An original homage watch without the negative nor stigmatic definition of the "h" word

Most of modern homage takes an inspiration from certain watches or an era. I dont really particularly cared about the stigma, especially when few people cared about watches aside from fellow watch nerds

I have no problems with let's say more directly derived homage watches. I've owned quite a number in my past and enjoyed them all. Still have at least one. I really don't care what others think. But, I recognize there are a lot that just loath homages, period.

Anyways, just posting one of my favorite and longer lasting members in my watch collection that shares some design cues with some other brands, yet, it still manages to do it's own thing where it would not be likely to be mistaken for something else.

Great looking watch, but your photos is just stunning👌

There’s no stigma with homage watches, only with knock-offs (Pagani, etc) that try to appropriate the term and masquerade as homages. Homages, yes; knock-offs, replicas, fakes, no.

you know your watche is not a "bad homage" when there are homage/replica of your watch. It is the case about serica. fake serica actualy exist.

I can see why it wears small. That bezel is a monster, and they've added one of those railway tracks around the dial as well. The actual dial area is tiny, which would easily leave it feeling small when you look at it.

Yes, & the reviews I've seen it's supposedly better quality than the original 😱

Beautiful photography of a very photogenic Timepiece.

I own the Ixdao&Ipose homage of the Serica. It's absolutely outstanding in just about every way, has a better movement, and costs 20% as much

Serica is supposedly releasing an improved version today. I’m waiting for reviews to see if they’ve replaced or fixed the dodgy movement. I’m glad the OP’s watch (apparently) doesn’t have the winding stem problems, but I’m not going to pay that price just to participate in a lottery, especially given Serica’s refusal to deal with the problems properly.

Well, they did change to a new movement, but I'm definitely going to wait on the reviews before ordering.

From Caliber Corner:

Soprod, a division of the Festina Group, does not seem to offer as much detailed technical information on the M100 as they did with the previous caliber A10.

Shipping in September, or so they say.

I don't understand why Serica keeps handing business to Aliexpress homage brands by refusing to deviate from these dodgy Soprod movements! Just stick a Sellita in them like the guys on Ali do

Yeah. I wonder if Serica, being a French brand, is under some obligation to use movements from a (nominally) French company. Maybe they're taking advantage of some program sponsored by the French government. Otherwise, they could just swap in an ETA or Sellita; after all, the Newton is supposedly a drop-in replacement. Even if ETA and Sellita are more expensive, the PR cost to Serica has to far exceed that.

Here's a conspiracy theory with no evidence to back it up:

• Serica finally was forced to conclude that selling the 5303 with the Newton movement was untenable, so they cancelled the production run.

• Their Chinese manufacturer was stuck with tooling for the 5303 but no more orders from Serica.

• The manufacturer decided to recoup their tooling investment by selling to IX&DAO, who put a decent movement in the watch and is selling it on Ali Express.

Arguing against this theory are the reports that the case dimensions for the IX&DAO are not identical to the 5303, but I don't know anyone that's measured both watches. So those differences could simply be due to different folks' different measurement techniques.

In any case, I do think it's an absolutely gorgeous watch and would love to own one that worked. But given the trouble that folks have reported trying to return their existing defective ones, I don't have a lot of confidence that Serica would honor a return policy. And given the problems that have surfaced, I don't have any confidence that they would ship me one that worked. I'm hoping that the new version that ships in September will be spot-on, that the reviews will be unanimous in proclaiming the movement problems fixed, and I'll feel okay enough to purchase it. Time will tell.

The fact that we use the term “homage” at all for blatant copies / knock-offs makes me wonder if it comes from somone getting sued over speaking frankly about it. Reading phrasing like “blatant homage”, “directly derived homage”, “original homage”, “obvious homage”, etc. just read weird. But imo the people who say that knock-offs “take inspiration” from x, y, or z just deserved to be slapped with a cold fish. Are they trying to bullshit themselves?

Is this the Serica one or the Ix&Dao one?

Inkitatus posted:

Yes, & the reviews I've seen it's supposedly better quality than the original 😱

Absolute rubbish.

Its decent. Any reviews stating its a better watch than the Serica 5303 is from people who dont own (and probably cant afford) the Serica 5303.

I also own the ix&dau/Ipose watch in white-ish. Have owned for several months.

Lets get the movement issue out of the way. My Serica 5303-3 Chrono runs -4 and the movement is butter smooth and no issues what so ever. The Ipose runs 8 seconds fast and is ETA movement. Movement is non-issue for me, at least. But thats just fine. Movement is NOT an issue. Look at EVERYTHING else and Ipose is a fail in every way compared to Serica.

Cost. Non-issue. Serica is a swiss watch and looks and feels the part. Cheaper end of spectrum as far as swiss watches go. I paid roughly $1500 USD and dont regret it one bit. Huge value for money and the only watch that looks like it (other than a copy).

Ipose watch cost me $365 and looks/feels the part. Not one thing is up to the standards that Serica set. As nice as the Ipose bracelet is, the Serica is levels above in detail, etc. That says alot since the nicest thing about the Ipose watch is the bracelet. That, and the lume.

I'm 6'3" and 200lbs. my wrist is fairly thin at just under 7"-6.5". The Ipose is a bigger watch in every way. It fits just fine on my wrist, but the Serica fits better. That doesnt make it a better watch, just a better fit for my wrist.

Brushing, polishing, bezel alignment... all PERFECT on the Serica. Not even close on the Ipose. And dont even get me started on the date complication. Way to fuck up your Homage, Ipose.

If I could, I would return the Ipose. The price is cheap compared to Serica, but alignment issues and other small issues have made me regret my purchase. Yes, I paid 4 times the price of the Ipose, but I have zero regrets and a watch that will likely hold value over time, unlike my Ipose and San Martins which will only depreciate instantly and find its way to a dumpster one day. Not to mention 3 of my San Martins with pt5000 movements have died with San Martin telling me to basically fuck off.

A review of a San Martin, Ipose or any other brand of homage watch done by someone who cant afford the original or have it with them to directly compare is always going to be biased. You just have no idea until both watches are in your hands and you look at them honestly. Also, remember many of the internet and youtube reviewers are just paid off any way. They want to keep aliexpress happy.

All that said, the Ipose will stay with me for a while at least. It looks good and is a decent watch. After getting the Serica, I wont use the Ipose on its bracelet, as the Sericas is just plain better. Ipose will be on Natos and other straps.

This isnt a hate thing. Nothing wrong with Homage watches. Just a reality-check.

Forgot to mention: The lume on the Ipose is better visible. Its very well applied and lasts a long time. I tested against the Serica. They both last the same, but Ipose everything is a bit bigger, Indexes, everything...