Where Are Invicta Watches Made in 2023?

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Written By Alan

Would you believe a G-Shock I was gifted in 2014 by my grandpa started my lifelong journey of a watch geek?

🕑  Last Updated: March 28, 2023

Even if you try really hard, you won’t find many watch brands that are anywhere near as polarizing as Invicta.

The brand walks a very thin line between being adored and beloved by some, while others write it off as being “fake” or “garbage”. No matter what side of the fence you’re on, however, there’s no denying that Invicta has built up quite a following for itself.

People who are just dipping their toes into the Invicta brand are often scratching their heads wondering: where are Invicta watches made? Are they made in China? Switzerland? Or maybe Japan?

The origin of Invicta watches is one of the most talked-about topics when it comes to the brand. So much that we have decided to dedicate to the topic an entire article, on top of our Invicta watches review we published last year.

Whether you already own an Invicta piece or plan to get your hands on your first Invicta timepiece soon, continue reading as we dive into the true origins of the brand.

1st Things First: The Background of the Invicta Watch Group

Not many people are aware of the fact that Invicta’s roots date back to as far as 1837, making it one of the oldest watch brands out there.

The brand was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland by Raphael Picard. What started off as a small family business rapidly grew into a large company that distributed its timepieces all over Europe and the United States.

For nearly a century, Invicta prospered and managed to establish a name for itself as a producer of high-quality, Swiss-made watches. Hence, many people making their baby steps in the world of Invicta are wondering if Invicta still belongs to the list of Swiss watch manufacturers (we will settle this soon).

Unfortunately, the company hit a snag during the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s and was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1983.

This is when the Invicta watch company we know today was born.

The new Invicta Watch Group was established in 1991 by two US-based businessmen. The two decided to revive the Invicta name and started selling their watches exclusively in the United States. The approach also changed since the company was forced to move away from developing Swiss mechanical watches to focus on more affordable timepieces with quartz movement-based mechanisms.

Since the takeover, tens if not hundreds of Invicta watches are released every year. Because of the size of the Invicta watch collection, many watch enthusiasts criticize the brand for flooding the market with too many models and not being able to keep the quality up to par.

On the other hand, while Invicta might be far from a perfect watch brand, it’s hard to argue that the number of designs and affordability of Invicta watches in the current era are a huge pull for many.

So, Where Are Invicta Watches Made Nowadays?

Okay, we have already settled that the now-US brand used to produce Swiss watches before getting slapped in the face – like most of the manufacturers of Swiss-made watches – by the Quartz Revolution.

But what about now?

The answer to this question is probably more complex than you think.

Movements

Knowing of the Invicta origin story, many people wonder if the watchmaker still offers Swiss movements (and the Swiss quality that goes with it).

Swiss-Made Watches Reinvented

While the number of Swiss watches in Invicta’s offer has definitely shrunk, it’s not entirely accurate to say that Invicta doesn’t use Swiss movements in its watches anymore. Coming across the label “Swiss movement” on an Invicta timepiece is not that uncommon since in the last few years the brand has enriched its catalog of watches with a Swiss-Made collection – paying homage to the company’s original roots.

The watches in this collection are, at least looking at the average price tag, understandably more expensive than the rest of the Invicta collection.

And it’s not like they just carry the Swiss-Made moniker. All timepieces in this line are stamped with the official Swiss-made label which requires, among others, that at least 50% of the watch’s value is originating from Switzerland.

Most Swiss-Made Invicta timepieces are automatic but there’s also a fair share of quartz watches available.

Japanese Movements the Dominating Force

By far, the biggest number of Invicta watches are equipped with Japanese quartz movements.

Most of the time, timepieces utilizing the quartz movement are powered by calibers from the two leading manufacturers in the country, Miyota and Seiko (who is also a watchmaker).

When it comes to watches based on automatic movement, Seiko’s NH35A caliber is the most frequently used.

A Small Portion of Chinese Movements

Last but not least, there’s also a small group of Invicta watches that use Chinese mechanisms.

The type in question here is mostly Tourbillon watches which are generally more expensive than the average Invicta model (but still way cheaper than what you would have to pay for a Swiss-made Tourbillon watch).

Assembled in China (and Elsewhere)

Now that we know where the movements come from, it’s time to find out in which country Invicta watches are being assembled.

And the answer to this question is, unfortunately, not that straightforward either.

The thing is, while most of the timepieces in Invicta’s offer are assembled in China, depending on the model – and sometimes even the collection it belongs to – the watches can come from other countries as well.

For example, some of the watches from the Invicta Pro Diver collection are being put together in Thailand while other models from the same series come from China. The same goes for the Russian Diver collection where some watches are assembled in China while others come from Thailand.

The Swiss-made Invicta watches, on the other hand, are all put together in Switzerland.

Of course, this is just a brief overview and the reality is much more complicated than that but we hope it gives you a general idea of where Invicta watches are being made these days.

Invicta Watch Company: FAQ

Now that we have settled the question of where are Invicta watches made, it’s time to answer some other frequently asked questions about the brand.

Are Invicta watches of good quality?

This is probably the most common question people have about Invicta watches.

If we try to evaluate the quality-price ratio, the short answer is yes, they are.

The long answer is a bit more complicated than that since it all comes down to personal preferences and what you expect from your watch.

In our opinion, Invicta timepieces offer excellent value for the money.

Most of the time, an Invicta watch is a well-crafted timepiece that uses quality materials (both in terms of the movement and the rest of the watch) and yet, it comes at a fraction of the price of what you would have to pay for a similar watch from a luxury brand.

Who is the manufacturer of Invicta watches?

The Invicta Watch Group is the company behind the Invicta brand, and therefore, the manufacturer.

What country is Invicta from?

The company is headquartered in the United States. That’s also where most Invicta watches are designed.

However, they are assembled in China (and sometimes Thailand and Switzerland).

How can you tell if the Invicta watch is real?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of fake Invicta watches on the market.

To make sure you’re getting a real Invicta watch, we recommend that you buy it either from the brand’s official website or from an authorized retailer.

That way, you will be certain that you’re getting a genuine product.

Who wears Invicta watches?

Invicta watches are popular among people of all ages and genders.

The brand has a wide range of timepieces, from sports and dive watches to more elegant and sophisticated models, so there’s something for everyone.

Are Invicta watches made in China?

The vast majority of Invicta watches are assembled in China.

However, there are some models that come from other countries, such as Thailand and Switzerland.

With that said, it’s important to remember that the brand only assembles the watches in Chinese factories but the movements in most models come from reliable providers in both Switzerland and Japan.

Which Invicta watches are Swiss-made?

The only Swiss-made Invicta watches are the ones from the Swiss Made collection.

Conclusion

In short, the answer to the question “Where are Invicta watches made?” is not as simple as it may seem.

The brand has factories in several countries but most of its watches are assembled in China.

However, depending on the model and the collection, some timepieces come from other countries as well, such as Thailand, Switzerland, and Japan.

1 thought on “Where Are Invicta Watches Made in 2023?”

  1. The quality is not the same as when they were using the valjoux movement . I own at least 30 Invicta’s but most are valjoux movement and no silicone straps .

    Reply

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