Invicta 31290. The "1953" is back, how good is it?

[@davemck1887]

Never thought I'd say it but an Invicta I actually like. Cheers Dan.

[@AliasEveWatches]

That's a classy-looking watch. It's not perfect but seems like worth the price. I really like that there's no mercedes hands.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I agree, the hands are very long and easy to read.

[@brianbuchert6382]

I have had this model for several months and still in love with it!!

[@Trex100]

Excellent value. Cool aesthetic. Tough to disrespect this model.

[@RaphaelRousseau]

Yet another great review, thanks! I'm glad to see Invicta make new batches of their models, I feared it was gone forever...

[@robertlindo8058]

What a gorgeous watch. And no Invicta branding on the left side of the casing. Very clean looking. Spot on.

[@jezzareid1]

I was lucky enough to get this back in April 2020. Great watch & looks even better on a tropic. I was most impressed with the delivery & packaging. Well above average.

[@Uchoobdood]

I love mine. It has become my daily watch and I find it hard to put on anything else! I got it on Amazon in the US for $89! WHAT A DEAL! So much watch for so so little price. 🎉 after a year of owning it I love it even more.

[@Jacked153]

Best Invicta I've ever seen personally Currently waiting for my san martin 6200 that has a similar sort of aesthetic

[@trtmrt2203]

SM 6200 rules. Much better quality and much cuter than Invicta 1953. I have had both of them.

[@petermulhall2564]

It's decent,but the san martin homage is miles better 👍🏻it's a beauty

[@frznrrfan.frznrrfan102]

Much better but twice the money if not 3 times in some places.

[@petermulhall2564]

@@frznrrfan.frznrrfan102 it is,but you pay for what you get🤷🏻‍♂️

[@trtmrt2203]

@@frznrrfan.frznrrfan102 It's really not true. The price of the San Martin SN6200 is around €200,- the Invicta 1953 costs €145.

[@rangorango7545]

Invicta takes it to a new level, but not seeing it in amazon, good review

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Looks fantastic, it's one of the pieces on my 'must review' list this year!

[@watchmewithwatches]

I can lend you mine if you like? Message me on insta

[@ajh5124]

Brilliantly done! Thank you for an excellent review.

[@SteveFWatches]

Invicta knocked it out of the park! happy with no crown guards and dimensions!

[@davidcroker9333]

I had one of the earlier models when invicta first brought this out and loved it, although the bracelet was very cheap. Had it for a few months and sold it on (even made a profit). Really surprised by your models beat error and low amplitude as nh35’s are generally bullet proof! Good to hear that they are back in stock.

[@23727bgk]

Have had mine for four days. Only flaws that I can find are the bracelet lacks a solid clasp or endlinks and crystal is not sapphire. Hopefully Invicta will continue to build watches of this caliber.

[@seeker7679]

Best looking Invicta I've seen and thank God no Mercedes hands! 😉 Thanks for the review.

[@simonthewatchguy6073]

Picked this one up recently. Great video! Looking forward to wearing mine.

[@sinjinadams2862]

Yes, it's the best budget homage! I've had mine for about a year and still absolutely love it!

[@echochambers8418]

Great Review.I really love this Watch.I’ve been trying to get the “Batman”version but it’s never in.Well worth the price,I’d throw it on the Bond NATO.

[@davidcrandall4958]

Have all colorways except the OG! Exceptional watch!

[@gelatus_watches]

Really enjoyed the review, it was excellent. It's a very nice watch, it's on my wishlist for this Christmas.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Excellent! Enjoy

[@davidcrandall4958]

Try the 25th Anniversary Pro Diver

[@CL-DevineHonor]

Amazing watch!! I got the 1953 in black-satin bezel and the 1953 Batman (black-blue bezel)! I have to say that you get a lot of watch for the money. People do not realize that! I also owe two Rolex GMT Masters (1993 and 2007 respectively), but I treat them all like my babies despite of the huge price difference and and materials used. Invicta simply make solid automatic watches. Love Invicta!!

[@watchmewithwatches]

Very cool!

[@BCallum]

First, I will state that I like this watch. For the life of me, I cannot figure out all the hype for this model. I have 2 Invicta watches, a Pro Diver and a Grand Diver. So, my thoughts...it is nice, but nothing great. Nothing special (to cause worldwide sell out panic) because it did. LOL Compare it to a Steeldive at the same price and I would take the SD. It is handsome, but not precious. Thank you for the great and unbiased review. Love your channel!!!

[@simonbailey2151]

B, it’s a look that the market wants. Think of it as a Black Bay 58 homage for 3% of the price of the original. I have one, it’s really excellent and unbeatable for the price.

[@RobDaCajun]

It’s a beauty. Already have a Pro-Diver 8926OB myself. Can’t justify buying this yet. If I mess up my watch modding it; then I would definitely be on the lookout for this one.

[@miketv218]

I appreciate the lack of the engraved "INVICTA " on the 9 o'clock external watch casing.

[@jorelkrypto7475]

7:00 Just to correct you on this, it's actually an optical illusion created by the crystal. The supposed "gap" looks exactly the same if you turn the watch around 180 degrees face-up of course, the dial is perfectly centered around the watch's rehaught. This particular model is one of the best-looking vintage-inspired watches out there today and is a hundred times better in every way than the original Rolex it's paying homage to when it (the Sub) first came out, minus the lume. Excellent review by the way.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Cool! Thanks for your tip 👍 😀

[@lowersaxon]

I would pay € 250.- for this piece, at least I would even say. I actually paid € 120.- . I own two other Pro Divers, the 8926OB and the 9937OB. I like all three watches very much and I respect Invicta for having done these three watches. Period.

[@stationplaza4631]

Nice review! I went for the coke bezel. It really is a great little timepiece.

[@scottmorrison147]

It's a looker. Sold out everywhere.

[@TheGrenadier97]

Good review sir. This is the only Invicta that attracts my attention and is a homage i absolutely like, because it's from a truly historic piece (and pretty much impossible to get as well!). Homages of the current Submariner references are pretty much cliché by now. Another good point is that the basic Rolex design suits very well the concept of a dive watch.

[@atlacatl7501]

One of my favorite watches. I replaced the mineral crystal with a double dome sapphire and it looks way better. I wear mine on brown leather though. Great review by the way!!!

[@watchmewithwatches]

Thanks Mario! Where did you get the sapphire thats fit it?

[@atlacatl7501]

@@watchmewithwatches I bought it from eBay. I went online and did research on the size because it differs from the 40mm diver watches.

[@simonbailey2151]

31.5mm apparently but check.

[@rogerauclair1670]

I kept looking in on Invicta Europe’s website and as soon as they got some Invicta 1953 watches in I ordered one and received it last week. It’s a gorgeous watch and the first thing I did was to remove the bracelet and add a Bond Nato strap. I bought 6 Nato straps from Amazon UK and what I love about them is that at 10 1/2 inches long they are a perfect length without the need to tuck the end back in the keeper which adds unsightly bulk to the strap. I thought that at €120.00 it is good value. The lack of lume doesn’t bother me in the slightest as I virtually never want to look at the time in total darkness.

[@rajendrabareto8065]

I learnt less than a month now about invicta There is something about invicta watches. I think it's not because only its quality build but the history behind it. 1837,Swiss origin, now American ownership, Japanese movt, Chinese Manufacturing, Malaysia assemby. What a combination.!!! I bought 3 of them now ,all homages. Received the submariner 40mm version with NH35. Waiting to receive a SW200 Swiss movt and a Daytona Planning go buy 1953.hopefully the last one 😀.

[@liambyrne3488]

That watch really shines in natural light.

[@vincee7621]

Sold out? All your fault Dan. Another good review. This watch is just fine and an excellent price. Comfortable also, nothing wrong with that bracelet. I too had been waiting a long time for it to reappear. Went to find it again a few weeks ago and it was still not available but saw the Coke bezel version showing just two left so grabbed one. Then two days later the 31290 was available again and discounted. I ordered it of course and let a couple of friends know it was back in stock. I'm happy with mine, as I am with the Red and Black bezel (34334) where the 'Automatic' printed in red on the dial is a nice touch. I wonder which colour you ordered yourself? Btw Dan, your 'nature' shots featured in this video are excellent.

[@halfpastblog]

I absolutely want to pick one up.

[@felo6035]

Thank you Dan for another outstanding review. I like it. For the money, I think it is a great watch. Not sure as you that's the best homage, but it is certainly in the list. Thank you again. Cheers

[@vamheredur413]

Probably the best looking Invicta out there. That being said, I would opt for the San Martin vintage-inspired diver.

[@watchoutpal]

I'm not an invicta hater by any stretch, but so far I haven't seen anything I would consider buying, until now, this looks really classy, and for the money it would be a great daily that you wouldn't be scared to wear.

[@watchoutpal]

I like that it doesn't have invicta engraved down the case side, and it's not using Mercedes. I would dump the bracelet and fit a nice vintage leather strap 😎

[@edwardgreenaway1808]

I love that four digit look.

[@CanadianBeachcomber]

It’s like the watch version of a tuxedo t-shirt. Sort of looks the part, low cost materials, and you’ll probably wear it a lot.

[@karlsenula9495]

Tuxedo t-shirt ... sounds like one of Jody's videos.

[@davidcrandall4958]

When we'll regulated, the Seiko NH35s are spot on !

[@DieTabbi]

I bought one this year too. And I love them The size is perfect and not every woman has one. ;-)

[@watchmewithwatches]

I totally agree!

[@dunderhay9169]

A great watch for the price, and so nice the haven't engraved INVICTA down the side of the case 👍 . I'm not a fan of homages, but I could see myself wearing on of those as it looks much better than later subs.

[@tarasmathers7423]

well done, and very accurate, IMHO. Really is a very "smart looking" piece. Wear it in good health

[@domf7705]

Aaaaannnd it's sold out again. Yeesh.

[@frznrrfan.frznrrfan102]

Ebay

[@robc8468]

I have this watch with except with a two tone bezel upper segment is flat back lower is a dark flat red. I wish they would do a "plus" version of this watch with a sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel. Hopefully the success of this watch will lead to more affordable homage mid century classic watches from Invicta.

[@davidcrandall4958]

It did!

[@AlexanderB.]

That's a gorgeous looking watch without a doubt. But sometimes I can understand the Invicta haters. They put in a movement with 1.7 ms beat error. Unacceptable and a major QC issue for me. If the beat error gets adjusted properly the amplitude will benefit greatly. And: Invicta, increase the price by $ 30 and put on a piece of sapphire, for God's sake!! 🙈 Cheers Dan, amazing review!👍

[@davidcrandall4958]

Alexander check out the 25th anniversary PRO DIVER ! Yes I do know I Am A year late,but people read these posts for Years!

[@davidcrandall4958]

You got a dud! The NH35s are a solid movement. When regulated correctly,they are spot on!

[@rpjii9771]

The Invicta 1953(Ref 31290) is a homage to what at the time was an unnamed Rolly prototype diver introduced at Baselworld 1953(hence the 1953 logo on the dial) which would become the ref 6204 Submariner, which was introduced for the first time to the public and made available for purchase at Baselworld 1954. It's funny cuz the wrap on the 1953 bracelet is it's "Jingly jangly" loose, however as a former Certified Master Horologist and Certified Rolex Independent Service/Repair Horologist before they brought that in-house with their regional RRC's, I've worked on hundreds of Rollies and four 6204's(yah, I kept a notebook of every single watch that I worked on across my 9+ years as a Master. Anyhoo, the old Rolly stainless steel Oyster bracelets were "jingly jangly," well into the early 2000's, with the 11610/hole, lol. That is really cool that it has that same feeling as the original 6205🤙. My only bitch on the 1983(for those that have a laundry list, please remember that it's a 99 goddamn dollar watch, lol🤪) is that for a few pennies, literally, they could've put the domed crystal per the original Sub 6204, and that would have put it over the top. I don't know if you can pick up an aftermarket domed acrylic crystal though if they do offer them, if ya really wanna take your 1983 to the top floor, pick one up!! And NO, DO NOT add a sapphire Crystal if available cuz this is a homage and the Sub 6204 used acrylic crystal, not sapphire!! Nice vid🤙 Continued Success🍻 RP

[@jacc88888]

Nice looking watch and good review. Good to see some outdoor shots and also more than just a ‘dial up’ timegrapher reading for a change. 😀 Did you have to pay much in term of taxes/duties?

[@simonbailey2151]

Mine is running +2secs/day and looks very classy indeed on a vintage brown leather strap. It hasn’t been off my wrist since I bought it! I reckon if they tweaked the standard 1953 with a bit of red on the dial (the 1953 AUTOMATIC), gold indices on the bezel and a flash of red on the bezel triangle it’d be perfect.

[@tynchytemper9618]

I was trying to get this for ages, couldn't find it anywhere. Pretty glad I couldn't now. The reason is for an extra 60 quid I'll probably get the 38mm San Martin verssion: quality bracelet, better lume, sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I think you will be very happy with the more premium feeling watch for sure. Enjoy! I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.

[@tynchytemper9618]

@@watchmewithwatches getting the deep-sea homage first... So many watches so little spare cash haha.

[@FitOutPost]

I like the history lesson. Thanks!

[@davidcrandall4958]

The new 25th anniversary has a sapphire crystal for a very good price if you catch a deal!

[@pdmotors5027]

Wow, it’s back, great.

[@watchmewithwatches]

I've been waiting for AGES, nice that they pulled their finger out and made more!

[@christophernutting1754]

Nope, it’s sold out again already!

[@watchmewithwatches]

@@christophernutting1754 no way!

[@oktc68]

Beautiful watch, so elegant for a diver, very solid and reliable NH-35A which is very accurate out of the box ( have two, one runs at minus 2/3 secs per day &my all black runs at minus 3/4 secs per day) Personally I wish they'd put a better bracelet on it and sold it for a little more but the bracelet is serviceable. It looks great on a nato, worth spending a little more to put it on a seatbelt weave. Really looks classy, gets a lot of interest. There's also the all black version plus a few with two tone bezel inserts (three I think) buy one quick because stocks are very low, Invicta Store EU only had two left when I bought mine (Amazon had sold out) and on eBay they sell for £250 plus! The only very slight negative is the lume, which is the usual standard for Invicta, pretty underwhelming. Why they don't put decent lume on their watches I just don't know. It's one of the main criticisms of their watches, decent lume would get them alot of brownie points in many people's eyes I think.

[@Donnybrook10]

that beat error is a bit off. Might need a nudge. I have several Seiko dive watches including the new King Turtle...I also bought the 8926OB on a whim and I am surprised how much I like it. I find myself wearing the Invicta more often. I'm inclined to buy this model too. Might need to put an old leather strap on it.

[@mikesmith8564]

FYI... The lift angle on the NH35, NH36 movements is 53...

[@Fede_uyz]

Honestly, i already bought it. I'm just going to find a good watchmaker and change the crystal to a domed sapphire one. It may be a 6month-1 year project, but hell i'll do it

[@s_buba]

What is better value? Invicta 1953 or steeldive 1954? I wanted the invicta when it was sold out but after I saw specs of the steeldive 1954, the lume, lumed ceramic bezel insert, sapphire crystal. I want new daily driver.

[@watchmewithwatches]

The steeldive is better value. Sapphire, ceramic and same movement. Lume is on another level too.

[@breaktime3269]

cracking watch mate, was already sold out .Oh well Next time. Great hounest review

[@PaulewingStHelens]

At least they haven't stamped Invicta across the case. All in all though a good looking watch. Just a side note any chance of reviewing a WMT Royal marine adventurer in the near future?

[@iron883cd]

IM GONNA BUY IT THANKS

[@Agent-vj3ns]

My first automatic.. I can see owning an Omega or Tudor eventually 🤷‍♂️

[@KingGene]

Would be nice if you did a comparison with the San Martin similar homage.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Great idea, was thinking about it, but had already spent a load on two other san martins! Lol

[@jpdavis6042]

It makes a nice low cost gift to start a family member off with an Automatic piece of such classic design (Men's Watch Awareness 101). This piece looks better than my Lorier Neptune ($450) which is similar design, but sits awkwardly on my wrist. Wonder if Jomashop has the 1953 in stock as yet. Just found your channel and enjoying (New Sub from LA, Cal).

[@watchmewithwatches]

Welcome!

[@stebaz7]

It’s not available on the website today 24th Jan. 😕

[@watchmewithwatches]

Sells out so fast!

[@thomasflynn5366]

This is the only Invicta I'd currently consider buying. I'm surprised by that beat error though. I wonder if you just got a bad one.

[@troynasello2085]

It is a really good looking watch. But check it out. Try setting you lift angle to 53 degrees. That's the nh35 setting and it makes a difference in the amplitude. Maybe not much, but some. Also make sure it has a full wind, that can raise it as well. Now the beat error, oh that beat error. That looks pretty bad. If it were my watch, I'd have that caseback off and be tinkering like hell with it, lol. It's not hard to adjust beat error if you are experienced messing with that stuff. If not, don't try. It's so easy to damage the hairspring right next to it, the hairspring is SO sensitive. A strong fart will turn it into trash. Anyways, please try those first 2 tips. Thanks for the cool vid!

[@watchmewithwatches]

Great tips! Thanks Troy

[@davidcrandall4958]

Yes you're right!

[@davidcrandall4958]

I got one for Sixty dollars from Invicta stores! Be wary of their shipping However! It can be Quirky!

[@jaseellis2385]

+The problem with the Invicta is that Steeldive and similar, make a better watch for the money same movement, but sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel

[@watchmewithwatches]

I agree, we just need Steeldive to homage this model!

[@FadeToBlack2181]

Great video. Looks like its already sold out.

[@erikbasil2787]

Yeah this one is impressive, if only for the revelation that there are traditional watch people, or at least people with taste, that occasionally get the reins at Invicta. Here's hoping the collector market doesn't ruin this for the Invicta crowd who might otherwise find out they've got a decent watch there...

[@briancolyer8483]

Enjoyable review as always....Very nice piece, would look good in any collection....its a very good watch as is but if they replaced Invicta with the stylised logo they have and also remove the automatic print it would lift it to an even higher level....and every watch could always do with better lume....even if we had Chernobyl on our wrist we'd still me screaming for more....my watch budget for this year is extremely tight so this will have to wait unfortunately, gutted....⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@watsondna]

Not showing on the US invcita site

[@donnyboon2896]

Yes. I like it. 👍

[@Martinhauer]

Good job I like the video and the watch.......

[@TomasWatchReviews]

nice review

[@briancolyer8483]

Very nice piece, would look good in any collection....if they replaced Invicta with the stylised logo they have and also remove the automatic print it would lift it to an even higher level....and every watch could always do with better lume....even if we had Chernobyl on our wrist we'd still me screaming for more....my watch budget for this year is extremely tight so this will have to wait unfortunately....⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@minorityofone1510]

....aaaand the Invicta EU website says the watch is sold out! As at 6.30 pm 21st Jan

[@watchmewithwatches]

They will surely make more if they sell out that fast! Maybe I shouldn't have bought 1000000000 of them 🤔

[@watchalot919]

The amplitude will rise when fully wound, that beat error is awful. I just bought an Escapement Time Flieger with a beat error of 1.2, and I thought that was bad. Never mind though, had the back off and all is well now. Beat error shouldn't be more than 0.5. It's a decent watch for the price

[@davidcrandall4958]

Qc is the Rub!

[@3rdstone1]

As I'm kinda fed up with all the submariner homages that's been flooding the market in recent years, this looks really great IMHO. Quite fascinating a model like this can coexist with all those other ridiculous things Invicta puts out. No mercedes hands, thank's for that. And no engraving on the case!

[@davidcrandall4958]

The model this is an homage of actually did not have Mercedes hands!

[@spursblood1]

Bloody sold out. Had to opt for the Batman bezel instead. Looks like an Invicta Blackbay 58 homage to me and I love it. Would have loved the snowflake hands but might have been a bridge too far!

[@indyjoe36ify]

I have both this watch (only with the "Batman" blue black bezel) and the original 8926ob pro diver. The lume on the 1953 that I have is actually fantastic. Not Seiko or Rolex, but pretty damn good. The 8926ob lume is straight rubbish though, I'll give you.

[@jklfafa]

I am lucky enough to have a Invicta 8926ob from over 10 years ago. I assure you it seems much brighter than the current pro divers. I got. 8928 recently and it seems like the lume is much weaker and is as described where it lasts 10 ish minutes and isn't usable. My older watch glows all night. I have a 1953 inbound. Hopefully it is better than the recent 8928 lume

[@indyjoe36ify]

@@jklfafa the 1953 has better lume. It's not Rolex, Seiko, or Citizen, but it's better than the 8926

[@rosstisbury1626]

excellant vid thanks

[@jasonbostock408]

I have 1 Invicta 8926 Pro Diver bezel action is terrible but overall a nice watch waiting for the watch snobs to comment but i paid around £50 so cheap enough tiny bit of oil on the bezel helped great looking watch in your review tempted but ill key an eye on amazon as they sem to clear some watches there cheaply

[@jacc88888]

Hi, What type of oil did you use? I have a diver with terrible bezel action as well - almost impossible to turn.

[@watchreviews4k]

Apologies, I had to delete my video you commented on and reupload it. For some reason it was stuck processing on 720 SD and wouldn't process to 4K HD. Please feel free to comment again on the reuploaded video. Regards.

[@stevenrobertson6656]

@@jacc88888 Look for watch oil.

[@siegfriedeind1370]

Sold out..... grrrrr 👍🦾

[@jacc88888]

Wow, that was quick.

[@siegfriedeind1370]

@@jacc88888 yip this was the first time that I tried to buy a watch without watching the whole review😁😂🤜🏽

[@jacc88888]

@@siegfriedeind1370 Good luck next time !

[@scottmorrison147]

Only the 31290 is sold out from what we can tell. The Kermit bezel looks like a winner from the others.

[@paulomahony816]

Link says its sold out...damn

[@watchmewithwatches]

Wow thats fast!

[@jeff1176]

This is my first time viewing your channel and first time seeing anything about an Invicta watch of any type. Your channel is pretty good. Good content. The watch... well to tell the truth. The watch is pretty bad. The same QC as Seiko these days. Rather high beat error, low amplitude, bezel not aligned, dial not aligned. For 150 usd for this watch? Plenty of better options out there. Sorry this would be a pass for me.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Thanks for watching, very fair points made.

[@trtmrt2203]

It's cheaper then the vintage San Martin 6200 Water Ghost. Only the San Martin's one is all round of the much better quality; Sapphire cristal, a superb lume, a vintage style bracelet, very good clasp and 38mm diameter make it really a better choice than Invicta 1953.

[@davedawber527]

Sold out again.

[@robertchadwick5986]

Did you have to pay customs and vat on this may I ask

[@watchmewithwatches]

The price included this. Total cost to me was £107

[@Harry-kl3bi]

All sold OUT!

[@buijs1967]

WR 200M?

[@watchmewithwatches]

Not for diving, but everything else should be totally fine.

[@JKT-ul6kd]

Nice detailed review! Sure it looks great, but after seeing those QC issues, terrible lume and poorly regulated movement, it has became a whole lot less desirable. I think it’s overpriced, too. Especially, when the 8926OB can be had for almost half that price.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Excellent points!

[@davidcrandall4958]

The 1953 band is better than some other Invicta bands! You can interpret that however you want!

[@keefs3941]

Never really got Invicta ,i think they are still overpriced compared with similar spec Chinese brands, and i hated the name engraved on the side ,however this is not a bad watch at all, still think it needs to be around £80 though

[@simonbailey2151]

It’s worth the price for the product support alone.

[@poppad1187]

I mean with watches like this out there, even an a fashion conscious youngster can grab this instead of spending 3 times as much on a Kenneth Cole or Hugo quartz fashion watch. Unfortunately you almost have to know a little something or talk to someone who knows a little something to buy a bang for your buck piece like this.

[@watchmewithwatches]

Got to make more people aware somehow. I tag my videos as best as possible to help people searching for things.