, because it allows you to look at the movement in action (but obviously only off-wrist). All in all I'd say just go with the one you prefer the look of. Both are *excellent* value watches.

[@LastWatch]

Excellent advice

[@silverghost4206]

Buy the orient star diver international. It can be had for just under 500. Different color options available. Very high quality japanese watch. Plus beautiful. You will not regret it. If you buy the invicta or the orient kanno you will be questioning your purchase an wanting something better. Its a orient Gem, the star diver.

[@TheFlyrodder68]

Pro Divers and this one for me. The rest are just too big and over the top for me. More power to those that can wear the big ones!

[@LastWatch]

A 45mm Seiko is as big as I would go, Ivicta go way bigger

[@rayharrison6400]

Lovely watch and around £90 or so is not bad value for a qualityish homage. A domed Chrystal and this thing would fly off the shelves

[@LastWatch]

A dome would be fantastic

[@davidcrandall4958]

There's a pro Diver with Sellita mvt at 40 mm!!

[@davidcrandall4958]

Even swiss mvt watches aren't Swiss!!

[@masudaharris6435]

I'm willing to dive into the Invicta pool for just this offering and will keep an eye open on future models. You can always swap out the crystal.

[@LastWatch]

Don't blame you

[@davidcrandall4958]

watch the vendors though! Shop HQ for Instance has gone way down in all respects!

[@marcelovasconcellos6067]

I would own this one or an OP homage they also make. The rest of the line doesn't appeal to me, but this looks to be a good watch.

[@LastWatch]

I will check out there OP

[@marcelovasconcellos6067]

@@LastWatch Looked it up on their euro site. Ref. number is 38453 all the way up to 38471. Seiko quartz (if I'm not mistaken), 43mm which is a good size for my 7.25in. wrist. 100m wr and mineral crystal. Not a 1:1 copy, but the dial does have an uncanny resemblance to the OP. Maybe your second Invicta box to light up your cupboard?

[@LastWatch]

It will save on the elctricity

[@chriskilner4110]

@@LastWatch At about halfway between a 36mm OP and a 41mm OP, they also have a 38mm version in quartz (labeled as a woman's watch) ref. nos. 38471 to 38493 with 100m WR (#'s 38422 to 38431 with 50m WR for both the 38mm and 43mm ref. nos. 38411 to 38419, which are not the 100m WR ones mentioned by Marcelo), at $35-$45 with a Seiko PC32 and mineral crystal. They have colors similar to the OP's, but all have datejust-style sunburst or patterned dials (no flat colors) and date windows/cyclops... so really Datejust copies, not OPs.

[@patrick11736]

Well you can critique all you want ita a very accurate poor man's Rolex.,price point the invicta wins,sorry mate..no worries mate.nh-35 robust movement.

[@derekshearer9049]

Great video.. I can't say the same for the watch..

[@LastWatch]

a few upgrades and this could be a great watch

[@derekshearer9049]

@@LastWatch. The movement, the brand name, the super cheap bezel and we have a winner.

[@max420thc]

For under 100 dollars? 😂 it’s a great watch for under 100 dollars. Invicta makes much nicer watches. You just got to pay more for them. They make a 500 dollar Swiss made with swiss automatic movement that’s as nice as many watches costing thousands more. You got to keep in mind you watch snob what you are lying and paying for. As far as the hundred dollar watch goes you are getting more than you are paying for. Can you say you are getting more than you pay for with other watch brands? Not normally

[@derekshearer9049]

@@max420thc. Pagani design

[@davidcrandall4958]

Invictas start at 38mm. 1953s are excellent INVICTAS! Why would anyone compare Invicta MECHANICLLY to Rolex? That's not bright!Just watch your vendors. SHOP HQ Has Tanked! Watch out!

[@OShackHennessy]

Invictas generally nauseate me. That being said this watch is beautiful and I would proudly wear it.

[@LastWatch]

It is a rarity

[@davidcrandall4958]

you swing like a carnival Ride

[@LastWatch]

That was the point, Invicta aren’t at all appealing but the 1953 changes that

[@davidcrandall4958]

@@LastWatch Many other Invictas are tastefully designed quality Timepieces!You mention one than swing back to bashing,then back again!

[@davidcrandall4958]

@@LastWatch If you don't like a watch style in a brand or brand line,Don't buy that particular watch!

[@max420thc]

I don’t think the 1953 is appealing at all. The only thing appealing about it is the simplicity . It’s a nice watch sure but not much different and not as nice a finish as many other o diver models made. Still a great watch for the price. People blow my mind wanting a hundred dollar glass , a 200 dollar strap and a Swiss auto movement on a 80 dollar watch then complain. If they did that then it would be a 500 dollar watch. Then they would complain it is to expensive. 🤦

[@user-oi7tn6hm7e]

The watch looks great, but I am ashamed to admit that I could never wear an invicta.

[@LastWatch]

I totally understand

[@thomaswright7270]

I still would rather wear my Vostock radio room.

[@LastWatch]

I’m desperate to get a Vostok Classica

[@davidcrandall4958]

Great watches!

[@steven2809]

Ugly lump with mineral crystal? No thanks! 😣

[@LastWatch]

Ugly is a bit unfair, sapphire crystal would be a great upgrade

[@davidcrandall4958]

Try not to look in the mirror so much!

[@steven2809]

@@davidcrandall4958 No need for that comment....silly pratt.

[@max420thc]

Invicta makes a sapphire crystal , you just got to pay more. They make a Swiss movement, you just got to pay more, they make a nice band too, you just got to pay for it. I heard of two Scott’s men getting in a fight over a penny and they invented copper wire at the same time. If you want those features you can get them. Just got to pay for them cheap skate

[@dave-ld8mo]

@@max420thc there is no sapphire Glas option for the 1953 though