TGIF: The Rolex versus Invicta Rivalry

It's amazing how much tribalism and hatred can be generated by watch brands. There are animosities in the watch world that run nearly as deep as Ford versus Chevy and Coca-Cola versus Pepsi. It's too bad because, if one watch brand was truly the best choice for everyone, the watch world would really be boring. I suspect the rifts run deep because some of watch brands strike deep at the insecurities of rival owners.

A Rolex Datejust in a Pawn Shop

Take a look at the hatred Rolex owners have towards Invicta owners. Each brand strikes deeply at the insecurities of the other tribe. A Rolex is an expression of material success. Beyond its function as a watch, a Rolex is a status symbol. Many owners purchase a Rolex to signify a big success in their professional life.  A Rolex could cost $10,000, $20,000, or even more. You can see for yourself by checking out these Rolex watches at the Amazon Luxury store using my affiliate link. The high price tag keeps Rolex watches well out of reach of most Invicta owners. That likely strikes at deep economic insecurities of Invicta owners. Are Invicta owners just wannabe Rolex owners striking a pose?

However, many Invicta watches provide the mechanical function and nearly identical looks to popular  Rolex models. Use my affiliate link to see the wide variety of Invicta watches on Amazon. While the quality levels are obviously not nearly the same, if the Invicta watch keeps good time and looks good on the wrist, one has to wonder how wise Rolex owners actually are with their money. On paper, a Rolex might be a better investment, but high fidelity homage watches and outright fakes challenge that notion. If buyers, shopkeepers, and watch experts can't identify a true Rolex from a fake, that can't be good for resale values in the long term. Of course, the "millionaire next door" is wearing a Casio and employing 100 hard working people and sending them all over town to do plumbing, AC work, and electrical repairs, while this silly watch debate continues.  It might be real, honest, money that looks at flashy Rolex people as posers.

For less than $50, this Casio Enticer can send everyone else home

Both tribes accuse each other of being suckered by their chosen brand. The truth is pretty ugly. When it comes to the treatment of their customers, neither company has a great track record. Invicta has been accused of taking advantage of a vulnerable customer base through late night infomercials. Rolex makes their customer buy a watch they don't want and wait on a list for years in hopes of buying the watch that they do want. Honestly, it's not a good look for either company and not a great feeling for their customers.

Rolex Sea Dweller 

The next area for attack is watch designs. Invicta has some over-the-top watch designs that leave good taste far behind in the rear view mirror. But, Rolex is using the same designs that had in 1955. Sometimes the dial colors and materials change. That's not exactly innovative. Both companies could do better.

Invicta Specialty Pro Diver

Ultimately, the watch brand hate should stop. A Rolex owner would be better served wearing an Invicta if he wants to eat safely at Waffle House in the middle of the night. The Invicta owner might strike it big one day and really want to join that Rolex tribe.

Invicta Pro Diver Automatic

Watch Deal Alert: Fossil Coachman with Leather Bundt Strap

If you are looking for something slightly different in the world of watches and straps, get a watch with a bundt strap. In that strap design, a leather pad is placed between you and your watch.  It's probably a great design for people who have reactions to the metals commonly used in watches. Right now (as of July 2026), Fossil has a great discount on their Fossil Coachman Chronograph with a leather bundt strap. On Amazon, the watch is 59% off to come in at well under $100.  That's a deal for a good quality quartz watch today.

Fossil Coachman Chronograph

The watch has 44mm diameter case, 100-meter water resistance, a date window, and three subdials to handle chronograph functions and 24-hour time.  It gets 4.6 stars in over 18000 ratings on Amazon. If you like this watch, check it out here via my affiliate link to Amazon.

Sponsored Spotlight: The Olev's Men's Stainless Steel Luxury Diamond Chronograph

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For this month's sponsored spotlight, I have another great watch from Olev's.  This time it's a men's stainless steel quartz chronograph with diamond markers. Olev's is an interesting watchmaker as you can see luxury elements coming together in a budget-friendly watch. This one appears to have a faceted crystal that the ad copy refers to as a "rhombic mirror." It further heightens the visual interest of this watch.

Olev's Luxury Chronograph with Diamond Markers (Amazon photo)

To me, this watch has a rather New Orleans style.  It has the old appeals to royalty with a crown and diamonds, Roman numerals and a faceted crystal and bezel. I also like the black coloring with just a hint of gold.  However, this watch is available in ten different dial design, color, and watch bracelet configurations. 

Olev's Luxury Chronograph Dial Designs (Amazon photo)

This watch has contemporary proportions at 43mm in diameter and 10mm thick. The style is luxurious and the brand is striving for their crown to mean something. While this is a budget-friendly watch, it feels like a better grade of watch than the low-end timepieces that you might find at a discount store. For example, this watch has a stainless steel case and a practical 30-meter water resistance.

That said, I have a similar Olev's model that I bought for myself back in 2024 and I've been quite  pleased with it. If you'd like to take a closer look, please use my Amazon affiliate link here. This watch qualifies for a slightly higher commission via the Amazon Creators program and any purchase will help support this blog.

If you're looking for something a little more square, check out last month's sponsored spotlight for a sophisticated-looking square Olevs!

The Hundred Dollar Grail: The Nautical Watch

Once upon a time, I owned a sailboat. (Perhaps that's why I'm broke today?) While I live far from the sea, I still have an affinity for nautical stuff.  I think it's very cool to have a nautical watch that evokes the sea in a classy, old man by the sea, kind of way. But, what can I find for $100 that scratches that nautical itch? Here are three watches that pique my interest.  

Nautica Vintage Blue Watch

This first breaks my $100 rule by a dollar or two, but it's a nice looking timepiece. It's the Nautica NAPNVF306 Vintage Blue Silicone Strap Watch. It has a rich look with a deep blue dial, 100-meter water resistance, and a rose gold-tone 90% recycled stainless steel case. It has a look that is similar to the Caravelle Sea Hunter Automatic, but it has hour markers similar to those on a vintage Omega Seamaster.

Nautica Vintage Blue Watch (Amazon Photo)

I absolutely love the vintage styling cues of this Nautica watch. While the look is vintage, the size is contemporary with a 44mm diameter case that is 11.28mm thick.   You can check it out here on Amazon using my affiliate link.

Addiesdive 41mm Yachtmaster Homage

Coming in well under $100, Addiesdive offers a nifty looking Rolex Yachtmaster Homage. It has a classic unidirectional ceramic bezel with numbers in relief, 200-meter water resistance, and a Japanese quartz movement. This watch comes in 14 different color and band combinations.

Addiesdive Men's 41mm Quartz Dive Watch (Amazon Photo)

The Addiesdive watch is well proportioned  with a 41mm diameter case that is 13mm thick. This is a watch that looks the part and would be right at home with the marina set.  To check this watch out, you can use my Amazon affiliate link here.

Invicta Ocean Voyage

Invicta regularly brings us big, bold, watches on the boundary of style. But, if you need a bigger boat, the Invicta Ocean Voyage just might be the one you are looking for! It is a big quartz watch with a 51.5mm diameter case (over 2-inches!). I like the wavy background of the dial that evokes pricier watches from fine makers like Omega. The watch also features a cyclops over the date window and bezel with numbers in relief much like the venerable Rolex Yachtmaster.

Invicta Ocean Voyage (Amazon photo)

Of course, none of those timidly-styled watches incorporate an exposed anchor chain motif. For a big statement watch, you can check this one out on Amazon here using my affiliate link. 

While I tease the respected watchmakers, my point is simple.  You can find an interesting variety of nautical themed watches at a very affordable price point.  Check these out!

TGIF: The Invicta Race Car Watch

Watches with novelty features are almost always cool.  But, sometimes, they just might prompt someone to ask how old you are. Case in point, this Invicta Racing Watch (Model 69636). It's ridiculous, but undeniably cool.  The watch features seven tiny model racecars on a track that spins with the push of a button.  The more and faster you push the button, the faster the cars go.  

The watch is 46mm in diameter and 20mm thick due to its very domed crystal. It comes with two leather straps, a thin set of racing gloves, and a presentation case. The watch is powered by the venerable Seiko NH35A automatic movement and the country of origin is listed as Japan. It's just an amazing watch to look at and very well done.

Unfortunately, this watch is rather expensive at prices up to $1000.  But, it might well be worth it as a unique conversation piece.  I'd recommend shopping around online for this one as prices can vary, but to take a quick look at it, you can use my Amazon affiliate link here. This is why we should never stifle Invicta craziness!

Watch Deal Alert: Men's Movado 1881 Automatic

If you are looking for a Swiss-made automatic watch with history and sophisticated design, you might take a fresh look at Movado. As a brand, Movado is sometimes denigrated by watch snobs, but is widely respected by the US upper middle class. They have a number of models that have moved beyond their now traditional Museum Watch. One such watch is the Movado 1881 Automatic. It's currently on sale for 30% off on Amazon. It's normally a pricey watch that now comes in under $850 with this deal. As I've laid out my definitions of watch affordability in this post, I'd call this timepiece  attainable.

Movado 1881 Automatic Dress Watch (Amazon Photo)

The Movado 1881 is a 39mm diameter watch that is 9mm thick powered by a Swiss Sellita SW200-1 movement with a 38 hour power reserve.  In some years of manufacture, this watch can use an ETA 2824-2 movement. Either way, you can see it at work through the exhibition caseback. According to Movado, the watch is Swiss made with the movement assembled and cased in Switzerland.

Movado 1881 Automatic with Exhibition Case Back (Amazon photo)

I can't afford this watch right now. But, with a little juggling and sacrifice, this is an attainable timepiece. It's a realistic dream watch.  It's also from a brand that is headquartered in the United States. If the Movado 1881 fits into your dreams or your budget, check it out here on Amazon.

Ten Dollar Tuesday: Hunruy Men's 41mm Big Face Quartz Watch

 A Classic Vintage Look at a Discount

One thing we haven't seen in our quest for a $10 watch deal is a vintage looking classical watch with a parchment colored dial and old fashioned numerals and hands. Until now! I just found this Hunruy 41mm Big Face Quartz Watch for Men or Women.

Hunruy Men's Big Face Watch (Amazon photo)

This watch is 41mm in diameter and just 8mm thick. It has a classic style with railroad track-style inner and outer scales. For American markets, the style is marred only by a foreign language word BINLIHUAN in the upper portion of the dial.

This watch gets 3.8 stars out of 5 in 13 reviews. As of this writing it is 38% off to meet our $10 goal. It's an interesting timepiece for the cheap watch collector for sure. If you'd like to check it out, you can use my Amazon affiliate link to find it here.

To see all my Ten Dollar Tuesday watch posts, bang it here!