Grand Diver

I'm noticing everyone discussing the Invicta Pro Diver when it comes to affordable dive watches, and most conclusions regarding Invicta's quality and dive offerings seem to end there.  That is unfortunate.  What many fail to realize is that there is another line called Grand Diver, which offers a higher step in quality and an additional 100m of water resistance, to 300m, and can be had for as low as $89 on Amazon and other vendors.  VERY affordable, and even when a Grand Diver is in the low $100 area it's still a bargain.

The Grand Diver is not for the meek, however, as it is a substantial watch with a 47mm case and 15.7mm thick.  That may put off some people right there, but if you can wear a larger watch, read on.

Like the Pro Diver, the Grand Diver uses the venerable NH35A movement, which keeps time very well out of the box, but if you need to touch it up the regulation is easy to get to and they respond very well.

The bracelet is also higher in quality, with less rattle and more substantial links.  The Grand Diver logo appears on the end links and to me it adds interest.  The clasp is milled, not stamped, on this watch and the finish is beautiful.

The unidirectional bezel rotates with precise quality and the markers line up perfectly on all that I've purchased.  Under a jeweler's 10x loupe, I can see the finishes are excellent on the dial as well.

The case shares both polished and brushed finishes, with beautiful transitions.  Engravings are on both sides, one with "Invicta" and the other side says "Grand Diver."  I understand this is a point of contention with some people but when being worn it's not readily apparent.  I actually like the engraving, so bonus for me.

The overall quality of this watch is astounding to me given the modest price.  I am currently filling up a 12-slot watch box with just Invicta Grand Divers (and one Pro Diver) and have only two spaces left to fill...

Does anyone else here share my affinity for the Grand Diver line?

Reply
·

I've never heard of them until now.  I have to say that I literally can't picture a watch 22mm thick, So I think this is a no-go for me.  That dial does look good though.

·

I like the ones that are more Seamaster and less Submariner, but over here they tend to be more expensive to get hold of, which always puts me off frankly. 
 

edit:

for example this (which I don’t like the bezel font on and wish it didn’t have a cyclops) puts me off when I could have an Orient Kamasu for the same price, which is just a nicer looking watch with an in house movement to boot:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invicta-Diver-Wrist-Stainless-Automatic/dp/B000FVE3A2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=BGIGAPAVFTHU&keywords=Invicta+grand+diver&qid=1674491811&sprefix=invicta+grand+diver%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-7

·

Nice pick up! Unfortunately, my 6 1/2 inch wrist can't do it 😅. But I collect affordable watches plus the occasional grail. 

·
thekris

I've never heard of them until now.  I have to say that I literally can't picture a watch 22mm thick, So I think this is a no-go for me.  That dial does look good though.

I'm not a big guy, just 5'10" and 195 lbs., with a 7" wrist.  On me, it does work and I don't mind the heft.  But I do understand your point. 🍻

·
JaimeMadeira

I like the ones that are more Seamaster and less Submariner, but over here they tend to be more expensive to get hold of, which always puts me off frankly. 
 

edit:

for example this (which I don’t like the bezel font on and wish it didn’t have a cyclops) puts me off when I could have an Orient Kamasu for the same price, which is just a nicer looking watch with an in house movement to boot:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invicta-Diver-Wrist-Stainless-Automatic/dp/B000FVE3A2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=BGIGAPAVFTHU&keywords=Invicta+grand+diver&qid=1674491811&sprefix=invicta+grand+diver%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-7

Yeah, they're more pricey in your neck of the woods it appears.  But I do like the cyclops, because I'm older and the cyclops is a huge help for me to read the date easily.  That Orient you mentioned is beautiful! 

·
Pallet_Fork

Yeah, they're more pricey in your neck of the woods it appears.  But I do like the cyclops, because I'm older and the cyclops is a huge help for me to read the date easily.  That Orient you mentioned is beautiful! 

I wear a Mako II now, and am very fond of it, but the Kamasu in grey radial dial would be my next choice. Saying that, it looks like a new British brand, Cestrian, is a bit up and coming with what might be called Invicta level watches (but better handsets in my opinion lol) albeit not Invicta prices. I think Glycine is now a group with Invicta, so that may also see some changes at this end of the market.

·

You better believe I do!  At the price, I can wear them without fear of breakage (if that's reasonably possible with these) and have a variety to match what I'm wearing that day. 🍻

·

Those watches make a good substitute for brass knuckles, but other than that the size would pretty much make it a non-starter for me. Other than that Invicta is a very direct value proposition, and I can't fault anybody for buying one.

·
JaimeMadeira

I wear a Mako II now, and am very fond of it, but the Kamasu in grey radial dial would be my next choice. Saying that, it looks like a new British brand, Cestrian, is a bit up and coming with what might be called Invicta level watches (but better handsets in my opinion lol) albeit not Invicta prices. I think Glycine is now a group with Invicta, so that may also see some changes at this end of the market.

Indeed Glycine is under the Invicta umbrella but it is my understanding that they were promised to be left alone, much like when Tata acquired Jaguar.

·

I love my Pro Divers. And my 1953. And the Speedway, too. I'm sure I would love the Grand Diver, too, but it's just too big for me. That is a beautiful GD.

Image
Image
·

Invicta like Pagani probably transformed their fake watchmaking technology into legit watchmaking with the Nh35 movement. After all the Japanese movement is the only thing they can't screw up. The case, hands and bracelet are fake knock offs with the display back the only original thing but could have taken that too from someone. Native chinese movements never go far and the 1963 movement does not count as its Swiss original. The best Invicta's are actually masked Seiko's

·
hbein2022

Those watches make a good substitute for brass knuckles, but other than that the size would pretty much make it a non-starter for me. Other than that Invicta is a very direct value proposition, and I can't fault anybody for buying one.

100%

Also, if someone is going to shoot you in the chest, place it in front of your heart.  I'm not kidding, it may save your life!  LOL.  It's hefty...😂

·
TheGreatEscapement

I love my Pro Divers. And my 1953. And the Speedway, too. I'm sure I would love the Grand Diver, too, but it's just too big for me. That is a beautiful GD.

Image
Image

I have a Speedway on my list!  Nice watches, so affordable...it's become a problem with me...lol

·
Pallet_Fork

I have a Speedway on my list!  Nice watches, so affordable...it's become a problem with me...lol

It's only a 'problem' if you try to stop and cannot. If you don't try to stop...no problem. 😜

·

I like the Pro Diver I got from Dad, but only after a new band, a cyclopsectomy, and some time with a dremel to grind the “Invicta” off the side. Can’t see buying a new watch and putting it through all that. “Grand Diver“ on the side is a dealbreaker for me.

That said, no quibble with the value proposition here, and you’re not me (lucky you) so if you like ‘em, and feel you’ve found a relatively hidden gem, then enjoy as many as you’d like, and have a blast.

·

Awesome! Keeps the prices down. This way I can get an NH35a watch for $60. The same movement that is in watches costing hundreds. The quality of the Invicta is first rate from what I've seen other than the lume could be a lot better but I can say that about watches costing hundreds. Invicta is a value proposition and the other stuff doesn't matter to me. Solid watches, cheap money sounds good to  me. Cheers!

·

I've never heard of the Grand Diver line, but I have to thank you for bringing it to our (my) attention. I've mentioned this before, my wrist is between 8 ½ and 8 ¾ depending on the weather, my medications, traffic, etc. (I rarely get to enjoy the strap that comes with any watch I purchase.) I'm always looking for new and interesting watches 43mm and larger. I'll wear a smaller watch if I really love the watch. I'm putting together a post to get some opinions from the community on a few smaller watches I’m interested in. I did want to share a crazy big line of watches coming from a manufacturer about 30 miles north of here in Woods Cross, Utah. Utah has a big, buy local tradition, when a few of my colleagues learned that I collected watches they had to introduce me to Rockwell. I’m not going to judge – but these are not for me.

Image

Behold --- The Rockwell 50mm quartz in Rose Gold: They warn that it is not for the faint of heart - it weighs almost a pound (454g).

·
Tinfoiled14

They look good 👍🏼 My skinny 6” wrist puts paid to wearing one , but they look good for the price with that movement!!

I'm dying to know what their margin is on these Grand Divers...

·
TheGreatEscapement

Awesome! Keeps the prices down. This way I can get an NH35a watch for $60. The same movement that is in watches costing hundreds. The quality of the Invicta is first rate from what I've seen other than the lume could be a lot better but I can say that about watches costing hundreds. Invicta is a value proposition and the other stuff doesn't matter to me. Solid watches, cheap money sounds good to  me. Cheers!

Great point!

·
Old_School

I've never heard of the Grand Diver line, but I have to thank you for bringing it to our (my) attention. I've mentioned this before, my wrist is between 8 ½ and 8 ¾ depending on the weather, my medications, traffic, etc. (I rarely get to enjoy the strap that comes with any watch I purchase.) I'm always looking for new and interesting watches 43mm and larger. I'll wear a smaller watch if I really love the watch. I'm putting together a post to get some opinions from the community on a few smaller watches I’m interested in. I did want to share a crazy big line of watches coming from a manufacturer about 30 miles north of here in Woods Cross, Utah. Utah has a big, buy local tradition, when a few of my colleagues learned that I collected watches they had to introduce me to Rockwell. I’m not going to judge – but these are not for me.

Image

Behold --- The Rockwell 50mm quartz in Rose Gold: They warn that it is not for the faint of heart - it weighs almost a pound (454g).

You're quite welcome.  And I thought the Invicta Hydromax was big at 323g!!  Whoa....😮

·

Invicta also has some great watches in their Vintage line. If you can find them hidden within their site.

I picked up these 2 last year, The stainless steel jump hour is a mechanical  that cost 39.99. Hard to beat that price and worth every penny.

A lot of people don't know that Bulova and Invicta both where making surfboard chronographs in the 70's (Breittling was first in 1969)

Image
Image

Here's the 1970's Invicta surfboard Chronograph

Image

So I couldn't help myself when they released new surfboard chronograph's that comes in a not too big 43mm

Image
Image

So there's some decent watches to be had for really great prices from them.

·
Whitesalmon

Invicta also has some great watches in their Vintage line. If you can find them hidden within their site.

I picked up these 2 last year, The stainless steel jump hour is a mechanical  that cost 39.99. Hard to beat that price and worth every penny.

A lot of people don't know that Bulova and Invicta both where making surfboard chronographs in the 70's (Breittling was first in 1969)

Image
Image

Here's the 1970's Invicta surfboard Chronograph

Image

So I couldn't help myself when they released new surfboard chronograph's that comes in a not too big 43mm

Image
Image

So there's some decent watches to be had for really great prices from them.

That jump hour looks amazing!  How unique!  Is it heavy?  (Not that weight bothers me all that much, just curious.)

I see the Jim Carroll CD in the first pic.  People Who Died and It's Too Late are favorites and on one of my playlists! 🍻

·
Pallet_Fork

That jump hour looks amazing!  How unique!  Is it heavy?  (Not that weight bothers me all that much, just curious.)

I see the Jim Carroll CD in the first pic.  People Who Died and It's Too Late are favorites and on one of my playlists! 🍻

Ha, It's vinyl but it's a classic. Little know fact. The 1995 movie starring Leonard Di Caprio is based on Jim Carroll's teenage years.  The jump hour is not heavy at all, great little watch

·
TheGreatEscapement

I love my Pro Divers. And my 1953. And the Speedway, too. I'm sure I would love the Grand Diver, too, but it's just too big for me. That is a beautiful GD.

Image
Image

I have a 1953 too and think it is excellent value

·

Over the holidays I checked out a ProDiver with an SW200 that was $189.

Makes you wonder how much those movements actually cost when we get hugely uncharged.  😜

·

I've got nothing to say about Invicta, but I have to say that the photo on the main post is really well done. 

·
tempus

I've got nothing to say about Invicta, but I have to say that the photo on the main post is really well done. 

Thank you for your kindness.  🤝

·

I have a Pro Diver and I think for what you get for $88 isn't half bad! Granted the rotation on the bezel has me at times reaching for pliers, I think it beats paying for a yacht master

Image

I have the 16648 reference and is a 40mm with a thickness of 14mm

·

Thought I'd circle back on this, It looks amazing! I just wish they had a Mini-Grand👍

·
Whitesalmon

Invicta also has some great watches in their Vintage line. If you can find them hidden within their site.

I picked up these 2 last year, The stainless steel jump hour is a mechanical  that cost 39.99. Hard to beat that price and worth every penny.

A lot of people don't know that Bulova and Invicta both where making surfboard chronographs in the 70's (Breittling was first in 1969)

Image
Image

Here's the 1970's Invicta surfboard Chronograph

Image

So I couldn't help myself when they released new surfboard chronograph's that comes in a not too big 43mm

Image
Image

So there's some decent watches to be had for really great prices from them.

Gold case with green-black dial looks great. It's quartz right? Any info about movement?