Better Than The Invicta Pro Diver? Carnival 1986 Submariner Unboxing (Dive Watch under 100)

[@HRradness]

I like how you are constantly moving the watch so that we can't see the face and I get motion sick.

[@ajovev]

Top comment :D I discovered the youtube featere 0.25x playback, not the best, but definitely better this way.

[@metatechnologist]

He needs to see the KZbin channel " just one more watch" to see how to do a proper review. That's the standard.

[@ChronometerCheck]

I know exactly what you mean, just takes a bit of getting used to, as I often talk with my hands when I talk. Will be sure to keep the watch steadier in the future! Really appreciate the feedback

[@ChronometerCheck]

@@ajovev Haha, will hold the watch steader in the future so you don't have to resort to that! Also got a better quality camera since this video

[@ajovev]

It was too difficult for me to focus on the watch, because it was moved around the camera all the time. Movement is a copy of the miyota, unidirectional winding, chinese movement. Carnival are a good brand, I have some.

[@luisgoncalves9352]

Amigo o movimento miyota é japonês e não chines

[@Jimr1818]

Agreed the Invicta Seiko movement puts it ahead of this homage.

[@giampierocaragnano147]

The glass of this watch (I have got one) is not sapphire, it is mineral glass. The bezei is aluminium.

[@tomasinacovell4293]

The movement is a DG-13, parlayed from the A. Schild S.A. Swiss movements that the Miyota 8200 family is. It's a Chinese made movement that's of Swiss origin and predated and shares DNA with ETA-2800's etc, it's also an earlier "modern era" movement.

[@ChronometerCheck]

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing. How do you know this?

[@tomasinacovell4293]

@@ChronometerCheck - I've been researching it for years now, I'm an armature watch maker and learned on these movements etc.

[@ChronometerCheck]

@@tomasinacovell4293 Awesome, good to know, thanks for sharing. Will take a look further into it as I could not find a single thing about this movement. Can you just tell based on the way it looks through the caseback? That's quite impressive

[@JusttheWatch]

Nice review, and really interesting looking watch! I think it looks nicer than the pro-diver, and the sapphire is a great upgrade over what Invicta offers, but overall I think I'd still take the pro-diver over this one. These Chinese brands have a lot of advantages over more established brands, but one thing thing they really struggle with is water resistance. It's pretty rare to find a mechanical watch with 200 m water resistance for under $100, and very few Chinese brands have managed to crack that yet. Until they do I think Invicta is going to stay the reigning king of the sub $100 dive watches.

[@ChronometerCheck]

I agree. As far as functionality and water resistance, the Pro Diver can't be beaten for a budget mechanical diver. It'll be interesting to see if the Chinese brands are ever able to make a well spec'd watch with a 200m WR. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

[@jamair23]

The Loreo is legitimate water resist at $63 USD or $83 CDN. I swam with the Loreo in a 9 feet deep pool and went to the bottom and came out alive LOL!

[@ChronometerCheck]

@@jamair23 now that's some great value! I'll have to check it out

[@jamair23]

@@ChronometerCheck It's definitely a great watch for the money! Aliexpress has it priced at $86 CDN with a coupon right now.

[@ChronometerCheck]

@@jamair23 Thanks for the heads up! I told myself I'd suspend myself from purchasing anymore watches for a bit... We shall see how patient I can be 😇

[@YBFMusic]

I have the black one. Very nice watch. The blue looks even cooler.

[@jasonanderson8305]

Jesus christ man, quit talking with your hands when your holding the watch!!

[@possumsam2189]

I wonder how this watch compares with other submariner homages in the same price range (Corguet/Parnis/Pagani Design/Loreo etc.) or the more pricey Seiko/Orient/Tisell Submariner homages

[@omoniyikaye]

Invicta all day long due to the Seiko movement.

[@teddyhenriquez5192]

Same here I have 9 INVICTA SEIKO Movement and they all keeping accurate time.

[@CL-sp2yv]

I have this watch also, and it's just OK after 2 years of use.... It's a beater watch that does what it says, nothing more! I also own the Invicta 99370B Pro Diver, which is a proven solid mechanical diver watch (with the Swiss - Sellita movement), and the Invicta mechanical watch 1953 with the great NH35 movement. Now, there is no way in hell this chinese Carnaval diver watch beats any of these two! The quality & performance is like day and night! You must be talking about Invicta's absolute cheapest Pro Diver version! If so, you will soon realize that even that Pro Diver verion is also better than this Carnaval diver watch. Sorry to break it down for you!

[@kdkd4233]

I think this is still not a "better" alternative. The water resistant is 30 compared to 200 and the Seiko NH35A movement is probably better than this movement.

[@AvroBellow]

I agree. The 30m rating doesn't belong on a dive watch. It has to be at least 200m before Id trust in during a dive. Hell, I wouldn't even swim with a 30m watch.

[@WatchGuyJive]

Not bad but prefer Seiko movement and threaded crown on the Invicta. Sapphire is nice but when you can get the Invicta for $60 or less, it’s a way better value.

[@timothythomas1626]

I like the dial . The poliashed center links have to go.

[@dsnxw4737]

a full polish would look good too

[@benchapman6769]

Got the black ops version, finishing is excellent, black strap well executed, cyclops in line, bezel very little play and a fraction out, got the "chronograph" face with mineral glass, looks better than other face i.m.o, nice second hand sweep too… for £65 day/date auto watch great value, £100 for sapphire may be a tougher call. Accuracy / power reserve not verified but so far 0 seconds loss in 4 hours so looks fine for price.

[@MrDiscepolin]

Hi. How long lasts lume overnight? Is it tritium? Thanks!

[@AvroBellow]

I gave the video a like because overall, it is a good video but I can't agree that this is a better watch than an Invicta Pro Diver. That bezel is aluminum for sure. This watch isn't better than an Invicta because 30m is NOT a dive watch. The movement is a Seagull. They're also NOT honest if they clam that an aluminum bezel is ceramic. I'd also tak a watch with a Seiko NH35 over a Seagull any day. If you REALLY want a watch that is better than an Invicta Pro Diver, get an Invicta Grand Diver, I've had a model #3049. It has thesame Bluesy two-tone configuration as your Pro Diver 8928OB but with a beastly 47mm scalloped bezel instead of a 40mm coin bezel. It's much easier to read underwater because of the larger dial. I've worn this as my "daily driver" for 9 years and it still looks brand-new and it has never needed maintenance. There are no scratches on the crystal, bezel,or bracelet. Even the polished gold-plated centrelinks still look flawless with no scratches or signs of wear. I have a feeling that this watch may be indestructible. It has a mineral crystal which is just as clear as my Movado's sapphire and if it hasn't managed to get scratched over 9 years, it's very possible that a sapphire, while elegant, cool and objectively superior,, doesn't necessarily translate into a real-world advantage. Some might say that I'm just lucky but I have a hard time buying that when I've been wearing it daily for 9 years. A Grand Diver is rated for 300m like a real Submariner insted of the 200m of the Pro Diver or Sea Hunter and I do wear it when I SCUBA dive in the Great Lakes. THAT'S the watch you should get if you want something better than a Pro Diver. It also has a superior machined clasp instead of one made of pressed-metal.

[@bremertoerien6987]

1. You cannot see sapphire crystal by how clear it looks. Your watch does not have sapphire, I'm sure by now there are some scratches on it. 2. The movement in this watch is not good, compared to the NH35 in the Invicta 3. There is not a single point where this watch beats the Invicta, (and I'm not an Invicta fan) 4. Why would you expect this watch to be thinner than the Invicta? They use different movements and that's probably why the case thickness differs. 5. Please show us what this watch looks like now, if it's still running. 6. I like the fact that the 12 marker is different than the Sub which it copies, they are now selling at around $55 so not a bad deal, but would like to see what it looks like after 1 and a half year of owning it.

[@benchapman6769]

update after 3 weeks of owning black ops version verifies last post by Shishar - super accurate still, no issues with day / date , bracelet still perfect...but the crystal is mineral on mine , not sapphire, which is the chance you take at this price point. But still smiling...

[@738polarbear]

Saphire glass and ceramic bezel UNDER 100 bucks . Riiiiiiight . My granny is queen of England too.BTW it IS a cheap Chinese watch . At least the Invicta has a Seiko movement ,THIS Chinese watch does not .

[@ChronometerCheck]

Sorry about that little editing flub at the beginning... Trimmed it out and the updated version is processing right now!

[@paultillett3189]

Right this review is nearly 3 years old now and I am still none the wiser on the spec on this watch I do own one and I can't find out any truths on it all I do it does not have sapphire and it's not ceramic any one now what the movement is yet please ?

[@paultillett3189]

I think your find for the price the loreo would be a better bet because of the movement a loan

[@mrshadow2406]

On amazon it shows that it's a mineral crystal. Not sapphire.

[@johnmora5830]

How is it holding up I just got my first two invictas but looking get a tritium carnival

[@ChronometerCheck]

Still runs but the movement is still a mystery to me.

[@benchapman6769]

amend that to a black bracelet, not strap. easy to adjust - push pins, and butterfly clasp even has circular perlage on the centre piece. phew !. have to say that if the watch goes bang the bracelet will live on to other watches.

[@timothythomas1626]

As Long as you don't want to get wet. It would be a good alternative

[@nickgosselin69]

Thanks for Video, Have you got Parkinson's?

[@mikemike5253]

saphire glass? lol yes from Madagascar

[@johnchristiandeguzman5295]

Now this looks like an omega jamesbond homage

[@ChronometerCheck]

Definitely has a bit of a Seamaster vibe, can definitely see that!

[@johnchristiandeguzman5295]

ChronometerCheck I bet that would look good on the scallop bezel

[@ChronometerCheck]

@@johnchristiandeguzman5295 Definitely would! Not sure I like it enough to waste time/money to mod it though hahaha.

[@jojomerou4075]

Bewared two version Sapphire+miyota 8750g (150$) or Hardex+chinese mov (60$)

[@DocWat280]

Keep your cristal I'll stay with the NH35A movement and 200m water resistance and price of the pro diver.

[@ChronometerCheck]

Fair enough mate! I do think the Pro Diver offers better overall value.

[@pjmq]

I’ve handled enough Chinese watches to know that A) that’s a aluminium bezel and B) that’s a shite quality watch. It seems like carnival lies about their specs in the vein of liege.

[@Dsportster]

It's not sapphire crystal

[@chipi1972]

No screw down crown I don't believe this watch is better than the invicta pro diver.

[@roaddogg800]

Would like to know what the actual movement is.

[@ChronometerCheck]

Still trying to find out myself, hahaha

[@bourkbaabdelhamid237]

please what is the movement type of carnival 8646G. thank you.

[@ChronometerCheck]

Great quesiton - one I have not been able to answer. Some cheap generic movement, that's for sure.

[@daspiper8941]

Isn't Carnival a sub-brand of Bulova?

[@possumsam2189]

The movement looks to be a Chinese 2813 variant (A Beijing movement according to WUS), based on the Miyota 8215. If this is true, this watch could be a better value proposition than even Seagull originals that sport the ST-16. Wonder how this Shenzhen newcomer (Who have no physical store and only sell their watches via ecommerce sites) got their mitts on that?

[@ChronometerCheck]

Wow! Cool that you were able to dig that up. I struggled to find any additional info about it. If that's the case, maybe I disregarded the movement too soon. Still, of course, the lack of water resistance isn't too great. At $95 I still think this watch is overpriced when you compare it to Parnis watches with similar specs (sapphire, ceramic) and actual Miyota movements. But somebody mentioned to me they found this for about $65 on AliExpress. Now that's not a bad deal.

[@possumsam2189]

@@ChronometerCheck If it really is a BWAF movement, the watch is hardly overpriced. In fact, you could make the argument that it is underpriced, especially considering Beijing movements go toe-to-toe with the best that Tianjin Seagull or Seiko has to offer and the fact that they typically go for 5+ times the price of this submariner homage. It is also unheard of for BWAF to sell their in-house movements to other watch companies, unlike Liaoning Kongque/Peacock or Seagull.

[@ChronometerCheck]

@@possumsam2189 Very interesting! Thanks for all the info you were able to dig up. Would you mind linking me the forum post you read up about it? Would love to learn more as well!

[@possumsam2189]

@@ChronometerCheck If yours has the SB/B markings, it is probably a Beijing. If it has the N marking, it is a Nanning. If it has the DG marking, it is a Guangzhou Dixmont. If it has the ST marking, it is a Seagull (Not necessarily from Tianjin tho). If it says Miyota, then it is a Miyota. forums.watchuseek.com/f72/carnival-jianianhua-hwguoji-movement-4729351.html forums.watchuseek.com/f72/help-me-indentify-25-jewels-day-date-automatic-movement-carnival-brand-watch-4722331-2.html I trust Houstonreal's experience in this area.

[@richardvacanti9103]

Dam dude Quit babbling on and on and do the damn review on the watch. PLEASE

[@fishingformikeytv9200]

I heard it’s actually an American company who now produces watches in China

[@phemelomogorosi68]

Isn't this a Swiss brand?

[@ChronometerCheck]

Nope. Not that I'm aware of.

[@Trollet532]

Chrono on dial is dealbreaker..

[@ChronometerCheck]

Totte.s I feel ya. Makes 0 sense for them to have it on there. Though because it matches my channel name I can kinda overlook it. 😂

[@paulmelnychuk5477]

I've seen this brand for sale at 630$+.

[@timothythomas1626]

heat the cyclopes and remove it

[@KingKoo11]

You move around too much cmon man

[@islandterror5198]

I say aluminum bezel and possibly Hardlex imo . The blue looks better without the purple hue for sure. $63.62 from AliExpress with free leather Strap & free shipping. Lol 😁 Amazon 👎 prolly still ships from same location anyways. That said & with that movement Invicta wins...

[@ChronometerCheck]

Island Terror Just ordered a diamond tester to test the sapphire. Glad I’m not the only one who thought it seems like an aluminum bezel. Agreed on the movement - there’s no doubt the NH35 is superior. Ah well, was worth a look!