Submariner wanna be watches

[Gixxer32]

What is up with all these watch brands/companies having their version of the Submariner? It's pretty obvious Rolex is on the top of the food chain since a lot of companies mimic their design. The Submariner even has a plethora of fakes, knock-offs...etc. Yeah, other companies might be better according to critics, but let's face it...no one is knocking taking Rolex's spot. Your thoughts?

[77T]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.


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[datejustrms]

Originally Posted by 77T

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.


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Exactly

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 77T

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.


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[Abdullah71601]

IIRC, Rolex pirated the original design from another company.

[Gixxer32]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

IIRC, Rolex pirated the original design from another company.

Hmmm, kind of like Movado: a stolen design.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

IIRC, Rolex pirated the original design from another company.

Were you recalling this article?

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bl...tory-of-squale

Squale, Blancpain, Rolex were all dabbling, copying and innovating nearly at the same time. Sub Fatherhood is as complex as the first computer mouse.


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[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

IIRC, Rolex pirated the original design from another company.

Are you referring to the fifty fathoms? As far as I know Rolex released the turn-o-graph before the fifty fathoms and it is virtually identical to the submariner released later except it doesn't say submariner on the dial.

If you are talking about something completely different or if I am completely wrong, please let me know.

[Swearengen]

There are many out there of various parenthood. This one is quite nasty and even calls itself a Rolly

Mathey-Tissot Gents Automatic Vintage Roly Watch with Stainless Steel Bracelet

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

IIRC, Rolex pirated the original design from another company.

Sorry, you recall incorrectly. Fredrick is correct, the original Sub's design was virtually identical to their Turn-o-graph which was released before the Fifty Fathoms.

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Are you referring to the fifty fathoms? As far as I know Rolex released the turn-o-graph before the fifty fathoms and it is virtually identical to the submariner released later except it doesn't say submariner on the dial.

If you are talking about something completely different or if I am completely wrong, please let me know.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Sorry, you recall incorrectly. Fredrick is correct, the original Sub's design was virtually identical to their Turn-o-graph which was released before the Fifty Fathoms.

well they still stole the idea of putting a pocket watch on a bracelet to be worn on the wrist from someone... so where does it end? Stolen, inspired by, etc. None of it really matters.

Design and function are different. Maybe the design was similar to one of their existing watches, but the function was a response to the FF IMO. So nothing is purely organic in how it came to be if you really think about it.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Sorry, you recall incorrectly. Fredrick is correct, the original Sub's design was virtually identical to their Turn-o-graph which was released before the Fifty Fathoms.

The discussion is about the look of the watch - the iconic Sub appearance, not spinning bezels.

There were several manufacturers making similar watches at the time. The iconic look of the sub was not originated by Rolex. Fifty Fathoms had the look before Rolex. Compare TOG sales today to Sub sales today and you can see that merely spinning a bezel doesn't get you there, you have to have that look.

[run23]

If memory serves me correctly this topic may have come up once or twice before on the forums (-;

[Max16013]

Knowing Rolex, I'm surprised they are allowing these companies to get away with it.

[Chewbacca]

Swiss watch companies have been using each others designs for decades. Even longer.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Gixxer32

What is up with all these watch brands/companies having their version of the Submariner? It's pretty obvious Rolex is on the top of the food chain since a lot of companies mimic their design. The Submariner even has a plethora of fakes, knock-offs...etc. Yeah, other companies might be better according to critics, but let's face it...no one is knocking taking Rolex's spot. Your thoughts?

there is no better luxury dive watch than the submariner. it is the world's greatest luxury dive watch. there is no valid debate. the only debates that occur are those for click bait and shock factor.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

When people ask me about fakes or crappy copy-cats, I give them this analogy.


Ferrari vs Fiero-ari

https://blog.caranddriver.com/if-six...for-just-6000/

[GradyPhilpott]

Personally, have no problem with "homage" watches, as long as there are no patent/trademark infringements, etc.

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[Rogdogg]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Personally, have no problem with "homage" watches, as long as there are no patent/trademark infringements, etc.

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This is how I generally feel about it too

[DJ TT 2002]

My Undone is an homage to a 1960s Rolex chronograph
I’m just fine with that

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by DJ TT 2002

My Undone is an homage to a 1960s Rolex chronograph
I’m just fine with that

I really what Michael Young has done with his line of watches.

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[Fredrik]

This is what a 1953 turn-o-graph looks like, it is from a current ebay listing. I have no idea if this specific watch is legit in every way, but the look is there and it predates the BP.

[Fredrik]

Did I kill the discussion with my picture?

Anyway, Rolex did not copy the BP Fifty Fathoms, they basically renamed the turn-o-graph released earlier. And as has been said before, neither design was original, several companies released similar looking watches in approximately the same time frame.

[returntorolex]

Perhaps if Jacques Cousteau had worn a different watch.....