Why I'm Done With Clomages

Great blog post. Well thought out and presented

Now…

Great article with valid points mate 🍻.

I’m quite guilty of buying clomages of military watches though but IP wise these were designs from the government that were contracted out to several watch makers to create so I think that should not be lumped with the general clomage group.

How DARE you turn your back on the clomage family.

I'm going to have to balance this transgression by buying an EXACT REPLICA of something I can afford but choose not to purchase.

brb

I can't find fault in your reasons for quitting clomages. The "promoting the thing you don't like" angle is a new one for me. I don't know what percentage of people buy a homage submariner because they don't like Rolex. I imagine it's a small percentage. Why buy something you hate? Just to damn the man? It's easier and more cost-effective to just buy something else entirely. I think most people buy homage for the opposite reason, they love the submariner. They just can't get it, for reasons of access and finances.

That said, I wouldn't put it pass some people to do exactly what you said they might do. It takes all kinds to make a world.

Great article and agreed. Especially with brands like Lorier, Imperial, etc. doing the actual definition of an homage vs a clomage.

Or revived zombie brands like NG, Wolbrook/Douglas. Or higher end like Serica, Monta, etc.

Nothing against clomages either. For those that get em, more power to you, regardless of why.

In fact I'd argue for some the clomages are almost too pricey. But I'm just glad they want a watch.

Heady times to be a watch enthusiast these days, with the absolutely BONKERS amount of choices.

At least it's not a smart abomination.

Like @chronografan I'd argue military contract variants are a lil different. Especially anything D12, Type I/II, etc related.

I also do have a clone, that I love....

The Tactical Frog FXD. Why? Because it has a freakin frog on the dial and caseback. And it's tactical. I mean, let's be honest, that's funny.

Agreed, I don't do clomage's & not a fan of the homage in general,unless it's made by the original manufacturer, or is something that's not been made for many years.

That's one of my beefs against most microbrands, too many unoriginal ideas.

I don't disagree with you arguments but I disagree with your conclusions. I'll always strive to be better but I still have to operate on a budget. I love the Omega Speedy, but it's certainly not in my budget. If I can buy the Pagani, I will. If the time comes when I can afford the Omega, I'll buy that too. One doesn't take away from the other

The beauty of individuality; you're not beholden to my choices, nor am I to yours, at least until we get government involved.

Tired of "clomages"? Boy have I got the watch for you!

It is very difficult buying something truly original. Copies of famous watches everywhere in spite of minor and major differences. I can trace my Casio Efv100 design back if I wanted to. So to buy something different and unique then chances are it will be a gimmicky watch. I think what can I do? My answer is to buy a watch that I personally like and does something for me. Later if it transpires that is is a close copy of a 1960,s something or other then, what the hey!

Solid Todd. Does this mean the Speedy is on the list again?

The heart says yes, the wallet says "whoa Nellie!"

There are options…don’t give up yet!

I am of the same opinion. Clomages are not for me. I like to mod watches, but I never mod to make a clomage. My last one was an oyster case with a silver bezel with a Namoki “Sinn U-50” dial and hands. Kind of a YatchSinn.

Good read Todd 👍

you mentioned it’s not worth suing to protect IP - but that assumes copyright law exists in the place where things are copied.

I’d mention that China has made stealing Western IP a national priority for decades (referred to in studies as ‘the greatest transfer of wealth in human history’)

China is world renowned for the best reverse engineering- buying 1 of something and copying its design and learning the trick with nothing spent on R&D or design (the bulk of the cost of a new product)

When a governments goal is theft of IP, then suing for copyright infringement would require that same government to enforce copyright law.

So almost no Western company can sue for IP in China. Only rare exceptions are when communist party wants to curry favor with some particular brand.

Aside 1

I’m so happy they haven’t succeeded in copying the spring drive in my beloved GS as it took decades and tens of millions to develop. they actually sell GS copies on Alibaba that are branded as ‘Grand Seiko’ ! But no SD 🙂

Pics from alibaba 🤦‍♂

Aside 2: My city is awash with super rich from mainland China for whom this arrangement of ‘only suckers follow international rules’ has worked out exceptionally well. In Vancouver you get free healthcare and clean water and air. You can flaunt insane wealth and no secret police investigate you. Pipe money here from China and you dodge our brutal income tax.

Number 1 occupations for purchasing property worth over 3 million : student and or housewife 😂

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/02/22/chinas-rich-kids-head-west

Sorry - long vent.

I hope you keep squirrelling away money for a speedy, if that’s what your heart is still set on.

Good luck on not buying clomages. If you look at it and really think about it all watches are clomages to an extent. It started back when pocket watches were being modified to wear on the wrist. These companies then started making watches for the wrist completely. As they progressed pretty much all possible designs have been made and used. Then each design gets tweaked a little. Then some more. Over and over until the design can't be tweaked anymore. Then they go back and do a reissue like what's happening now. All of the different companies putting their tweaks on all of the different designs has made it that way. Then a lot of these companies are using the same watch movements made by the same makers. That then limits the designs of the watches too. A Seiko Chronograph movement for example. There are many companies that have used the movement and their results end up looking similar to the original Seiko Chronograph watch. The movement has to be housed in a certain shape case. A certain shape dial has to fit and match-up to the chronograph hands. Many different factors lead to watches being a clomage when in reality they aren't. If I remember correctly, Rolex didn't make their own cases back in the beginning. Other watch companies used these same cases. It's hard to really determine a clomage. Maybe you are talking about homages. Watches made on purpose to look like the original. That can be a different story. Yet if someone wants and dreams of having a Rolex because they like the looks of a model and all that they will ever be able to afford is an homage. I'm fine with that. I don't like the fakes. Exact replicas with the original name on it.

I tried to make an account and log in on the site but it didn't like me.

Clomage in my mind = basically a copy of an iconic design, just not branded as the iconic design; almost a fake. So things like an Invicta Pro Diver that looks exactly like a Sub or a Pagani Design that looks exactly like a Speedy. Those are what I'm done with.

Yeah, that's kind of where my second reason is aimed, the Chinese ripoffs encouraged by the government.

I like the Sub look, but dislike Rolex as a brand. I bought a Pro Diver clomage of a Sub. I almost never wear it anymore.

Sure, me not wearing the Pro Diver does almost absolutely zero to Rolex's sales, but I have to do certain things for my sanity even if they have next to no impact on a larger scale.

It's a valid point. After all, a watch is a reflection of your personality. And most people chose to be unique in a way. As for me, I bought a Seiko mod Nautilus because I can never afford one, but like the design. And servicing an original will leave a crater in my account too. But yeah, I too am looking at original design watches at a reasonable price.