Best Submariner Homage?

[TakesALickin]

Another aspect of this for me - particularly in regard to Rolex and Panerai homages - is that there is such a huge phake market out there that a sterile dial separates what I might wear from the phakes. I'm also the kind of guy who de-chromes cars, strips emblems off, or have minimized emblems to the point that they're virtually invisible. At least in my mind, it adds a little bit of mystery...

Preachin' to the choir there, Clair, preachin' to the choir.... I think the reason my collection contains names like Precista, Ocean7, and Marathon is precisely because they're names that are unknown to the non-WIS consumer. There's nary a Breitling, Omega, or Rolex in my watchbox.

Just a thought here, TakesALickin, but has anyone verified that the HRV isn't actually functional? I was surprised to find a functional spring-loaded crown on one of my pam homages, and not an upper end one, either. Just wondering...

Honestly, I'm just relying on second hand info on this one. I suppose I could take the watch out in the rain and see what happens. What might be best would be to take the dial and movement out first, and then expose the watch to moisture. That way, if it leaks, I'm not out the cost of replacement parts. Easy enough to do, and it may just have moved to the top of my list of interesting things to do with my watches next week...

[GuySie]

I think it is conditioning. I've been wearing this sterile sub for two weeks, and the longer I wear it, the more natural it seems.

I've had my sterile PVD sub for a few months now and it's yet to seem natural but it looks fine though

[H3O+]

Situation 3: This is more an observation on my part. Sterile divers are getting kicked around here. You hardly ever hear anyone knock the classic sterile flieger B-uhr design. There's no brand on this Stowa. But you can't tell me that cheapens this classic design...

True. But you don't see plastic B-uhr homages at the Dollar Tree.
I think the situation with sterile watches is slightly exacerbated when it is a sterile Submariner homage. The clean design leaves a ton of empty space that needs to and should be filled by text of some type, and the design is so very copied. Which makes, to my mind's eye, them look cheaper.

[TakesALickin]

Well, we're all different. C'est la vie!

[Chromejob]

... I've been thinking of getting a first (real) watch for my nephew and it is starting to occur to me that one of these subs might do the trick. Not too flashy, functional, probably has some WR, and likely durable enough for a 13-yr-old kid....

My very first watch, circa 1973 (the summer that LIVE AND LET DIE came out), was a Timex looks-like-diver, as I wanted a sort of James Bond watch. Quite a rugged little wind-up.

Wish I still had that ... as a teen I dismantled it to understand what was in it.


As someone who has de-badged my Acura TSX (Euro and JDM Accord), I suppose I share some of the "sterile" interest. In that case, the glued-on badges on the left and right of the trunk lid not only branded it as an American model, but were the only things on the car that weren't symmetrical. Besides, I didn't see a need to have my car say "Acura" in 3 spots on the rear ... the one nice badge was sufficient.

I think what may look a little odd on the fully sterile dials is the lack of technical information: depth rating, "Automatic" (words like "Diver" or "Professional" don't really impart new information, do they?), "[country]-Made." I agree, the way that brand, marque, and logo have become objects of desire is quite sad. Frontline (PBS, US tv network) had great shows on these topics, "The Persuaders" and "The Merchants of Cool." Very chilling stuff, how product marketers use psychology and deft manipulation of consumerism to promote their brands and, naturally, make a mint. Those who haven't read William Gibson's PATTERN RECOGNITION might enjoy his take on the proliferation of "labels."

I think those who like the sterile dials have good reason ... it pares the design down to just what's needed. And frankly, the seminal Submariner and Fifty Fathom designs were just that: simple, utilitarian, elegant. My own tastes to dive and military watches is very much one of "just the functional, no unnecessary adornment," partly because there were real tools for real aviation/maritime work. YMMV.

On another forum, a WIS (Rolex owner) has an anecdote in which he complimented a stranger on his Rollie, "Nice Daytona." The other schmuck got rather irate and pronounced, "It's a Rolex!" I still chuckle at that one.

[TakesALickin]

I think what may look a little odd on the fully sterile dials is the lack of technical information: depth rating, "Automatic" (words like "Diver" or "Professional" don't really impart new information, do they?), "[country]-Made." I agree, the way that brand, marque, and logo have become objects of desire is quite sad.

Granted, the addition of technical info would not be objectionable, and would even add to the toolishness of the sterile dial. I kind of wish my watch had that marking on the dial.

When I think about it now, my clothing for the last few years has pretty consistently been some jeans from Target (they sell a brand called "Rustler" that has no tags or logos visible on the outside of the pants), and a plain black tee shirt. I think subconsciously I've been rejecting marketing. But beyond that, when I wear stripped down clothes the only thing I have on that draws attention is my watch. And that's kind of what I want.

My first watch was a Timex sub-alike too, 1969. I loved that thing, and it had great lume, surprisingly enough. I didn't even know what a Rolex was at the time - I was only 12. I was a little disappointed later in life to discover that my life long love of the sub design was equated by some people to a kind of "wannabe" mentality. I just liked the design, because that was the way I had been introduced to it as a kid. It was, first and foremost, a cool watch - not "a cool watch that looked like a Rolex". I appreciated the watch in its baseline, essential form. And I think that's why I like the sterile subs now.

[H3O+]

I agree, the way that brand, marque, and logo have become objects of desire is quite sad.

It's not that I desire any particular brand, marque, or logo. It's just that I desire a brand, marque, or logo.
Look at my signature. There's two watches that people know to be "nice" watches- a Tissot and a Breitling. Both have high sentimental value, and I consider the latter to be good value for money. Then there's Hamilton, which people have, to a large degree, forgotten. Quartz beaters from well-known brands for quartz beaters, and 3 Orient and 1 Alpha. Almost half of my collection is from brands unknown.
But these brands, unknown as they are, are still brands. When somebody says, "cool watch" or "which watch are you wearing?" I can answer, "oh, an Orient" instead of "oh, a sterile homage to the Rolex submariner that I found on eBay." I can look at my watch and think about all the connotations, positive and negative, that come with the brand (as many of you know, I won't buy a Seiko because I don't like some of the personal connotations of the brand, but I'd buy another Tissot because, even though they're not the best value, I have happy memories associated with a Tissot).
I don't care that much about branding. I'm not as affected by Madison avenue as some might believe. I wear store-brand shirts half the time. I support lesser-known and microbrew watch companies. But doing so doesn't mean that I don't wear or buy from more-known companies. Today, I wore a Polo Ralph Lauren button-down, Sperry boat shoes, and a Breitling watch. Not because I cared about being seen with a pony on my chest, but because the button-down was good looking, well-fitting, and well-made, the shoes are comfortable and practical, and the watch is durable, accurate, comfortable, and handsome.

[Chromejob]

... I didn't even know what a Rolex was at the time - I was only12. I was a little disappointed later in life to discover that my life long love of the sub design, was equated by some people to some kind of "wannabe" mentality. I just liked the design, because that was the way I had been introduced to it as a kid. It was, first and foremost, a cool watch - not "a cool watch that looked like a Rolex". I appreciated the watch in its baseline, essential form. And I think that's why I like the sterile subs now.

Ditto. Though I learned a few years later that Bond wore a Rolex (with the bright luminescent numerals you could see at night) in the books. In the movies, it was basically just a manly watch that you could get your geiger counter with (Dr. No), or see when the bomb was going to go off (From Russia With Love, Goldfinger).

I forgot that Fleigers, MPs, and other military-influenced watches have had very functional dial markings ... (T) ... the arrow ... moisture discs,... etc.

[TakesALickin]

When somebody says, "cool watch" or "which watch are you wearing?" I can answer, "oh, an Orient" instead of "oh, a sterile homage to the Rolex submariner that I found on eBay."

If someone says that to me re: my sterile sub, I'm going to respond, "It's a Chinese watch I built from kit".

It's true enough, as 1) all the parts in the watch are available for sale separately, and 2) I've had the watch disassembled and re-assembled it myself.

If someone gave me that reply, I'd find that a FAR more interesting conversation starter than any reference to any brand.

That's just me, YMMV.

[zippofan]

I love saying, "I built it". I get more stares and incredulous glances that way. It also shows me who is interested in watches if they continue to ask questions about it.