For generations, Switzerland has served as the world's de facto horological epicenter. The country has been attracting talented craftspeople ever since 1601 when the first watchmakers' guild was founded there. In the seventeenth century, Geneva became known as a "city of watchmakers" due to its abundance of the profession. The competition was so intense that many skilled horologists ended up relocating to the Jura Mountain villages. La Chaux-de-Fonds was known as one of the best places in the world for watchmakers to settle down.

The small settlement established back in the 17th century is currently the third largest city in Romandie, Switzerland's French-speaking region. Its prosperity and expansion are directly proportional to the success of the watchmaking business in the region.

A majority of the locals have found work in the watch box-making industry, which has been thriving for over 360 years. This small town of just over 38,000 people is home to more than a dozen internationally recognized watch brands.

This is the Invicta Watch Company

The author of a recent piece about the La Chaux-de-Fonds watches business named several well-known brands. Cartier, Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, Movado, British Masters, and Juvenia were just a few of the names represented. Finally, the author used the ubiquitous "and others" phrase. When compared to the aforementioned, Invicta falls into the category of "others," which indicates that their level of fame and popularity is lower.

They have been around longer, and many experts in the field agree that their watches are superior.

In 1837, Raphael Picard established the Invicta Watch Company. There had been a period in which watches were treated as a status symbol. The typical wristwatch was priced so high that only well-off men could afford one. However, Picard aimed to alter that. When it came to affordable timepieces for the average person, he was one of the first watchmakers to do the trick. The job was difficult.

Back then, every single watch was crafted by hand. The knowledge and expertise required of a horologist were honed over many years. They were not cheap, either. When faced with adversity, the "invincible" (Vulgar Latin) brand Invicta had only one option: boost sales. In other words, the profit margins were so low that volume sales were essential. Although Invicta never achieved financial success, it did make some of the world's most prestigious timepieces. The entire continent of Europe knew and respected them. But in the United States, they were largely unnoticed.

Like many of Europe's finest watchmakers, Invicta felt the impact of the Quartz Revolution in the '70s. Most of the traditionalists lost their jobs because digital watches became widely available at low prices. Due to its resilience and determination, Invicta lasted for ten years after the industry was dominated by Timex and Casio. Thankfully, that's not the final chapter of our tale.

Over a decade after they sent out their final timepiece, the family of Raphael Picard received a call from a Florida investment firm. The new owners claimed they would uphold the company's basic beliefs despite not being Swiss. One change they made was to employ human watchmakers instead of using automated ones. Let's take a look at some of their best-selling products.

Scuba Divers' Official Pro Diver Gear

The Pro Diver Collection is a prime example of Invicta's expertise in creating high-end timepieces with a sporty vibe. These watches are excellent choices for scuba divers because they are powered by automatic movements and can withstand depths of up to 200 meters (660 feet). In other words, you won't have to worry about batteries or winding them. The 8926 is an eye-catching wristwatch due to its striking black dial and bright white hands. The hour markers and Arabic numerals are also white, and a date window sits at the 3 o'clock position.

Group 6621, Series II

Chronographs are watches that have a lot going on. They not only tell time but also have stopwatch capabilities.

The 6621 has a stainless steel case and a fashionable silver-tone bracelet, making it a hardy and long-lasting timepiece. The cobalt blue subsidiary dials display time in increments of 30 minutes, and a calendar aperture sits at the four o'clock position. You can swim in up to 330 feet of water without damaging the watch (100 meters).