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

[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.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Not really. Copies (or "homages", if you like) are the sincerest form of flattery.

[skeen]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Not really. Copies (or "homages", if you like) are the sincerest form of flattery.

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.

[mfer]

I feel the majority of WIS think that homages are BAD. I think they are fine, myself. It is all about the quality of materials and it is a lot about the brand name. As long as the watch isn't trying to be a Rolex by putting the name on it, I feel it is fine. The problem is that unscrupulous people take these homages, dress them up and sell them as fakes.

[Tools]

Those who choose to have an homage watch on their wrist know what they have.....

And I know what I have on my wrist...

I don't see any distraction there..

Now, if the whole point is to have a watch that can be seen across the room, and it's all about styling......try one of the pave' models..

[mfer]

What is a pave' model?

oh, is it "setting of gemstones set very close together"

It's funny, but I just posed a pave' one in the General Watches section. Didn't know it was that, but this is as pave' as they come....

Ice, Ice Baby

[RW16610]

Often replicated, never duplicated. Truth is some of those designs are just classic swiss styles. The new SeaMaster from a distance to some people who do not know watches as well may feel it is a Submariner.

It is a form of flattery for sure. The fact that Rolex has such amazing designs that so many watch brands have been inspired to make something similar because of how the look appeals to people. There is a reason why Rolex is basically the most copied watch brand out there.

This used to bother me but truly now it does not at all.

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Not at all. But, when you buy a Rolex you have a feeling of accomplishment and you can't feel the same way with a homage, specially a fake one.

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.

[GMTII Owner]

Not at all. Also, when you buy a Rolex you have a feeling of accomplishment and you can't feel the same way with a homage, specially a fake one.[/QUOTE]

X2 - dead on

[oneillba]

No, but nothing, I repeat nothing, is a Rolex except a Rolex! Posers know what they are wearing -- they know...

[skeen]

Originally Posted by oneillba

No, but nothing, I repeat nothing, is a Rolex except a Rolex! Posers know what they are wearing -- they know...

That's what I wonder though - do they know? It seems these 'homages' have become such common place, that one might mistake a Submariner for a Citizen, or Timex!

[fear]

Here's my Explorer 1 homage, Bill Yao's Vantage. I like it because it's way cheaper than an Explorer 1, 39 mm, 200m water resistance. Of course it has a 2428-2 movement. But the movement being common to almost all swiss watches, any watchmaker can service it.

Does it ruin the image of Rolex? Personally, I don't care. A good watch is a good watch, image or no image. If image is a big deal for you, then it may.

I think most of us like our Rolex, Omega, Seiko, Timex... because we're watch fans not becuase of what other people think. Sure we argue over the nuances of horology, but that's part of the hobby and has little to do with image.

[Lol-x]

Only a Rolex is a Rolex. If you know what a Rolex is, you will know that there are no substitutes.
Hommages, only make me appreciate the privilege of owning Rolex.

[jdc]

While Rolex have a place in history as innovators and standard setters don't forget that the Blancpain 50 Fathoms pre dated the submariner which is seen by many as archetype Rolex

[Alcan]

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




Then there's my Rolex Sub.

[DSJ]

Often imitated, never duplicated...

[N_Swe]

Originally Posted by mfer

I feel the majority of WIS think that homages are BAD. I think they are fine, myself. It is all about the quality of materials and it is a lot about the brand name. As long as the watch isn't trying to be a Rolex by putting the name on it, I feel it is fine. The problem is that unscrupulous people take these homages, dress them up and sell them as fakes.

Yes. Couldnt agree more.

[pwrslider]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Not really. Copies (or "homages", if you like) are the sincerest form of flattery.

agreed...........besides........I don't wear my Rolex for others..I wear it for ME!

[DocD]

Sorry, I find this post extremely "pompous". I agree with all the responses, I wear my submariner for my own reasons, and I don't care what anyone else wears, or what anyone else thinks.

If someone else thinks I'm wearing a Timex, that's his/her problem, not mine. I'm secure enough with myself not to worry about what other's are thinking and certainly didn't purchase my Rolex to impress other people.

Maybe you should reassess the true reasons you purchased a Rolex, or you should be a little more secure with your own decisions and choices. What others do, say or think has no effect on you.

[roadcarver]

I like watches period!

So long as it is not a fake, I'm happy. There is nothing wrong with homages, infact I believe Rolex "copied' one of Blancpain's designs.

I have a Debaufre GMT Ocean-1. I don't pass it off as a Rolex, but I like the design that it offers and its price point.

I find it an insult if one looks down on homages.

[jtrader]

I don't think it really matters what others think. What matters is what you enjoy and what you think looks good on you. I own a Rolex GMT and several other high end timepieces costing well into the thousand's. But I also have other watches that cast only a few hundred dollars. In fact I own two Invicta Pro diver's that look a lot like Sub's, but I'm not out there trying to pass them off as a Rolex.

A brand like Invicta creates quality watches for an excellent price.

The bottom line is wear what you like,

Any poser out there trying to bling his watch to everyone more than likely has a fake anyways!

[ZROLEX]

Originally Posted by GMTII Owner

Not at all. Also, when you buy a Rolex you have a feeling of accomplishment and you can't feel the same way with a homage, specially a fake one.

X2 - dead on[/QUOTE]

X3

[paypalbid]

Fake will always be fake
Homage will always be homage

I feel that some people get upset because someone bought a watch that looks like a Rolex and did not pay the price tag of a Rolex. Well then you are wearing a Rolex for the wrong reason.

[TheDude]

I just pre-ordered one of these... I think considering the prices 1655s are going for, I am of the opinion that a quality homage is perfectly respectable.

[Zed Homme]

Like others, I think copying is the sincerest form of flattery. I dont have a problem with them, but dont have one as I would rather have the original. Reality is, that even when the good ones are held side to side, it doesnt take a well trained eye to tell the difference in quality...

[superdelsol]

I have a variety of watches, but the only one that qualifies as a homage is this Invicta Pro Diver. It has a Citizen Miyota 21 jewel automatic movement, and looks a lot like a YM, and that's fine with me. With the Invicta name engraved on the case, and the winged swiss cross logo, no one will mistake it for anything else. I look at it as a test drive for the Rolex Yacht-Master I plan to aquire. I didn't take this photo, I sourced it from the net. Now if I could muster the courage to shave my head, and grin alot.

[Jimbits76]

I personally dont see the problem with them.

I own a watch because I like the styling. This may ruffle some feathers but I don't like the stylings of Panerai as much as Rolex so I bought a Rolex. Would I wear a Pam homage? No! As I said I'm not really into the Panerai aesthetically.

Would I wear a Sub homage? Sure!!!!! I love the look of the sub and that Invicta watch that Al posted would be perfect for me when surveying on site. If I could get one here (or their whiote faced Daytona homage) I'd buy one tomorrow!

Would I try and pass it off as a Rolex? Why would I? I own two Rolex watches, why detract from their value in my heart by passing off something inferior as the real mcCoy.

Todays brand snobbery and copyright issues makes me sick! Can't people just buy and wear something because they like how it looks? Does it always have to be about being "fake"?

J

[cmcm3]

I just bought a Marina Militare, which is a homage/copy of the Panerai. The reason I bought this watch is that I like the look of Panerai's but to me the real thing is priced beyond the value that I place on them, particularly the lower end ones, because IMHO all you get is the big chunky case and a slightly fettled generic movement. The MM cost me £75, the equivalent Panerai would have been c.£3k. There is nothing about the Panerai that I value enough to pay that kind of cash for, so the MM will do me fine. Im happy to pay when I feel I am getting VFM, and to me my recent SubLV purchase has been money well spent on quality and something that I think I will be as happy with on my wrist in 30 years as I am now. In all honesty I couldnt say the same about a Panerai.

I value what Rolex offers highly enough that I am prepared to pay their prices and would not be happy with a homage/fake. With regard to the MM, the build quality is outstanding for its price. IMO it is 98% of the quality for 2.5% of the price.

[skeen]

I think I'm coming round to homages quite a bit. cmcm3, where did you get your Panerai homage from?

[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".