Do you think 'homages' ruin the image of a Rolex?

[vegaseddie]

I think homage = copy or fake. There are lots of nice diving watches out there, but I would only consider the Sub or SM. The easy way out is for a company to copy a design, no matter the quality. Let them come up with their own/better design. These is a reason a Sub or SM are so respected.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by vegaseddie

The easy way out is for a company to copy a design, no matter the quality. Let them come up with their own/better design.

Can not disagree with that one bit

[Solo118]

Better than wearing a Folex off the streets. It is a sensitive topic, but truth is Rolex should be flattered that everybody needs to copy their designs.

[roadcarver]

Breitling does not make Invicta. You may be associating the wings logo of Invicta with the Breitling Wings logl

Originally Posted by sna77

Is that an automatic? Invicta is made by breitling right?

[superdelsol]

Originally Posted by Hamilton Carvalho

I think what you saw for $50.00 is the 8926 not the 9937. The 8926 has the Myota movement and the 9937 has a Swiss movement.

The Costco Invicta (Sub homage) that is normally $99, but was $49 during the promotion is a model 5017. Apparently it was made just for Costco, and does not appear in Invicta catalogs. It would have been a great deal if it had the Miyota automatic movement, but unfortunately it is a "Swiss" quartz movement. Invicta has a few different grades of the Pro Diver line, and this watch seems to be at the bottom. It's probably a great watch for $50, but I passed on one, I already have enough quartz watches.

My first Invicta was a model 2900 Speedway Limited (Kind of a Daytona homage), which I paid $80 for. The battery died after a year, and even with the appropriate tools, I wasn't able to remove the case back myself, and had to take it to a watch shop. It seems as thought the threads on the screw down caseback are screwed up. The case back is engraved "Swiss Parts Movement", yet the movement is clearly marked "China". The movement was tiny, and has a plastic adapter to fit the case. I don't know which parts are supposed to be Swiss, but it wasn't the battery or the movement.

After this incident, I swore that I would never buy another Invicta. Well I found that there are many grades of Invicta, and If you do some research, you can get a quality watch for a decent price. I am quite happy with the model 9210A Pro Diver (Yachmaster homage) that I bought for $90. It has the Miyota 21 jewel movement, which is clearly visible through the exhibition case back. I even bought an Invicta model 2614 Pro Diver as a gift for just $70. The model 2614 has the Miyota automatic movement with the addition of a bilingual English/Spanish day feature. I really wanted to keep this for myself, but the bilingual day feature was perfect for my brother-in-law in Mexico. This model looks the part of a dive watch with it's orange dial, black hands, black bezel insert, and unique saw tooth bezel. It seems more of a Seiko homage than anything else.

[mcubed]

Actually I like the Homages, at 4K and climbing, I think it is too much of a liability to travel with my Sub, so I like the fact that I can swap it out for a similar watch (in my case an Invicta 8926) and still enjoy the classic style. Its like the watch can be with you in spirit.

Even though my sub is insured, I still really don't want to risk it. Lots can happen when you travel, I would hate to be mugged, especially with my wife present because someone noticed my Rolex.

and for the record the Invicta 8926 is a great watch. I have had mine for 4 years, it has snorkeled, traveled and taken knocks with grace. The Japanese automatic is robust, the case construction and bracelet are top notch for the price, and if I lose it, I can order up another without thinking about it.

[SteyrAUG]

Originally Posted by skeen

Sure, but it's like with clothing - you don't really want to walk around wearing the same thing that everyone else is.

I know people will say that it's your watch, and if it makes you happy that's that - but we still have a sense of fashion, of wanting to be different, etc.

I find it best to live life not worrying about other people and if their watch is a knockoff of mine.

I have the watch "I" want, I didn't get it to impress the Jones or feel exclusive. I got it for me.

[dotcomakazee]

Originally Posted by skeen

Since joining this forum, I've been glancing at peoples wrists all the time, seeing what they're wearing. Many times, I've thought someone was wearing a submariner, or GMT.

There are so many watches that look ridiculously similar to these classic Rolexes, that I wonder if it takes away from any uniqueness a Rolex has.

If you have a "trained Rolex eye" you can spot a Rolex vs another brand easily...even across the room.

[Arrows58]

I Really like this watch, they do make some exact homage watches but this one is just different enough for me.

[mickeydainish]

I must admit that I am not a fan of fakes... but this Casio just tickled my fancy when I saw it on the bay.....so $20 later........



what a tribute to the Rolex icon of sports watches.... !!! :-)

[mickeydainish]

... that MarcelloC sure does look snazzy.. :-)

[ral]

Pepsi anybody...



Debaufre GMT Ocean

[superdelsol]

So do these Zodiac V-Wolf watches qualify as Homage, or just "Inspired"? I just picked up the green bezel model, and can't decide whether I like the "Kermit" look. This is a substantial watch at 44mm, Swiss Made, and excellent quality. I'm starting to think the square case looks better on a strap though.

[ral]

I think those look unique enough to be called independent creations. Nice find.

[BigHat]

Well we can like it or not but some people opt for different "special watches" because they don't like having what has been faked or cloned so often. Some of us have better eyes then others and I must admit to being briefly fooled by a TT Sub clone from Seiko, Citizen or a thousand others.

You can say it's the sincerest form of flattery and that it doesn't detract from your wearing pleasure, but others sometimes want to wear something less frequently seen.

[MEM 213]

I just ordeed the Debaufre "Pepsi". I like the look and I will not worry about what I am doing when I am wearing it. I know its not a Rolex, I do not expect anyone else to think it is, but for the money it is quite impressive. And it looks really good.

[ral]

@MEM 213. Dual time via a Swiss ETA movement and 300M water resistance. What is not too like?