Invicta VINTAGE Pro Diver 31290 Men's Automatic Watch - 40 mm

Product Information

The few watches that get a sliver of a fair chance among enthusiasts are among the Pro Diver line, many of which are homages to the Rolex Submariner.

A Invicta you might like? - TZ-UK A Invicta you might like? - TZ-UK

I’m honestly a little puzzled about the intended target audience of this watch. The 1953 Submariner is a peculiar choice for an affordable homage watch at this price point. In traditional Submariner fashion, the stainless steel case takes on an exclusively brushed finish, except for the polished chamfered edges running the length of the lugs. Regardless of what model you get, Invicta gives you one hell of a box; for better or worse the watchmaker knows how to treat their customers like royalty. Mine came in a pretty sizeable yellow one, reminiscent of what you get with a Rolex, albeit with swapped colors. While Stuhrling had a similarly extravagant box for its low MSRP, Invicta impressively pulls its weight with the watch’s quality, as you’ll read below. One thing to appreciate about Invicta is their addition of a customized rotor. In their signature yellow, the rotor adds a degree of decoration to an otherwise plain movement. Admittedly, it’s a bit nicer than the bare steel rotors on some of Seiko’s own watches. Though, this is a concern specifically if you wear the watch on the bracelet. If you decide to swap it out for a NATO or other type of strap there’s ample space between the lugs for your fingers to grip.Not only did the looks excite me but the omission of the engraving down the side, which brought down the previous Pro Divers in my books. The matte crown is a bit incongruous with the rest of the watch, but it’s hardly noticeable and easily disregarded. Besides that, the crown is sturdy and easy to use. Case Dimensions While this may be deceptive, the ridiculous markup prices are easy to see though. Any sensible shopper can determine the true value of an item by comparing prices online. The hands are perhaps the most attractive part of the dial. It’s always fun to see them glisten as you turn the watch in the light. The second hand is also quite unique to the 1953, as it features a lollipop that extends out to the edge of the dial. While the watch maintains a vintage aesthetic, it wears very much like a modern diver. On the wrist, it feels larger than its 40mm size would suggest.

Invicta on Chrono24 Invicta on Chrono24

Invicta was established in 1837. Translating to “Invincible” in Latin, they were once a prolific watchmaking company. Devastated by the quartz crisis, Invicta was driven to bankruptcy in the 1980s. The lugs are brushed diagonally, while the sides of the case are brushed horizontally across. Like many others, I was relieved to see no “INVICTA” script engraved into the side of the case, which was the most common grievance with previous Pro Diver references.The solid links of the bracelet are vertically brushed with polished sides. The finish of the bracelet is actually a little nicer than the brushing on the case, with a finer grain. This one employs a pin and collar adjustment system. Movement Some folks out there couldn’t care less about the brand reputation of their watch, but I believe it’s worth learning about. In the world of watches, you’re buying the brand just as much as you’re buying the product itself. It received a strong positive reception from various outlets; many hyping it up as one of the most attractive affordable dive watches on the market. The videos and product shots appeared to support these claims, with a restrained and refined gilt dial that does look straight out of the 1950s.