German "Deep Ocean" Dive (sub $1000)

[WatchingTime]

I have recently come across a German made dive watch by the name of NIVREL "Deep Ocean" under a $1000 US, which was just released in 2011. They originally sold out of their first run after launching in Basel 2011, but are caught up on production now. I have read some good reviews and viewed some really great photo's here http://forums.watchuseek.com/f8/my-n...el-543837.html and here http://www.worldwatchreview.com/2011...an-500m-diver/

The truth is, I have had a really hard time finding much about NIVREL online, but I like what I see. I really like the look of this piece, which is why I have jumped head in, and ordered this watch so I can have something to use if I don't want to wear my new EXP II 216570.

Although it might be a little late for my purchase, any real world feedback out there? Thanks!

[WatchingTime]

No one has experience with this watch or brand?

[swiss ghost]

another submariner 'homage'. german invicta.

[WatchingTime]

Originally Posted by swiss ghost

another submariner 'homage'. German invicta.

- Is the Invicta good to 500 Meters and 50 Bar?
- Is the Invicta made from 316L steel?
- Does the Invicta have a Sapphire Crystal?
- Is Invicta made in Germany or Switzerland?
- Does the Invicta use steel hands and Superluminova?
- Does Invicta incorporate a SCREW DOWN Crown?
- Does Invicta use a Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement?
- How is the Invicta bracelet and clasp even remotely similar to a Nivrel?

What do you know about Nivrel that would lead you to say a Nivrel is a "German Invicta"?

Personally, Invicta should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as the German and Swiss made watches.You should really support a statement like the one above with something more tangible.

If you would like to educate me (and the rest of the forum) on how a Invicta dive watch and the Nivrel above are even remotely similar, then I am all ears.

[swiss ghost]

Originally Posted by WatchingTime

- Is the Invicta good to 500 Meters and 50 Bar?
- Is the Invicta made from 316L steel?
- Does the Invicta have a Sapphire Crystal?
- Is Invicta made in Germany or Switzerland?
- Does the Invicta use steel hands and Superluminova?
- Does Invicta incorporate a SCREW DOWN Crown?
- Does Invicta use a Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement?
- How is the Invicta bracelet and clasp even remotely similar to a Nivrel?

What do you know about Nivrel that would lead you to say a Nivrel is a "German Invicta"?

Personally, Invicta should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as the German and Swiss made watches.You should really support a statement like the one above with something more tangible.

If you would like to educate me (and the rest of the forum) on how a Invicta dive watch and the Nivrel above are even remotely similar, then I am all ears.

sorry bro. im not impressed with nivrel. EDUCATE ME on why i should be drinking your nivrel kool-aid

all i see is a website full of homage watches(breitling look alikes, rolex look alikes) and ed hardy look alike watches

[WatchingTime]

Originally Posted by swiss ghost

sorry bro. im not impressed with nivrel. EDUCATE ME on why i should be drinking your nivrel kool-aid

all i see is a website full of homage watches(breitling look alikes, rolex look alikes) and ed hardy look alike watches

Swiss Ghost, your not very good at this are you? I just pointed out everything a Nivrel is, and everything a Invicta IS NOT. It is up to YOU to come back and educate the forum as to why a Invicta watch, using the cheapest parts and pieces and based out of the US w/ poor quality control, is even remotely similar to a German made Nivrel with a 100% Swiss engine.

I don't really care if you are uneducated on "this brand" or "that brand", but before you make a claim, you need to be able to substantiate it. I'll give you a hint, your NOT doing a very good job! I can look past your mindless comments, but I cannot look past the fact you CANNOT support them with a shred of credible evidence.

Forums are filled with thoughtless "claims" like yours... why create even more?

[Fredrik]

It reminds me a lot of the Steinhart Ocean series watches. Different dial and slightly better depth rating on this.

[WatchingTime]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

It reminds me a lot of the Steinhart Ocean series watches. Different dial and slightly better depth rating on this.

Agreed. A lot of similarities with the level of build seen in a Steinhart Ocean 1 series. I am currently considering picking up a rather nice looking Vintage Military Steinhart (homage to the 5517 Sub), which can be seen here under review: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f74/rev...ry-707295.html

[WatchingTime]

Update. I sold my Explorer II, and took a lose on it, because I am deeply committed to my Nivrel Deep Ocean. The fact is, for me, the NIVREL is just a nicer watch. If you have not held one in your hands, you do not know what you are missing. I have had four unsolicited compliments on the NIVREL in the first 2 moths of wear, which is more compliments than I have had in 15 years of wearing three different Rolex watches. When I went into my local AD where I bought my EXP II, a gal from behind the counter even complimented the watch, and got pen and paper to write the info down.

Sadly, the best money I have ever spent on a watch was not a Rolex. I am in my late 40's, and far past the need for brand recognition. I can honestly say I love the look of a NIVREL Deep Ocean watch much more than a EXP II, and not being able to read the time on a black dial EXP II was TERRIBLY annoying. For all those of you that participated in my "which color EXP II dial", I hereby change my vote to white, unless you don't care about reading the time... then a black dial w/ ghost hands is fine.

Don't check out a NIVREL dive watch for me, do it for yourself. If you have any specific questions on this NIVREL, be sure to PM me, since I am really not on TRF much anymore. Cheers.

[rolexperfect]

Well, we can also say that Omega has done homage to the Sub too, to pour more oil on the fire. Omega still makes great quality Submariner-looking watches. So well. My 2 cents.

[swiss ghost]

Originally Posted by rolexperfect

Well, we can also say that Omega has done homage to the Sub too, to pour more oil on the fire. Omega still makes great quality Submariner-looking watches. So well. My 2 cents.

when?

[WatchingTime]

I just wanted to throw my two cents in after owning this watch for almost a year now. This is an OUTSTANDING timepiece. I could not be more happy than I am with this German made, Swiss movement watch. I am now wearing a watch which I thoroughly enjoy, and could not be happier with my purchase. I took the money saved from this purchase, and invested it in a nice PWS MK 1 (not a watch, but something special in its own way).

[salty_snack]

GERMAN MADE... SWISS MOVEMENT... are you seriously still on this????? Its just a cheap sub "homage" (read knockoff) from a company with no redeeming qualities.

Swiss Ghost has it about right... more or less an overpriced invicta.

On the other hand, your other investment must be a heck of a lot of fun.

[WatchingTime]

Salty Snack... you must have missed this in the post above.

- Is the Invicta good to 500 Meters and 50 Bar?
- Is the Invicta made from 316L steel?
- Does the Invicta have a Sapphire Crystal?
- Is Invicta made in Germany or Switzerland?
- Does the Invicta use steel hands and Superluminova?
- Does Invicta incorporate a SCREW DOWN Crown?
- Does Invicta use a Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement?
- How is the Invicta bracelet and clasp even remotely similar to a Nivrel?

What do you know about Nivrel that would lead you to say a Nivrel is a "German Invicta"?

Personally, Invicta should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as the German and Swiss made watches.You should really support a statement like the one above with something more tangible.

If you would like to educate me (and the rest of the forum) on how a Invicta dive watch and the Nivrel above are even remotely similar, then I am all ears.

SALTY SNACK... Someone more scholarly would support their findings a little better than you have. Care to give it a go? The ball is in your court, please do tell, but without the opinion or emotion this time. Just the facts please.

P.s. Swiss Ghost was BANNED from this site. Your not him under a different user name are you?

[salty_snack]

Originally Posted by WatchingTime

Salty Snack... you must have missed this in the post above.

- Is the Invicta good to 500 Meters and 50 Bar?
- Is the Invicta made from 316L steel?
- Does the Invicta have a Sapphire Crystal?
- Is Invicta made in Germany or Switzerland?
- Does the Invicta use steel hands and Superluminova?
- Does Invicta incorporate a SCREW DOWN Crown?
- Does Invicta use a Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement?
- How is the Invicta bracelet and clasp even remotely similar to a Nivrel?

What do you know about Nivrel that would lead you to say a Nivrel is a "German Invicta"?

Personally, Invicta should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as the German and Swiss made watches.You should really support a statement like the one above with something more tangible.

If you would like to educate me (and the rest of the forum) on how a Invicta dive watch and the Nivrel above are even remotely similar, then I am all ears.

SALTY SNACK... Someone more scholarly would support their findings a little better than you have. Care to give it a go? The ball is in your court, please do tell, but without the opinion or emotion this time. Just the facts please.

P.s. Swiss Ghost was BANNED from this site. Your not him under a different user name are you?

Since I don't follow invicta the only example I can give without looking up particular models is the 9937. The 9937 hits almost all of your "Is the Invicta... " and last time I checked they could be had for under $300. Although the 9937 wasn't rated to 500m there are other invicta dive watches that are... Some even more than that.

Oh and this forum, not a court. I am more than allowed to give my opinion just like you are allowed to give yours and my opinion of nivrel, just like invicta, is it isn't worth a second look.

[69mach351]

I will fuel the fire here...

I can't argue if this watch is or is not like invicta as I have not seen them in person. Most smaller brands like this do carry a pretty high level of quality, even more so than other bigger, more well established brands. I would be inclined to assume that it is better quality than invicta. I would also like to see an invicta meet their water resistance ratings. After looking at a number of diver watches, I tend to think a lot of them are false advertising what their watch is capable of. When you are a smaller brand, all it takes is a few watches to crap out before word spreads and you are done.

That said, just because a watch is made somewhere (Germany, Swiss, etc.) does not mean it is a good watch. There are plenty of crap watches that come out of those countries. That argument is pretty weak IMO. Sure it is a "homage" watch, there a A LOT of of companies making similar watches. A lot of simplistic diver watches in stainless/black resemble the sub in some way or another. The same way that a jubilee bracelet and a fluted bezel look like a DJ and there are a lot of those going around.

[improviz]

Personally if I were going to buy a non-Rolex watch, I would not want that watch to be something that looks virtually identical to a Rolex, as I would not want people to think that I'm some sort of poseur, and like it or not, that's exactly what some people are gonna think if they know their watches and get close enough to tell the difference.

If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, good for you, but I'd either get the genuine article or another, nice watch that doesn't imitate it quite so faithfully, there are plenty of nice-looking, more original-looking, very well-made watches in that price range.

[WatchingTime]

69mach351 & improviz - Both well said statements. Thank you for your constructive feedback. After owning a Rolex Jubilee date just, Rolex President day/date and most recently a Rolex EXP II, I have become disenchanted with Rolex over the last 15 years of ownership. The quality and hype is just not up to the price tag anymore, since there are MANY excellent watches which will do what any Rolex will, and then some. When Rolex was born, it produced a level of product not seen before. While the name carries on to this day, the workmanship has been matched or topped by many of it's competitors (i.e. Omega has a better engine). It was my personal decision to move on to different brands since the novelty of owning a Rolex has wore off. Is Rolex a great watch? Absolutely... but it is a crowded field now a days. Buy what you like, and wear what you buy. I think the reality is, watch sales are down with the younger generations, since a watch is now a fashion statement and timekeeping is done on an iPhone or Droid. If I buy another luxury watch, it will be a Planet Ocean. Nothing novel here, but much better value than a Rolex, and arguably a better watch overall than a sub. IMHO of course. Best to you.

[Coolcamden]

I think the watch does look like a replica of a Rolex or Tudor. The gradians on the dial, repeating those on the bezel, are unnecessary and busy. The carbon fiber pattern of the dial is old and tired. But the lugs look great and overall it looks like a quality made watch.

What I don't understand is why you opened a thread asking for comments and then you get so defensive and animosity when people posted their opinions?

BTW, PWS MK 1 is not that special for a premade AR. Many others better premade. But everyone knows... Build one yourself.

[WARVET]

Well if your happy with it who cares. Personally I love the Sword hands. I have a Steinhart Vintage ocean and it is my go to watch when doing hard labor. I would not call these watches fakes as they are not trying to be something they are not.