I bought a clomage. Hypocrite.
After all this long posts and philosophical discussions of the “clomage” watches I pulled the trigger on one.
I’m bit ashamed, but at the same time, I really, really wanted to do this.
So I’m a guitar guy and I have a bespoke guitar. It wasn’t made specifically for me, I bought it second-hand, but if I would commission an instrument, I would use exactly the same specs (except it wouldn’t be white). My guitar is a t-style guitar, or a tele
This guitar wasn’t made by Fender, but it looks similar and have high quality components and Fender tele pickups set. It sounds like an American Fender, but doesn’t say Fender on a headstock. I haven’t bought this guitar because I wanted a Fender, I wanted a guitar from this particular luthier, since he’s a very respected builder and his instruments are highly regarded.
I love the idea of custom built things. Even if this guitar looks similar to “original”, it’s still one of a kind. And I’ve been thinking that maybe I can do this with a watch. So I’ve texted a local watch modder and asked if he can do me a custom mod. I think mods are cool, people bringing some personal touch to their watches, getting something unique in the end - that’s really cool. But here’s the nuance. I want to build a Rolex milsub 5513.
I don’t want it to say Rolex on a dial, or even Seiko (it’s gonna be based on Seiko), I just want a diver with a vintage looks. I know I would never be in position to get a milsub. Is it hypocritical to criticize Pagani and commissioning the milsub clomage?..
I’m trying to justify it by thinking that this watch isn’t gonna catch much attention. Probably nobody gonna confuse it with Rolex and the only people who gonna have a smallest bit of interest are watch nerds.
I don’t know. I’m not trying to sell those mods to people and make money from someone else’s work. I’m not trying to make people think I have a Rolex. But I’ve been thinking about a vintage / vintage-inspired desk diver and I constantly come back to this watch. In the end, it’s not easy to pick a watch in this genre.
Am I complete hypocrite for doing so?
Musician, sound engineer, software developer and aspiring watch collector. Fan of vintage watches and old-fashioned clothing. Chef of faux patina.
Welcome to the 'dark' side
Not a hypocrite
Welcome to the 'dark' side
Obiwan said that there’s no coming back…
How dare you 😂
How dare you 😂
I know right
Obiwan said that there’s no coming back…
Forever it dominates my destiny
Welcome to modding. Oh, and to add flavour.... 😛
We are the mods, we are the mods, we are, we are, we are the mods...
Oh wait, wrong forum.
Yeah, modding is great. Just do it!
Homages to unavailable watches are COMPLETELY legit. Pagrne et al copy current models.
Homages to unavailable watches are COMPLETELY legit. Pagrne et al copy current models.
I think Pagani did an homage of vintage Explorer 2?
But i guess you are right. Plus, i don't really have issues with modding.
I think Pagani did an homage of vintage Explorer 2?
But i guess you are right. Plus, i don't really have issues with modding.
Yes, they also make some models with a bit mode originality, but people mostly buy straight copies.
I mean. I still wouldn't get a mass-produced homage from an aliexpress brand. I think there's a difference between DIY approach and big company operating on a verge of breaking IP laws and not putting a profit towards their own designs. I like what Steinhart did, their take on GMT-Master is in the same ballpark, but not a straightforward carbon copy.
And i also never had an issue with modders, really only with big brands.
never thought about this whole thing as a free publicity. But it kinda makes sense
I don't think my fake-vintage milsub homage is promoting anything tho. I bet the only person who would recognise the thing is a watch nerd themselves.
Even if you are a hypocrite, so what. That word has lost all its stigma in 2023. Now its meaning is being blurred. And then to finish its meaning off, the word will be changed to its exact opposite.
And how can it be a sin to be a hypocrite when the word "sin" has been erased? See how it works?
Even if you are a hypocrite, so what. That word has lost all its stigma in 2023. Now its meaning is being blurred. And then to finish its meaning off, the word will be changed to its exact opposite.
And how can it be a sin to be a hypocrite when the word "sin" has been erased? See how it works?
Yeah, perhaps.
To be fair, I’m not keeping track of the global moral directions, so I might be completely out of the loop. I took the stoic wisdom that you always have a right to not have an opinion and proceed with my day.
But what I know is that it’s okay to keep your mind open and adjust your beliefs to new inputs. At least I can try out the thing I’m criticizing, so I can form my 100% own opinion.