Long Term Review of the Invicta 8926 Pro Diver By: John B. Holbrook, II July 19, 2002

The Invicta 8926 is no doubt one of the most reviewed watches around. We probably have 10 articles in the Invicta Article and FAQ archive on watchuseek.com which pertain to the Invicta 8926. However, Internet watch reviewers are an exuberant bunch. Most watch reviews you read on the Internet are written within the first week of ownership - often within the first day! What I hope to provide in this review is a perspective which comes from having owned my 8926 for well over a year. Additionally, since there are so many well-written and articulate reviews which cover the specifications of this watch, I will be covering the more intangible qualities of this watch that one observes over time. The one feeling that has remained constant with this watch since the day I first opened that distinctive yellow box is the overwhelming sense of quality. The below shot gives a good sense at the thickness of both the case and bracelet on this watch. The construction of both the case and bracelet are the cornerstone on which this watches legendary quality is founded:


A feature which really sets with watch apart from the pack of umpteen other Submariner derived watches is the polished center link on the bracelet - really dresses this watch up nicely in my mind. Be warned though - anyone thinking that this watch would make a nice "beater" should know that the center link is far from scratch resistant. In fact, I'm on my second bracelet. :) You'll want to invest in a leather or rubber strap if you plan on being rough on this watch. Many people (myself included) purchase this watch with the initial thought that they will use it as a beater watch. After all, the watch can be had for under $100.00 delivered (retail tag is $315.00). But, once you wear the watch and really get accustomed to it, the purchase price becomes immaterial. What you realize is, this is a REALLY nice watch. I think of it in the same way I think of my Tag Heuer or my Movado - the fact that I paid many times more for each of those watches doesn't matter. That such a quality watch can be had for so little a purchase price is truly amazing. Here is another good shot of the bracelet and case:


The dial, hands, and markers of this watch are definitely on par with the case and bracelet. Again, the look is inspired by the famous Rolex Submariner, with a few distinctive touches which make Invicta's variation on this theme unique. The fit and finish is top notch - though some find the unidirectional bezel on the 8926 a bit stiff. I should mention here that I've not picked up any scratches on the mineral crystal. I was initially afraid that a non-sapphire crystal would pick up a lot of scratches, but the glass on the 8926 has proven to be pretty resistant. Note in the below picture how precisely the top bezel marker aligns with the 12 O'clock marker. What should be noticeable too in the picture is the magnification cyclops at the 3:00 O'clock location. Most reviewers consider the magnification the cyclops provides to be sub-par, myself included. The cyclops used on the Elite line is much stronger and I see this as an area for improvement in the 8926. Many 8926 ! owners also bemoan the luminescence provided by Invicta's Tritnite coating used on the hands and markers. In my experience, when the lights first go out, the hands and markers glow brightly enough, but it fades far too quickly - usually after about an hour or so. At least this quality hasn't deteriorated over time. It glows as brightly and for as long now than when first purchased.


Another really nice and unique feature of the 8926 is the mineral crystal display back. Some feel this feature is unnecessary because the Myota automatic movement in the 8926 is unfinished and not ornate. I disagree - I think you will see in the below picture that the movement workings which are visible are not at all unpleasing to the eye. It has also been beneficial to both myself in understanding how an automatic works, and to those whom I've in turn educated on the question of "what's an automatic?". It's certainly interesting to watch the rotor spin around and the wheels inside gyrate. Opinions may vary as to how pretty the Myota movement is in the 8926 is, but time has proven it to be both rugged and precise. I've seen unregulated numbers of around +3-4 seconds per day.


In short, the 8926 has become a trusted and valued friend in the last year and a half. It certainly gets more wrist time than any other watch I own - I wear it for both work and play. I can't imagine not having an 8926 in my collection. In fact, I've toyed with the idea of buying another for the purpose of putting on a leather strap. Being a WIS, I've owned and played with several watches from several different manufacturers as well as read a lot of watch reviews on a lot of watches. The 8926 is a great watch at any price. I don't think I've ever read of someone being disappointed by this watch. At the price it can be purchased for, it may well be the greatest value you can find in a watch, and belongs in the collection of every WIS who has even a passing appreciation for dive watches.



*All information and images contained in this review are the original work of the author, John B. Holbrook, II and are copyright protected. Use of any of the information or images without the permission of the author is prohibited.

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