Mechanical watches · owner-verdict comparison

Invicta Pro Diver vs Orient Bambino Version 2: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Orient Bambino Version 2: 92% of 91 owners recommend it, vs 84% of 256 for the Invicta Pro Diver.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Invicta Pro Diver

84%of 256 owners recommend
84% recommend · 10% neutral · 6% don't
Owners praise
  • Outstanding value; submariner looks for under $80-100
  • Accurate, solid Seiko/NH35 automatic movement that keeps great time
  • Durable daily beater that survives years of hard wear and water
Owners complain about
  • Quality is a crap shoot; some units have failing movements or rough finishing
Full owner report →

Orient Bambino Version 2

92%of 91 owners recommend
92% recommend · 3% neutral · 5% don't
Owners praise
  • Punches way above its price / incredible value for a dress watch
  • Domed crystal adds depth and makes the dial pop at an angle
  • Blued hands look stunning against the dial
Owners complain about
  • Mediocre, stiff stock leather strap that owners often replace
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Invicta Pro Diver if
  • ✓Budget buyers wanting an automatic under $100
  • ✓Those needing a rugged daily beater
  • ✓Fans of the Submariner homage look
  • ✓First-time automatic watch owners
Skip it if
  • Actual scuba diving despite the name
  • Buyers unwilling to risk QC inconsistency
Get the Orient Bambino Version 2 if
  • ✓First-time mechanical or dress watch buyers on a budget
  • ✓People needing an affordable suit or interview watch
  • ✓Value seekers wanting an in-house automatic with hacking
  • ✓Fans of domed-crystal, blue-hand vintage styling
Skip it if
  • Small wrists wanting a compact dress watch
  • Buyers unwilling to replace the stiff stock strap

What Invicta Pro Diver owners say

“to this day I still rock my Pro Diver weekly”
— @KevinKienitz on YouTube
“it's been through scuba diving, rough sea sailing, serious motorbike accident, it refuses to die, I v grown to love it very much, the best 100 euros I have ever spent”
— @rcpjimmy on YouTube
“Lo usé sólo por 3 meses y no volví a usarlo, porque el lumen era inservible.”
— @aimeysa40 on YouTube

What Orient Bambino Version 2 owners say

“Orient Bambino This was my very first mechanical watch! Will never get rid of it. I still wear it because I love the look of the dial. Wish it were a bit smaller though for a dress watch.”
— torpedo109 on Reddit
“The Bambino is a V2 Gen 2 white face with blue hands. I’ve owned two other versions of the Bambino (V1 and V4) but this one has definitely caught my eye more than the others. It wears smaller than my other Bambino’s and still has a subtle sunburst.”
— ohheyitsdeejay on Reddit
“I first purchased an [Orient 2nd Generation Bambino Version 2](https://www.amazon.com/Orient-Bambino-Japanese-Automatic-Stainless/dp/B01N45HWRM) based upon the great reviews the company gets on this subreddit and my fondness of the styling...but I was a bit underwhelmed when the watch arrived.”
— vaca2018throwaway on Reddit

Invicta Pro Diver vs Orient Bambino Version 2: frequently asked questions

Is the Invicta Pro Diver or the Orient Bambino Version 2 better?

Real owners lean toward the Orient Bambino Version 2: 92% of 91 owners recommend it, vs 84% of 256 for the Invicta Pro Diver.

Who should get the Invicta Pro Diver?

Owners point the Invicta Pro Diver at budget buyers wanting an automatic under $100, and those needing a rugged daily beater.

Who should get the Orient Bambino Version 2?

Owners point the Orient Bambino Version 2 at first-time mechanical or dress watch buyers on a budget, and people needing an affordable suit or interview watch.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Invicta Pro Diver is quality is a crap shoot; some units have failing movements or rough finishing. For the Orient Bambino Version 2, it's mediocre, stiff stock leather strap that owners often replace.