Are original watches actually just homages/copies?

ottop1

6 months ago

Saw another post discussing the matter of homages and came up with an interesting topic.

As we all know, the community has vastly differing opinions about homage watches, but what even is a homage watch?

The scenario

Let's imagine a scenario. You go into an AD and somehow manage to walk out with a brand new Rolex Submariner. Now you have a fancy original watch, or do you?

The background of your watch

The Submariner in its original form was released in 1953. On the other hand, your new watch was made in the 2000s and while there are some design changes, it's only a slightly modified version of the same design. There are also plenty of models in between that it looks even closer to.

Furthermore, the people that made, or even designed, your specific watch are not the same as the originals either. Your Submariner was made by totally different people than those who made the original. They copied a design from an older watch, modified it slightly and mass-produced it in a factory. Your specific Submariner is likely not even the first of its kind.

So what's in common between the "original" Submariner and your new Submariner? The ROLEX text on the dial.

The question

We now end up in a situation where the only real link between your hypothetical Submariner and the "original" Submariner is the logo on the dial.

But does that make it a soulless copy? Is it different from, let's say, a Pagani Design homage? Or does it being from Rolex make it original by itself?

Whatever your answer is, why?

#general #homage #discussion #question

Reply Reply

Mr.Santana

· 6 months ago

✅

terracetigers

· 6 months ago

If I take a Beatles song, change some notes and give it a new name I stole the song. If Paul McCartney changes one of his songs over time, it’s not the original, but still his song.

If Rolex changes over time it’s still their idea and history.

If Pagani rips off Rolex and sticks a different label and calls it Pagani, it’s a rip off.