Imitators

[texan_guy]

How do brands like Timex and Invicta get away with making watches that look almost exactly like a Rolex? Are there no patents? I understand non-brand name imitators, no different than fake designer clothes, but these are known brands.

https://timex.com/products/harborsid...hoC_bEQAvD_BwE

https://invictastores.com/invicta-pr...xoCQ8AQAvD_BwE

[Krash]

I’m not a patent attorney, but I always understood that there are limits in terms of being able to patent a product based on colors and aesthetics. I’d imagine it’s even more difficult in the watch industry.

It looks like Tag Heuer copied both Omega and Rolex all at the same time with this watch.




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[joe100]

This has been going on since watches became a thing.

[Bazil]

Some seiko very close ..

[Yobber76]

Doesn't seem to be bothering Rolex much.

[amphr1]

For the Timex, I would argue it's fine because it looks like a vintage GMT and not the currently for sale version.

As for Invicta, I don't really think there's going to be any confusion tbh from a brand whose sales strategy is to sell their watch at 80% off all the time.

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[Gearjockey]

This one would probably get ripped off your wrist in Paris right now.

Arrêtez le voleur!


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[ole1974]

Did Rolex imitate other brands back in the day...?

[brandrea]

Something about flattery

[madsitalia]

I’m having a worse time with “homages”
They always have a crappy movement too

[gamingdoctor]

Originally Posted by ole1974

Did Rolex imitate other brands back in the day...?

Let me put my flame suit on...

Rolex's black dial daytona back in the 60s takes very clear inspiration from the Omega Speedmaster.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by texan_guy

How do brands like Timex and Invicta get away with making watches that look almost exactly like a Rolex? Are there no patents? I understand non-brand name imitators, no different than fake designer clothes, but these are known brands.

https://timex.com/products/harborsid...hoC_bEQAvD_BwE

https://invictastores.com/invicta-pr...xoCQ8AQAvD_BwE

Well you could say Rolex done the same back in the 1950s with the first Sub as it looked remarkably similar to the Blancpain 50 fathoms which was released 9 months before the Rolex sub.Many watches most brands may look similar but as long as they got there own brand name on the dial no problem.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by texan_guy

How do brands like Timex and Invicta get away with making watches that look almost exactly like a Rolex? Are there no patents? I understand non-brand name imitators, no different than fake designer clothes, but these are known brands.

https://timex.com/products/harborsid...hoC_bEQAvD_BwE

https://invictastores.com/invicta-pr...xoCQ8AQAvD_BwE

Both those watches are based in a 1950s US Navy design brief for a tender which incidentally, Rolex lost. In addition, so far as I am aware, nobody has the right to copyright the colour blue or the colour red.

[hd-bagger]

Originally Posted by Gearjockey

This one would probably get ripped off your wrist in Paris right now.

Arrêtez le voleur!


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My buddies dad wears this watch. I noticed it across the room and went over to compliment his "sub." He laughed and said he wears them for several years, then replaces them. He's very well off financially but doesn't see the need to spend the money on Rolex. It's interesting to see a different train of thought then we think.

[Tools]

The Rolex Datejust is likely the most copied look. You can find almost every brand with a model with the fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by ole1974

Did Rolex imitate other brands back in the day...?

Apparently.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmbiDUJr..._web_copy_link

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by hd-bagger

My buddies dad wears this watch. I noticed it across the room and went over to compliment his "sub." He laughed and said he wears them for several years, then replaces them. He's very well off financially but doesn't see the need to spend the money on Rolex. It's interesting to see a different train of thought then we think.

I’m pretty sure that’s their classic 8926. Laugh if you want but I know lots of watch guys with one of these in their past. They’re pretty rugged, keep at least as good of time as a cheaper Seiko, and cheap enough to be disposable if you break it.
I have an old friend who has a variety of watches across a wide range of values. He will frequently be seen wearing his Invicta that is at least 20 years old.

[Ferrari-F430]

I bought a copycat brand thinking that maybe I would be happy with it and it would save me $10K from wanting the Rolex version, and that theory failed miserably. Once you have a Rolex and appreciate the craftsmanship, it's hard to wear anything else but a luxury brand.

[OG1982]

So, where do we stand on this little fella? Looks very much like a copy cat / homage design to me…




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[Gerry62]

embarrassing this omega, almost ridiculous, much better Invicta

[Billyrolls]

Maybe not an issue for Rolex since the replicas are not in direct competition with them.

Reminds me a bit of what the Fender Guitar Company did when smaller companies began to spring up and produce clones of the iconic Fender Strat. And by clones, I mean very similar styling lines and headstock shapes. Then these companies began to produce custom shop clones that were actually better than Fender brand, which after a few decades began to erode Fender's market share. Then the cease-and-desist letters went out from Fender to these companies and that was the end of the clones.

[TonyD]

I bought a few Invicta way back in the day when huge watches were in style. I still have one that is an actual unique model. I used to call ShopNBC and got on the air a few times to talk to the hosts. I got on once when they were selling a blatant Submariner clone and kept commenting on how unique it was and that it was out of the box thinking, original design etc, just messing with them.... yes troll city but it was fun.

[~Ocho1~]

Originally Posted by Ferrari-F430

I bought a copycat brand thinking that maybe I would be happy with it and it would save me $10K from wanting the Rolex version, and that theory failed miserably. Once you have a Rolex and appreciate the craftsmanship, it's hard to wear anything else but a luxury brand.

I tend to agree with you. I had a couple of Steinhart, although none that looked EXACTLY like a modern Rolex. But after acquiring a Rolex, these just didn't feel right.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by hd-bagger

My buddies dad wears this watch. I noticed it across the room and went over to compliment his "sub." He laughed and said he wears them for several years, then replaces them. He's very well off financially but doesn't see the need to spend the money on Rolex. It's interesting to see a different train of thought then we think.

I’d just wear a G-Shock if I were him. It’s a fine line between that Invicta and a cheap fake Submariner.


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[WatchTimes]

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery

Personally I hate "Homage" watches as they are just copies in my eyes, but hey think of how much money the "Homage" companies save by not having to hire designers original or take chances creating something new or unique.

[KatGirl]

Patents expire, generally after 20 years.

Kat


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by OG1982

So, where do we stand on this little fella? Looks very much like a copy cat / homage design to me…




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Given that Tudor is under the Rolex umbrella, it’s not an issue.

Kat


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[Jb1264]

Zeniths Chronomaster Sport has a striking resemblance to the Daytona

IMO It wouldn’t scratch the itch.

[madsitalia]

Originally Posted by ~Ocho1~

I tend to agree with you. I had a couple of Steinhart, although none that looked EXACTLY like a modern Rolex. But after acquiring a Rolex, these just didn't feel right.

Steinhart are some of the worst

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by madsitalia

Steinhart are some of the worst

I bought a Steinhart as a beater and it wasn't good enough even for that. Utter POS. I keep meaning to do a video of destroying it with a lump hammer. I'll get around to it.