Homage Watches as Tools for Good
Mil Sub Mod, Seestern GMT, MKII Nassau, Steinhart Ocean One, and Raven Vintage Gold, respectively.
One of the most debated topics in the watch enthusiast space is homage watches, which is no surprise to anyone. For five years, I have yet to hear anyone discuss the purpose of homage watches or whether there is a way for us, the enthusiasts, to use them. In this article, I will do just that. Homage watches exist for more than making their companies money; they are tools to help us obtain our dream pieces.
In The Magic of Watches by Louis Nardin, we are given twelve "Icons of the Twentieth Century." The usual suspects in this group are the Royal Oak, Speedmaster, and Submariner, amongst others. What each of these pieces has in common are legacy and prices that initially scare off most enthusiasts. These icons are also some of the most homaged timepieces of all time, which works out in the watch enthusiasts' favor.
Homage timepieces are tools for us to "experience" and buy us time to save for the pieces we truly desire. The prominent examples of this concept are several Rolex models, with the Submariner being the obvious choice. Rolex homages abound, and with good reason. Rolex's designs are classic, and many of their models inspire other brands' modern interpretations. These homages are plentiful and usually affordable, two things most Rolex classics are not.
Herein lies the rub: how do you experience a classic timepiece without breaking the bank and accepting the risk of not liking the watch? That is where homages come in. Tools like Google Lens allow someone to search for an older reference number and identify modern homage pieces. Now, will all the specifications match up perfectly? Probably not, but that is where the enthusiast has to do their own homework. Look at the specs, find comparable pieces, and compare modern and vintage materials. Use the homage pieces to determine the way ahead. In some cases, the contemporary homage might even be a "better" build with modern materials.
If what you find in the homage world is similar enough, grab it, wear it, and use that time to save for the piece it draws inspiration from. I cannot stress this enough: a bunch of mid-tier pieces will never scratch the itch that the actual timepiece you desire will. Are some of these pieces impossible to get? Sure, but most are not impossible to obtain; they are instead expensive. I understand everyone has different financial situations, and I am not rich, but I do set goals and go after them. You can do the same; it just takes patience and discipline. Homages have helped me on my journey and saved me from purchasing watches I would have been disappointed in; the Rolex Submariner is the prime example.
Too often, we enthusiasts position specific brands as "out of reach" and assign them a level of unattainability that gives them power over us. Homage watches are the tools that allow us to get a feeling for what we want while we save money for the eventual "serious" purchase. In the end, it is our money that is our power with any brand. A small investment in a homage piece can help you understand if you would want to work towards the timepiece it inspires. If it doesn't do that, sell it, get another homage, and keep working towards a watch you truly desire when you come across it. Most importantly, remember that you are after a goal for YOU, not anyone else but you. Do not let peer pressure, etc., deter you from that goal, whatever classic piece it may be.
“It is important to remember that this hobby, like any, is for your enjoyment. Go about it the way you want to. As long as you’re not hurting anyone, you’re doing it correctly. ”
