@MikeyT100 Thanks, no harm in expressing and justifying your opinions. Having seen the product in question, I cannot comment any further for the next few days, though there will be a fair tide in favour.

@Amor Vincit Omnia
Steve I believe you may be on to something!

It is almost as if some folk think that any integrated bracelet watch is by default an homage to the Royal Oak.

It may be fair to conclude that all of the brands that rushed headlong to release such a watch in the few years after the RO did so because a new market was emerging.

However that doesn’t mean that all of those that followed, whether in the 1970’s, or recent years are an homage to the Royal Oak. For all styles of watch there was one in the beginning and then others followed.

Now where are my Submariner and GMT Master homages, as neither of those two were the first of their genre.

From the detail in the teasers released by CW the new watch looks to me easily identifiable as not being a RO.

Mind you that may just be my view based upon trying on most of the well known watches that have an integrated bracelet over the years.

Spot the differences… Shame I only own one of the above - the robust North Flag.

Neil

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:45 am @missF Mine look like this. It’s called the “Thousand Mile Stare” or “Doing a Palin”.


82EA87C3-3CF3-4AA3-B399-823DE3236287.jpeg

Senor. The hat, he is the wrong shape, but that looks like Eli Wallach as Calvera or Tuco, my friend.

I do agree with @MikeyT100 though that the Bremont Supernova isn't very good looking.

I think it looks awesome.. Cant wait and if its not huge it will probably my own birthday pressie for '23.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:51 pm @MikeyT100 Thanks, no harm in expressing and justifying your opinions. Having seen the product in question, I cannot comment any further for the next few days, though there will be a fair tide in favour.

I don't doubt that, the look is very in fashion and most are super expensive. I think part of my dislike here is my desire for CW to own their own design language rather than doing homages. Every now and then they nail a true original design (C65 super compressor), but often, they're jumping on band wagons or doing style-alikes/homages (albeit well made good value ones). I'm at the stage of my watch collecting journey where I want the real thing!

JAFO wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:03 pm Senor. The hat, he is the wrong shape, but that looks like Eli Wallach as Calvera or Tuco, my friend.

¡Ay ay ay, hombre! Eet eez not even de same eh-continent, amigo.

MikeyT100 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:16 pm Every now and then they nail a true original design (C65 super compressor)

Well, it’s probably a good job we don’t all like the same things.

MikeyT100 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:16 pm …I think part of my dislike here is my desire for CW to own their own design language rather than doing homages. Every now and then they nail a true original design (C65 super compressor), but often, they're jumping on band wagons or doing style-alikes/homages (albeit well made good value ones).

Exactly my thoughts. Some of the latest releases have come across as a bit too “inspired by…” for me. Based on the chatter, I don’t expect to be a fan of The Twelve, not because it might reference other watch designs but because it’s a style I’m not a fan off. I’m still eager to see it though!

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:21 pm

JAFO wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:03 pm Senor. The hat, he is the wrong shape, but that looks like Eli Wallach as Calvera or Tuco, my friend.

¡Ay ay ay, hombre! Eet eez not even de same eh-continent, amigo.

It was the moustache that did it. I imagined the bandoleros.

@JAFO

Original. Valley of the Kings.

MikeyT100 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:16 pmI think part of my dislike here is my desire for CW to own their own design language rather than doing homages.

Mike France gave up promising that ages ago. In fairness, with investment, comes new priorities.

And assuming it is yet another sports model with integrated bracelet, well, it's where the money is. Have you seen how many variants Tissot now produce? They could display them in the same way Seiko 5's are. There must be a reason they are so successful, apart from the obvious one of price.

When CWL started its business, who didn't see a Rolex submariner homage ? Seriously CW has to follow the trend (of "sport chic" Genta-ish watches) because it's what the market want.

Nowadays, Tissot has managed to build an affordable watch which design has, unconsciously over the (40) years, been identified by lay people as luxury.
And Tissot is a swiss brand established in 1853. Hence the association: swiss brand, luxury design and affordable pricing. That's a win !

Obviously CW is neither a 150+ y.o. brand, nor is it swiss (at least the name doesn't sound swiss). Hence, the brand has to follow the market. A watch company who solely commercialize original models (within the meaning of non homage model) would face a niche market and would probably struggle to thrive.

nbg wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:54 pm
It is almost as if some folk think that any integrated bracelet watch is by default an homage to the Royal Oak.

For all styles of watch there was one in the beginning and then others followed.

Neil

Absolutely. For sure when taking on this project CW knew there is a world of folks ready to pull the trigger on the "Genta homage!" commentary.

I'm glad they "took their time". I think recent releases have shown they are comfortable enough in their own skin now that they can do this well.
When I think of my own Sealander GMT, which CW concedes is inspired by the Explorer II, they moved the game on and gave us a piece which to my eyes is actually preferable, aesthetically at least. Others may and do think differently.

I'm encouraged by the peeks I've seen. My own experience tells me integrated bracelets wear big (I've had a R.O. 'Jumbo' on my wrist for example) so for my skinny wrist nothing bigger than 39mm is interesting. And (I think) it will need to have a variation with SH21.2 to give it 'must have' credentials but I'm really keen to see this.

All this makes me wonder: at what point does a style of watch cease to be an homage to an illustrious forerunner and become a genre in its own right?