Back when I joined some various forums (almost 20 years ago) homage watches were often discussed, but there was an underlying current in most forums that they simply weren't very well regarded. There was also a lot of discussion that the same factories that churned them out also made true fakes, such as putting Rolex on the dial, so in buying the homage you were indirectly supporting fakes.

Now, especially in various Facebook groups, homages are big....really big. In years past, we had Alpha, Tiger Concept, and the various models from Invicta, Sturhling and a few others. We now have Steeldive, Heimdahll, San Martin, Long Island, Deep Blue and a host of Chinese brands like Parnis with big followers and very little "stigma" for wearing a homage.

So what's changed? Pricing of the originals? That's true for the Heimdahll version of the Seiko Monster.
The homage quality is much better now, with many using Seiko or Miyota movements and sapphire crystals.

What am I missing? What's changed?



Full disclosure.... I own homages and am a fan.

Curious to know your thoughts.

I've become a huge Steinhart fan over the last couple of years or so. And as most folks(WISs) know, they have made their name by producing Rolex homages. As far as I can tell, there still remains a great deal of animosity towards the Steinhart brand. They're successful because they produce a quality made products at attractive price points. I assume the same can be said for others. Also a big fan of Chris Ward C65 wrist offerings, and I'm pretty sure that they're inspired by the Oris Divers 65 version.

I believe that increasing quality of the homages and ridiculously skyrocketing prices of the originals are the key factors.

Rolex, Omega and Breitling have seen price increases that far outpace the rate of inflation.

To me the big thing is: Homages, yeah, all right, fine. Replicas? Never. Not even a consideration.

I think what Long Island Watch, for example, is brilliant. So Seiko gets high and mighty and discontinues several popular models. Why, we'll make watches with similar movements, styles, and sizes, sez Mark!

I like those. Almost all of them. Homages? Sure. But they seem like decent watches, at least based on the people I've talked to that have tried them. Sure, they're Chinese assembled, but I'd wager Mark will make good if there are any problems.

As for other things, yeah - those Chinese brands like Pagani Design and Parnis certainly have their fan boys. But clone watches always bring me back to the tale of the subway: A WG is in subway car reading a comic book and has on a Stuhrling Original "Formulai 89i," which looks just like a famous Rolex, right down to red lettering on the white dial.

Guy next to Geek: "Hey, nice Daytona!"

Geek: "What...huh?"

Guy: "Your watch? That's a Daytona, right?"

Geek: "No, It's a Stuhrling Original."

Guy: "What...what's a..."

Guy gets up and moves to another car. Geek goes home and cries himself to sleep.

I'm the farthest thing from a brand snob, but I don't want that happening to me. Design cues? Sure. Blatant clones? Why?