Unpopular but honest opinion

The Steinhart is a fantastic watch.

Not sure why you think so many will find your opinion unpopular.

And for those that do, it's their option, so just thank them for participating in your thread and politely invite them to go pound sand.

I love the steinhart and have no issues with the fact it's a close copy homage.

I really like the nivada grenchen too but the steinhart gets my vote on amazing value.

Good post!

i think these 1:1 copys leave a sour taste in a lot of peoples mouths and i understand that

but when its made so good and offers so much for that amount of money i just cant hate it

I am lucky that I don’t know Rolex watches well so the homage would go over my head. I buy by looks and what I see as value. This is a damn fine looking watch!

I think the Steinhart is too Rolex Explorer like. I like the Smiths a bit more

This is my 'in house' watch. It's the watch that I wear around the home all the time. It's prob my my worn watch since I bought it about a year ago. Yes, I have the Explorer I 39mm. But I still wear this watch more. My only wish is that it had the Sellita sw300-2. But for this price, it can't be beat!

@robertof84 I like it because it looks like the Explorer! 🤣 🍻

Steinhart does great watches imho

I got so annoyed with timefactors and the whole fekkin meta I bought a Feckitt from @A1Watch , unfortunately its now on indefinate loan to a famous Canadian youtuber.........mines 36 but he can do 38 mad they're like £350! FFS!

I want to purchase two models from the brands you mentioned. Oddly enough, i really want the Nivada Super Antartic in brown without the aging effect… and the Steinhart Ocean 39 GMT with the white hands.

Now I know the latter is a different model but the point is:

1. I will be in heaven because they’re awesome watches

2. Worth every cent, and if not… that’s on me

3. Will wear the heck out of them

4. And will gladly explain the history of either brand to detractors and fans alike, cause both are awesome in their own way

Homages and even 1 to 1 copies should never be an issue in my opinion. Ever.

It’s actually, probably, the biggest complement a brand can pay to another. And that is something, isn’t it?

I'm biased but the sheer quality of this little thing for the cost; it's mind blowing. My favorite watch in my little collection of homages. Wears beautiful. Looks gorgeous. Keeps truly excellent time. What more is there to ask?

Its not a forgery. It's not trying to fool anyone. To me it's like having a copy of a famous painting hanging in your living room. It's there because you like it not because you're "flexing".

Now that is an interesting perspective. Never looked at that angle. Then again, I don’t necessarily think a homage watch is the supreme evil though, so…🤷🏻‍♂️

No controversy here. You introduced watch options, information, and made a case.

I learned about some watches I didn’t know or wouldn’t have found on my own.

Win, win! 👍🏻

Imitation is the greatest form of compliment, I can’t remember who said it . It’s true though…

I’m a huge fan of the Vaer A7 Tradition!

Had my eye on the Adventure when it was first released but resisted the temptation.

So, unpopular but honest opinion...the Steinhart is not a 1:1 of any Rolex. Not saying Steinhart isn't an homage watch, it most certainly is, and proudly so. But it is also most certainly not a 1:1 copy of any Rolex.

The Steinhart case shape is nothing like the Rolex oyster case. The Steinie's slab sides, chopped lugs and flat profile are enough for me to judge it not a 1:1 of the Rolex oyster case. From face on? Sure, pretty darn close. In any other direction, no.

Don't get me wrong. I am a long-time fan of Steinhart, they are great watches. My first watch with Swiss Made on the dial was a Steinie and it will never leave my collection. In total I have 6 Stienies - like I said I'm a fan. I've got one Rolex in the collection, the 36mm ref 124270 Explorer. And trust me when I say this, Steinhart is not a 1:1 homage of any Rolex.

On a related note, I have the Smiths Everest as well (awesome watch too BTW), and even it's not a 1:1 of the Rolex Oyster case...but it's miles closer to 1:1 than the Steinie.

Steinhart is great. The quality at the price point kills the competition.

I was today years old when I heard of Feckitt.

I’m a simple man, when I see a Top Gear meme, I click like. 😄. In all seriousness though, I love Steinhart, had an Ocean 1 and a Flieger handaufzug, but like you said: the Nivada and Smiths are decidedly more vintage-inspired a La the Rolex 1016. Really comes down to the style you go for. One thing is for sure, it’s hard to beat Steinhart when it comes to spec and construction for your money. I always loved how solid mine felt. The bracelet on the Ocean 1 was also a standout.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, as someone who does prefer the vintage Explorer look, and who’s not crazy about Mercedes handsets, I like the Lorier Falcon a bit more than either the Nivada or the Smiths. But I am a biased Lorier fanboy lol. 🍻

The Nivada is less of a complete homage imho....

Granted it's a smaller diameter, but this is my preference since I like good value for my hard earned pocket monies. Guess I'm saying if agree! 🤏🏻👌🏻

Vaer makes some killer watches dude! 👌🏻🤙🏻

I think your choice is excellent and makes complete sense! Great watch

I wanted to say the same thing 😂

Here is where I have to step in. You made very good points so I'm going to write my opinion as I'm going to make a video about how badly we have gotten used to the word homage when we want to say something else and will explain using a word that has not been too perverted for the moment: tribute.

Will get the Smiths first out of the way. I had one. It was my favorite watch. I had a really bad experience with the sole owner and manager of Timefactors (you can vie here). I sold both watches from Timefactors I had even though the Everest I got it second hand. To be honest while the trademark has history, not the current company. Timefactors bought the brand name as a marketing strategy, which is not something bad by itself, but the watches are not really like the older Smiths, and the design of the Everest is not an "homage" and definitively not a tribute but a direct design copy with a few small differences (seconds hand counter balance, numeral fonts, shape of the case). Don't get me wrong. It is a great watch and I have strong bias against Timefactors so to all of those that have this watch, kudos for them. Great piece. But it's not a true Smiths in any sense. There's not true story, but a good tale to tell. But then again, the same goes to the Rolex Explorer. Doesn't it? So there it goes.

I have no experience with the Nivada Grenchen and all I can say is that the watch is in my short list. And to be honest, while there's more history and kind of "legitimacy" in this watch, I can't get around the fact that the Super Antartic never had the triange, 3, 6 and 9 configuration, but either a 12, 3, 6, 9 configuration with other fonts or the four triangle at quarters configuration. While there are more differences comparing with the 1016, like the applied numerals, case shape, size and hands, it tries more to copy the success of the Smiths and other direct design copies than honoring their very own past as they do with the four triangle configuration. Still I like the 3,6 and 9 because my true grail watch is the Rolex Explorer 1016. And to be honest, the Nivada Grenchen seems a way more practical watch to own, one that doesn't cost many thousands of dollars to own and maintain that you really can use in any environment.

About the Steinhart, as you state, it really looks nice, has great price and awesome specs, what can I say.

Disclaimer: I do own, for the moment at least, the Explorer 124270.

But one of the things I'm learning about the Explorer is that while a very durable beautiful watch, it's more a luxury item than anything else. You can't use for anything. I mean, you can, but risking damaging it or compromising the guarantee. It is a very expensive watch to own and comes with many worries like: what if I get mugged? If someone breaks into my house? If I hit it and the guarantee is off? With this watch the mountain adventure is truly no more. It is all about the adventure of living and passing it to your heirs.

I don't know. If you want a tool watch with the design language of the beautiful 1016 you might as well get a direct design copy or a true homage and tribute of the legendary Explorer. I have gained a lot of respect for these mentioned type of watches. Vaer, Steinhart, Addiesvive, San Martin, Traska, Lorier (there's a true mix of design copies and tributes or true homages here).

The Traska Summiter of my wife, that we both share, is a true homage and sincere tribute that you can use for anything. Really:

In short, get the watch you like and want and wear it with pride. No-matter-what. You will make the adventures and attach the memories to the watch of your best liking.

No single watch is perfect, neither the Rolex Explorer 1016. No matter what watch you would ideal love to own. Like the song, during this trip you might never get the watch that you want, but you might get to wear and enjoy the one that you need.

Like my sandstone Summiteer :)

Head says Steinhart, heart wants Nirvada 👍

Im Personally not a fan of homage watches, plenty of watches out there with original designs

The nivada grenchin without numerals is my favourite

You're not the first Cruncher to speak very highly of #steinhart build quality. They seem to make a really good watch at an excellent price, but all of their designs are carbon copies of other watches. If that's not an issue for you then enjoy your Steinhart Adventure! Personally, I lean towards the vintage designs of the Smiths or #nivadagrenchen but that's just simply personal preference.

I would have to spend twice as much and get the Nivada. It is on my short list.