Stop Buying Homage Watches! Why Your Money Is Better Spent Elsewhere.

Alright here we go time to tackle an issue that will defiantly ruffle some feathers, I’m talking “Homage Watches” those watches that are specifically made to copy another more successful brands design. I understand when watch companies take design elements from each other and that’s fair game, but what gets under my skin is when a watch company copies specific successful models that may now be out reach for most. The idea is you get the “look” and “feel” of a certain watch without the high price. In my personal opinion it’s real close to selling a fake watch, sure they may not be trying to deceive anyone but they are definitely capitalizing of another brand’s success. The biggest victim of them all is of course the Rolex Submariner, it’s classic good looks and vintage appeal of the pre-ceramic models make it an easy target. Everyone want’s a Submariner and I’ve had two a 16800 and most recently a 16610; every time I sell one I always think I’ve moved on, but I always come back. Such is the appeal of the Submariner and why homage companies forgo the risk of original design and go with what works.

So what’s my gripe, why does it matter to me if a company can turn a profit off Rolex? It’s the people who get suckered into purchasing a “homage” watch for $500 and have absolutely no resale value to put forward if they ever decide to move up towards an original piece. When you buy a knock off watch or “Homage” as apologist like to call them, you must surly be ok with correcting anyone who may be mistaken and be willing to explain how your watch that looks exactly like a Pepsi GMT is not actually a Rolex and that you bought it for the look and feel right? You must also be willing to explain to Rolex owners with the very watch you’re trying to pay homage, that you just got more bang for your buck or that the Rolex just isn’t worth the asking. You doubt me I’m sure, but I’ve heard these very arguments in the past and thanks to Youtube they are becoming much more common. Let’s be honest for just a minute here if you were presented with the choice between the two, the Rolex would be on your wrist and the “homage” in the trash where it belongs and all that explaining would be about why your Rolex GMT is so great, that’s a fact because that’s why you bought the “homage” in the first place.

Fear not I have a solution for this predicament, surly if you could afford $500 you could save double that and purchase a watch with real heritage and value. There are two watches I think are perfect for this situation one of those was a direct competitor of the Submariner from the start. Oris is where we will start with the Oris Diver 65 a vintage inspired watch from a highly respected brand among enthusiast. What you get is a 40 mm watch on a strap with 10 bar of water resistance for $1800 brand new retail or if you look hard enough can be found in the $1300 range. Most of all you’re getting something original with great looks and high build quality, a watch that may never leave your collection and if it does will have someone willing to buy it from you. The second is a watch introduced in 1953 the same year as the Submariner that is the Zodiac Super Seawolf. Zodiac is a brand on the come back trail after a former Tag Heuer executive nearly destroyed it in the 1980’s, but with their recent releases you can defiantly see this time will be different. So what are you getting exactly; well it too is 40 mm and has a 20 bar water resistance rating, directly designed after the original so you have the heritage of a true vintage legend, bought on a strap at retail you can expect to pay right at $1000. I’ve had experience with both of these watches and can tell you both are very enjoyable giving you a really nice piece to start a collection. The one thing they offer that the “homage” watch can’t is originality and ownership with out explanation of why it looks like something it’s not and will never be.

The argument can be made for a cover or tribute band to be good fun for a night out at the fair or some drinks at the local bar, but no one is mistaking them for the original. No I think the proper comparison can be made to a kit car built on a Pontiac Fiero chassis with a fiber glass body made to replicate an Italian sports car. It doesn’t share the quality or the sense of occasion, a master craftsmen didn’t put it together, it’s just a pretender. I will leave you with this; the definition of Homage is to publicly show respect or honor, to pay tribute, and you see when homage becomes your business model you’ve lost the honor, the respect and now you are nothing more than a knock off.