Just the name Invicta can make some watch enthusiasts recoil, and for good reason. Today, Invicta is often emblematic of iterative, over-the-top watch designs, as unrestrained in their mishmashed styles as in their size. However, the brand, founded in the 19th century in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, didn’t always make watches that look this way.
Over the brand’s history, there have been everything from elegant grand complication pocket watches to cool mid-century chronographs, divers, and dress watches. Vintage Invicta watches are pretty hard to find now, but the interesting few specimens below show a different, largely forgotten side of a well-known brand. For many, it might be a challenge to see beyond the name on the dial and the strong associations it conjures, but they are definitely worth a look.
Invicta Two-Register Chronograph
What We Like: A straightforward, 36mm-wide chronograph in a familiar mid-century style like this example is far from what many people associate with the name Invicta. Alongside the hand-wound Landeron 48 movement found in many well-respected watches from the era, the syringe hands and two-subdial look give it a classic feel. It’s not a crazy price for a chronograph in decent condition, and it’ll make for a lively talking point, to say the least, at your next watch meetup.
From the Seller: In original collector’s condition, with brown leather strap.
