Does Christopher Ward make too many homage watches?

Not even close. I feel offended.

I do not feel like any of their recent models (last 2 years) have been homages. For example the designer of the twelve is the designer of czapek which looks similar, does it make it a homage ? One could argue then that any gerald genta design he created after AP is a homage (Imagine Patek and IWC a homage 😄 )... I think they rather use those references as inspiration since to be honest they are a rather young brand and do not shy away from showing how they design and what movements they use.

Yes, but aren't they all to some point??!!

They are getting their own identity more as time goes by, imho.

I like them ☺️👍🏻

Depends on what you understand as "homage". We have perverted and continue to pervert that word equaling to "direct design copy" and those a different concepts.

Homages, true homages, are what Lorier, Traska or Christopher Ward do.

Direct Design Copies, as I like to call them, can be made by companies like Timefactors, Pagani Desing or some models of San Martin. Nothing wrong with that fact.

But even not all DDCs are equal, nor all true homages are the same.

(Direct Design Copy of the Rolex Explorer 1016 by Zeno, original Rolex Explorer 124270 and true homage by Traska, the Summiteer in 38mm)

There are even well established companies like Tudor that do true homages. Seiko does too.

Direct Design Copies is a different thing. So, the problem I would have with your question is that both options are correct. CW is a true homage brand with their own identify. Example, the Christopher Ward Sealander GMT which is a homage of the Explorer II.

This said, CW is not a DDC brand right now. And again, I have no problem with DDC watches.

Homage brand?

Really?

Look at the Bel Canto and reconsider the statement about homages.

Bel Canto alone is enough to dismiss them being classified as a homage brand, at least in my opinion. I have no problem with homage watches, or the companies that make them. I own several Pagani Design watches, and recently purchased my first Steinhart.

Ok so one watch.

Also ever heard of the Vulcain cricket?

This right here might be one of the better explanations I've read. 👌🏻🍻

I personally don't see CW in the direct design/clone/carbon copy arena.

I mean there's only so many ways to color and design a dive watch with analog hands.

Look at the CW Colchester. Injection molded, carbon fiber, and a unique crown location/operation.

And as others have said, the Bel Canto. Sure it has a feature that is similar to the Vulcan Cricket. But there is literally NO way anyone would say they are similiar if placed side by side.

It's like saying the F-91W and a Frogman are the same cuz they both have digital readouts.

Totally so and you highlight very good examples. At the end of the day it's all a matter of semantic and using a general term in a wrong way where a lot of grey areas do exist.

Honestly if there’s a microbrand that is surely not an homage brand is CW. The Bel Canto and Moonphase, Moonglow show that it’s not the case.

Sure the Sealander GMT white dial looks like an polar Explorer II, however if we go that route nobody will ever be able to produce a white dial GMT because Rolex did it first.

I never said all of their watches. If you read my description what I said was factual.

Is CW a micro brand? I would say they are higher than that. Much.

They aren't shy in saying that some of their watches are homages, the Dartmouth I have is inspired by the Omega big triangle and the name sealander tells me what inspired that watch.