Homage or Not?: The Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT
With CW’s release of the new Twelve, I found myself perusing their website for the first time in a while. The three-hander C63 range has always seemed like a fantastic GADA contender, but what caught my eye this time, was the Sealander GMT.
I’ve been drawn to the looks of the newer Explorer II for some time. The Explorer range feels like Rolex’s last true tool watches, and are honestly the only modern references I find interesting (not that either are even remotely in my budget lol).
It’s clear that the C63 pulls from the Explorer, but does it copy Rolex’s homework a bit too closely? Or does it have enough unique going on to differentiate itself?
I have owned and enjoyed several homages (including a Pagani Explorer II homage) so no hate for the genre here. However, I currently don’t care to own any true “1:1 with a different logo” type homages, and prefer to find pieces that are similar in feel, but have enough of their own flavor or story to be interesting. Hence my Explorer II-esque RZE Ascentus below
The Sealander GMT seems to exactly straddle the homage line, confoundingly so.
Which begs the question: When does “inspired by” cross over into out-and-out homage territory?
Love to hear everyone’s thoughts!
Just a man with a few too many watches…
It's exactly like a Rolex, apart from case shape/profile, dial layout, indexes, hands, and size...
If you like it buy it, and forget about some judgy arse that thinks it's too much like a Rolex, most of those people think Rolex invented watches, time, writing, and the universe...
I think copying successful design is, was and always will be a thing... and I don't think there is a line, not really. I don't care one bit as long as it doesn't go against the law.
That RZE is a seriously good looking watch!
They look like 2 completely different watches to me.
If Rolex can increase their watch size by 1mm and make it a different watch
This is acceptable 😁
Beside the white color I think the CW63 is more of a Grand Seiko homage
Yeah, they are two different watches to my eyes. I agree with the last poster about the comparison to Grand Seiko.
Yeah, I’m comfortable with the degree to which this looks like an Explorer II. Anyone who knows watches knows it’s not an Explorer at a glance, and that’s enough for me.
Ever since I first saw it I believed it is an homage. Not that that's a bad thing at all.
If Rolex owns steel bezels and white/orange combo, there is a serious problem.
Sure, it gives a nod to the king. But it's not a copy.
It’s toe-ing the line
As long as CW doesn’t go 1:1 in terms of Rolex retail costs or availability I don’t mind the design queues being similar.
I purchased a C63 Sealander shortly after they were released and wore it on vacation a year ago, but decided the 40mm case was just too small for my 8” wrist. I really wanted a nice GMT, but who knows if/when I’ll get THAT CALL from Rolex advising they’ve got my “grail watch”, a new Explorer II Polar? Before I returned home from that vacation, I found a Grand Seiko Limited Edition GMT 20th Anniversary SBGE275 and while it fits me perfectly, it’s not as “tooly” as the Explorer II, so the wait continues. Good luck with your Christopher Ward!!! For the right sized wrist, it’s a great choice!
clearly a homage but who cares, it is a stunning looking watch!
I have "no problem" with it. It is attractive and there are enough differences in the details (bezel width, bracelet, markers, date window location, no cyclops eye, no Mercedes hand) that the term "homage" is questionable imho. Certainly the design has been influenced by the Explorer II but most watch designs have a basis someplace else/previously done. And it is a true GMT, though I would prefer the new Miyota movement with integrated GMT function as oppose to module added to a base movement.
Go for it!
Honestly, that’s my discomfort with some homages. Certain iconic models are recognizable to non-watch nerds (ie Datejust & Sub) and I don’t like the idea of having to answer the question “hey, is that a Rolex?” With, “well, no, actually it’s a…”.
I think this is 1.Taking inspiration from a less widely recognizable Rolex reference and 2. Different enough that, as you said, a watch person wouldn’t likely confuse it with a an Explorer.
And the funny part is that people never comment on my watches. And still, I can't escape the feeling it will happen as soon as I wear something that looks too much like a Rolex.
And the funny part is that people never comment on my watches. And still, I can't escape the feeling it will happen as soon as I wear something that looks too much like a Rolex.
Right? Don’t know if getting deeper into the hobby has altered my perception of certain watches, or if the current climate surrounding Rolex has influenced it. 🤷♂
My 2cents.. the Sealander is far nicer looking. FWIW.
I think it's abot of a Homage . That said, both are beautiful. I have an old school Explorer II that I love
Hard to say. I think it’s a homage.
Beside the white color I think the CW63 is more of a Grand Seiko homage
That’s true, but we all know where the GS took their inspiration from. I like all of them!
IMHO this is like saying that the Camaro is an homage of the mustang cause you are comparing two of them that are the same color. They are both muscle cars with two doors but completely different otherwise. These two are both watches with with GMT. But very different watches otherwise.
Similar but the CW is probably more accurate and better finished haha
It is a first miss of CW… my next watch is likely CW, but this looks like a bad marketing idea
There's an homage element to the CW, but it's very much it's own piece, to say nothing of the differences in operation of the movement between it and the Explorer II.
If this counts as a homage, then every modern watch is a homage.
Sealander GMT is very much its own piece. I have the black variant and it punches at the Tudor BB58 price-point and even surpasses the BB58 in some aspects.
I have a BB58 to compare it to which is why I bring that point up.
I have this , and feel like it is a standout to the explorer 2 , only 10000 less ! Thats Mike Frances' whole approach I think, why pay anywhere from 3 to 30 times the cost to manufacture !
I honestly don't care I have mine for a year now and its the watch i wear the most I love it it goes so well on all kinds of straps if you like it buy it I don't think you will regret it
I suppose it’s an homage but its plenty different. Handset, indices, date placement, dimensions, all different.
I love CW watches, they are really well made, just a good watch company. I have one and will probably get another. Personally I would not call this a homage because it has a lot of the same design language as most of the CW lines.