Posted on April 14 2021
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You're not going to buy your holy grail watch.
I want to be positive, I really do.
But what are the chances that you're going to buy that Rolex Daytona? Two years on the waiting list? Then having ten grand spare?
Let's be honest. There's always going to be something more important than another luxury watch. The kids will have college bills, need a new car - or even a new house!
Trust me, I'm there right now. Two teenagers mean I rarely have spare cash sitting around.
That's why I'm such a fan of homage watches.
You can get the same style at a fraction of the cost.
I want to be positive, I really do.
But what are the chances that you're going to buy that Rolex Daytona? Two years on the waiting list? Then having ten grand spare?
Let's be honest. There's always going to be something more important than another luxury watch. The kids will have college bills, need a new car - or even a new house!
Trust me, I'm there right now. Two teenagers mean I rarely have spare cash sitting around.
That's why I'm such a fan of homage watches.
You can get the same style at a fraction of the cost.
An Introduction to Pagani Design
Pagani design doesn’t really have a history. Not in the way that other established brands do. They're what watch nerds call a mushroom brand.
It means that the brand sprouted from nowhere. It's quite common with Chinese companies. They go from nothing to suddenly being all over the big e-commerce sites.
Some brands survive. Others don't. Pagani Design has been around for a few years, with the feedback being mostly positive.
These Chinese brands are interchangeable and often originate in the same factories. So you will see similar brands doing the same watches. Most notably, Pagrne Design, Bersigar and Benyar.
But some do stand out. Corgeut and Pagani Design being my favourite two.
Should you buy a homage watch?
This can be a difficult question.
What are the ethics of buying a homage watch? It's one that you really have to answer for yourself. There are good reasons for not buying a homage watch.
- The watches are using stolen IP
- Luxury watch brands lose money
- Homage watches are poor quality
So are Homage Watches Fakes?
Let's be clear, homages aren’t the same as fakes. I know that I’m splitting hairs, but I do want to stress that a homage watch is not a fake watch.
I know, it's a subtle difference.
There is no doubt that Pagani Design is stealing the designs made popular by Rolex, Omega and Tudor.
But they're not the only ones. You can see any number of Rolex Submariner clones online and in brick and mortar stores. Like those other brands, Pagani is not kidding you that you’re getting a Rolex.
There is no deception.
And you're not wearing a Pagani piece to trick people into believing that you're wearing a Swiss luxury watch.
Who notices your watch anyway? And if they did? Who will care that it's a homage?
These affordable alternatives to the luxury brands are for your own enjoyment.
Do Rolex, Omega and Tudor lose money when you buy a Pagani homage watch?
In my case, they don’t. I suspect that you're the same. You may browse Amazon and see an affordable watch that you like. You buy it without knowing, checking or caring that it is styled like a luxury model.
Or you find yourself in this familiar scenario. You like the luxury brand's designs but don’t have the available cash to buy them.
That's me. And guess what? Even if the wife and kids let me keep some cash - I love watches too much! I'd want more than one or two.
If I had £10k to drop on a Rolex Daytona, I probably wouldn’t. Because there are several other watches that I also have on my wishlist.
Instead, I buy affordable brands. I'm also a fan of Microbrands. And sometimes I'll buy a homage. So no luxury brand loses a sale.
Are Pagani and other homage watches poor quality?
I don't like to answer a question with 'that depends'. But it's the correct answer here.
You'll know that many well-respected watch brands have their watches built in China. It’s where I get my own brand made. These Chinese factories can produce high-quality watches - have a look at SeaGull for proof.
But if you buy a £20 automatic watch online you’re buying junk. Use your common sense. Would a good quality mechanical watch be this cheap? Read guides like this, check the reviews and have a look at the watch specifications.
But there are other ethical issues.
These are not limited to homage watches. Environmental and labour issues for example. Or they are down to your own conscience. Do you believe that meaningful intellectual property been stolen?
Are Pagani Design Watches Any Good?
I’m doing this post on Pagani Design because the consensus seems to be that they make good watches.
I hang around watch forums and Facebook groups and, for the most part, Pagani get positive reviews.
Pagani mechanical watches tend to use Japanese movements. Mostly Seiko's reliable NH35A automatic.
These are good movements used in many affordable watches. Expect their watches to also have sapphire crystals, good lume and functional water resistance where appropriate.
Try following the affiliate links I’ve included in this article. Read some of the customer reviews yourself. You'll then get an idea of how others have found the quality.
The 5 Best Pagani Design Watches
Pagani Design's business is producing affordable alternatives to Swiss luxury watches. They do multiple variations of popular models.
Here are the 5 that I believe are the best.
I’ve taken into consideration, the price, build quality and design. And of course, how faithfully they recreate the look of the original.
This is a wonderful looking watch that draws heavily from the Tudor Black Bay 58. At 42mm it's comfortably sized and is driven by Seiko's NH35A movement.
There is a lot of watch for the money.
The design can be overwhelming at first. There is a lot going on. The Pagani has an attractively textured dial and gilt accents on the hands, dial and bezel. There is also a bit of red on the bezel and crown.
But it works. As it should. It is, after all, a design that has proven successful for Tudor. I particularly like the applied square markers - that's a nod to the original vintage Tudor models.
Other than that, this watch is reasonably faithful to the current Black Bay. The snowflake hands, case, bezel and oversized crown are all familiar.
It's available in a few colours too, each mirroring a release from Tudor.
Whilst I still prefer Corgeut's Black Bay homage, this is a great looking watch. If you favour the square markers to the round variation, then start with this model.
There is a lot of watch for the money.
The design can be overwhelming at first. There is a lot going on. The Pagani has an attractively textured dial and gilt accents on the hands, dial and bezel. There is also a bit of red on the bezel and crown.
But it works. As it should. It is, after all, a design that has proven successful for Tudor. I particularly like the applied square markers - that's a nod to the original vintage Tudor models.
Other than that, this watch is reasonably faithful to the current Black Bay. The snowflake hands, case, bezel and oversized crown are all familiar.
It's available in a few colours too, each mirroring a release from Tudor.
Whilst I still prefer Corgeut's Black Bay homage, this is a great looking watch. If you favour the square markers to the round variation, then start with this model.
Pagani Design Tudor Black Bay PD1671
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There are very few Rolex Explorer II homage watches available. This Pagani model is one of the only affordable models that you can easily get your hands on.
Even then, it's not as readily available as the other Pagani Design watches on this list.
That's a shame, as I'm a fan of the Rolex original. It's a sporty GMT watch that was first released in the early 1970s. But it doesn't seem to have captured our attention the way that the Submariner and others did.
Pagani's homage is alluring. It has all the features of the Swiss model. The same pure white dial, orange GMT hand and silver bezel.
The small details are here too. The Mercedes hands, bold markers and even the cyclops lens over the date window.
That's quite a package. That will explain why this model has a Peral movement rather than the Seiko of the others. The GMT complication - a second timezone - comes at a price.
But the reviews have been good.
So if you're after a Rolex homage, but not an obvious choice, take a look at the PD-1682. Do it sooner rather than later. I'm not sure how long this one will be available.
Even then, it's not as readily available as the other Pagani Design watches on this list.
That's a shame, as I'm a fan of the Rolex original. It's a sporty GMT watch that was first released in the early 1970s. But it doesn't seem to have captured our attention the way that the Submariner and others did.
Pagani's homage is alluring. It has all the features of the Swiss model. The same pure white dial, orange GMT hand and silver bezel.
The small details are here too. The Mercedes hands, bold markers and even the cyclops lens over the date window.
That's quite a package. That will explain why this model has a Peral movement rather than the Seiko of the others. The GMT complication - a second timezone - comes at a price.
But the reviews have been good.
So if you're after a Rolex homage, but not an obvious choice, take a look at the PD-1682. Do it sooner rather than later. I'm not sure how long this one will be available.
Pagani Design Rolex Explorer II PD-1682
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This watch is Pagani Design's homage to Omega's Limit Edition Seamaster. The original was designed for James Bond in 2020s No Time To Die.
The Pagani PD1667-G is a very affordable alternative.
On the whole, it looks the part. Not down to the smallest details, but near enough.
So where does it differ? The most noticeable difference is the case. Omega's Seamaster 007 is equipped with a titanium case. It's lighter than steel and has a darker colouring.
Pagani has stuck with stainless steel and hasn't included the Helium release valve. But in other areas, the watch is very close. The distinctive Omega bezel for example.
Most importantly, when you first see this watch you recognise it as a Seamaster homage. I'm most taken with this variation that uses a Milanese bracelet. But it is available with a few strap options.
Once again, Pagani has opted to use a Seiko movement. This ensures both reliability and value for money. It's nice to see a sapphire crystal included, but slightly disappointing to only have 100M of water resistance. The PD1667 looks like a diver, but it's not really built for the job.
If you can live with that - and there is no reason that you can't - this is an inexpensive way to get the look of an Omega limited edition.
The Pagani PD1667-G is a very affordable alternative.
On the whole, it looks the part. Not down to the smallest details, but near enough.
So where does it differ? The most noticeable difference is the case. Omega's Seamaster 007 is equipped with a titanium case. It's lighter than steel and has a darker colouring.
Pagani has stuck with stainless steel and hasn't included the Helium release valve. But in other areas, the watch is very close. The distinctive Omega bezel for example.
Most importantly, when you first see this watch you recognise it as a Seamaster homage. I'm most taken with this variation that uses a Milanese bracelet. But it is available with a few strap options.
Once again, Pagani has opted to use a Seiko movement. This ensures both reliability and value for money. It's nice to see a sapphire crystal included, but slightly disappointing to only have 100M of water resistance. The PD1667 looks like a diver, but it's not really built for the job.
If you can live with that - and there is no reason that you can't - this is an inexpensive way to get the look of an Omega limited edition.
Pagani Design Omega Seamaster 007 PD1667-G
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We all recognise this as Rolex's famous Datejust. The watch worn by Winston Churchill.
Pagani has stuck with the Rolex DNA and produced a clone of the watch. It has the same case, dial, hands and fluted bezel.
If you want a £100 watch that ticks the box's of a Rolex, this is Pagani's contender. Like the original, it's tasteful and understated. The is blue variant adds some colour, but the design is still refined.
It's not exactly a black-market watch, but it's as close to a fake as they can get away with.
In a slight departure from the Pagani template, this model is powered by a Japanese Miyota movement. The 8215. Again, it's a reliable movement with a good reputation.
You can view it through the exhibition back.
There's not much to add. You know the design. You know what it should look like. Now you need to decide if it's for you.
Pagani has stuck with the Rolex DNA and produced a clone of the watch. It has the same case, dial, hands and fluted bezel.
If you want a £100 watch that ticks the box's of a Rolex, this is Pagani's contender. Like the original, it's tasteful and understated. The is blue variant adds some colour, but the design is still refined.
It's not exactly a black-market watch, but it's as close to a fake as they can get away with.
In a slight departure from the Pagani template, this model is powered by a Japanese Miyota movement. The 8215. Again, it's a reliable movement with a good reputation.
You can view it through the exhibition back.
There's not much to add. You know the design. You know what it should look like. Now you need to decide if it's for you.
Pagani Design Rolex Datejust PD-1645
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This is Pagani Design's version of the most copied watch in history, the Rolex Submariner. Rolex's green variation is nicknamed the Hulk and is now discontinued.
That's one of the advantages of homage models. Rolex no longer makes a green dial and green bezel Submariner. You'd either have to buy used or buy an alternative.
A homage fills that gap.
Like the Datejust, this is a familiar style. You know what you expect from a Submariner homage and the Pagani delivers.
Everything is as it should be.
It looks like the iconic dive watch, down to the small details. Again, it's not built for diving, but that's not what you're here for.
It's a comfortable, mid-sized desk diver with a signed crown and an exhibition back. You can see the tough Seiko movement through this rear window.
This is the most recognisable dive watch on the planet. The green variation was an amazing version before it was discontinued. If you still want that look, £100 is an inexpensive way to get it.
That's one of the advantages of homage models. Rolex no longer makes a green dial and green bezel Submariner. You'd either have to buy used or buy an alternative.
A homage fills that gap.
Like the Datejust, this is a familiar style. You know what you expect from a Submariner homage and the Pagani delivers.
Everything is as it should be.
It looks like the iconic dive watch, down to the small details. Again, it's not built for diving, but that's not what you're here for.
It's a comfortable, mid-sized desk diver with a signed crown and an exhibition back. You can see the tough Seiko movement through this rear window.
This is the most recognisable dive watch on the planet. The green variation was an amazing version before it was discontinued. If you still want that look, £100 is an inexpensive way to get it.
Pagani Design Rolex Submariner PD1639
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Conclusion
There’s nothing original here. Pagani Design make watches that take inspiration from, or copy, your favourite Swiss watches.
I can't give you a definitive answer about the ethics of buying a homage watch. With the case of the discontinued Submariner Hulk, yes it is a little easier. But for other models, you may have some reservations.
What I can tell you about are the price and the quality.
Pagani make watches that give good value for money. Often that means an automatic watch with a sapphire crystal for around a hundred bucks.
And they aren't using cheap Chinese movements. Pagani Design watches use Seiko and Miyota movements. You'll find these in much more expensive branded watches.
The quality is there and it's very affordable.
The other components are of good quality too. They are often better than you’d find on most similarly priced high-street watches.
So follow some of the links in the post. Explore the brand further. It's not like you were really going to drop ten grand on that Rolex Daytona anyway...
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