Quote:
Originally Posted by
ChicagoRon 
I don't think you fully addressed the question DLJr was asking, in that post, although you might have hit it a little earlier. The question, as I understand it, is "does the term
homage really only count brands that are relatively unknown and sold at a significantly lower price point?
So the Hamilton reversible example is a good one. Hamilton (especially pre-swatch group) has a reputation of its own as making fine entry-level watches. Should someone be scorned for buying one of their watches that happens to look like another brand's watch?
I'll give you my favorite example. In my opinion, the Omega Co-axial Aqua Terra Railmaster was a very obvious homage to the Explorer I. Big arabics at 12,3,6,9, similar hands, font, etc. Similar size, body shape, etc. Are Omega owners to be scorned for buying this watch? Or is it "okay" because they spent a lot of money? Or do you somehow distinguish this homage from the MarkII sub-mariner homage, and if so, what's the difference?
Hi Ron, I think you are mistaken. If you review post 19019 DLJr specifically stated, "My question was not meant to reference homages or fakes." Personally, I have no interest in homages and place no value on them. I suppose they are not as bad a a fake actually writing Rolex or Panerai on the dial. Still they are a form of stealing a brand's/ person's hard work and identity, to make a profit. If you were a maker of distinctive watch, would you like it if I started selling an identical item but put my own name on it? Probably not. As for scorning people, I don't go up to people on the street and insult them based on their watches. If someone is wearing a fake I might think he is a phony trying to pull something over on people who might believe he is wearing "The real deal." I might even feel sorry for the person if they seem like the type of person that needs to put on a fascade to impress friends, family and coworkers. I'm just a stranger, they're wasting their efforts trying to impress me. Hell I shouldn't even matter to them. I don't think I've met anyone wearing an homage watch so I can't say much on them. Here on this forum I think of us as friends, sharing a common past time, exchanging ideas, information and opinions. I will admit I and blunt when it comes to my opinions, but what I share here is not any different than what I would tell some of my oldest and dearest friends when they ask my opinion on possible watch choices. As for your example, of Explorer 1 vs. Omega Aqua Terra. The Aqua Terra is well made but would not be my choice. I would want an Omega that looks like an Omega and has Omega DNA, rather than something that borrows key elements of an Explorer. I have owned an Explorer 1, and to me that is an iconic Rolex design. Many years ago I owned an Omega Seasmaster, and it just was not for me...it felt like a Submariner substitute. The only Omega that really interests me is the Speedy Pro. It has its own DNA. Other than when its burdened with being something it should not be with silly Snoopy dials or Paul Newman Rolex Daytona style dials, its a great watch. I would not scorn a person just because they bought a watch that is not my choice. If I knew him well enough I would congratulate him on his purchase and maybe ask to take a look at it. Although our choices may not be the same we share an interest in watches. As I have said homages are not for me. My mom grew up poor and raised us to work hard to achieve goals, to save for what we wanted, that it was better to purchase 1 very good quality than a lot of mediocre items, never to buy fakes they are for phonies, to provide for a rainy day, but not to be so stingy as to never enjoy the fruits of our labor, as we may not live long as we might hope to (sadly she passed away before my parents could retired and enjoy their golden years together). If I had to buy less expensive watches, I would choose things that define the brands they came from be it a Seiko, a Swatch, or a Mondaine. As for homages, I really don't see them as drastically different from fakes, they don't put the name of the brand modeled after on the dial... but its not an original idea and as far as I know they do not pay a percentage of their profits to the brands they models themselves after. People are free to buy anything they want real, homage, or fake, but my money will only go to watches that IMHO are a good representation of their respective brands. Best regards, Dino
![shog[1].gif](http://files.styleforum.net/images/smilies/shog%5B1%5D.gif)
