Why Are Invicta Watches So Cheap? Exploring the Reasons

Invicta, a name recognized by watch enthusiasts around the globe, is often the subject of intrigue and discussion, especially when it comes to its exceptionally affordable prices. Offering a wide array of watches that present a high-quality feel at a fraction of the cost of luxury timepieces, the question arises – why are Invicta watches so cheap? This article aims to delve into the various factors contributing to the affordability of Invicta watches.

History of Invicta: A Philosophy Underlining “Affordable Luxury”

The birth of Invicta in the heart of Swiss watch-making territory, La Chaux-de-Fonds, in 1837, marked the beginning of a remarkable journey in the world of horology. With an uncompromising commitment to create high-quality Swiss timepieces at a fair price, the company’s founders, Raphael Picard and family, envisioned a future where luxury could be accessible. This mission of democratizing timepieces became the backbone of the company’s ethos, striving to break the common perception that high-quality watches were a privilege reserved only for the affluent.

However, this noble pursuit was far from easy. The original founders faced many challenges, chief among them was the competitive landscape of Swiss watchmaking, dominated by brands that prized exclusivity and luxury pricing. The constant push and pull between maintaining Swiss craftsmanship and keeping costs low was a continual balancing act. Economic pressures, technological changes, and the emergence of quartz movements in the mid-20th century only exacerbated the struggles, leading to a difficult period for the brand, culminating in its temporary dormancy.

The dormant period lasted until the late 20th century when an opportunity for revival was identified by a U.S-based investment group, led by the family of Eyal Lalo. The group purchased the Invicta name and sought to reinstate its mission, albeit in a new era and a different continent. The revival in the 1990s under the leadership of the Invicta Watch Group saw the brand retaining its Swiss roots while being infused with a fresh perspective from its new management.

Despite the geographical and cultural shift, the new custodians were keen to uphold the original ethos laid down by Raphael Picard and his family. They endeavored to continue the tradition of offering affordable luxury, a nod to the original vision of the brand. However, they adapted the brand to the modern context, utilizing technological advancements and efficient manufacturing processes to drive down costs while preserving quality.

Today, the brand remains committed to its founding mission. Invicta continues to strike a delicate balance between affordability and luxury, offering an array of watches that exude Swiss craftsmanship at a price point that is accessible to a wide audience. This enduring commitment to the brand’s founding ethos is a testament to the respect that its current custodians have for the vision of the original founders.

Why Are Invicta Watches So Cheap: Reasons for Cheap Prices

The affordability of Invicta watches is an intentional outcome of a well-thought-out business model, characterized by high-volume production, variety in designs, strategic sourcing, and a cost-effective distribution strategy. Let’s delve into these elements to understand why Invicta watches come with such attractive price tags.

Firstly, Invicta takes advantage of economies of scale by producing a substantial volume of watches. This mass production approach lowers the cost per unit, as fixed costs like design and tooling are spread across a larger number of watches. The strategy isn’t just about producing a lot of watches; it’s about offering a diverse range of styles too. This diverse portfolio caters to a wide variety of customer preferences, enhancing the brand’s appeal and reach.

The second factor is the strategic sourcing and manufacturing practices that Invicta employs. While the brand originated in Switzerland and honors its Swiss roots, a significant portion of its manufacturing now happens in Asian countries, including China. Asian manufacturing hubs are known for their cost-effectiveness, and Invicta leverages this to keep its prices down.

Read – Where Are Invicta Watches Made?

It’s crucial, however, to note that this is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Invicta’s ‘Swiss Made’ range of watches, where more than half of the production process occurs in Switzerland, comes at a premium. This is due to higher manufacturing costs in Switzerland, compared to Asian countries, reflecting in the final retail price.

Thirdly, Invicta does not manufacture its own watch movements, the complex internal mechanism that powers a watch. Instead, it purchases these in bulk from reputable suppliers, such as Japanese firm Seiko. This practice eliminates the need for Invicta to invest heavily in the intricate and costly process of movement production while ensuring reliability and precision by sourcing from established industry names.

Lastly, Invicta’s distribution strategy plays a significant role in cost reduction. The brand primarily sells its watches through online platforms and televised shopping networks, bypassing the traditional retail model with its associated overheads. By limiting physical retail presence, Invicta can keep costs lower, a saving that is passed on to the customer.

The affordability of Invicta watches stems from a combination of high volume production, strategic sourcing and manufacturing, efficient distribution, and careful selection of components. These factors, combined with the brand’s commitment to its founding principle of making watches accessible, result in Invicta’s competitive pricing strategy.

Material Used by Invicta

In watchmaking, the materials used significantly impact the overall quality and price of the timepiece. Invicta cleverly selects cost-effective materials that don’t compromise their watches’ durability, aesthetics, or performance, thereby offering their customers an excellent value proposition. Let’s explore this further.

Invicta watches are primarily encased in stainless steel – a material highly favored in the watch industry for its strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Stainless steel is far from the most expensive option out there, like gold or platinum. Still, it offers excellent value in terms of durability and visual appeal, making it an optimal choice for the construction of watch cases. Also luxury brands that do use stainless stell use a far superior variety of it. Not Invicta, though, as it uses a medium variety, which is still not the worst option.

The watch crystals, which cover and protect the dial, are another key component where Invicta makes smart material choices. The brand often uses flame-fusion or sapphire crystals, both of which are known for their high resistance to scratches and shattering. Flame-fusion crystal, a blend of mineral and sapphire crystal, offers a balance between the high scratch resistance of sapphire and the superior shatter resistance and lower cost of mineral glass. While not as premium as pure sapphire crystals, these options are more affordable and perfectly suited to the demands of everyday use.

At the heart of Invicta watches, you’ll typically find reliable quartz or automatic movements. Quartz movements, powered by a battery and regulated by a small quartz crystal, are accurate, reliable, and require less maintenance. They’re also cheaper to produce than mechanical movements, contributing to a lower retail price. However, for watch enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry and mechanical marvel of traditional watchmaking, Invicta offers watches with automatic movements as well. These tend to be slightly more expensive but still provide excellent value for their price.

Invicta’s choice of watch bands also follows the same approach, offering a mix of stainless steel bracelets, leather, or durable synthetic materials, allowing for variety without a hefty price tag.

Invicta’s selection of materials represents a careful balancing act. It may not use the best options in the market, but it surely does not use the worst. They are chosen for their durability, functionality, and cost-effectiveness, helping to deliver reliable, attractive watches that uphold Invicta’s mission of accessible quality.

Are Invicta Watches Good?

The affordability of Invicta watches often leads to questions about their quality. Despite their low prices, Invicta watches are generally well-regarded for their durability, style, and performance. Many collections, like the Pro Diver or the Bolt, have garnered positive reviews for their solid build and reliable functionality. Of course, while they may not match the prestige or fine craftsmanship of luxury brands, Invicta watches provide excellent value for money and serve as a solid entry point for those venturing into the world of timepieces.

We’ve written an entire article on just this topic. Hope you find value in it – Are Invicta Watches Good?

Parting Thoughts

Hope this article has answered your question – Why are Invicta watches so cheap. The affordability of Invicta watches stems from their cost-effective production strategies, judicious choice of materials, and efficient distribution methods. Despite the attractive price point, these watches offer commendable durability and performance, making them an excellent choice for those seeking value in a timepiece. It’s this potent combination of affordability and quality that keeps Invicta’s spirit of providing accessible timekeeping alive.