Thoughts on Homage Watches?

Homage means something different to different people. I make a distinction between watches with the same dial/bezel/hands/indices as a more expensive watch, and a watch that is clearly inspired by a reference from another brand. The first, I consider a homage, and the second I consider a unique design. 
 

Im not a fan of homage watches (my definition), and not interested in them, but if someone else is, I don’t begrudge them for it. 

I'm not into homages, but I'm not against them. 

As you've discovered, nobody cares what you wear apart from you. 

I prefer full counterfeit.

Would not own one, but have nothing against people enjoying them.

I was seriously considering buying a super clone (fake) Rolex because I’ve given up on the brand.  I got advice here on Watchcrunch to check out Pagani Design homages of the model I wanted.  GREAT advice!  I really like it.  It’s better in terms of case size compared to the Rolex I was trying to acquire at the AD circus because that was only a 36.  Anyway, I liked it so much I bought six more of other models I like but not enough to accept the ‘Rolex treatment’.  I always make sure to buy PDs with Seiko movements, and I’ve had great experiences.

Solid choice, mate! Don't get me wrong, I love Rolex and other high end watches but it's easy to get sucked into the internet hype, which sometimes makes it seem like a luxury watch will change your life (no shade to anyone who does buy one, though). I bought a Christopher Ward Sealander recently and realized that an Islander Brookville I owned felt the exact same to me, AND at nearly 1/3 of the price, so I sold the CW. Price isn't always everything and Rolex AD practices are appalling to me. Good on you for recognizing the benefits of homages!

I actually would have been willing to buy the Rolex.  But as we all know Rolex and their AD network can’t manage to sell to us regular folks.  Pagani has really worked out for me.  Sure, it’s not a high end watch.  But for about a hundred dollars it’s fine by me.  Those Pagani watches are collectively tens of thousands of dollars less than what the Rolex equivalents would be if I accepted the ‘Rolex treatment’.  I don’t consider the PDs to be part of my ‘collection’, rather just a fun side thing not unlike the way that some serious collectors (like UptickWatchReviews on YouTube) have whole Seiko side collections.  I’ll probably buy more PDs going forward.  They are okay, and you can have a great variety of them for short money.  I don’t have to keep them at the bank.  So I can have a bunch of watches in my home without worrying.  My only caveat is that I stick to PDs with Seiko movements.  I would not consider the Pearl movements, just worried about those.

I'm wearing one right now, I didn't know it was when I bought it. Still Like it the same I did before I knew.

I also have an Invicta 1953 that I enjoy wearing

I don't have any problem with them but thought they weren't for me. However, I recently saw a watch (Chinese) that I really like but discovered later was a homage and am now thinking I'll just get one to get it out of my system. 

Plus, I discovered that the Swiss watch I thought was being homaged is actually a homage of a whole class of older watches.  So even if I got the homage, it would be a homage of a homage. Is there no originality in watches anymore?  

Here's 2 more, I have no problem wearing

Invicta 1953  w/ Seiko NH35A

Pagani Designs PD-1701 V4 w/ Seiko VK63 mecha-quartz 

I have a few homage watches. They’re fun to wear when I don’t want to worry about damaging an expensive watch. I also don’t live near any ADs, so it’s useful to order a homage on Amazon to get a sense of how a certain watch will wear when deciding whether to pursue it further. 

No issues with homages.  There can be good reasons for wearing/using them.  Case in point: https://www.watchcrunch.com/JBird7986/posts/nwa-the-other-other-moonswatch-alternative-the-speedmaster-homage-by-phylida-20315

Homages are also great if you're into modding! And many can be had with sterile (unbranded) dials, if you're into that, or with your very own imprint. Fun!

Homage is a term thrown around that has taken on a life of its own. The way I look at it there are fakes, replicas and homages. Fakes, I think we can all agree should be avoided. Replicas are the more direct representations of the original product and don't have many, if any, original elements but clearly have a different maker on the dial so aren't a fake. Homages can take inspiration from a watch or several watches but takes the execution in different and unique directions. Injecting their own DNA so to speak. 

I don't have any respect or room for fakes and don't feel there is any way to justify one. 

I don't mind replicas and think that is strictly a personal choice whether they are for you or not. My personal line is if it is a replica of something that is reasonably available and something I could afford if I put in the effort then it is off the table. To be clear this is my personal line and other peoples may be different and that is fine. 

Homages I really like. They can encompass a whole genre of watches in one watch and be a great way to go. They can also be quite affordable (but don't explicitly have to be).

The CW Dartmouth is one example of a homage done right, in my opinion. There is a little MilSub in it, a little Seamaster and enough CW DNA to make it unique. Not to mention it is just an overall great wearing watch to boot. 

Replicas and homages can be great fun for people to play around with or if your budget doesn't match your aspirations. 

There are a few brands out there that have built their business on doing homages right. Baltic and Lorier come to mind. 

I think that homage is a word that is used to describe a lot of different watches, from one that use a single design element through those that re-use a combination of elements that sometime came from different models and brands and ending at watches that are almost 1:1 copies.

I don't have a problem with any of them. Personally I won't wear a 1:1 copy of a watch that is currently sold by the original brand, but I also despise those that elect themselves to be the watch police just because they got to criticize to feel happy and can't keep their noses out of other people's business. 

The 36mm San Martin "Ranger" is one of my favorite watches. I wear it more than any of my other watches and I have a Tudor Ranger. I also just ordered a white dial Brookville.

Wear what you want. Neither you mention are one to one copies. The San Martin is an homage, a different take on what could have been. The Brookville is more an homage to a style of watch really. The case of a Sarb, date just type dial, smooth bezel.