Vintage or iconic watches can be too expensive for the general public to afford. However, homage watches make it possible to access these watches. The watches pay tribute to the most iconic watches that made waves back in the day by building new pieces that resemble them.

Take a look at some of the best homage watches.

1. The Seiko SUP880

This watch pays homage to the 1918 Cartier Tank which draws inspiration from the Renault tanks famous in World War I.

The original watch is mechanical, meaning, it operates using the hand-wound spring that moves the second hand around the face of the watch. The design was quite simple and for that, it attracted a number of high-profile people including John F. Kennedy.

The Seiko takes after the Cartier Tank with a long rectangular shape and Roman numerals showing the hours. The only difference is in operation. Unlike the mechanical mode in Cartier Tank, Seiko uses quartz and a battery to power the second hand.

2. The Invicta 89260B Pro Diver

The original watch was the Rolex Submariner that 007 was fond of wearing in Dr. No, a Hollywood blockbuster. In fact, in earlier James Bond movies, Bond often wore this Rolex type. While it may be classy and sporty, you’ll have to cough up to $8,000. That will be quite a cough!

On the other hand, the Invicta Pro Diver provides a cheaper alternative while paying homage to the Submariner. The watch cost only $85.

3. Timex Ameritus Stainless Steel Chronograph

This watch pays homage as the first watch to land on the moon. The Omega Speedmaster. This pilot watch made its way to the moon thanks to the Apollo and Gemini spacecraft in the 50s and 60s. The remarkable wearers, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. If you would like to add this watch to your collection, you’ll have to part with $3,000 to $5,000.

However, if you don’t have such deep pockets, you can opt for the alternative, the Timex Ameritus, though it’s not lunar landing certified. The piece comes with a tachymeter and a chronograph similar to the original. This means you can measure the distance and time. In addition, it is powered by quartz and you can get it for $60.

4. The Rotary Chronograph

Breitling. This is the company responsible for introducing the tachymeter and chronograph on a watch. The features opened a new dimension for pilot watches, but they weren’t done. In 1952, Breitling went ahead to add the Navitimer.

This new feature allowed pilots to calculate the rate of climb/descent, airspeed, flight time and fuel consumption. Apart from its mathematical fetes, the Navitimer also provided a classy look to the watch.

It’s a look-alike and cheaper version of the same, the Rotary Chronograph, uses quartz to power the movement of the second hand. It also comes with the Navitimer for the pilots on a budget.

5. The Seiko SKX007K Diver’s Automatic Watch

James Bond might have a thing for the Rolex Submariner, but Pierce Brosnan had other ideas for the later 007 movies. The Omega Seamaster is a diver’s watch built in 1948. Some of the notable persons wearing this piece include Prince William and Joe Biden. The price. $2,000 to $4,000.

The alternative, the Seiko SKX007K. This watch comes with all features as in the original including mechanical functionality. The price stands at $200.

6. The Casio Edifice EF-547D-1A1VDF

This watch pays homage to the famous car driver’s watch, the Tag Heuer Carrera. This watch comes with a tachymeter and a chronograph to help drivers measure distance and speed. Apart from that, the watch adds glamor and sophistication to the wearer, but at $3,000.

The Casio Edifice, on the other hand, sticks to the same design and features, but at a much more affordable price of $105.

7. Steinhart Ocean 1 Chronograph

The Rolex Daytona is the watch in question here. This watch is arguably one of the most famous pieces from Rolex, but expensive as well. However, the Steinhart Ocean 1 Chronograph seeks to be the alternative in this day.

It includes the basics which are the three-dial chronograph dialing at 3, 6 and 9, o’clock and the two pushers.

8. The Magrette Dual Time

This homage watch is based on the Panerai Radiomir which comes in a square-circle design. The watch draws inspiration from the 1940s thanks to the crown and the soft edges as well as the modern typeface that brings back memories of the mid-century.

It’s replica, the Magrette, offers a modern touch to the design including sharper edges and a sportier look.

9. The Helson Skindiver

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was painted as the first dive watch in modern times. Some of the features that helped it claim this fete include a rotating outer bezel, auto-movement and of course water resistance of a maximum of 50 fathoms.

To pay its respects to the famous watch, Helson came up with the Skindiver which is more affordable and still maintains the originality of Blancpain. Among the features include a stainless steel case, a domed sapphire crystal protecting the Miyota 9015 auto-movement for a maximum of 300 meters in water.

10. Helberg CH1

Rolex attached a prototype, Deep Sea Special, to vessel named the bathyscaphe Trieste that made a 10,900-meter dive in the Mariana Trench. When the vessel emerged, the Rolex was working perfectly.

This fete inspired Helberg, a German brand, to come up with a piece that could achieve the same hence the CH1 was born.

The watch features a 316L stainless steel case with a crystal making the watch a mind-blowing 27.25mm thick. The brand claims it to be water-resistant to 6,000 meters.

For some people those watches are dreams. And who doesn’t want a beautiful dream like that to come true? Even if someone can’t buy the vintage or iconic watches, but these homage watches will fall into the capacity for sure. In short a way to make the dreams come true.