Feelings on Homage watches (not fakes) by Micro Brands

[Rolex74]

I am curious to see if anyone has purchased an Homage from a micro brand, not talking about an outright fake with the PP, AP, Rolex, etc logos. I am referring to brands like Rocos for their PP Nautilus Style, or Feice for their AP Royal Oak style, or San Martin for their line of Rolex Sub styles.

While I realize these micro brands will never be close to the quality of the real thing, have you bought one to see if you like the style? I would assume it would be more geared toward non Rolex, but towards AP or PP, since we all have or had Rolex watches and know what to expect. I personally love the look of the PP Nautilus, but the pricing is way out of my budget, I want the white dial version, but I would also hate to get one and really not like it as I thought I may and now have to sell it or trade it for a potential loss.

I am just a watch person in general, purchase price does not drive me, it is the style or features, I have 3 Rolex's, a Panerai, Seiko's, Citizen's, Parnis, Sturhling, and a few others down to my Casio Calculator watches.

Please do not flame me or respond with comments that are not appropriate, this is an honest question and I hope it doesn't turn into one of those threads.

[aguila9]

I'm a big fan of microbrands, although I do tend to sway towards the more original designs brands like Zelos.

Personally I can't fathom wearing a $10grand piece out of fear I would damage it somehow, so I'll get a $500 NTH sub homage to satisfy that itch.

Maybe one day soon I'll treat myself but for now ill stay within my means.

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[Rolex74]

For me I would not worry about damaging the watch but I am pretty careful, but I can see your point.

I want an AP Royal Oak, but that won't happen so I bought the Feice version, it is actually pretty decent, also bought the Smurf Sub by San Martin, another nice homage, I probably won't be affording either of the real ones anytime soon, I did get the Rocos PP Nautilus but had to send it back for an exchange as it would not wind.

Originally Posted by aguila9

I'm a big fan of microbrands, although I do tend to sway towards the more original designs brands like Zelos.

Personally I can't fathom wearing a $10grand piece out of fear I would damage it somehow, so I'll get a $500 NTH sub homage to satisfy that itch.

Maybe one day soon I'll treat myself but for now ill stay within my means.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[HERITAGE82]

I have a San Martín Quartz bronze Radiomir homage that I keep in my kitchen drawer for when I’m wearing a vintage or leather strap watch and I want to go outside or the pool with my 2 yr old.

I have been strongly considering a Ginault Ocean Rover, but feel it might be too close to the original for me to enjoy it.

All in all I like homage watches since they can scratch an itch for a fraction of the price just depends on the watch.

[Rolex74]

Originally Posted by HERITAGE82

I have a San Martín Quartz bronze Radiomir homage that I keep in my kitchen drawer for when I’m wearing a vintage or leather strap watch and I want to go outside or the pool with my 2 yr old.

I have been strongly considering a Ginault Ocean Rover, but feel it might be too close to the original for me to enjoy it.

All in all I like homage watches since they can scratch an itch for a fraction of the price just depends on the watch.

I agree, it does scratch the itch at a fraction of the cost, but If I hit a huge lottery I will get a real PP and AP.

[AzPaul]

To some degree or another, every watch is derivative of a watch or watches that came before. As long as their being honest and not trying to pass it off, what's the big deal?

[.brian.]

Hey Rob, I work in Concordville. Small world.

[~JJ]

How’s the time keeping been so far?

[Rolex74]

Originally Posted by ~JJ

How’s the time keeping been so far?

Just got them today, but has been keeping time, the San Martin has the Seiko HN35 movement and I think the Feice has a Seagull movement

[Rolex74]

Originally Posted by .brian.

Hey Rob, I work in Concordville. Small world.

Wow that is close, where do you work? If I may ask.

[RoscoPico]

I am not a huge fan but I think they have their place. Proper kudos for not making outright replicas (a serious bane to the industry).

[GB-man]

I have no interest in them at all. But no harm no foul I would never mistake one for the real deal. It’s like a kit car.

[Blansky]

In my opinion any “homage “ not released by the original company is hair splitting not calling it a fake and I’m not sure of the motivation of anyone buying one.

These 3 examples so far are just fakes with a different logo.

I get that a person may like the design of a “ homage” but it is a complete design steal and if a person wants that design, save up for the real thing. Everyone that sees it on their arm knows that they are trying to pass it off as the real thing.

I’m not trying to insult anyone but these designs are a rip off and these companies should be sued. It is intellectual property theft.

Someone had to say it.

[yoast]

IMO Homage is just a nice word for fake.

[jimcarver]

I don't get them at all and find the idea really unsatisfying. As someone else said they are like kit cars.
I can't imagine ever wanting one over a Seiko SKX for example.

[donas]

Originally Posted by Blansky

In my opinion any “homage “ not released by the original company is hair splitting not calling it a fake and I’m not sure of the motivation of anyone buying one.

These 3 examples so far are just fakes with a different logo.

I get that a person may like the design of a “ homage” but it is a complete design steal and if a person wants that design, save up for the real thing. Everyone that sees it on their arm knows that they are trying to pass it off as the real thing.

I’m not trying to insult anyone but these designs are a rip off and these companies should be sued. It is intellectual property theft.

Someone had to say it.

Well, this was just about exactly what I was going to say.

I would call the watches pictured in this thread replicas ("a close or exact copy / reproduction": Merriam-Webster Dictionary). I wouldn't say fakes as they do not represent themselves as the brand they are copying, but they are trying very hard to be an model of another brand.

[Token74]

Fine line between homage and fake. A homage watch in my view is a watch with design characteristics of another model, but not one that is designed to fool people.

The watches you’ve posted are not homage as far as I’m concerned, they are bare-faced copies designed to make it look like you’re wearing a Sub and a Royal Oak.

Not a fan.


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[Burlington]

Im afraid I have to agree with the recent posts.

Not using a faked logo doesn’t stop them being a replica in my view.

Taking inspiration from an original design for a homage is one thing, but these seem to have been built with the sole intent of imitating the original product as closely as can be done, with the exception of a logo.

If they had written Audemarz Peaké on the dial, would you feel differently to them being a homage or a replica under another name ?

[colpol]

Originally Posted by Blansky

In my opinion any “homage “ not released by the original company is hair splitting not calling it a fake and I’m not sure of the motivation of anyone buying one.

These 3 examples so far are just fakes with a different logo.

I get that a person may like the design of a “ homage” but it is a complete design steal and if a person wants that design, save up for the real thing. Everyone that sees it on their arm knows that they are trying to pass it off as the real thing.

I’m not trying to insult anyone but these designs are a rip off and these companies should be sued. It is intellectual property theft.

Someone had to say it.

Totally agree

Guy I worked with a few years ago had a Steinhart sub ‘homage’
Just a total rip off

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Blansky

In my opinion any “homage “ not released by the original company is hair splitting not calling it a fake and I’m not sure of the motivation of anyone buying one.

These 3 examples so far are just fakes with a different logo.

I get that a person may like the design of a “ homage” but it is a complete design steal and if a person wants that design, save up for the real thing. Everyone that sees it on their arm knows that they are trying to pass it off as the real thing.

I’m not trying to insult anyone but these designs are a rip off and these companies should be sued. It is intellectual property theft.

Someone had to say it.

I completely agree

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Blansky

In my opinion any “homage “ not released by the original company is hair splitting not calling it a fake and I’m not sure of the motivation of anyone buying one.

These 3 examples so far are just fakes with a different logo.

I get that a person may like the design of a “ homage” but it is a complete design steal and if a person wants that design, save up for the real thing. Everyone that sees it on their arm knows that they are trying to pass it off as the real thing.

I’m not trying to insult anyone but these designs are a rip off and these companies should be sued. It is intellectual property theft.

Someone had to say it.

What he said.

[Hollie_Rollie]

They don’t bother me at all. Heck, a SS sub is 20k+ right now.... wear a homage and save the 19.5k for better days

[Bluside]

I have a Steinhart that is my beater watch.

I'm glad i was wearing it instead of my Submariner when I had my bicycle crash 2 weeks ago.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

Heck, a SS sub is 20k+ right now....s

It isn't. Stop spreading lies.

[AussieWatchGuy]

Designs have been copied/changed in the watch world for many decades, but if someone that can't afford or dislikes certain brands for whatever reason, I think that homages are okay as long as they are not infringing on the original companies copyright.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

It isn't. Stop spreading lies.

Ah you’re right. 19k, my bad Chief

[kwcsports]

I don't like exact copies and would not own one. Power to you, they look nice.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

Ah you’re right. 19k, my bad Chief

It still isn't a 19k or +20k watch.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

It still isn't a 19k or +20k watch.

I mean, I agree. But my original point still stands. Homages aren’t terrible imo given if you want a SS sub it’s 20k

[FTX I]

I never thought I'd buy one to be honest but I went to NY last year and decided to get this souvenir. The watch is well made, 40mm, glidelock clasp, sword hands and keeps great time after service, so it's a nice 'beater'. I hardly wear and I'd not buy another but I really don't regret it.