subject: The Invicta 8926: A Handsome Beater [print this page] The Invicta 8926 is widely considered a "beater," a term used by horologists, or timepiece fanciers and connoisseurs, to denote a watch used for everyday purposes. One that is subjected without compunction to wear and tear every day. Like the Subaqua, these are not watches prized for their make or beauty but meant for casual accompaniment, whether on the job or at play.
Because of the company name, which is Latin for "invincible," - you can count on the Invicta 8926 to survive any task. Its handsome silver tones echo the classical elegance of a so-called "dress quartz" from more formal periods, and yet it is more compact than something like a chronograph found on professional divers or aviators.
The Invicta 8926 hails from the same place as the always popular Subaqua, from the company's Pro Diver collection. This is a collection of fashionable but tough automatic timepieces, big at 43mm of stainless steel casing with a unidirectional bezel that reads easily and turns well, locking solidly onto every number even as it is perfectly aligned with twelve o'clock.
The standard company bracelet that comes with this timepiece is rather substantial, with a heavy clasp and no sharp edges. The diver's buckle is simple to use, and everything is highly polished for an eminently professional look that belies its beater status. The company's own Tritnite paint ensures very good visibility in conditions of low lighting. The mineral crystal is also exceptional considering the price-point of the 8926.
This watch is the heir to a legacy of excellence first conceived by founder Raphael Picard in La Chaux-de-fonds, Switzerland, in 1837. Desiring to make quality Swiss timekeeping available at more modest prices, he and his descendants have continued to innovate and expand the company's offerings down through the decades, with this timepiece but one of many very capable watches bearing the brand label.
Engineered for precision but styled for fashion, an 8926 is suitable for any occasion and just about any task.
This model is aimed squarely at the Rolex Daytona, with which it shares many similarities, particularly cosmetic ones, and compares favorably, especially when taking the price into consideration. But while an Invicta is not a Rolex, only the strictest of horologists could mind, as for the overwhelming vast majority of situations to be encountered in everyday life, these timepieces get the job done at price-points that fulfill the company's founding vision. When in the market for multifunctional chronographs of high quality and low cost,this collection should be considered for value and performance.
