Homage Watches and Why Hating on Them is Silly

I think this is my first rant video! The subject of homage watches has been something that's been on my mind all week, so what better topic for this week's video than to deliver my thoughts on them.
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[@briancarpenter1255]

Great video. I totally agree with you. I think there is a big difference also between an homage and a fake. One pays tribute and the other says that is when it is not.

[@madrockwatchesadventure4501]

Such a fun topic and one they may never go away! Glad you took it in the way you have. I will never, ever be able to spend the thousands of dollars for the high end watches, so I'm happy to own a full on homage. Keep up the videos!

[@kylestewart4444]

Just about every modern dive watch, for example, is going to take several design cues from the likes of Rolex, Tudor and Blancpain. They are iconic designs for very good reasons and they set the standards for design and functionality. The same applies to field watches, pilots watches, dress watches, etc. There is a small number of companies making entirely unique designs, unlike anything ever done before but there’s a reason why that number is small. People just like those classic vintage inspired, military inspired designs more than they like the hyper-modern designs we see coming out of those few small companies. I think that a watch designer/manufacturer strikes the best possible balance when there are noticeable design cues inspired by classic pieces mixed in with that particular designer’s own creativity and design language. I’m not really a fan of watches that were intended to look exactly like another specific model without any distinguishing differences at all. My favorite types of “homages” are the ones that are amalgamations of design cues from several different references all combined into a single design. The best examples of this that I can think of right now are the NTH Barracuda and Näcken along with the Ginault Ocean Rover. Those watches took the best aspects (at least in the opinions of their creators) of the most iconic dive watches ever made and blended them all together. Clearly there are people who absolutely love the iconic designs by Rolex, Tudor, Omega, Panerai, Blancpain, etc, but aren’t able to afford any of their watches. I don’t see anything wrong with smaller watch manufacturers doing their best to bring vintage inspired designs at a much lower price into a market full of customers who are dying to buy them. Obviously I’m not a fan of replicas and fakes but the types of watches I’m talking about are not even in the same universe as replicas and fakes.

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

I completely agree with this. Also, take into account the specs you can get. Any Squale or Steinhart will provide sapphire glass with AR coating, ceramic bezel, ETA, decent finishing, and nice bracelets for a fraction of the price of an original.

[@itsalgud1459]

I agree with your premise, though I’d take it a step further and say that hating any watch is absurd. I spend a lot of time (too much😩) in online watch groups and watching KZbin videos, and the vitriol I hear is astonishing. It’s a watch! A great deal of this is directed toward homages. To me, all watches are ultimately homages to the first watch/clock with a dial, hands and markers, just some more than others. What constitutes an “homage” is completely subjective as it is impossible to define, so getting all emotional about it is ridiculous, at least to me. All this said, I would never wear an homage simply because every time I looked at it, I’d be saying, “I wish it was a” whatever and could not be content. Still, I don’t care if others wear them, so what? Getting upset about other people’s choices is a waste of time and energy. Thanks again for your thoughts.

[@markphillips2072]

They fill a space were if you can't afford a real sub having options to have that style of watch an feel is great an some are really well made also.

[@nevillegrimshaw7758]

Great video!. Lots of women here in the UK follow what designer clothes Kate Middleton and Megan Markle wear, then they wait for the high street stores to bring out more affordable homage versions- they sell out in seconds!. Nobody ever calls them copies

[@grahamlawton6250]

Nothing wrong with homages at all.

[@drwindsurf]

I loved your comparison to video games and the design world. I own homage watches and love them, I own original watches and love them. I don't understand the hate and quite frankly try to avoid it. Thank you for you thoughtful video on this controversial topic :)

[@jamesarthur6962]

I have been collecting watches for half my life, so 23 years now, with more than 1500 pieces in my collection. During that time I started buying Tag Heuer, have purchased all the BIG BRANDS, done the PAM thing, moved to Hublot (being told it was the poor mans AP), so started buying AP's and wearing an AP on one wrist & the a Hublot on the other to stick it up the watch snob. I still Ove to buy vintage watches, especially when travelling or finding a brand I have never heard of at a flea market. I also have done the whole pocket watch to wrist watch conversion that I will continue to do. But over the past 18 months things have changed again, I have become addicted to Macro & Micro Brands, buying 300 or more as I love the work, design & innovation that goes into these, YES some of them draw of design inspirations from well known brands, but I respect the fact that these one or two person operators are actually having a crack at doing something they are passionate about. My other project over the last year has been buying birth year watches (1973) regardless of the brand, recently after searching for a over a year I found the right Rolex Steve McQueen 1655 from 1973 with box, papers & service history )and naturally all the scratches & patina as I didn't want the perfect piece I want one that looked like I felt at 46 years old) then two days later another 1655 came available for a considerable less amount but it was a 1972 so I bought that also as it is my wife's birth year. But when Steinhart reproduce the 1655 which is a watch that we can no longer buy, and one that I think is to this day the best designed EXPLORER that has ever been produced by Rolex is the really a bad thing?

[@4034miguel]

Indeed. I really love the Tudor Submariner 9411/0. The nearer Tudor has done to re-issue it, is the Pelagos: a thick, chunky piece that I tried and looked ridiculous on my small wrist (and I understand, it is intended to be a roughed Diver watch), but how I would love a small version, like what Tudor did with the Black Bay 58, but I do not see this happening in the near future. So, I found NTH making the Naken modern blue, with a reliable movement and good quality materials: IMHO a very good homage of the 9411/0 and also affordable. I got one pre-owned and I am really happy with it, it is accurate and it give me the filling of having on my wrist, this beautiful design from the 70s-80s.

[@007jjr]

I am really comfortable with myself and am happy to wear a less expensive homage like watch. I have a Squale, NTH and a Steinhart all vintage in styling. I really enjoy them. I dont need to wear a $6,000 dollar watch. I could, and the point is I choose not to. I am not out to impress anyone. I am also not impressed when I see someone wearing a Rolex, because frankly I dont care. I enjoy all kinds of watches. Cheers. Good vlog. Jeff

[@neilpiper9889]

Buy what you like and don't worry about what people think or say in the comments. They are mostly trying to justify their own choices.

[@dainluke]

The San Martin 6200 SN004-G is an insanely good homage of the original Submariner, and it comes with all the nice modern upgrades you'd expect from a current-day watch.

[@surfitli]

I very well done video. I the use of video games to relate to homages. Personally, I think it depends on the homage. There are many homages, such as the Sharkmaster 300 you mentioned, that are homages to long discontinued watches. Helson actually makes several homages of older divers. They do a very nice homage of the Original Blancpain Fifty Fantoms, as well as some other Omega Seamasters, like the 1000 and the Plo Prof. These originals would be very expensive, while these Helson models well under $1,000.

[@chrismenes4995]

Nothing wrong with an homage. Furthermore, why should anyone concern themselves with what I buy. It's my money.

[@22Phanatic]

Well put sir! Well put! Stop the Hate Enjoy the Hobby

[@Wevaah]

Just found this channel and I've gotta say I love the Shaxx, Zavala, Ikora, and Crota pops, I'm personally a Titan main. But anyways I completely agree with your opinion on homages, too many people only care about the name on the dial instead of the specs and the realization that many people cant, dont want or wont spend money on a luxury watch.

[@edwardcrater3591]

There are some excellent micro brands out there that are just excellent timepieces. I have a Brellum and a Tourby in my collection. You should check them out and do a review.

[@thomasshaw4173]

I have to laugh at the fanboys who are critical of microbrands. The hilarity is that they praise the endless special and limited editions put out by Seiko and Omega.

[@walterlee4796]

great topic and a sensible opinion, I would only add that one large reason for confusion is the misinterpretation or incorrect definition of the word by many. An homage does not mean a "copy" in this context as most assume, homage means to "honor". or some kind of sign or display of respect to a person or thing a "tip of the hat" you could say. As such there needn't be an exact one for one copy of a watch, it needn't even be obvious elements to pay "Homage" to a watch, a car, a painting or even a novel. An homage is not by definition or intent a ripoff, fake, forgery or plagarism, those things are their own, it is simply in this case a or some design elements that are a nod to great watches of the past, and really there are very few watches out there now that are not derivative of something before. Declared one for one copys that "pay homage" to great design I think is fine and should not be put in the category of fakes marked Rolex or Gucći or Nike or any trademarked brand. Great content , great vid, keep it up.

[@Watchmade]

You are totally right. I always say it‘s like a category or type of watch that people misinterpret as homage. It‘s like if you say under the title „shoes“ you count endless types like boots sneakers etc. and most of the basic design elements among the same shoe types are very similar. Or look at jackets, coats, suits. Most of them look the same and nobody in the fashion industry speaks about homage shoes jackets tshirts etc and thats the same for watches. Also here you have just types like pilots, divers, dress, field etc. nobody calls a Q5 Audi as homage to X5 BMW or the 3 series BMW is a homage to the C-class Mercedes.

[@andrewlineberger7544]

Homage quality is pretty good these days...Most have NH 35a, sapphire, ceramic for 100 bucks..I just found your channel! Like it! God Bless You from Denver NC

[@Q704tube]

Thanks for doing this...I own two Omegas and bought a WMT (Hong Kong brand) watch Rolex sub homage but couldn’t find myself wearing it at all because I kept on thinking I was faking the funk. I bought it because it had a reliable movement and looked good if not better than the Rolex sub homage. I’m going to take it out of its box and wear it with pride tomorrow!

[@Blue_3rd]

Thanks for your vid. I enjoyed it and agree entirely. I have several guitars and I have to recognise that since the first three electrics were invented, every single electric guitar is a variation or a copy. Fender and Gibson got it right fist time, and all of their derivatives are perfectly fine. Enjoy your watches, life is too short!😎

[@davidmckenna1549]

Frankly, I would go with the Helson. My problem with Omega is the same as with Seiko, a multitude of special and limited editions.

[@rohanleander]

I'd like to know the best brands that make homages. Like good brands. Thanks in advance.

[@jasonkeith1725]

Frankly,l wouldn't buy any vintage watch. For me, it is all about modern technology and innovations. I can get that in a quality micro brand. I also agree with you on the M K line. Great watches.

[@jefferyneu3915]

Well said. Every watch with a dial and hands is an homage. If not so incredibly unique as to not have a twelve or twenty four hour dial, all watches will be homages to some extent. If a dive watch looks like a sub and is Nolex brand, it is a fake. I would love to pick up a Steinhart GMT!

[@kenspear5077]

Maybe I am not the best person to give opinions on this topic. I am very new to this hobby at just over a year of watching videos and having a 4 watch collection. The only way that I can recognize homages is Mercedes and snow flake hands. The reference back to discontinued models is completely lost on me. I just know wether I like it or not and that is how I make my decision.

[@ElijsDima]

Homages are fine. What's a lot worse is ppl taking screenshots with Wrist Fromage.

[@morgancarlyle640]

I think microbrands are great. You can get a vintage design with all the advantages of modern technology. Trust me, you don't want a watch with such obsolete features as plexiglass, etc. I also see no real value in a company's history. Every company had a beginning. I served in the Marine Corps and saw action in Vietnam. Back then, my wristwatch of choice was the Seiko 6105. I get a kick out of the Seiko fan boys who covet this watch. They only know it through Apocolypse Now. The watch Captain Willard was not the correct year. Lol! Semper Fi.

[@007Chancellor]

Homage haters are just watch snobs that hate having their snobbery exposed. I've owned Rolex watches. Loved 'em. I now own Steinhart watches. Love em just as much, and banked tens of thousands of dollars when I dumped the over-prices Rollies. And you are dead right - the Steinhart Ocean GMT is head-and -shoulders better than my 1978 Explorer II. Yet I sold the Rollie for $25,000 and bought the Steinie for $500. 😂🤔 Watch snobs make me laugh.

[@guidothekillerpimp]

I agree, "Homage" and "True Diver" are overused and abused by YT reviewers. I want to slit my wrist every time I hear, "Rolex Submariner Homage" or "200 meters makes this a True Diver".

[@inkitatus1]

I agree, tho I dislike most homages because I don't like the Submariner design. Personally i dont see any value in the history of a watch brand either...Good topic. Cheers 👍👍

[@southnx]

Couldn't have said it better myself brother! Great vid👍🏻

[@davidmckenna1549]

If someone doesn't like an homage watch, then don't buy one. It is my money and I will buy what I like.

[@samjohnson6712]

Why is it acceptable for mainstream brands to make special editions and reissues of their watches from the past, and when a microbrand makes an homage, they are chastised?

[@davidmckenna1549]

Very good point. I just bought the reissue Oris 65. No one criticizes me for my purchase.

[@morgancarlyle640]

Absolutely nothing wrong with an homage. One might like the style of a timepiece yet not willing to pay $10K+. However, there are those that will readily pay $500-$1500.

[@KarimDeLakarim]

Buy what you like, not everyone wants a vintage watch.