52 replies to this topic

[darkpath]

Here is a good-looking Invicta. Looks like the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner:
http://www.shopnbc.c..._-CS1-_-J173485

These pricks have a lot of imagination, don't they... They might as well have gone whole hog on the rip-off by doing black-on-black.

With all respect, my take on it is that they never claim to be a Rolex. They do not sport faux Rolex logos. Besides, if I have to wrap one around my knuckles to punch out a Smersh agent, I'd much rather risk an Invicta (though in fairness, they are mighty rugged and the Invicta might be perfectly serviceable) in that manner than a Rolex.

I have and am quite happy with two different Invicta Pro Divers' watches, both with the Miyota 21 jewel automatic movement. If there is anything that I would change about either of them, it's that I wish I had the more upscale Swiss (Selita and ETA) movements that Invicta uses in their pricier models. I've found they both hold up in saltwater and protracted exposure to harsh elements, including hour (plus) long swims.

I eventually hope to add their top end divers' watch, the sub aqua noma III to my collection, and I don't believe anyone would confuse it for a Rolex.

[HildebrandRarity]

Here is a good-looking Invicta. Looks like the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner:
http://www.shopnbc.c..._-CS1-_-J173485

These pricks have a lot of imagination, don't they... They might as well have gone whole hog on the rip-off by doing black-on-black.

You're obviously not an Invicta Fan!

Not when they're replicating the design in such a blatant way. The dial, the bezel edge, the bezel markings, the hour/minute markers, the minute and mercedes hour hands, the lines of text above the 6 o'clock marker, what else? Even the bracelet...Just about everything except the company logo is ing the same!

I have and am quite happy with two different Invicta Pro Divers' watches, both with the Miyota 21 jewel automatic movement. If there is anything that I would change about either of them, it's that I wish I had the more upscale Swiss (Selita and ETA) movements that Invicta uses in their pricier models. I've found they both hold up in saltwater and protracted exposure to harsh elements, including hour (plus) long swims.

I eventually hope to add their top end divers' watch, the sub aqua noma III to my collection, and I don't believe anyone would confuse it for a Rolex.

That's more like it! They should blaze their own path. Doing so will earn them greater respect!

[sidspappy]

Here is a good-looking Invicta. Looks like the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner:
http://www.shopnbc.c..._-CS1-_-J173485

These pricks have a lot of imagination, don't they... They might as well have gone whole hog on the rip-off by doing black-on-black.

I think you need to loosen up a little bit. I realize you might have spent the fat end of 5k for your Rolex, but a lot of us mere mortals simply CANNOT afford to spend that on a watch. Some of us have other mouths to feed, you know? And because I can't afford the styling of Rolex, I am shut out? Get real. These Invictas and Debaufres allow the lower-class to enjoy the styling of more expensive pieces - maybe get the Bond vibe - for a lot less money.

I completely understand the allure of Rolex as a brand, but I don't condone angry elitist comments such as yours. If we were talking true counterfeits, yes. But "homage" pieces are appealing to people like me. I don't begrudge the amount you spent on yours, what gives you the right to comment on pieces I buy?

[chuck3]

Here is a good-looking Invicta. Looks like the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner:
http://www.shopnbc.c..._-CS1-_-J173485

These pricks have a lot of imagination, don't they... They might as well have gone whole hog on the rip-off by doing black-on-black.

You're obviously not an Invicta Fan!

Not when they're replicating the design in such a blatant way. The dial, the bezel edge, the bezel markings, the hour/minute markers, the minute and mercedes hour hands, the lines of text above the 6 o'clock marker, what else? Even the bracelet...Just about everything except the company logo is ing the same!

They actually do make a black/black version. I bought one for my brother for Christmas a few years back (I think it cost $99), and everyone thought it was a Sub.

I have and am quite happy with two different Invicta Pro Divers' watches, both with the Miyota 21 jewel automatic movement. If there is anything that I would change about either of them, it's that I wish I had the more upscale Swiss (Selita and ETA) movements that Invicta uses in their pricier models. I've found they both hold up in saltwater and protracted exposure to harsh elements, including hour (plus) long swims.

I eventually hope to add their top end divers' watch, the sub aqua noma III to my collection, and I don't believe anyone would confuse it for a Rolex.

That's more like it! They should blaze their own path. Doing so will earn them greater respect!

Here is a good-looking Invicta. Looks like the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner:
http://www.shopnbc.c..._-CS1-_-J173485

These pricks have a lot of imagination, don't they... They might as well have gone whole hog on the rip-off by doing black-on-black.

I think you need to loosen up a little bit. I realize you might have spent the fat end of 5k for your Rolex, but a lot of us mere mortals simply CANNOT afford to spend that on a watch. Some of us have other mouths to feed, you know? And because I can't afford the styling of Rolex, I am shut out? Get real. These Invictas and Debaufres allow the lower-class to enjoy the styling of more expensive pieces - maybe get the Bond vibe - for a lot less money.

I completely understand the allure of Rolex as a brand, but I don't condone angry elitist comments such as yours. If we were talking true counterfeits, yes. But "homage" pieces are appealing to people like me. I don't begrudge the amount you spent on yours, what gives you the right to comment on pieces I buy?

I hope I haven't started another war!!!

[sidspappy]

I have and am quite happy with two different Invicta Pro Divers' watches, both with the Miyota 21 jewel automatic movement. If there is anything that I would change about either of them, it's that I wish I had the more upscale Swiss (Selita and ETA) movements that Invicta uses in their pricier models. I've found they both hold up in saltwater and protracted exposure to harsh elements, including hour (plus) long swims.

Maybe you should check out the Debaufre watches referenced elsewhere in this thread. They all use ETA and Selita movements, I believe. They also use sapphire crystals, and not mineral. They also sport solid-link bracelets, and not rolled steel. With these qualifications, I do believe one of these will be my next watch purchase. Near-perfect Submariner profile at 1/10 the price? Sign me up!

[HildebrandRarity]

I completely understand the allure of Rolex as a brand, but I don't condone angry elitist comments such as yours. If we were talking true counterfeits, yes. But "homage" pieces are appealing to people like me. I don't begrudge the amount you spent on yours, what gives you the right to comment on pieces I buy?

When someone who saves years to buy a watch they grew up admiring for a few decades puts forward their thoughts on another brand's lack of originality, they're automatically labelled an elitist who makes angry comments. Wonderful!

Whether you bought a piece from the brand being discussed or not was irrelevant in my decision to present my view. Your purchases, in fact, were not even taken into consideration by me at the time simply because I did not (consciously or otherwise) know you were a buyer of the brand's pieces. Am I not supposed to have a view? An opinion? I thought this was a forum for views. Am I wrong?

I must say you seem to have personalized my criticism of the brand's blatant design replication of the watch I wear...the watch I saved up for years to buy. Your personalization of my criticism of a brand's specific model (*and that model only*) is not my problem. I certainly wasn't criticizing you, was I? I can safely say that I had no intention of criticizing any member of CommanderBond.net. And, in fact, I did not!

In addition, I had no idea that the piece was an "homage". Where, may I ask, does your brand's manufacturer state that the piece cited on this page of this thread is an "homage" to the Rolex Submariner? I'd like to know. Please and thank you in advance.

PS

Rolex spends a fair amount in legal fees a year in litigation to fight counterfeits and to protect its design and intellectual property rights. These fees, in turn, are passed on to the end buyer...which, if you can imagine, makes the brand more expensive at the retail level ceteris paribus.

PSS

A certain percentage of every single Rolex purchased goes towards charity and philanthropic initiatives, something that is not commonly known and something that the overwhelming majority of other watch manufacturers don't engage in, just FYI. Have a good day.

[Daddy Bond]

Ahem, anyway. What do you folks think about that Pulsar by the way??? I know it is neither a Rolex nor an Omega, but I have actually received several compliments on my watch already, something I have never received on any of my other watches. I have always tried to wear nice watches, however, this one has gotten some, "Wow, that's a nice looking watch". The photo I included does not do it justice, but there are elements of it that remind me of the Omega (not identical mind you, but similarities that I like), along with some unique elements of its own that I also like.

Here they are together...

 5735823.jpg   44.34KB   18 downloads  PF3681.jpg   15.77KB   26 downloads

Undoubtedly the Omega is the better watch, I'm not attempting to elevate the $100 Pulsar to the level of a $2K+ Omega watch, however, I think the similarities are nice.

What do you folks think???

[chuck3]

Very nice. Good looking watch for the money.

[HildebrandRarity]

Ahem, anyway. What do you folks think about that Pulsar by the way???

 PF3681.jpg   15.77KB   26 downloads

What do you folks think???

Honestly, I think it's a fine looking watch. Very Formula One/racing driver~ish.

[darkpath]

Ahem, anyway. What do you folks think about that Pulsar by the way???

 PF3681.jpg   15.77KB   26 downloads

What do you folks think???

Honestly, I think it's a fine looking watch. Very Formula One/racing driver~ish.

I quite agree! It looks very sporty and sophisticated, like Formula One for that matter, in my opinion!

[chuck3]

there's a website called "the poor mans watch forum." They actually have some nice stuff. Check it out at http://www.pmwf.com/...bbbs_config.cgi

[Daddy Bond]

there's a website called "the poor mans watch forum." They actually have some nice stuff. Check it out at http://www.pmwf.com/...bbbs_config.cgi

Hmmm? A whole forum? Interesting.

[chuck3]

its all relative to what one man considers "poor." It's like calling a Maserati a poor man's ferrari. Conversely, we have an eniter forum dedicated to this!

[Daddy Bond]

its all relative to what one man considers "poor." It's like calling a Maserati a poor man's ferrari. Conversely, we have an eniter forum dedicated to this!

Exactly. What is poor? I don't think I would be comfortable spending a grand on a watch (even if I could afford it). I'd prefer to keep things under $500 (and my current watch costs about $100 - which is even better).

[chuck3]

its all relative to what one man considers "poor." It's like calling a Maserati a poor man's ferrari. Conversely, we have an eniter forum dedicated to this!

Exactly. What is poor? I don't think I would be comfortable spending a grand on a watch (even if I could afford it). I'd prefer to keep things under $500 (and my current watch costs about $100 - which is even better).

Tissot makes a great watch. And its owned by the swatch company which owns Omega. I had 2 of them (both Seastar 1000 Automatics, one silver face and one black faced), but my house was broken into and they were stolen, along with my Debaufre GMT Ocean-1. Both brands can be found on the pmwf. Fortunately I was wearing my Omega Planet Ocean that day that I got on my honey moon, so I still have that. All my other watches were stolen.

Edited by chuck3, 15 May 2008 - 04:41 PM.

[sidspappy]

When someone who saves years to buy a watch they grew up admiring for a few decades puts forward their thoughts on another brand's lack of originality, they're automatically labelled an elitist who makes angry comments. Wonderful!

Whether you bought a piece from the brand being discussed or not was irrelevant in my decision to present my view. Your purchases, in fact, were not even taken into consideration by me at the time simply because I did not (consciously or otherwise) know you were a buyer of the brand's pieces. Am I not supposed to have a view? An opinion? I thought this was a forum for views. Am I wrong?

I must say you seem to have personalized my criticism of the brand's blatant design replication of the watch I wear...the watch I saved up for years to buy. Your personalization of my criticism of a brand's specific model (*and that model only*) is not my problem. I certainly wasn't criticizing you, was I? I can safely say that I had no intention of criticizing any member of CommanderBond.net. And, in fact, I did not!

In addition, I had no idea that the piece was an "homage". Where, may I ask, does your brand's manufacturer state that the piece cited on this page of this thread is an "homage" to the Rolex Submariner? I'd like to know. Please and thank you in advance.

PS

Rolex spends a fair amount in legal fees a year in litigation to fight counterfeits and to protect its design and intellectual property rights. These fees, in turn, are passed on to the end buyer...which, if you can imagine, makes the brand more expensive at the retail level ceteris paribus.

PSS

A certain percentage of every single Rolex purchased goes towards charity and philanthropic initiatives, something that is not commonly known and something that the overwhelming majority of other watch manufacturers don't engage in, just FYI. Have a good day.

Regardless of your intentions, I still felt slighted by your comments, and I still don't agree with some of your current responses. However, let's just say we have a difference of opinion and leave it at that.

For your query regarding "homage," it doesn't take rocket science to determine what a manufacturer is going for when they produce pieces looking so much like a Rolex. Whether they state it or not, and if it isn't a direct counterfeit, it can be considered a knock-off, or "homage" to put it kindly.

You are correct about Rolex's legal prowess. They got Invicta back in 2006 to modify their Rolex knock-off to decrease similarities. So what did they do? They simply copied the Omega Seamaster bezel, and stuck it on the Submariner knock-off.

I'm coming from the standpoint of never being able to purchase a Rolex, and actually have no desire to do so. However, I still love the styling and if a company makes cheap knock-offs, I do not hesitate to jump at it.

[darkpath]

Might I suggest this decidedly un-submariner looking item, the Croton Sharpshooter II:
Here are it's tritium lamps:

Here's what it looks like in daylight:


It uses a Swiss quartz mechanism with a 10-year Lithium battery and has the aforementioned tritium lamps in all 12 hour markers and one in each hand. The lamp at the 12 o'clock position glows orange.

It's rated to be water-tight to 200 metres.

Oh yes, the crystal is ballistic glass laminate (no, I don't know what NIJ level it's good to).

[sidspappy]

Been away a good while. I decided to put my money where my mouth was and start investigating the "homage" Submariner watches discussed previously.

I ended up buying an Invicta 9110A, basically, a Sub clone with rubber strap instead of bracelet. There was an Amazon.com deal of $79 shipped, and I couldn't pass it up. Here it is:



I ended up putting an old Seiko bracelet on it to mimic the Lazenby/Moore/Dalton-era Subs.

Then, I looked into Debaufre, who has a higher end Sub clone, with Swiss ETA 2824-2 auto movement, sapphire crystal, SuperLuminova luminous indices, and high-quality screwed-link bracelet. I got a special 10% off ($406 shipped) their 39mm Ocean-1 model, which most closely duplicates the Submariner:



Both watches are splendid values for the price. Obviously, the Debaufre comes closest to the Submariner experience, although I realize the $6k Rolex is in a different class.

With respect to the views of actual Rolex owners who look upon these homage pieces with disdain, this is the only way I will be able to even come near having a Rolex. I do not condone the numerous Chinese Rolex counterfeits floating around the globe, so here is where I stand, with a Debaufre Ocean-1 on my wrist, feeling the Bond mojo.

[Daddy Bond]

Well, fun bit of news to share. I was at our company picnic yesterday, and the VP called me (and two others employees) up front to say "thank you" for our service to the company. I've been with the company for 7 years and so they gave me a gift.

I was floored when I saw it was a $385 black Invicta Pro Diver watch. They had no clue that this was a watch I was VERY interested in buying!

So, now I have my blue Pulsar that looks very similar (IMHO) to the Omega Seamaster and my Invicta that looks even more like the Rolex Submariner. Very cool.

I couldn't believe it when I saw one of the other two employees today (he received the same kind of watch that I did). I asked him where his watch was and would you believe that he had hocked it at a Pawn Shop for $200! When I showed him a picture of a nearly $7,000 Rolex that looked virtually identical, he said, well, maybe I'll get it back out of hock.

[Daddy Bond]

Saw a yellow Swatch today with green band, when you clap your hands the dial goes round and round really quickly, now if that's not pure hi-tech genius what is?

Hmmm? I'm trying to picture Bond wearing one of these. Nope, can't picture it.

[Daddy Bond]

Saw a yellow Swatch today with green band, when you clap your hands the dial goes round and round really quickly, now if that's not pure hi-tech genius what is?

Hmmm? I'm trying to picture Bond wearing one of these. Nope, can't picture it.

What? Not even if it made a sort of buzzy noise?

Well, maybe if it had the noise.

[Double-0-7]

Well, fun bit of news to share. I was at our company picnic yesterday, and the VP called me (and two others employees) up front to say "thank you" for our service to the company. I've been with the company for 7 years and so they gave me a gift.

I was floored when I saw it was a $385 black Invicta Pro Diver watch. They had no clue that this was a watch I was VERY interested in buying!

So, now I have my blue Pulsar that looks very similar (IMHO) to the Omega Seamaster and my Invicta that looks even more like the Rolex Submariner. Very cool.

I couldn't believe it when I saw one of the other two employees today (he received the same kind of watch that I did). I asked him where his watch was and would you believe that he had hocked it at a Pawn Shop for $200! When I showed him a picture of a nearly $7,000 Rolex that looked virtually identical, he said, well, maybe I'll get it back out of hock.

Congratulations on being recognized for your efforts. While money is always nice, they could not have picked a more perfect gift for you! Now every time you look at your Bond-like watch you'll have two happy thoughts associated with it.

You will enjoy that Invicta for many years to come. Mine still looks like new after 6+ years of constant use above and below sea level.

[Johnboy007]

This has been an interesting/fascinating thread to read. Whenever the time comes to buy a new watch I shall certainly give Invicta a serious look.