Ep. 172: The Homage Paradox

This week on the Worn & Wound podcast, Zach Weiss, Blake Buettner, and Zach Kazan talk about something that’s been on all of our minds after a slew of recent releases: are all watches starting to look alike? Is it an accident? And, is it even a bad thing for new releases to resemble something from the past (or, in the case of some of the watches we talk about, the present). It’s a surprisingly thorny issue, with a whole lot of strongly held opinions (few words set off a debate in the watch world quite like “homage”). In this conversation, we touch on what brands hope to achieve when they borrow design elements from popular watches, the different ways those watches are received, and if any single watch can lay claim to owning that shiny black ceramic bezel. 

What do you think? Can a black dialed chronograph ever be completely original? Can an old brand be revived authentically? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or tag us on Instagram.

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Show Notes

• Zach K’s wrist check: Grand Seiko SBGH271
• Owner’s Review: Grand Seiko SBGH271
• Zach W’s wrist check: Seiko SPB149
• Blake’s wrist check: Seiko Data 2000
• Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire Black
• The TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition
• Omega Seamaster Diver 300M “Beijing 2022”
• Raven Trekker 39 Review
• Bell & Ross BR V3-94
• Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver
• The Massena Lab Uni-Racer