Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

A Invicta Watch Europe les gustó tanto mi reseña del Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB, que me pidieron si podía publicarla en inglés y así difundirla en sus redes sociales. Y aquí va.

The Invicta Pro Diver 8926 is a classic and affordable sports watch with an automatic movement. The American brand has taken the opportunity to recently update it with the 9094 model, replacing the old caliber Miyota 8215 with a much more pleasant Seiko NH35 and offering it in different dial colors in addition to the already existing black. The 9094 that concerns us on this occasion has a beautiful sphere in iridescent blue and a bezel in the same color.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Data sheet

Gender Male
Case 316L stainless steel. 40mm diameter excluding the crown. 14mm height
Crown Screwed stainless steel
Dial Blue
Bezel Unidirectional stainless steel
Glass Mineral
Lume Yes
Caseback Exhibition screwed
Strap 20mm wide stainless steel
Functions Hour, minutes, seconds, day of the month
Water resistance 20 BAR
Weight N/A
Movement Seiko NH35A. 21,600 bph. 24 jewel
Complications Automatic winding with bidirectional rotor. Manual winding, hacking
Performances 41h power reserve. -20/+40 spd
Origin Designed in USA. Made in China. Japan Movement. Made in Malaysia
Warranty 2 years (3 years registering at invictawarranty.com)
RRP €285 (offer 103€ with 10% discount)
Dealer Invicta Watch Europe / Invicta Watch Company of America

Packaging

The packaging with Invicta Watch starts earlier than usual, and this is because of the box in which FedEx ships the parcel, it is already customized by the brand. Its interior uses the recognizable corporate yellow of the company, and mentions the “Since 1837” that I will explain below. Includes some promotions such as the monthly gifts from invictagift.com and the interesting warranty extension for up to 3 years by registering the product at invictawarranty.com. In this matter, it is without a doubt the best outer box I have ever seen.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Inside, there is a carton box of the same yellow color with a high relief showing the wings of the Invicta logo.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

When we open it we find another yellow box, this one is built with a material that imitates leather, although somewhat more rubbery. It has beautiful stitching with visible seams, and the brand name in metallic blue characters.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Once opened, we see the watch wrapped in a yellow paler flannel kind of material.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The packaging is super-complete. The tag label, but also a cloth to clean the watch, an instruction manual/warranty card and cards with the member club service and the warranty extension.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

A great first impression that goes beyond what one would expect in a timekeeping of its price. To make it even better, we can download the instruction manual 416 KB. in PDF format). Strangely, the NH35A caliber is not available in digital format, although the NH36A (923 KB. in PDF format).

Introduction

The history of Invicta Watch Group is similar to the Rotary and Bulova ones. Invicta Watch Group was founded by Raphael Picard in 1837 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, therefore it has much more history than most Swiss brands. Invicta in Latin meaning “invincible”, wanted to create reliable and durable Swiss watches at reasonable prices. It was fairly successful, until the company went bankrupt with the quartz crisis in the 1970s. In 1991, some descendants of the family acquired the brand, and based it in the United States, giving it a new direction, long before Stührling decided to do something similar and worse in 1999.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

I have seen the Pro Diver for more than 15 years on the market, and it has had a remarkable sales success. The keys are simple, first, its recognizable design, homage to the Rolex Submariner Date (reference 116619LB), which even if its defenders have requested it with the blue dial, it is only available in white gold at the price of €36,500, the steel version only exists in black or green for €8,500.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The second, its value for money, exceeding what Chinese watches offer.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Design and construction

The Pro Diver 9094OB has a 40mm diameter 316L stainless steel case excluding the crown and is 14mm thick. Considering it is a diving watch, it has a contained size and a normal thickness, something that responds to the design of the Submariner that I was explaining before. The sides are polished with a nice engraving with the brand name, while the rest is matte brushed. The bezel is 120-click unidirectional stainless steel, insert material not indicated, but looks like aluminum in a metallic blue shade.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The difference between the 9094OB and the 9094 is its bezel. “OB” means “Old Bezel”, and is based on the Rolex. The modern is its own creation, and as the name indicates, it is less classic. If we prefer a Pepsi-style bezel, we have the reference 5053, following the steps of the 8926/8926OB, 8926A, 8926B, 8926C and 8926OBV2.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The hands are the classic Mercedes kind with silver contours. The seconds hands is totally different, with the counterweight reproducing Invicta’s wings in their logo.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The index are applied, also with silver outlines, and have a luminescent material which Invicta calls Tritnite quite discreet, almost at the level of one of the new Vostok Amphibia.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The crown is signed and threaded, something essential to guarantee the water resistance up to 200M or 20 BAR.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The crystal is flat mineral glass, unlike more expensive models like the 9937 using Flame Fusion, and that I would have loved to own. Incorporates magnifying glass or “cyclops” for the date.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The caseback is screwed stainless steel, fortunately with a standard screw system instead of reproducing the Rolex Submariner specific one. Thus it can be opened with any Jaxa key. It has an exhibition window with glass, allowing us to see the automatic rotor personalized by Invicta in yellow.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The bracelet is stainless steel and 20mm wide. A bracelet with the central part in gloss and the rest in matte. Its quality is average, although it is signed and incorporates micro-adjustment and security clasp without buttons.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

How much the watch weighs is something not specified. According to my scale, with the bracelet containing all of its links gives 150g, an expected figure according to the watch dimensions.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Movement

Inside the case we find a well-known, and also reliable, mechanical bidirectional automatic winding caliber Seiko NH35A. It is the same one we already saw in the Gamma Venturo Field Watch #2 Group or the Meccaniche Veneziane Redentore. As you already know, it is a very inexpensive alternative. Despite its low price, it is pleasant to use, offers manual winding and seconds hacking. It oscilates at 21,600 bph, has 24 jewel and according to the manufacturer provides at least 41 hours of power reserve, and a maximum deviation of between -20/+ 40 seconds per day. You have more details in the Timemodule TMI official specifications (1.1 MB. in PDF format).

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

My unit this figure has been much better, I would say excellent. Only +4 seconds/day, something I do not know if it is because they are regulated by Invicta, or because it has been a matter of luck, but in any case it is a great value.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Feelings

The watch is very beautiful, the blue sunburst dial is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Perhaps the tone of the bezel that is not exactly the same as the dial will make it lose some appeal, but even so, it looks like a watch more expensive than it is. The performance of its NH35 is another plus, something only available to much more luxury watches. It is small on my wrist, I know it is only a feeling, maybe because I am used to bulky sports watches. It wears very comfortable, and its water resistance of up to 200M makes it suitable for everything.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The watch offers a lot, so I end asking myself why not paying a bit more and having with Flame Fusion glass. Its main concern is on the lume. Tritnite does not compare with Luminova nor Lumibrite and makes it lose quite a bit of charm. Comparatively, it is worse than in the Neckmarine Automatic Sport, a watch that is not a dive watch at all.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Conclusions

Invicta Watch Company has decided to expand to Europe where it has different distribution centers, and by sending with DHL, in my case from the Netherlands, I received the parcel the next day and without customs or taxes issues. It is true because the added VAT in Europe, prices are not as competitive as in the US, where the official store offers this model for only $97 (€86). Personally this is not a problem of the brand, but of the tax regulations.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

The Pro Diver 9094OB and Pro Diver 9094 offer a recognized design, with quality finishes and good materials for their price. Where Seiko, Orient or Citizen do not reach, Invicta does thanks to its cheaper RRP. Thinking on the rivals, the Steeldive SD1953 at around €95 with the same movementy, better lume, and sapphire crystal would be a good choice. It is advised to assume the risks of extra costs for customs taxes when buying through Aliexpress make it a somewhat riskier bet.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

Considering the price difference, I would go for a Grand Diver like the 3045 at €140, although its 47mm may be too massive for many. The 29179 with a diameter of 42mm at €140 is not a bad alternative neither.

Few watches are capable of competing with Invicta’s price. A Spinakker Amalfi is much more expensive, while not much better. An Orient Mako III (Kamasu), is slightly more expensive, but also offers superior materials.

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

▲ More ▼ Less
Good value for money
Very nice dial color
Low lume
Small size

Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review

21 comentarios en “Invicta Pro Diver 9094OB. English review”

  1. Estupendo guti felicidades, si que es una reseña fantástica. Dile a invicta que saque un homenaje al Daytona Paul Newman en dorado o un reloj led o LCD en acero muyyyy vintage

  2. Aunque seé que el “homenaje” a los rolex es algo tolerado, nunca me acostumbraré a esas copias tan descaradas.

  3. A nice day, Mr. Javier, Mr Ricardo and all reader of Bitácora.

    Good Job, Mr Javier. Congratulations.

    PD. D. Ricardo y hermanos de norteamérica (incluido USA y Canada) be carefully.

  4. en el caso del daytona paul Newman no es tanto copiar, ya que el reloj en el que te inspiras ya no está en catálogo.

    Últimamente estoy buscando un reloj de caja y armis dorada, me ha cansado un poco tanto reloj de acero que tengo y buscaba cambiar un poco de color (no sólo de esfera)

  5. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    A decir verdad Stainless, los comentarios vinieron de la filial europea de Invicta, que como podemos imaginar tiene muy poco poder sobre la matriz americana. Viendo su estilo, no me extrañaría que lanzasen un Daytona Paul Newman en dorado, aunque conociéndolos, puede que su tamaño esté sobre dimensionado. Lo del LED sería genial, a mi también me encantaría uno, de Invicta o de cualquier otra marca. Pero me imagino que si nadie se ha lanzado es porque quitando 4 frikis no debe tener mucho mercado… Quizás en Kickstarter o similares haya más suerte.

  6. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    Hay gustos para todo jmgosalbez, a algunos les molesta y huyen de ellos como la pólvora, otros lo toleran, y a otros les agrada. No sé cuantas marcas debe haber con homenajes al Rolex Submariner, pero fácilmente una decena.

  7. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    Yo es que en general odio los dorados Stainless. ¿Has considerado alguno negro PVD en vez de dorado? El problema de los dorados, además de que no me gusten, es que dependiendo de cómo sea el recubrimiento, termina dañándose fácilmente con el uso y el sudor. O sea, hay que escoger bien también el modelo.

    Has sacado un tema interesante. El Rolex Submariner lleva casi 70 años en el mercado. Dudo que su diseño siga estando patentado. Así que en principio cualquiera debería poder lanzar un reloj así:

  8. Para mi la combinación que más me gusta es caja de acero y armis. Lógicamente también uso relojes de resina (básicamente porque me encanta Casio) y correas de caucho, tela o cuero, pero el armis se lleva la palma, pero me cansa ya un poco el que siempre sea caja y armis de acero “normal”. Primero estuve mirando terminados en PVD y últimamente dorados, ya tengo un reloj de vestir de caja dorada que siempre llevo con cuero,muy estilo años 50. Me gustó mucho la reedición del bulova computron y lo tengo como futurible,pero el Daytona clásico siempre me ha gustado y la versión que llaman JPS me encanta, pero no hay ningún homenaje que yo haya visto de ese en concreto (dorado).

  9. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    Pues coincidimos en gustos Stainless, y mira que hay poca gente así. Todos dicen que el cuero, el caucho o el textil es más cómodo. Yo creo que comencé con el armis por ser más duradero y resistente, te hablo de hace muchos años ya… Supongo que me fui acostumbrando y ahora me parece lo más cómodo. Te deja sentir el peso del reloj, en verano no se te pega en la piel… Lógicamente también uso resina, precisamente por los Casio como tu.

    Para nuestro disfrute la pongo aquí, el Rolex Daytona 6241 John Player Special (JPS) de 1969:

    También disfruto mucho con las lineas clásicas de la relojería, esos pedacitos de historia que podemos llevar en nuestra muñeca.

  10. Tanto ese Daytona como el primer submariner me gustan mucho más que los modelos actuales (Tudor, como “segunda” marca de Rolex si que aprovecha bien esa estética de los primeros submariner). Gracias por subir la foto 😉 Mira que el Paul Newman tiene mucho tirón y hay bastantes homenajes (invita, alpha, parnis), pero este JPS se les ha pasado se todos jeje

  11. Yo los dorados no puedo ni verlos tampoco, no se por qué. Supongo porque acabé cansado de pasar por casas y recoger dorados todos desconchados (y no tantos Casio con el cromado dañado, paradójicamente, por cierto). Claro que cuando a los dorados les incorporas negro mate, la cosa cambia:

    Yo miraría algún DLC en negro, como dice Guti, un buen DLC te puede durar muchísimo. Cuestión aparte es encontrar un buen DLC a buen precio, porque ahora no se me ocurre ninguno, la verdad. Y con los recubrimientos, mejor no arriesgarse con un chino de por ahí.

  12. Con detalles en dorado combinado con negro me gusta mucho y tengo varios como ese Casio: el Seiko tortuga negro con detalles en dorado (srp775) y el Casio F91WG9

  13. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    También coincido. Veo los Rolex actuales como diseños pasados de moda Stainless, en cambio a los Tudor como relojes inspirados en los modelos de antaño. Me ocurre igual.
    Cierto, hay Steinhart, y mirando unas cuantas más que han homenajeado a Rolex.

  14. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    Como dices, no creo que haya DLC asequibles ET, pero si hay PVD de buena calidad. A mi por ejemplo me ha sorprendido el Citizen Urban. Lo ha usado mi madre a diario con golpes y todo, incluso piscina y playa, y en cinco años está perfecto el recubrimiento.

  15. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    Yo menos aún Stainless, con detalles en dorado, y sólo son las manecillas sólo tengo el Venturo Field Watch #2. Me pasa que es un color que me cansa, que no me da tranquilidad mental. No digo que para usarlo, en mi caso, una vez al mes no estuviera bien, pero es casi como las esferas tornasoladas, no me aportan serenidad. Prefiero un fondo liso, un acero mate, o un titanio. Algo que no refleje. Es complicado de explicar.

  16. Buenas noches amigos y participantes de la bitácora.

    Pues aqui a uno que le gustan los dorados. Me recuerdan a los Lotus noventeros ( swiss made). Eso sí contenidos y de corte sport o vestir ( la etiqueta marca que los dorados son para medio día – una chorrada vamos-) eso sí tipo invicta rococó o asiático con caballo de fondo, o reloj paella hecho en Fort Nox ( o el oro de Moscú) pues esos NO.

    Gustos amigos.
    Una pregunta que es el recubrimiento ese dlc ( es el color negro no?)

    Gracias

  17. Javier Gutiérrez Chamorro (Guti)

    Antes hablaba de aportar Sergi, y aquí me encuentro un ejemplo. No tenía ni idea que según el protocolo los dorados fueses para el mediodía. Cada día que se aprende algo nuevo es un día que ha tenido sentido.

    DLC es Diamond-like carbon, traducido como “Carbono como diamante”. En pocas palabras es un recubrimiento a base de carbono y que manifiesta muchas de las propiedades del diamante, en particular su dureza. Suele ser oscuro porque el carbono es negro. Aquí lo explican en mucha mayor profundidad: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbono_como_diamante

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