Thoughts on Homage Watches?

[jrs146]

*** Flame suit ready just in case ***

I was recently after a true beater watch. My requirements were:

-less than $500
-Automatic
-something that if I lost it in the ocean I wouldn’t think twice about.
-primarily used for vacation travels when I don’t want sand, chlorine, and all the other abuse that vacations and 2 tiny kids throw at me.

Yet still I wanted something of reasonable quality and appearance. Quite the paradox huh?!?

I came across a Steinhart Ocean Vintage GMT watch on Craigslist. It caught my eye...

-Swiss ETA movement
-Sapphire Crystal
-304L Steel case
-GMT function
-Water resistant to 1000 feet
-Fantastic Lume
-Cool vintage design

Oh and I had the chance to buy it for $200.

It literally fit the bill of exactly what I was looking for.

But I had to ask myself the question... is there an issue with wearing an Homage watch? Is it just one step above wearing a fake? Would the watch/horological community laugh at me and strip me of my card carrying membership? Would the Mods at TRF ban me???

But all joking aside... it’s an interesting question.

I came to the conclusion that:

1 - an homage watch by definition is not a fake. It’s not claiming to be anything that it’s not.

2 - although I personally would not want to wear an homage of a common, modern design, I see less of an issue with a long since discontinued model. Perhaps because it’s much more clear that I’m not trying to sneak by as having the real thing.

3 - last but not least. If I like something. Who cares? Wear it and enjoy it.

So I picked up this Steinhart for $200 and I must admit it’s a darn cool watch.

I’d be interested to hear the TRF communities view on Homages. Would you wear one? Do you find them to be too close to trickery? Is imitation the highest form of flattery?

Here are some pics of the Steinhart












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[locutus49]

Not for me. But each to their own.

[SDRider]

I just take my Rolex which I wear nearly all the time, tis what it was made for.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by SDRider

I just take my Rolex which I wear nearly all the time, tis what it was made for.

I agree. And I do too 99% of the time. But it’s nice having a reliable beater for the other 1% when wearing a $10,000 watch just isn’t worth it.


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[Chewbacca]

looks good.

and if the companies they're hommaging don't mind, i suppose they're fair game.

personally, i'd go seiko first for a value automatic.

[AzPaul]

$200 is tough to pass on
Hard to find a better 'beater' than that.
Enjoy.

[jrs146]

Oh I forgot to mention...

I was having issues with the clasp. The tooth that locks it in place was bent. After messing with it the entire tooth fell off leaving the clasp unable to lock closed.

The watch was bought in 2012 and well out of warranty.

I emailed Steinhart inquiring about a replacement. They offered to mail me a brand new one free of charge.

Kudos to their customer service!


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[Abdullah71601]

I wear my Rolex for eveything. It is the daily beater.

If you must manage your watch as a fashion accessory, why not try a watch that tries to be itself? Geaux Tissot!

[droptopman]

Steinhart is a good value. At one time I had a bunch of Swiss Made watches like this and some Seikos. I think I reached about 30 plus a few Rolex. Problem was, I only wore my Rolex's. So a few years back, I sold them all off to friends and on ebay. Good watches, I just always found myself grabbing one of my Subs.

[GradyPhilpott]

I like that Steinhart and the price was good, plus the customer service.

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[Old Expat Beast]

Isn't it about 17mm thick though?

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Isn't it about 17mm thick though?

I think it’s 14mm. But for a 42mm watch it sits well on the wrist. For the price which I think MSRP is around $450 and an ETA movement I wouldn’t expect anything too thin!


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[scarlet knight]

Looks good ( and familiar)!

[McLovin]

That's a cool watch! I like the lume.

[tonupbklyn]

steinhart is a solid buy, imo.
used to have an OVM v1, great look, used it well, no complaints.

[beshannon]

I would take that $500 and add it to my watch stash until I have enough to buy what I really want, not a substitute

[themaninblack]

That watch stinks. . Period, end of story, game over, put it under a steamroller.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I would take that $500 and add it to my watch stash until I have enough to buy what I really want, not a substitute

That is what I really wanted. It’s no substitute. I specifically wanted a cheap beater that still was a halfway descent watch. I think the Steinhart checked all the boxes.

Originally Posted by themaninblack

That watch stinks. . Period, end of story, game over, put it under a steamroller.

Why? Because it’s not a Rolex? Because it’s cheap? Because it’s an Homage?

I’m happy to listen to other people’s opinions, I was actually seeking others thoughts on Homage watches and was ready for criticism. Unfortunately your post really added nothing of substance. Next time perhaps add something of value when in addition to your rude comments.




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[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by jrs146

That is what I really wanted. It’s no substitute. I specifically wanted a cheap beater that still was a halfway descent watch. I think the Steinhart checked all the boxes.




Why? Because it’s not a Rolex? Because it’s cheap? Because it’s an Homage?

I’m happy to listen to other people’s opinions, I was actually seeking others thoughts on Homage watches and was ready for criticism. Unfortunately your post really added nothing of substance. Next time perhaps add something of value when in addition to your rude comments.




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No because it’s an unimaginative worthless piece of crap that would otherwise be called a “copy watch”, but you aren’t responsible for it’s existence so why take offence. Btw, you are on a Rolex forum so show a piece like this and it’s naive to think it’s going to receive many plaudits.

[mtb]

I had a ocean vintage red before obtaining my Deepsea (my first R) to see if I like the overall style. Ocean red was sold shortly after. I admired the GMT but never pulled the trigger, partly due to the size. Now I still have the new OVM 39, since I don’t think I can ever get my hands on the real thing... but it doesn’t get much wrist time. Personally I am okay with them, esp for pieces that are almost impossible to obtain, but they just don’t get wrist time....

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

No because it’s an unimaginative worthless piece of crap that would otherwise be called a “copy watch”, but you aren’t responsible for it’s existence so why take offence. Btw, you are on a Rolex forum so show a piece like this and it’s naive to think it’s going to receive many plaudits.

Actually most of the responses have been positive...

But actually I wasn’t asking for confirmation or compliments. I was posing what I thought would be an interesting discussion, Homage watches. But instead of offering your opinion in a constructive way, you chose to be rude and provide literally nothing of substance. Clearly this watch makes you angry and for that I’m truly sorry. My suggestion is to try to avoid triggers and keep scrolling through posts that bring out your worst.


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[imagwai]

If you want a homage, that's fine, but there are so many other good options that fit the bill for a holiday watch.

My current choice is a Seiko mini Turtle, but any Seiko diver would do. A Monster perhaps? An SKX? Excellent lume.

Or get a Marathon TSAR. Robust build quality. Hi-torque quartz Swiss movement, high water resistance, lume that doesn't need charging.

Helson make some lovely fun divers too.

Or look at a Tissot T-touch that supports dual timezone switching?

[Jeffwb65]

Originally Posted by themaninblack

No because it’s an unimaginative worthless piece of crap that would otherwise be called a “copy watch”, but you aren’t responsible for it’s existence so why take offence. Btw, you are on a Rolex forum so show a piece like this and it’s naive to think it’s going to receive many plaudits.

Steinhart watches are far from "worthless piece of crap", very well made, reliable, tough as shit, and backed by GREAT customer service.
I've had my Ocean 1 for almost 11 years, and it's still rock solid and accurate to COSC standards. It's never been service or even opened.
Not everyone who loves watches can afford the higher end brands, and "homage" watches are one way to show that love. This forum is about inclusion and sharing this frankly unnecessary hobby, not being snobbish and rude toward other people's choices.
If Rolex had a problem with Steinhart, I guarantee they would have sued them many years ago.
Don't denigrate things You're not fond of. If we all liked the same things it would be a very boring world.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Jeffwb65

Steinhart watches are far from "worthless piece of crap", very well made, reliable, tough as shit, and backed by GREAT customer service.

I've had my Ocean 1 for almost 11 years, and it's still rock solid and accurate to COSC standards. It's never been service or even opened.

Not everyone who loves watches can afford the higher end brands, and "homage" watches are one way to show that love. This forum is about inclusion and sharing this frankly unnecessary hobby, not being snobbish and rude toward other people's choices.

If Rolex had a problem with Steinhart, I guarantee they would have sued them many years ago.

Don't denigrate things You're not fond of. If we all liked the same things it would be a very boring world.

I agree. I wouldn’t call any well made or even semi-well made automatic watch a “worthless piece of crap”, ever.

I don’t even think it’s about not being able to afford a higher end watch in many cases. I have plenty of higher end watches. That doesn’t take away from my ability to enjoy something less expensive. In fact, a good value watch can be very satisfying. Pound for pound this specific Steinhart is a heck of a watch. Look at the specs on paper without the name brand and It looks like a several thousand dollar watch. I guess some people can’t get past the Homage aspect. I get that. I decided to open my mind and I found that I’m really enjoying this watch. Will it get the same wrist time as my others? No, of course not. But there are specific situations where I’m throwing this on and rocking it!


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[drhr]

nice watches that give me great enjoyment, have never understood the need for others to decide how to spend my money

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by drhr

nice watches that give me great enjoyment, have never understood the need for others to decide how to spend my money

Lovely watches!


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[the_natural]

It's not for me, but I support people's right to choose what they like and how they spend their money, irrespective of what I think or do. And I think it's a totally fair question to pose, too. So go for it!

[themaninblack]

Originally Posted by jrs146

Actually most of the responses have been positive...

But actually I wasn’t asking for confirmation or compliments. I was posing what I thought would be an interesting discussion, Homage watches. But instead of offering your opinion in a constructive way, you chose to be rude and provide literally nothing of substance. Clearly this watch makes you angry and for that I’m truly sorry. My suggestion is to try to avoid triggers and keep scrolling through posts that bring out your worst.


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Are my posts on this subject unnecessarily vociferous? Probably. Apologies. But in your original post you asked a series of questions, even whether watches like this are any better than fakes to which you concluded no, but I don’t think you are entirely convinced others feel the same or you may not have posted the concerns or the “flame suit” remark. That you were able to pick up this watch for just $200 indeed confirms it’s virtual worthlessness. I am not generally a fan of the homage watch.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by jrs146

That is what I really wanted. It’s no substitute. I specifically wanted a cheap beater that still was a halfway descent watch. I think the Steinhart checked all the boxes.

And if you are happy that is all that really matters

In my experience, substitute watches end up being regrets in the future.

As for what I could have spent $500 on? Seiko, Citizen, Hamilton, Orient, Tissot . . .

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

looks good.

and if the companies they're hommaging don't mind, i suppose they're fair game.

personally, i'd go seiko first for a value automatic.

I share this opinion