Invicta Men's 9094OB "Pro Diver" Stainless Steel Automatic Watch

I don't know about other watch fanatics, but I have "phases." I went through a military watch phase, a "rally"-style phase (in conjunction with "sporty" watches), and an aviator phase. I have mostly preferred chronographs. But I also like a clean face, and recently I started to go through a diver-style phase. I have always liked Seiko watches and recently stumbled on Seiko "mods" (modified) sports/diver watches. There's almost no cleaner face than a basic diver...analog, either automatic or quartz (battery-operated), with some typical feature such as screw-down crown for waterproofing the case. I invested in a few of those colorful Seiko mods (check the auction sites) and I love them, but I also realized I was itching for an automatic (not quartz) that was different enough from the Seikos to stand out (and maybe look somewhat more modern). All the modded Seikos usually come with dive-style black bands, which are fine, but I've swapped out most of them for NATOs -- I like the look, the color varieties, and the ease of switching. Since I have some Invictas in my collection, I checked for a low-cost diver -- and found this one. It uses the near-legendary Japanese NH35A automatic movement, it's bold like Invictas but at 40mm it's not overbearing. The face tends toward purple while the bezel is blue, and some reviewers don't like that, but I do. The unidirectional bezel is quite stiff and may need some silicone to loosen up. The screw-down crown can also be used to wind the watch (when it stops from lack of movement) and the winding mechanism is like butter. Holds a charge and as far as I can tell, accuracy too. The 3:00 o'clock date window has a magnifier. Not everyone likes that, but I find it adds character. Most of these divers are loosely based on the famed Rolex Submariner, I believe, and for quite a few thousand dollars less this one'll do the job and look pretty good on your wrist. I don't dive, so I won't be confirming its seaworthiness, but it has been resistant enough for me in daily use. The second hand has the "snowflake" tip, and the hour hand the "Mercedes." The minute hand is a long spear. The white motif is easy to read. The second hand also adds an Invicta eagle at the back end, and it doesn't bother me at all. The Invicta name is etched on one side of the case, but you have to be looking for it to spot it. I don't prefer metal bracelets (usually switch to leather or nylon - or neoprene - NATOs), but in this case I liked it and the solid clasp enough to keep it, for now. The clasp is also a bit stiff, but eventually loosens with use. Oh, and the screw back is transparent so you can see the movement and its bright yellow rotor, which isn't obvious to anyone unless you show them, but which is a nice feature to show off if they compliment the watch enough for you to want to let them in on it. Call it a conversation piece. Yes, Invictas have their detractors, and some of the larger models are too flashy or just too BIG...but this isn't one of those. It has character and presence, but it does not dwarf your wrist. It will look great on a sport band or a NATO, so feel free to rotate. Really, for well under $100, it's a swell addition to your collection, especially if you're into old-school movements (and this is a good one to have running things). Don't let the blue bezel and violet face bother you...it does depend somewhat on the kind of lighting, and there is a model with a more definitely blue face if you prefer. For the money, this is a perfect diver that doubles as a dress watch. Mine received a compliment on its very first day out...true story. If you want to swap the band, check out the nylon Art-Style brand with either black or silver buckles...at $9-12 each you can have several (22mm) to match your moods. A winner for budget collectors, like me.--W.D. Gagliani, author of THE JUDAS HIT

This is my third Invicta automatic diver, and the first two are still running strong.My first was the Swiss Movement 9937OB bought in 2013. After a few days with a certified horologist, it's running off by less than 1 second per day.I then bought an 8926OB, and with the same watchmaker's help, it runs 1.5 to 2 SPD fast.So I saw this 9094OB on sale, and I snatched it up. I'm a sucker for blue. I've had it for about two weeks, and its +6 SPD fast. It's going to the horologist for regulation and adjustment, and I expect it to perform like the 8926, since the movement is exactly the same in both watches.Let me say this about automatic watches and Invicta in particular. Automatics need TLC, and don't expect your new automatic to be spot on out of the box. Adjusted by someone that knows what they are doing, and has a good trime grapher, they are excellent timepieces. Even my 1996 Seiko SKX007, which is not hand windable or hackable, performs almost perfectly after proper adjustment.They are all within the daily error rate of my $6500 Rolex Submariner.Speaking specifically about Invicta, they seem to be erratic when it comes to quality control. One watch may come off the line nearly perfect, while the one behind it is a dumpster fire. Invicta's luminescence is on the poor side, compared to Rolex or Seiko. Seiko and Rolex are a lot more accurate out of the box, but the Invicta's don't cost near as much as the others. A good horologist will charge you about $100 to get your new automatic running like, well, a Swiss watch.If the mechanics, design, and construction of an automatic don't impress you, get a Timex Expedition for $40, and know it will last dam near forever, just needing an occasional battery change. It will most likely keep better time than your new unadjusted automatic.I hope after the adjustment, I can change the accuracy rating to 5 stars.UPDATE***UPDATE***UPDATEAfter 3 days with a qualified horologist, The picture above shows the accuracy of this watch, and all automatic watches for that matter is capable of after proper regulation, adjustment, and beat error check.As you can see, my Invicta 9094OB is running off by plus 0.06 seconds per 24 hours. It took another 3 days to find out what it likes best in overnight resting positions. All automatics are different to some degree, but the basic rule of face-up gains time, crown down loses time. As for this particular watch, alternating nightly between face-up and crown down at 45 degrees gives me the best results. As you can see, an average over 21 days of +0.06 seconds per day is pretty dam good.It's now keeping better time than my $6,500 Rolex Sub. So an under $100 watch is capable of besting watches costing thousands more.

Great

Watch looks good and feels good. But it has some minor issues.The one that bothers me the most is the cyclops not aligned properly, is not aligned to the 15min mark but to the 16/17min mark which makes you look the date from a slightly weird angle, I guess this could be fixed by rotating the crystal a little bit but not sure how that process would go.Next issue is the strap, hard to find the right position for a good fit, it is loose or too tight, maybe with a little more of tweaking I could find the right spot but it is annoying to try so many configurations, didn't had this issue with the Pagani design Rolex Daytona homage where I just removed the links and that was it.Another issue is with the clasp, if you use all the minor adjustments to tight it, the clasp won't close.Another issue is that it doesn't have the yellow painting on the movement but now checking the product images isn't there. I thought it was having it.Bezel play is minor, and lume doesn't last any long, for the price is OK not a complain.I would return it to get a different unit just for the cyclops but is not worth the hassle, if you live in the USA go for it and request a change.