Years ago on television there was a show called “Sea Hunt”. My brother and I watched it every week. The series starred Lloyd Bridges as Mike Nelson; ex-Navy diver. Mike was called upon to dive and rescue people in all kinds of dangerous predicaments. I could relate to him via name only.
In one episode Mike came to the aid of a pilot trapped underwater in his plane. Thankfully the airman was saved before limited oxygen ran out. In another show Mike’s skills were used to recover a nuclear warhead. As a kid I was intrigued by the cool watch that Mike Nelson wore. I wanted one.
About 2 years ago opportunity waltzed my direction. I was watching QVC and they were premiering the Invicta line of watches. QVC for those not in the know is a home shopping network.
A gorgeous lady on the show demonstrated a diver’s watch capable of surviving 300 meter depths. That’s a whopping 1000 feet! She mentioned Arnold Schwarzenegger having one exactly like it.
With their easy payment plan I could have my own by simply dialing a toll free number. Because they had accidentally manufactured too many of the time pieces, QVC was discounting them for $99.00. Shipping was free. Talk about a sweet deal. The lady said they were originally over a thousand bucks!
Visualizing that beautiful instrument on my wrist in all its manly glory, I quickly grabbed the phone and dialed. It took a mere 7 days for the package to arrive via Fed-Ex. The watch was fully protected in layers of Styrofoam. It was carefully embedded in its own custom-fit-plastic-box. I couldn’t wait to strap it on.
The time piece felt a bit hefty on my left arm. It weighs close to a quarter pound. That’s no problem for bigger guys. I suppose small boned fellows might have a hard time supporting the beast. When my wife saw it she laughed out loud. She wanted to how I could justify wearing such a gaudy monstrosity? If Mike Nelson was in the house he’d praise me instead of ridicule.
The first problem I found with the device, was that it wouldn’t allow my fingers to go all the way in my left jean pocket. I couldn’t retrieve coins or car keys. Not a huge problem. I shifted all such items to the right side.
My watch became a conversation piece especially in restaurants. One server noticed it and asked if I dived. What a silly question. Why would a fellow wear a diver’s watch if he didn’t? Sheepishly I told her,
“No”.
I should’ve remarked that I don’t dive but could. That answer would satisfy the most inquisitive of minds.
Because my Invicta became a bit cumbersome for everyday use, I only take it out on special occasion. Last week I wore it to a local burger joint. The watch looked enormous in comparison to a junior cheeseburger.
Not many people will purposely dive to 100 feet let alone 1000. It’s reassuring to know should I ever fall out of a boat and sink, my Invicta diver’s watch will survive. I doubt if a Timex or Casio would do the same.
What better justification for owning an Invicta could a person ask for? Would someone please tell that to my wife!
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