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Invicta's Reserve Sea Vulture Collection men's automatic watch is a high-quality, casual timepiece. Its 50-millimeter black ionic-plated titanium case is paired with a matching black ionic-plated titanium bezel, and a 14-millimeter black silicone band with a secure push-button clasp. A durable scratch-resistant sapphire window guards the luminous white mother-of-pearl chronograph dial, which features black hour and minute indexes, a date calendar between four and five o'clock, and three sub-dials in the center of the face. The white dial also features easy-to-read Arabic numerals marking three, six, nine, and 12 o'clock, along with other large black hour indexes. Luminous red-tipped hands mark the time as it passes on this automatic-movement-powered watch, which is water resistant to 330 feet.
Reserve Collection
The exceptional taste and distinguished palate of the connoisseur will discover timeless pleasure within the Invicta Reserve Collection. Specially developed for those in the know, The Reserve Collection is a reinvention of the superb to create the ultimate in horological finery. These limited quantity; exclusively hand-made timepieces represent a pinnacle in superiority for the discerning aficionado.
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Technical Details
- Quality Automatic movement; Functions without a battery; Powers automatically with the movement of your arm- Scratch-resistant-sapphire crystal
- Case diameter: 50 mm
- Black ionic plated titanium case; White-mother-of-pearl dial; Date function
- Water-resistant to 330 feet (100 M)
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By S. Bhardwaj (Stockton, California United States)
Invicta Reserve Sea Vulture Chronograph Watch Review
Section I - Description of Timepiece
The Reserve Collection the prestigious of the Invicta brand introduced the Sea Vulture as one of its debut pieces in spring of 2007. The Sea Vulture had some innovative features on it from other Invicta models that I have seen. First the Reserve logo on its center sweep chronograph second hand. The other that if was a limited edition and your piece number right on the dial. I also liked that it just put the piece number on it and not XXX/500. For me also the use of an ETA 2894-2 with Incabloc shock resistance on the movement was another plus for the watch. Titanium with rubber this was going to be a light and comfortable watch. So this watch demonstrated to me a lot of firsts in one package.
Well it's been a while since I picked up a watch and I have always wanted to pick up a Reserve piece for a while (see Manufacturer Background for Reserve information). The Sea Vulture from my recollection, when the Reserve Collection debuted and a really had an affinity for it. The price was really the only hindrance from pulling the trigger and owning this piece.
Section II - Gallery of Photo's
Section III - Manufacturer Background "Manufactory Provenance"
Invicta Watch Group website and company information can be found at www.invictawatches.com. My personal experience with Invicta has been very positive. I've only had two problems with my watches and between the vendor and manufacture both problems were resolved to my satisfaction. So I have a great admiration for the company and their products.
The Invicta Reserve Collection was created out of the need for serious watch collectors to get some great pieces and separate them from the rest of the Invicta line. While pieces outside of the Reserve Collection are some great pieces, this is the cream of the crop. To differentiate the Reserve Collection there are several distinct elements to them. All Reserve watches come in a black clam shell box. The watches also have an IR logo on them. All pieces are Swiss Made and have a quality control checklist included.
Section IV - Grading (each category rate to 10)
Movement 9/10
The heart of this machine is the Swiss ETA 2894-2. To learn more about this movement check out this site: http://www.network54.com/Forum/169624/thread/1139563370/The+mysterious+2894-2+chrono+module+revisited+%2528modem+warning%2529 (thank you Larry aka "watch crazy" for the link). The 2894 is based off of the ETA 2892 which is a 21 jewel movement. A chronograph complication module is added to the base unit to move it to 37 jewels. So the chronograph complication is well jeweled, at 16 jewels. The movement itself is not highly decorated, pretty plain. The rotor is gunmetal in color and is conservatively decorated. The word INVICTA is skeletonized out of the rotor and there is a decoration of cut-outs that mimic the ones that circle the dial of the case across the bottom. It has a nice hefty center gear, at the axis.
Accuracy 9/10
24/48 hour test - On the Wrist and "at rest" I consider myself pretty lucky I have a pretty accurate watch right out of the box. On the winder and on the wrist it is running an average of three seconds fast (+3) in 24 hours over a one week period. At rest sitting on the desk (this was the toughest leaving it there and not wearing it) it still was two seconds fast (+2). So to gain about a minute to a minute and a half (+60 to +90) a month on a mechanical watch is very tolerable in my honest opinion.
Overall Fit and Finish 9/10
Water resistance on the Sea Vulture is 100m, I thought with a name like "Sea" Vulture would give it a resistance rating of at least 200m in my opinion. The top crystal is a dual coated ant-reflective sapphire with an exhibition back that I'm not sure is dual or single coated. The sapphire crystal makes up a majority of the dial of the watch only a few millimeters of the case is seen from the top. The case is well constructed of titanium grade five density, coated in black IP (ion plating).
The dial is a flat matte black with the contrast of gold-tone markers and green luminescence. There are three levels to the dial the first is the all luminescent hour markers, then the chapter ring with tachymeter ruler on it, and the dial face with gold-tone accents the word INVICTA at the 12 o'clock position, then Sea Vulture, Reserve, 0105 (for the individual number of the limited edition).
There are chronograph pushers on the right side of the watch that are integrated well into the design of the watch. Due to the unique clutch on this movement it takes a lot of effort to push down, almost feels like you might have broke something. The crown is a screw down type with a partial crown guard protecting it and the "IR" logo.
Legibility 9/10
The sub-dial lay out is standard: a seconds register at the 3 o'clock position with Arabic numerals every 20 seconds, an hour counter at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic numerals every 2 hours, and a 30 minute counter at the 9 o'clock position with Arabic numerals every 10 minutes.
The hands on all three sub-dials are gold-tone with luminescence on a majority of the dial. The sweep counter second is gold-tone with luminescence on an orange outlined tip. There is also the Invicta Reserve "IR" logo on the other end of the counter second. The hour and minute register dials are gold-tone with luminescence on the dials and orange outlining the dial tips. There are individually applied gold-tone and luminescence on the hour markers around the dial, and a date display between 4 and 5 o'clock.
Strap/ Bracelet and Clasp 5/10
The strap is of beautiful and comfortable rubber. The words INVICTA are raised on the buckle end and the words SEA VULTURE are raised on the other strap. The rubber strap cleanly attaches to the titanium lugs on both ends. It has a nice clean integrated look. There is a notch cut on one side of each strap end so it can be removed with a spring bar tool, to tryout other looks on it. The width from lug to lug is 23mm.
The buckle end is attached to a dual deploying clasp. The watch is easy to size the other end of the deploying along to holes of the strap. The "IR" logo is on the locking mechanism used to size the watch. The watch comes with two loops to hold the strap against the watch when worn but I removed one, because one is only needed to work.
My only major complaint about the watch is the dual deploying clasp and mechanism. The clasp feels light and cheap (I don't know if this is because the clasp is titanium or not). Also the way it functions to lock seems to be designed poorly. The way it works is a small pin on both sides snap into a hole on the moving mechanism on the clasp pushers. So when clasping the watch you need to hear four clicks for it to be secure. This is a challenge if it tight on your wrist and with rubber it's even more difficult as the rubber likes to grab skin. So I wear it one notch looser to easily wear the watch, the rubber band though looser than usual holds it in place on the skin.
I can only hope that Invicta will make a better clasp in the future like those found on the Renato's or even some after market brands that lock into the pushers on the inside and not on the outside with holes and pins.
Styling, Form and Function 9/10
The styling is typical Invicta, love it or hate it. The design seems to be homage to the Italian designed, Swiss Made, Momo Design, Pilot. Personally I loved the watch when I first saw it and pulling the trigger is one of the best things I did.
The watch feels good in the hands and surprisingly heavy for a titanium watch. This is mostly due to the weight of the movement, but this thing would be a monster in all stainless steel. The watch looks unusually huge because the sapphire crystal extends the whole face of the watch, not leaving much room for a bezel and not much of the case to be seen. I own a Renato T-Rex and several Invicta Ocean Ghosts and they look smaller compared to this watch.
The watch is easy to wear because of the titanium construction and rubber strap. The screw down crown operates smoothly, but the chronograph pushers will take a little getting use to. You have to apply more than usual pressure to get the pusher to move.
Presentation and Packaging 5/10
The presentation is a little disappointing. This is the Reserve Collection, the best from Invicta. The only difference is that the box and the sham are black instead of yellow with the words RESERVE and the "IR" logo on them. Invicta's competitors come in wooden boxes and Renato's high end come in wood with leather wrap. So I think Invicta needs to step up in the presentation of the Reserve Collection, since this brand is targeted to collectors.
Now to the good, I do like the special message from Eyal that is a nice touch. I also liked the quality Assurance check list. I unfolded that little check list and followed it line be line. It is nice to see things that aren't on your watch to be checked N/A, so it's not a blind check list, that's used to pay lip service. Also this is a great way to get acquainted with your new time piece.
Manufacture Warranty 10/10
I almost flipped when I couldn't find my Invicta Extended Warranty paperwork in the box. Then I realized I picked up on the Reserve Collection and the Manufacture Warranty on this Reserve Collection is five (5) years. Nice step up for the Reserve Collection.
Dealer Satisfaction 10/10
I picked up this watch on ShopNBC. I've purchased many watches from this vendor and again, another smooth transaction. I was able to easily follow the progress of my order on-line and once it shipped an easy click in the tracking number linked my to FedEx and watch its progress from Bowling Green, KY to me.
Value 10/10
Bang for the buck this is an excellent Swiss made watch. The movement alone is almost the price of the watch plus the watch is titanium. The watch this watch homage is the same price in quartz and here you get a Swiss made mechanical automatic. This was a no brainier if you like the design of the watch.
Section V - Final Rating and Comments
The Invicta Reserve Collection Sea Vulture Automatic Chronograph is a solid watch and an excellent value. I have a 7.5" wrist and it wears comfortably on even a small wrist for being a large watch. Those of you who are intimated by the larger watches might consider this one for it light weight construction. The only two things I would make improvements on is the design of the dual deploying clasp and the presentation in which the watch arrives in. These are the only two things that bring the score down of a well executed watch. The checklist is also a nice touch and aids the owner with getting familiar with their new watch
Overall Grade = 85/100
Final Comments: If you like the design and don't really care for the packaging and presentation and are willing to change the clasp to a more reliable one this is a great addition to any collection. Easily with the changes a watch that score a 95.
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