Quote:
Originally Posted by
DLJr 
Dino, honest question: at what point does the originator lose to other factors for you for watches? Just curious, because as with most things, watches are related to one another in design aspects. The preference for the Lange makes sense outside of the "originator" factor, so that discussion is less interesting to me.
That is an interesting question. I supppose it raises the issue are we speaking solely of products that are "authentic" vs homage vs. fake...or just companies borrowing ideas of other companies and incorporating them for their own watches. I do place a value on originality, hence homage watches do not interest me at all. I have already stated several reasons I don't like fake watches a few pages back. If I am looking within a class of watches, as long as they are very close in finish, the overall finish would not matter to me. As for price as a factor, if I can't afford something that I admire, I'll either save up for it or I'll admire from a distance. A less expensive look alike does not interest me. I am not sure what other factors come into play besides cost vs originality. Quality, I tend to think most high end brands have enough DNA and history to come up with their own designs rather than borrow from others...although back in the 1930s when several companies depended on similar sources for movements or cases you tended to end up with somewhat more similar designs say between Gruen and Rolex.
Perhaps an explanation of what I like about certain watches or brands might explain the value I place on originality.
I have always wanted at least one watch from each brand that interests me, and I suppose I often seek out is something iconic from these brand/s. Rolex created the GMT Master in 1954. Lots of companies have released similar designs over the years, but the only 2 that ever interested me and which I owned were the GMT Master and the Explorer 2 (which for many years was essentially an evolution/variation of the GMT Master). I never saw a need to consider something beyond the original. The design for the manual wind Cartier Tank has been around since 1917. Many companies have sold and made rectangular watches over the years, but IMHO, the Cartier Tank is an iconic design that is simple, elegant, and is the original. Not to mention in the version I have its doesn't merely use a round movement in a rectangular case (which is commonly done and less expensive to do because you can use that movement in lots of other watches), but it has a rectangular movement. When it came to purchasing a steel luxury sports watch, I looked at various great brands, but kept coming back to AP. The RO (often a love it or hate it design) started that genre of watches...so it was not just an original within its brand it was the original that led to the production of the PP Nautilus, VC 222, IWC Ing SL Jumbo, the GP Laureato, Chopard St. Mortiz etc. Even within the brand, I decided if I only ever get one AP it has to be the RO 15202 (current generation of the Jumbo...which is the closest thing to what they originally produced in 1972). These were all ground breaking designs, often imitated, sometimes copied...but each has also become a timeless classic. Sure they have evolved, but each has been in production in some form or other for decades and looks as good today as it did when new.
I would note that although I like iconic designs, I like there to be something original about them. Hence, one watch that I really do not have much interest in is Patek's Calatrava. There is no denying its an iconic piece, and that its been around for decades, but there is nothing really ground breaking or unique about its simple time only watches. If I'm ever fortunate enough to purchase a Patek, I might go with something other than a Calatrava.
Even a feature like a grand date, I only like on a Lange or JLC, as JLC developed it for use by Lange and Lange was the first to use it in a watch. I don't care for the copy cat usuage of it on a VC, Cartier, Breitling or other brands. Further, Cartier and Patek have each made "reversing" watches in the past. However, if I were to get a watch with a reversible carriage for the dial/movement it would be the JLC Reverso....another original. I've seen Omega make a Speedmaster that has the dial markings and colors of a Rolex "Exotic dial/Paul Newman Dial" Daytona. To me the Speedy Pro is a great watch in its own right so to build a Speedy that looks like a coveted Rolex makes little sense to me. A top condition PN Dial Daytona is out or my price range. I've seen them and handled them and they are beautiful. But I have no desire to own an Omega with Rolex PN Daytona inspired appearnace just to have the look of a watch that I like but I can't afford. I would simply get a classic Speedy Pro.
Hope this helps answer your question.
Again I recognize and have recognized in the past, that the GO Pano is high quality and a good value, however I would not be satisfied with look a like. Thats just me. Hope that helps answer your question.
Best regards,
Dino
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