Rep vs. same price point Gen

[jbarnick]

I'm looking to get myself a new watch in the $50-150 range. I know I want automatic, simple, and a steel bracelet. It must survive an accidental "swim" while fly fishing, but will by no means be taken diving and I dont like to shower with watches on either. I've taken a liking to the Omega Seamasters and the Invicra Pro-diver. I also dont want to wear a folex...when the cheapest watch they sell is beyond my means, I'm not fooling anyone! Since I'm not looking to fool anyone, my real concern is which watch will hold up better? Will the Invicta be better sealed at this price point? Both are 21J automatics and mineral crystals at this price. Any thoughts?

 

[jmd33]

Since I'm not looking to fool anyone, my real concern is which watch will hold up better? Willl the Invicta be better sealed at this price point?

As someone who owns all of the above (rep Omegas, gen Omegas, Invictas, etc...) at the $100 price point they will be fairly similar.

Invicta $100 watches can be a GREAT value (I have an Invicta 6024 that I really love) - but it has the NH25 movement (made in China, even though Invicta advertises it differently) and the TriNight lume is a joke. The biggest problem with the Invicta's is that the QC is hit or miss - meaning if you get a good one then you got a great buy, but many fall apart and leak because there is very little QC.

If you buy a $100 Seamaster rep from someone like Fakey then it's been inspected, usually water resistant, etc... so, you may actually have better luck. If you buy a 21j rep from somewhere like WE then it would probably be 6 vrs. 1/2 dozen against a $100 Invicta (unless you want it to say "Omega").

Just my $.02

 

[jbarnick]

here is the invicta that I am kicking around:
http://www.worldofwatches.com/detail.asp?bo_products_variance_id=72584#

I have a habit of being notoriously hard on my watches (I currently have a Bulova accutron lucerne chrono that has TWO scratches in the sapphire crystal in less than 3 months...). I will check through the dealers listed on here again. I like the smaller case size of the seamaster too...I'm finally used to my 39mm bulova.

 

[HeadToucha]

For the 150$ price range , you also got some nice Seiko, with pepsi bezel if you like them. Good point: sapphire, warranty, automatic movement rocksolid, incredible lume ...

 

[ochaves]

I own both your options, even when my Invicta is a little different. Verify Invicta's diameter. The only 43mm I know is the Grand Diver. The pro diver is 39 mm and a little small for my taste. You can't go wrong with any of them. As mentioned previously, Seiko would be a gooooood option.
Going back to Omega, you have PO as a good option too

How big is your wrist?

 

[jmd33]

For the 150$ price range , you also got some nice Seiko, with pepsi bezel if you like them. Good point: sapphire, warranty, automatic movement rocksolid, incredible lume ...

+1

A gen Seiko will blow doors on a 21j rep or an Invicta - quality wise, not even in the same category. But for $60 on the Invicta 6012 you probably can't wrong with that one either.

I just picked this one up the other day for $42 on one of their "time bomb" sales: http://www.worldofwatches.com/detail.asp?bo_products_variance_id=72467

 

[hk45ca]

there is only one answer.....the legendary seiko monster on ss. you can get them new on the bay for about 150.00.


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[AXO]

I second the Seiko. I have owned numerous Seikos over the years. They are awesome watches.

 

[tommy_boy]

+1 for the Monster.

Orient new Mako for a smaller case.

I have and love both.

 

[relayman]

For the money; Seiko automatic aaaaaaamennnnnn.....
:jerry:

 

[jbarnick]

Thanks for the leads. I think the Monster will be too big and probably should stick to a watch that is 41mm or smaller. I have a 7.5 inch wrist and I am one of those weird watch wearers that is right handed and wears my watch on the right wrist, so I don't want a huge chunk on my wrist while I am trying to cast. How do Seiko's kinetic series compare to their standard automatic movements?

 

[GC]

As someone who has collected Invictas as well as many many other brands, I can say that the "king of all beater watches" is the nuclear bomb proof Invicta 8926.

This is the watch that Invicta bulit their empire on, it still uses ultra solid 21j Miyota movt (much better than the newer NH25s they now use). If you want a 40mm case, super solid movt', and certified 200m W/R for under $100 I highly recommend it :

this one costs $90 (scalop bezel): [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Invicta-Diver-Collection-Automatic-Watch/dp/B0006AAS4M"]Amazon.com: Invicta Men's 8926 Pro Diver Collection Automatic Watch: Invicta: Watches[/ame]

this one costs $94 (coin edge bezel): [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Invicta-8926C-Collection-Coin-Edge-Automatic/dp/B000JQFX1G/ref=pd_sbs_watch_5"]Amazon.com: Invicta Men's 8926C Pro Diver Collection Coin-Edge Automatic Watch: Invicta: Watches[/ame]

 

[hk45ca]

Thanks for the leads. I think the Monster will be too big and probably should stick to a watch that is 41mm or smaller. I have a 7.5 inch wrist and I am one of those weird watch wearers that is right handed and wears my watch on the right wrist, so I don't want a huge chunk on my wrist while I am trying to cast. How do Seiko's kinetic series compare to their standard automatic movements?

the seiko monster is only 42mm, my wife wears my blue one.

 

[rooster133]

Check out some Tissots on the bay... Lots of great deals to be made (especially when used) and they're very good watches.

 

[ispytonyv]

the seiko monster is only 42mm, my wife wears my blue one.

I'll add another +1 for Seiko, I've got this one on a jubilee (though they come on oyster bracelets too if you want a more modern look)

 

[jbarnick]

I snagged myself a lightly used (slightly scuffed buckle...) invicta 8926 for a little over $40. I really like the orient mako too and may pick one of them up in a month or two as well depending on how much I like the invicta. I like the suggested seikos but would need to wait and get a good deal on one to buy it. I really appreciate the input!

 

[willmiz]

I personally have heard nothing but bad news from Invicta but it looks like that differs for some. Perhaps a used Invicta?

 

[jbarnick]

The one i picked up is used. I figured if I end up hating it I just took a $40 lesson and can pick up an Orient Mako.

 

[levelmanroger]

I love my Orient Makos (have both the 40mm and 42mm versions), but have to go with the Seiko on this one - they are indestructable and the QC is second to none.
With 7.5 wrist, you should be quite comfortable with anything between 40mm and 45mm.
Between the Invicta and the Fakey SMP, I'd go Fakey because it's been tested by him.

So my choices:
1) Seiko Monster
2) Orient New Mako
3) Orient Mako 1 (40mm)
4) Fakey SMP
5) Invicta

 

[jmd33]

Between the Invicta and the Fakey SMP, I'd go Fakey because it's been tested by him.

So my choices:
1) Seiko Monster
2) Orient New Mako
3) Orient Mako 1 (40mm)
4) Fakey SMP
5) Invicta

+1

Perfect summary