When is it homage or blatant copy?
Last year I was fortunate enough to pick up a very rare Bulova Royal Oak from a watchmaker friend of mine. I have always loved the real deal but will be some time before I can make that a reality. I get just as much enjoyment knowing that Bulova only produced these for about 1 year from 1980-1981, making them more rare than the AP. I’m sure AP slapped them with a fat cease and desist letter!
Apparently Gerald Genta had worked as a designer for a short stint and that was why the Bulova felt they could get away with it. (The details have unfortunately been lost in history and this could be fabricated from the few internet stories I’ve read)
My question is when does a watch become a homage vs a blatant copy?
I can think of other examples even in modern times like the Breitling Premier B25 vs the Patek 5270.
Ever since I received my first mechanical watch at 16 years old I have set out to learn all I can about the wonderful world of watches! Interest turned obsession turned to sickness- Be careful you mig...
That’s one of those things that I’m not sure has a clear answer. I my mind, it’s a case of “I know it when I see it.”
I know they took design cues there.
That's about as nice as I can state that.
That’s one of those things that I’m not sure has a clear answer. I my mind, it’s a case of “I know it when I see it.”
Yeah the answer seems murky- I like your outlook on it! “I know it when I see it”
Part of me doesn't like homages but the market price for the real thing a lot of the time has gotten unrealistic or they are just not available anymore. Long story short I guess everyone needs to figure out their own thoughts on the matter. For myself I decided that homages are fine if the original is discontinued or next to impossible to purchase or has a market price that makes me think I'd rather buy a car.
I have a moded Casio Oak that's likely the closest I'll get to an AP lol
Part of me doesn't like homages but the market price for the real thing a lot of the time has gotten unrealistic or they are just not available anymore. Long story short I guess everyone needs to figure out their own thoughts on the matter. For myself I decided that homages are fine if the original is discontinued or next to impossible to purchase or has a market price that makes me think I'd rather buy a car.
I have a moded Casio Oak that's likely the closest I'll get to an AP lol
i‘ve always thought of not settling… but the way the market is now it seems unobtainable to get the real deal. Well said.
i‘ve always thought of not settling… but the way the market is now it seems unobtainable to get the real deal. Well said.
Thanks I suspect everyone is different. I love watches but I would rather spend the kind of money some watches cost on travelling and investments (or a motorcycle lol).
A copy uses the name of a brand it is not. Everything else is a homage.
I got a Smiths PRS25 Everest which is an obvious ape for a 1016 and I always get the typical “get the real thing” comment from a lot of people. Awful examples are almost $20k. I once heard a podcast host say that the reason why a some hate homages (aside from allegations of illegal activity) is that is that homages take away the exclusivity that is reserved for those who got the real thing. I however would like to not feed my family dog food. 😂
I think when the prices are as disgustingly high as they are for these watches, it doesn’t bother me one bit. Personally im bored of submariners et al. They’ve become cliches. I like this Bulova because in my mind it sticks 2 fingers up at that crowd
A copy uses the name of a brand it is not. Everything else is a homage.
In this post I’m not talking about counterfeit or replicas. Mainly the design cues other brands use. but to your comment I think I agree!
I got a Smiths PRS25 Everest which is an obvious ape for a 1016 and I always get the typical “get the real thing” comment from a lot of people. Awful examples are almost $20k. I once heard a podcast host say that the reason why a some hate homages (aside from allegations of illegal activity) is that is that homages take away the exclusivity that is reserved for those who got the real thing. I however would like to not feed my family dog food. 😂
That said I still feel that homage pieces almost validate the popularity of the real deal thus making them more exclusive
In my mind, if the watch has other things going for it (design elements, complication, movement, etc.) in addition to looking similar to Watch X, then it's an homage.
If the only thing going for the watch is that it looks just like Watch X and it's cheaper, then it's a blatant copy.
In my mind, if the watch has other things going for it (design elements, complication, movement, etc.) in addition to looking similar to Watch X, then it's an homage.
If the only thing going for the watch is that it looks just like Watch X and it's cheaper, then it's a blatant copy.
Well said! 👏👏👏
Fortunately, it isn't illegal to make a close copy/homage/dead on copy, as long as a design element isn't trademarked.
No different than someone buying a less expensive automobile that copies design elements from a high-end car.
In my mind, if the watch has other things going for it (design elements, complication, movement, etc.) in addition to looking similar to Watch X, then it's an homage.
If the only thing going for the watch is that it looks just like Watch X and it's cheaper, then it's a blatant copy.
@s0ckpupp3t That perfectly sums up the way I feel. Very well said!!
When you think about it, most watches are a homage in one way or the other. Shoot, even the submariner is a homage.
A copy uses the name of a brand it is not. Everything else is a homage.
Bingo!
When you think about it, most watches are a homage in one way or the other. Shoot, even the submariner is a homage.
Shout out Blancpain Fifty Fathoms!
Thanks I suspect everyone is different. I love watches but I would rather spend the kind of money some watches cost on travelling and investments (or a motorcycle lol).
I have 3 motorcycles and a classic VW camper which probably still equates to one watch, for a lot of people. But I know which I would rather have…
Patents run out at 25 years on everything so a new copy of a 25 year old design is perfectly legal as long as branded differently. Truck heaters were 4k from a german company and the chinese sell them for $100.00 retail. They have been paying attention so the Swiss designed Chinese versions are perfectly legal as long as the original is over 25 years old.
Patents run out at 25 years on everything so a new copy of a 25 year old design is perfectly legal as long as branded differently. Truck heaters were 4k from a german company and the chinese sell them for $100.00 retail. They have been paying attention so the Swiss designed Chinese versions are perfectly legal as long as the original is over 25 years old.
In this case this watch was made in 1980 which would have been 10 years after AP RO was introduce.