Aren't out guys sick of this 'overdose' of Inspired Designs & Homages ?

[Nishant]

Dear all,

Over this past year of WUS membership, I have learnt a lot about watches, discovered my own taste in timepieces, stumbled on brands both high-end and micro- that I never knew existed ... and during this period, have been fortunate to own multiple timepieces in different price ranges..

I must say .. I have thoroughly enjoyed the micro-brand revolution with great designs, case quality, top grade movements and unparalleled customer service.

My initial reaction to 'inspired' designs paying salute to 'classic' timepieces of yesteryears was all positive .. after all, it gives us a unique opportunity to own these 'modern' regurgitations with technical improvements, case hardening, valves and sapphire crystals with AR and such.. I owned a few, was interested in a lot more, but many a times, found that within days of contemplating one, I would get tired of the idea of having a 'homage' and would very much long for the 'original' .. or for that matter, even if the timepiece has no history, at least it should represent a unique design.

However, of late, with multiple new introductions, I just can't seem to get over the fact that many many many of them are openly 'inspired' .. marketed as such ... and mind you, they don't come cheap .. nearing 700 to 800 bucks .. till 15 months back, I thought Hamilton Sunset was just 'too' expensive of a watch.

With this rate, I fear that we will soon RUN OUT OF VINTAGE CLASSICS TO GET INSPIRED FROM OR PAY HOMAGE TO ....

As if this isn't enough, almost every watch corporation is Regurgitating their own 'classics' in a flurry ... U Name It, We Got It ... If I am a vintage watch collector, I sure would be VERY MAD.

And so, I wonder ...

Aren't out guys sick of this 'overdose' of Inspired Designs & Homages ?

I apologize guys if my thought sounded too polarizing .. It can't be. I am not free of this addiction or the sin of 'splurging' on inspired designs ... I own a Ploprof 1200 which is a 'dignified' replica of Ploprof 600 and WCT Seal, an 'inglorious' take on Kobold Seal and I love them both !

But then.. Thoughts are Thoughts ... And I like to share ... and Hear you All !

Cheers
nishant

[SHANE 1000]

It's easier to just copy? other designs and call it a homage, than it is to create and be innovative and offer the world something NEW!, I think it is just laziness and ignorance, and lack of skill.

Regurgitating the same old crap again and again and again just with a different name. yep people love that safe repetition.

[Torrid]

I'm wearing an XW Tsunami right now which is a modern interpretation of the Seiko cushion case 6909. I love the cushion case and want a modern watch for reliability. If Seiko made a 6r15 powered cushion case diver I would be wearing one.

[clouser]

I really don't mind all the homages, but they really don't interest me much. I can certainly see how a lot of people would be interested though. Those vintage designs are awesome, but the real thing is usually hard to get hold of, comes with a steep price tag, and will require more upkeep than a new watch.

[jason_recliner]

It doesn't bother me. I don't personally like all of them, but I like my Remora, and that is an Aquadive homage or Omega or some such. I don't like the real thing enough to pay for it, but for $600 I get the look I like and the performance of a modern dive watch. Similar story with the MM300 and 16600 - classic / vintage style with modern specs - although obviously these are less affordable, as they are branded, but I liked those ones enough to pay up.

It surprises me that there are 3 or 4 concurrent homages of some watches, such as the Ploprof or 5512, but with more variations on a theme you're more likely to find one that is just right for you.

[Jake B]

It's easier to just copy? other designs and call it a homage, than it is to create and be innovative and offer the world something NEW!, I think it is just laziness and ignorance, and lack of skill.

Regurgitating the same old crap again and again and again just with a different name. yep people love that safe repetition.

That's pretty harsh. Just maybe, someone may have a lot of love for a vintage watch, and want to pay tribute to it by making an homage built to modern specifications. Seeing it through takes time, commitment, risk, money, knowledge, skill (especially if they're making them by hand), and a love of watches. Pigeon-holing anyone who's produced an homage to a vintage classic as lazy and ignorant with a lack of skill, in itself shows a degree of ignorance.

[Drop of a Hat]

That's pretty harsh. Just maybe, someone may have a lot of love for a vintage watch, and want to pay tribute to it by making an homage built to modern specifications. Seeing it through takes time, commitment, risk, money, knowledge, skill (especially if they're making them by hand), and a love of watches. Pigeon-holing anyone who's produced an homage to a vintage classic as lazy and ignorant with a lack of skill, in itself shows a degree of ignorance.

This.


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[jstroh]

I wouldn't call this trend laziness. Sound marketing, yes. But laziness, no, although I am sure there are exceptions.

Helson is one of the micros that has latched on to this trend, but I hardly consider Helson to be a lazy, dull or overpriced brand. It may be relying too much on past designs, but I am sure it has found that decison to be profitable. It doesn't seem possible that a micro can hit the ball out of the park in offering an original design each time up. Over time, though, a company should establish an identity. UTS has, as have Zixen, Deep Blue and a host of others.

Having said all that, I am unmoved by homages in general and with some in particular, such as the PloProf homages that have won a following here and elsewhere. Because watches that are the target of homages are usually quite expensive and of the highest design and build quality, the micros' versions simply don't measure up, in my book. I once owned the Ocean7 LM-7, but, even though it was well-built and had great specs, it lacked the refinement of the Omega PloProf version that followed and which I'm now considering.

For most buyers, though, I am sure it was the design that attracted them. The micros, I believe, know that and are making sound judgments when they issue homages.

[Torrid]

That's pretty harsh. Just maybe, someone may have a lot of love for a vintage watch, and want to pay tribute to it by making an homage built to modern specifications. Seeing it through takes time, commitment, risk, money, knowledge, skill (especially if they're making them by hand), and a love of watches. Pigeon-holing anyone who's produced an homage to a vintage classic as lazy and ignorant with a lack of skill, in itself shows a degree of ignorance.

100% agree. I really love some of the earlier diver designs, the cushion case in particular. If the the original manufacturer isn't going to continue the design, how can we have a modern version? I love earlier designs. They remind me of a simpler time.

[JayVeeez]

It doesn't bother me, I just don't buy as many micro's as I once would have. Simply, I just like a different grade of watch these days and will pay the premium for what I want.

PS: Nishant, bro you might want to revise the title of the thread as it has a peculiar meaning unless people open the thread, lol!