Invicta 9311 Swiss Quartz

[Mtech]

I am new to Invicta, but not to watch collecting.
I purchased an inexpensive 9311 to see what the general
construction was like, with the idea that this would give
me some insight to the 9937 or 9938.

My first impression was that the band and case seemed
quite good, the bezel was noisy but solid. Plate was even and nice tone. Crown was hard to screw in without it causing the date wheel to flip to the next number, no firm detents can be felt as it's pushed home.

Then I removed the back, what a "POS" Quartz module.
I paid more money to get a Swiss Quartz, but this Ronda
unit only has Swiss parts, I bet Invicta tried to claim that
the Varta battery was from the Swiss side of Germany!
What a let down. I know this was a cheap seat on the Invicta train, but I really doubt that Invicta will convince me that they have better products upmarket.
Well, upmarket for them that is!

[Pat McCarthy]

Mtech,

You know, I remember the first time I tasted a beer - pretty much the same reaction you had to the inside of your Invicta Quartz. For a long time, I just figured all beer tasted like crap and swore it off.

Boy, did I sure miss a good thing. Turns out Miller made a bunch of other beers that were a whole lot better than the stale Miller Light I started with.

Invicta does make a good number of excellent watches - I own several of them. Don't make the same mistake I did in passing judgment too quickly.

Hey, Mike how about an ice cold MGD?;D

[MikeS]

i wouldn't sweat it still better than a seiko!

[Mtech]

I don't really agree that this model is better than a Seiko, but I accept that Seiko makes cheapo models and calls them Pulsar.

Maybe my positive first impressions of the outside of this watch made me expect more of the guts, to find "Swiss Parts" and a really lousy method of holding in the movement
made me mad that I paid $15 more for a "swiss movement" as it's clear that the Ronda may have cost Invicta $0.25 more than the regular quartz movmt.

Yes, I have buyers remorse more so that Invicta would call this a Swiss version, bit of a stretch of the truth here!

[Pat McCarthy]

Over the past couple of years I've been following Invicta, I honestly can't remember more than one or two folks who have indicated they purchased an Invicta quartz diver.

Not that the quartz is a bad choice, IMO, but that from the sites I've checked the price difference between a quartz and Miyota automatic is minimal. One of our sponsors, Invicta Guys, shows the difference between the 9311 and the auto 8929 at $21.50.

I guess I just don't understand your reasoning for purchasing the quartz model to "check out" the manufacturer. With all the forum discussions about the satisfaction level with the 89xx line, I would think one of the autos would be more demonstrative of Invicta's quality.

Hmmm. I guess that's just me, though.

[GW]

with the reviews on the automatic at 20 bucks or so more why would anyone even consider the quartz model the auto is a real watch imho but thats just my opion

[Roloya]

MikeS said:

i wouldn't sweat it still better than a seiko!

You are joking, right??

Please tell me this is an attempt at humor...

[MikeS]

no humor i am the anti man of seiko! JK it was humor! I have never been a Seiko fan but i have researched there top models and they have some nice stuff, but for the money i would buy Omega!

[Eddie]

I have a 9310 model but luckily for me I didn't expect too much from a sub $100 watch. I agree the case and bracelet are extremely good for the money as is the PVD plating. I also agree the bezel is a little difficult to turn, but then again, if I was a scuba diver and was relying on my bezel setting to accurately and quickly tell me how long I'd been under, I wouldn't want a bezel that turns easily in case I knocked it accidently and added extra time to the reading.
I really don't know much about the Ronda movement except that it loses about 2 seconds a month therefore I am more than happy with it's accuracy. Maybe if I'd paid Invicta's max sell price I'd be a little peeved to find that there were possibly better buys.
As far as long term for the watch, if I can get 5 years out of it and then the "POS" movement dies, then for a pittance I can have a new one put in or buy another Invicta watch.
I do agree that Invicta is being more than a little naughty in the way they use the term "Swiss" on their dials but I only bought the "Swiss" model because I preferred the red logo on the blue dial.

[GW]

I know a lot a folks would disagree ! BUT imho the sub 100 buck watch's from invicta are like the timex of the 60's and 70's with inflation figured in great watch for the money ,,, better than most in that price point ..again just imho

[GW]

I would like to add that the 9937 divers look to me to be a very very nice watch and more than well worth the money taken care of imo will last a LONG time well built and Quality and to disagree with MR Hollbrook I like the new screws in the bracelet instead of springs to attach it again imo

[Mtech]

[quote author=Pat McCarthy

I guess I just don't understand your reasoning for purchasing the quartz model to "check out" the manufacturer. With all the forum discussions about the satisfaction level with the 89xx line, I would think one of the autos would be more demonstrative of Invicta's quality.

Hmmm. I guess that's just me, though.

From Mtech:

Why would inserting a movement not made by invicta, a Citizen automatic, make any difference in judging Invicta's quality versus inserting a Ronda Quartz movement?

If Invicta only assembles the components, what are you judgeing? the suppliers to Invicta? or the assembly of the sub-components? If the auto watch is better do I send my praise to Citizen and dis Ronda?

My issue is that the Swiss movement is not even all swiss!
What else has Invicta stretched the truth on? the guys over at TZ feel that Invicta often overstates the water resistance ratings for their watches, so on the basis of
what I have found out, why wouldn't I feel that Invicta also stretched the truth on this point?

Regarding the 9937, I can get a O&W for less money and same components. Why wouldn't I go this route?
[/quote]

[Pat McCarthy]

Mtech said:

. . .

If Invicta only assembles the components, what are you judgeing? the suppliers to Invicta? or the assembly of the sub-components? If the auto watch is better do I send my praise to Citizen and dis Ronda?

. . .

Regarding the 9937, I can get a O&W for less money and same components. Why wouldn't I go this route?

There are only a few watch manufacturers in the world that produce watches with their own in-house movements. So, in that respect, Invicta is really no different than Omega or O&W - or many others for that matter.

I think, regardless of the engine, you have to judge a watch on an overall basis. Trying to break a watch down purely by its elements is a bit simplistic for me. And, I don't think most folks concern themselves much with what battery powered movement is in their watch as long as it performs well and keeps good time. They do concern themselves with their automatic movements, though - and I think they do so because the watch takes on a kind of human element, being wound by the movement of your body.

And sure, you can get an O&W for a little less than a 9937. My black dialed sub is a Croton with an ETA 2824 - I paid less than half the price of a 9937, and in my mind it is just as good as my 9938.

But, if you don't have any faith in Invicta watches - for whatever reason - vote with your wallet. Buy the O&W, and come tell us all the good things about it. Heck, do a comparison review with the Invicta.

Give us something positive to work with.