Not controversial at all
How often do we hear that homage watches are “controversial”? How often do we come across overheated forum debates on the subject?
Homage watches aren’t controversial at all. They are an entirely predictable phenomenon. They are also essential to the watch collecting experience.
Some points:
The watch industry is largely based on nostalgia. It produces some avant-garde watches but for the most part it has its feet planted in its past.
That past is widely cherished. It is marketed heavily by brands who know it is. In fact, brands deliberately amp up their back stories to both cultivate and respond to demand they know they will not meet. They indirectly create demand for homage watches.
The flight to the past is driven by profound unease about the modern world. The more unsettling the modern world becomes, the more people will want to embrace notions of a more stable past, whether or not it actually existed.
The past survives into the present and on to the future through repetition and iteration. It’s why ritual is so important to religious communities - the mimetic act builds community and transports core beliefs and practices forward through time.
Most of us apes cannot afford to participate in this mimetic game. Supply, timing and prices don’t allow it. We need our own access points to join in. Enter the homage watch: a lower cost and easily accessible variant that lets us play.
Homage watches are a way for new producers to find their feet and learn; some will progress to produce watches with a clearer identity and of higher objective quality.
The “lack of creativity” argument surrounding homage watches demonstrates a paucity of imagination and misses the point. The role of the homage watch is to open doors because watch brands have chosen to close theirs.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t like homage watches - their importance is at a structural level and they are necessary elements of the market.
The continuum between homage and interpretation is broken up by product differentiation. This is eyewash. There are only a handful of dominant archetypes and these will always influence watch designs.
I added a no. 10 because a list of 10 looks better than 9.
None of the above is a matter for debate. Therefore, case closed! 😀
Living the quiet life far from the madding crowd.
Well written and all fair points. I particularly like number 3, this hadn’t occurred to me to think about it like that. Nice one 👍🏻
Well written and all fair points. I particularly like number 3, this hadn’t occurred to me to think about it like that. Nice one 👍🏻
“Nostalgia for a past that never existed.” - Anon.
People want something to believe in and jump with both feet onto some stance or another. It’s just noise.
*googles paucity*
BINGO! We have a winner!
The case is never closed in a forum where almost every member owns a case opener.
I agree that homage watches are unavoidable, as many design patterns cannot be trademarked, as they are also based on earlier designs, or their variations. (Tudor's fight to trademark the snowflakes will be interesting.)
The question is rather what you get when buying a homage watch.
I agree that homage watches are unavoidable, as many design patterns cannot be trademarked, as they are also based on earlier designs, or their variations. (Tudor's fight to trademark the snowflakes will be interesting.)
The question is rather what you get when buying a homage watch.
Yep - attempts to trademark or claim infringement don’t work. FP Journe infamously tried it in 2004 when it took Jaquet Droz to court over design issues. Five years later it lost the case and the appeal, and was forced to pay JD’s court fees.
As for what people get out of homages, each to their own. It can be something as simple as having a nice looking watch that’s evocative of a historically significant piece. Peasants have dreams too! 🙂
I received an incomplete for my 5th year architecture program project, a few of my professors felt my design was intelligent, but lacked originality, would not benefit society. I was encouraged to read the works by Nietzsche, take a year off before re applying to finish my studies. I went to work in a large firm founded by a family friend. The senior guys often thumbed through design journals, which they called, “copy books”. I spent a great deal of time mulling over my life’s experiences, about Nietzsche’s writings, came to the conclusion that I need to be as special as possible in my own humble life, stay away from the mob. I buy nice watches because they are fun and do return me emotionally to moments in my life that I never want to trivialize.
Brands recognize the allure of the past and strategically market their rich histories, creating both real and perceived demand for watches inspired by or paying homage to iconic models.
The perpetuation of the past into the present and future is facilitated by repetition and iteration, much like the significance of ritual in religious communities.
The criticism surrounding homage watches for their perceived lack of creativity overlooks their structural importance in the market and their role in bridging gaps left by more exclusive brands.
It’s a watch, just a watch in my world whether it’s tremendously expensive or dirt cheap, like the one I’m wearing today from a bargain supermarket. Surely most watches are homages because there’s essentially only so many ways you can put 2-3 hands on a dial………..
I don’t care if it’s a "Homage" or the real thing as long as it’s nice and I like it!
Sorry rant over 🤣😂
Yep - attempts to trademark or claim infringement don’t work. FP Journe infamously tried it in 2004 when it took Jaquet Droz to court over design issues. Five years later it lost the case and the appeal, and was forced to pay JD’s court fees.
As for what people get out of homages, each to their own. It can be something as simple as having a nice looking watch that’s evocative of a historically significant piece. Peasants have dreams too! 🙂
I think the risk of fighting trademark infringement is largely reputational, meaning that it tends to look petty, and may disgruntle parts of the watch community.
What gets me about homage watches is that it seems to reduce the number of designs. Another Omega dial, another sub homage, another watch in an Explorer I case. It's blatantly obvious that it's not the original, so why not try something altogether different.
It reminds me of non-alcoholic beer: I'd rather have lemonade than accept an obvious substitute.
Well said