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

[cody p]

i owned a zeno explorer at one time, and it was ok. eta 2824, screwdown crown etc...
but looking back, and for what i paid, i would have rather spent the money on a comparably priced tissot or seiko. needless to say, i no longer have it.

[skeen]

Originally Posted by cmcm3

I bought it 2nd hand from a guy on another forum, but there are reliable powersellers (or whatever they are called) on ebay. Just search "Marina Militare".

They are quite impressive! I think I shall have to get one! Did you post a thread about yours? Would like to see some pics.

[cmcm3]

No, I didnt post - I wasn't sure where to put it. Don't think the Panerai boys would want it in their bit!

Here you go. The guy who owned it previously had fitted about £50 worth of strap to it, which made it even more bargain-licious. Its even got a sandwich dial and display back...

[watchlady]

No, fakes are fake. A good design can be interpreted many different ways.

I have heard that the Sub was a copy of the Blancpain fifty fathoms, I'm not sure it is true but it was a design that Rolex molded into it's own brand. Rolex can't control hommage watches as long as the company doesn't put a Rolex crown and logo on. People that want to know and need to know, know Rolex quality.

[Hamilton Carvalho]

The movement on this watch is the reason I never bought the Panarai PAM111-J, or any other model that use the same movement. Don't take me wrong I love the Unitas movement but, to charge over $5,000.00 on a watch that uses a movement that cost $129.00 ( http://www.ofrei.com/page206.html#2786 ) is unacceptable in my book. I understand that Panarai modify the movement but still, is a lot of money. BTW, the only thing I don't like about the Unitas is the fact that it doesn't heck, other than that it's a great movement. You have a nice homage watch!

Originally Posted by cmcm3

No, I didnt post - I wasn't sure where to put it. Don't think the Panerai boys would want it in their bit!

Here you go. The guy who owned it previously had fitted about £50 worth of strap to it, which made it even more bargain-licious. Its even got a sandwich dial and display back...

[f16570]

There is little originality left any more. There are omly so many versions of a wrist watch you can produce, so everyone fakes someone in the end.

[Brushpup]

In reality, Rolex invented the watch as we know it today and they are the most copied watch of all time. Nothing in my opinion can take away from a Rolex being what it is. They stand alone on their on merit.

[SSD]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I don't have a problem with any watch that does not pretend to be something it isn't. The above Marina Militare and Invicta are good examples, the basic reason being their names proudly emblazoned on the dial.

But I like the way a Rolex makes a fake look bad!

[karmatp]

I don't mind homages, I actually think homages of vintage models is kinda cool. It is not like they say Rolex on the dial, they are clearly a modern day copy of a classic watch. Now when it comes to fakes, I do think it takes away from Rolex somewhat because everyone assumes that a real is a fake due to the large numbers of fakes out their. I see all the time of craigslist people selling fakes, they clearly say that it is a fake, how is that legal? I always thought that it was illegal to sell a fake Rolex, anyway, that irritates me alot. The big difference to me is that Mr. Yao's models don't say Rolex on the dial, and he make homages of many different brands of watch, not just Rolex.

[East Bay Rider]

I wish that the watch designers would be a bit more creative with their designs. For example - How many watch companies (including Rolex) use the inverted triangle at 12:00. I don't know who was first but couldn't everyone else mix it up a bit? So I look across the conference table and see a dive watch with a rubber strap that, from across the table, looks like a sub. I know it's not a real sub (I know the guy), but I can't read the dial so I can't tell what it is. Sure does look like a sub though...
Do they all have to look SO familiar?

[sna77]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Rolex vs homage? I have both. My Invicta 9937 has a bulletproof ETA movement, sapphire crystal, solid SS construction. My most worn watch.

Was Invicta sued over that design? Thats more close to a Sub than the Tag Heuer that was sued by Rolex for looking too close to a Sub...

[cmcm3]

Originally Posted by sna77

Was Invicta sued over that design? Thats more close to a Sub than the Tag Heuer that was sued by Rolex for looking too close to a Sub...

I wonder if Rolex don't bother with the "cheaper" fake brands. I would think that a Rolex-a-like Tag would have a more detrimental effect on Rolex sales than an Invicta. Tag is a big brand that a lot of people know about and respect, and instantly associate with quality (argue that if you will). Invicta is a much less well known brand, and is also cheaper than Tag, meaning IMO, that it appeals to a much different audience. The guys buying a £200 Invicta are probably significantly less likely to be considering a Rolex as an alternative than the guys buying say a £1,000 Tag. Or am I just babbling?

[RW16610]

You know this is funny, because to me nothing can tarnish the image Rolex has somehow. One time all the replica's used to bother me but not a big deal because they are often replicated never duplicated. A form of flattery, because to me Rolex designs are among the best and some of the most sought after. Just my $0.02

[cmcm3]

Originally Posted by RW16610

You know this is funny, because to me nothing can tarnish the image Rolex has somehow. One time all the replica's used to bother me but not a big deal because they are often replicated never duplicated. A form of flattery, because to me Rolex designs are among the best and some of the most sought after. Just my $0.02

I agree mate - if you are happy with what you have why worry about what others think/do?

[watchlady]

They were selling that Invicta at costco for $50 last month.

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Rolex vs homage? I have both. My Invicta 9937 has a bulletproof ETA movement, sapphire crystal, solid SS construction. My most worn watch.

Nice Invecta, Al!!

[sna77]

Originally Posted by watchlady

They were selling that Invicta at costco for $50 last month.

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

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Rolex vs homage? I have both. My Invicta 9937 has a bulletproof ETA movement, sapphire crystal, solid SS construction. My most worn watch.

That's more than homage - that's clone.
Look at the dimples on the bezel and the Mercedes hand. Check out the similar band and end links. Sure the hour dot surrounds are large but if not for the distinct second hand that would be a pretty close copy. You just know that they were intentionally copying Rolex with that one.

Nice watch though

[chad951]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Rolex vs homage? I have both. My Invicta 9937 has a bulletproof ETA movement, sapphire crystal, solid SS construction. My most worn watch.

I have a 9937 and it feels every bit as good as a SS submariner and it was about 1/10th the cost. It is a very high quality watch and I selected it for the style not the name. When I wear my Daytona it hardly gets noticed and that is the way I like it. I wear the watch that I like to look at. I could care less what others think.

[chad951]

Originally Posted by sna77

Was Invicta sued over that design? Thats more close to a Sub than the Tag Heuer that was sued by Rolex for looking too close to a Sub...

I think they were sued over the "Swiss" markings on the dial if I remember correctly. They may have been sued over the design of the watch but nothing has really changed and they still manufacture the 9937 as you see in the picture so I guess it was not of significance. The 9937 has a Swiss movement but the watch is not manufactured in Switzerland.. That is why the new ones are marked "Swiss Movement".

[chad951]

Originally Posted by watchlady

They were selling that Invicta at costco for $50 last month.

If you find a 9937 for $50 you would be crazy to not buy it and flip it for for $300. You most likely saw their $100 retail model. This one is very cheap. Invicta makes three or four different models that look like the Submariner. The 9937 is the top of the line and when you hold the different models in your hand you can tell the different. The 9937 looks and feels like a Rolex in just about every way. That is why it attracts many watch collectors. One can spend around $300 and get a daily beater that looks and feels like its $5000 counter part. That is what attracted me to it.

[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.

Originally Posted by watchlady

They were selling that Invicta at costco for $50 last month.

[Hamilton Carvalho]

I own 2 Invictas the 8926 and 9937. The 9937 is special to me because this watch was created at mine and other members of the former Invicta Forum request. After I read many posts from Forum members how they wished Invicta would modify the 8926, I contacted Eyal Lalo by phone and asked him to modify the 8926. He told me to write down what I had in mind and fax it to him. I contacted the Forum members to participate with their ideas and a few days later I faxed to him the info. Three months later to my surprise Eyal came up with the 9937. He was concern whether or not the watch would sell but, at the end it was a big success. You can read something about it here http://home.woh.rr.com/johnholbrook/9937.html . The only thing that I felt should have been mentioned in the review is that I was the one who made contacted with Eyal in the first place, and I was the only one in contact with him at all time. The idea to modify the 8926 was not mine, but I made the request and kept personal contact with Eyal.

Originally Posted by chad951

I have a 9937 and it feels every bit as good as a SS submariner and it was about 1/10th the cost. It is a very high quality watch and I selected it for the style not the name. When I wear my Daytona it hardly gets noticed and that is the way I like it. I wear the watch that I like to look at. I could care less what others think.

[GoldenBear]

An "homage" gives a nod to the original. A fake/replica is trying to fool people into thinking it is the real thing. I don't think the two terms are inter-changeable. You can tell which is which.

[SUPERDOC]

Funny story about that Invicta...

My wife and I were in a jewelery store in an outlet mall, where they had a big poster on the wall for invicta...

A male model was wearing that Invicta 'Sub', with the word "Invicta" in big writing...

My wife sees this and says, "look Honey..he's wearing your Rolex!"...

I explained the difference...
later as the manager was helping her with a set of diamond earings (the cut/grade/clarity of which she argued like a savant)...I commented to him that I liked his tissot.

..."my wife turns to me, and says...how does that compare to your Rolex?"

we both gave her a stunned look...

But I think that this is more reflective of the common persons view of the subject matter...believe it or not, most people don't care!

The sub is a great looking watch... by extension, so is that Invicta...I bet many people buy it without any knowledge of how much it resembles the Sub.

[karmatp]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

An "homage" gives a nod to the original. A fake/replica is trying to fool people into thinking it is the real thing. I don't think the two terms are inter-changeable. You can tell which is which.

Exactly, well said.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by cmcm3

I agree mate - if you are happy with what you have why worry about what others think/do?

Yeah if anything it makes me feel better to love and own Rolex. The fact that their designs are so popular that companies will make an entire product like based on theirs. For those who seek an alternative watch I would go with another Swiss brand who makes their own original design that has some stuff in common. Classic Swiss styling basically, but will never be the case for me.

[sfrolex]

Love this watch.

[RW16610]

Cool watch, nothing but flattery I say

[ken72]

all I have are homage watches except for my zodiacs and my Omega. Looks like rolex is still doing pretty well even with all these homages. Doubt anyone is really that concerned with their precious sub being mistaken for one of these inferior watches, but if you are I apologize for owning one.