When to Say 'Yes' to Homage Watches
Reading another question here on WatchCrunch about "grail watches" I thought of writing my views (belief) on a related topic and seek your views & feedback too, which I am sure may differ from mine.
I buy a homage watch when I feel a certain watch is an absolutely wonderful, beautiful watch but it's so over-priced or out of my reach that I know almost with certainty that I will never own it - The case in point here is the gorgeous watch that im wearing in these pics that is an homage watch (unbranded) of the real thing, the OG Cartier Crash. The real Crash may come at a staggering quarter million dollars price tag and upwards (some of the rare ones being sold for more than a million) and frankly and in all honesty even if I have that kind of money I probably wouldn't spend that much on a watch because thats just not something that I will be able to justify to my own conscience - I know its all relative and one persons luxury is another persons trash - The Rolex or the Cartier Tank I own may be an equally crazy dream or grail watches for some the way Im talking about Cartier Crash but im purely talking about my personal perspective and belief.
So in this case where Im in so much love with Cartier Crash and im certain i may never own one I am happy to go for homage watch (no replicas with fake brands though) - I know lot of puritans (and some watch snobs) along with some paid influencers who rarely ever spend any money of their own on brands but always preach to people "buy only the real thing or keep dreaming about it" kind of messages say otherwise. But to me it makes no sense at all to keep dreaming of a watch if a true homage (not a fake branded watch or replica but unbranded homage or an homage from cheaper brand) is offering part of the pleasure that wearing your grail may give you.
I love this one - What's your view on homage watches? When is it ok to buy one - in what situation?
Isnt it poetic and beautiful that these little pieces of metal we wear on our wrists to tell us time are one of the few timeless things left in this world of fast fashion & changing trends - I am Sam...
The only circumstance where it's not okay would be buying a fake.
My opinion is, for every grail watch there is a more affordable alternative at any various price points. For me the Rolex Explorer II McQueen would be the example. I will never own the real thing. However I can get the likes of a Steinhart or a Christopher Ward GMT. At the end of the day it's preference and there's no right or wrong. Except a fake watch. Those are wrong.
Homage watches are intellectual property theft, IMO. The crash was an inspired piece. Making the same watch and putting your name on it doesn’t change anything. However, it’s your money and your wrist. Buy what you like.
I like 'em. Hate fakes though.
If the OEM can't be bothered by the many homages out there then they're OK by me.Talking to you,Rolex,Doxa,Seiko,Omega,Tag,Panerai ,et al.
"Paul Newman Daytona" is one of the most beautiful underrated watch of that era. Now to imagine having one (at least) for me is impossible. PD helped that itch .. I felt it was a means to pay tribute of a watch that is no longer in production and respect the history of that beautiful watch. So ya, I like homages as long as you are not trying to replica by slapping "Rolex" on the dial and pretending something you are not..
Your take mirrors mine. I have some expensive watches but I can't afford all of them, so some don't make the cut.
Rolex Milgauss: I like the design, but that alone isn't worth the Rolex price, and I'm not interested in their movement. I have a Benyar with a cheap Hong Tai auto that keeps excellent time so I'm happy at that.
VC 1921: I have more than one VC but this one is too "out there" for the outlay, and iirc they don't do a steel version. Baltany do a homage with a salmon dial and Seagull auto which is calling me.
Rolex Daytona: Jury is still out on this one, in the meantime I've been using a Pagani with a mecaquartz to see if I like the look on the wrist. I do (except for the ridiculous screw-down pushers). This is the only big ticket watch on my radar at the moment.
Your take mirrors mine. I have some expensive watches but I can't afford all of them, so some don't make the cut.
Rolex Milgauss: I like the design, but that alone isn't worth the Rolex price, and I'm not interested in their movement. I have a Benyar with a cheap Hong Tai auto that keeps excellent time so I'm happy at that.
VC 1921: I have more than one VC but this one is too "out there" for the outlay, and iirc they don't do a steel version. Baltany do a homage with a salmon dial and Seagull auto which is calling me.
Rolex Daytona: Jury is still out on this one, in the meantime I've been using a Pagani with a mecaquartz to see if I like the look on the wrist. I do (except for the ridiculous screw-down pushers). This is the only big ticket watch on my radar at the moment.
all the best
Your take mirrors mine. I have some expensive watches but I can't afford all of them, so some don't make the cut.
Rolex Milgauss: I like the design, but that alone isn't worth the Rolex price, and I'm not interested in their movement. I have a Benyar with a cheap Hong Tai auto that keeps excellent time so I'm happy at that.
VC 1921: I have more than one VC but this one is too "out there" for the outlay, and iirc they don't do a steel version. Baltany do a homage with a salmon dial and Seagull auto which is calling me.
Rolex Daytona: Jury is still out on this one, in the meantime I've been using a Pagani with a mecaquartz to see if I like the look on the wrist. I do (except for the ridiculous screw-down pushers). This is the only big ticket watch on my radar at the moment.
A while ago I bought a Longines Conquest as an Explorer substitute to see if I liked the style before committing to the Explorer. I’m liking it so much I might not even bother upgrading. So, no problems with homages as long as it’s not a 1x1 remake.
agree with first point.
Yes, no laws are broken, but that doesn’t make it good.
They are not promoting. I doubt Cartier gets a cut of fake Crash.
There are plenty of original brands that can be entry level and inexpensive.