Is It Okay To Wear A Homage Watch?

Homage watches are often seen as some sort of bad thing in the watch collecting world, some people are actually worried about buying one

This shouldn’t be the case. If you want to get one, you totally should. It is Okay to wear a homage watch. They can be great watches and you can get a lot of pleasure from them.

What Is A Homage Watch?

A homage is a watch that takes inspiration from other watches.  There are various levels to how much inspiration can be taken. Some are quite subtle and make their own unique interpretation of the style they are referencing; others look a little more obvious and are clearly trying to replicate a certain watch. All these watches are totally legal.

This shouldn’t be confused with fakes/replicas or counterfeits. These are illegal, let alone immoral. These are trying to pass themselves off as something they are not. You should never consider these as an option.

There are no circumstances where fakes/replicas are acceptable. A homage is clearly made by a separate brand wanting to be like a famous brand, fakes are trying to say they are the famous brand, when they are not. This difference is very important.

(You can read more about – Are Homage Watches Legal?)

Why You Should Get A Homage Watch?

There are plenty of good reasons to buy a homage, which I will go through now.

Homage Watches Are Affordable

Homage watches are cheap, which has two main benefits.

The first is that it makes it affordable for everyone. Even the higher end homage watches are still very attainable so no matter what your budget is, you should be able to find a watch that suits your needs.

The second thing is that a lower price brings is a lack of fear. You don’t need to worry if your watch gets lost, scratched, damaged or even stolen. While none of these things is enjoyable, it’s a little easier to swallow when its £100 compared to £10k.    

A Homage Watch Is A Test Drive Of The Real Deal

This can be quite divided, but I think it’s a pretty valid point.

If you are looking to own a high end luxury watch, but you’re not too sure about it, try a homage. Of course the exact fit, weight, shape and even design are going to be slightly off, but it should give you a good taste of what you could have.

Some people will buy a homage watch as they know they will never be able to own the more expensive version, others will simple want to use it as a tester before getting the real deal. Either way you can get a feel for what the real version might be like while not being out of pocket.

You could of course argue that you could buy the real watch and sell it, which is true, but you will probably lose some money selling it, or you could buy a homage and drop a little money up front, for me it’s the same difference. However, getting the homage is going to be quicker and easier in my opinion. 

Homages Watches Give You Access To Discontinued Models

Once a watch is discontinued it obviously means the ability to get one is going to start to get a lot harder. As the years pass the number of watches is going to get less and less, while the prices of those left are only going to keep going up and up.

It makes sense really, as the watch becomes more vintage and rarer, it’s only natural for its price to go up. This can of course mean that for the vast majority of us, this watch is no longer an option.

This is where homage watches can save the day. Of course they are not the exact same, but they can certainly fill the hole of the watch that is no longer available in a very affordable way. 

Homage Watches Can Be Good Quality

Homage watches are often seen as sub power, which can be true (and definitely a fact if you start buying fakes).

However, a lot of them are made quite well and will contain pretty decent movements. It is very common for them to contain Seiko movements, which are actually pretty good.

You need to remember that these watches are often very cheap, so you will not be getting perfection. There is always going to corners cut in materials, manufacturing and quality control to keep the production costs down. This doesn’t mean everything is terrible. A lot of these watches are decent and when you consider what you are paying for them, they are actually incredibly good value.

Homage watches may lack originality in their designs but they can certainly rival micro brands and the lower priced brands when it comes to value.

If You Like The Homage …Get It

This should really be the only reason why you get one. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or tells you. If you like the watch get it.

If it fits with your budget and you feel it offers value, then it should be an easy decision. If you like the look of the watch, get it.

You are the one who will wear it and you are the one who gets to enjoy it, so if you feel it will bring you joy, then get your wallet out. 

(You can read more about – What Are The Pros and Cons Of Purchasing A Homage Watch?)

What Do People Think Of Homage Watches?

Although I’ve just told you to buy the watch for yourself, you are of course still wondering what people think of them.

To the general population, they don’t care. A few might notice it and even fewer might mistake it for a luxury brand (you can correct them, if you lie about it, well, that’s not cool)

Watch nerds will probably notice it and although their opinion doesn’t matter, they will either like it or not.

Some people really hate homage watches and others are more than happy to enjoy them.

(You can read more about – Why Do People Hate Homage Watches?)

You are always going to find that watch snob who says bad things about every ones watch. These are the type of people who look down on little kids for having a cheap quartz watch, so I wouldn’t take any notice of them.

You are also always going to find that one person who thinks you are only wearing it to make it look like you can afford more than you can have. I don’t think this is the case; since homage watches are branded with their own logos and I am sure you would tell someone exactly what it is if you asked.

I feel this view should only be reserved for people who wear fakes, they are the only ones trying to make people think they have bought something more expensive than they have.

Conclusion

Homage watches are great and they are totally acceptable. You shouldn’t feel any pressure about wearing one. If you like it and can afford it. Then enjoy it.

There are no rules for watch collecting and can own whatever you like (except fakes, just never own fakes). So if you feel a homage watch is right for you, then get as many as you want and enjoy them all.

(You can read more about – Buying A Homage Of Your Grail Watch, Should You Do It?)