Them vs Us

[boscoe]

I was looking at foggy and mr. williams' new Reserve Speedways in another thread and it took me way back into the early days of the Cheese Frontier.

The Lalo would show an 8926 - and implying competitors (Rolex) were ripping you off say:

They have an automatic movement.
We have an automatic movement.

They are depth certified to 200 meters.
We are depth certified to 200 meters.

They use a screwed in case back and screw down crown.
We use a screwed in case back and screw down crown,

They cost thousands.
We cost $89. And if you run to the phones now, you'll get three - no four - value pays!

And so forth.

Now The Lalo is selling watches with those features for thousands of dollars. So was he lying then and is he ripping us off now?
Or was he just telling half the truth?
Ignoring that his watches - while rugged and great values - truly couldn't hold a candle to a luxury brand like Omega or Rolex in all measures of quality.

[boscoe]

Aren't you glad I'm visiting the Invicta Forum again?

Not!

LMAO!

[amwilliams9]

I don't know about the "Early" days but IMO the Reserve collection is really a much higher quality watch. Now I can only speak of the Reserve Speedway Quartz version but in comparing them to other Invicta watches and watches in the 400-1000 range that I own it certainly holds it's own. Rolex level? No. could it sell for more than the 495 I paid for it? A emphatic YES!! Every detail from the dial to the bracelet is waaaay better than any Invicta in my collection save my LE Dragon Lupah 7750. And I say that only because I simply just LOOOOVE my Lupah. Honestly it would not be a stretch to see it priced at 1500. BUT only because I have seen brands that have less detail and workmanship sell for more. I have not been brave enough to pull the trigger on a Reserve Pro Diver but am really curious if this higher quality applies to them as well.

[Rusty]

IMHO, EL's TV personna assumes he is talking to the mass audience who knows little about watches so he practices "permissive puffery" in selling his wares. He doesn't really lie but isn't completely forthright either.

If we put him in a room full of watch collectors and they could ask tough questions, he would either have to come clean and go into a different line of work, such as selling pens, umbrellas, windbreakers, and surf shoes. Oh yeah, I guess he is already in that business.

[gottahaveonion]

i cant even watch those shows..i watch the preview and get out of dodge...

[rm663]

You guys are just BAD!

Newbie here that LOVES my Invicta's AND watching the shows.

[koimaster]

the cheese man




believing him



what comes out of his mouth



his promises



the reality

[boscoe]

LMAO, koi

[Revolution]

Mmmm, trolls love stinky cheese.

From all the watches I have been exposed to, I think the 8926 represents the best value in the watch world today. A year ago, I would have called someone insane for considering a mechanical watch-- they were just too much of a hassle. The Lalo's pitch was a good one, particularly to new collectors... you have a design, watch band, case, movement, and name brand. You can pay thousands for the name recognition, or for a lot less, you can have watch with a better bracelet, a reliable automatic movement, and a similar design.

For those WIS, the devil is in the details. We are willing to pay ungodly sums of money for a better fit and finish that only we will be able to discern. From across the room, hardly a soul can tell the difference. Hell, a month ago when I first looked at Rolex, I laid my 8926 down side by side with a Submariner and found myself shaking my head on how well Invicta executed their product.

As far as the Reserve line goes, Invicta is walking a tight rope. They know that collectors who start on the ground floor with an 8926 will eventually want to move up the food chain and thusly have positioned themselves to serve that interest. Invicta's bread and butter (or grits and gravy here in the South) will always be the $100-$300 watches that compare favorably in value. So in some ways, this devalues the Reserve line.

I think they should have created an entirely different brand for the Reserve line. Everyone knows that Toyota owns Lexus, but they have entirely separate identities. I think the Reserve line has potential to be a Lexus, but as long as the name Invicta is on the dial, they will always fighting the affordable watch stigma.

You want to start a riot? Go on the Omega forum and announce that Swatch has decided to compete with Invicta's Pro Diver and will be offering an "Omega lite." Cut the fat and calories and offer a Seamaster design for $400. Can you imagine? There wouldn't be enough lifeboats go around. ;D

[boscoe]

LMAO, revo.

@rm: i love watching the shows, too. they have it all: drama, farce and live action. tv doesn't get any better. not to mention the watches, of course

[Rusty]

Did someone say RIOT? AT-TI-CA. . . AT-TI-CA. . . AT-TI-CA!

[boscoe]

rusty, you're showing OUR age.

[Revolution]

Did someone say RIOT? AT-TI-CA. . . AT-TI-CA. . . AT-TI-CA!

"I knew Jack Benny. Jack Benny was a friend of mine. Rusty, you're no Jack Benny." ;D ;D ;D

[markdl]

RIOT! RIOT! Where is my shank?

What Reserves besides the ones with diamonds are $2000 or more?

[kokuryu]

Quite frankly I find the overal quality of the Invicta watches to be far above the Rolex watches - the Rolex watches are jewelry pieces not meant to be worn everyday (hence my piles of broken Rolex watches over time), but Invicta seems to be meant and designed to be worn and worn and worn some more - very sturdy.