"Replica" Watches: Any Good?

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maury

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Just started surfing ‘fake watches’ out of curiosity and am pretty amazed at what’s out there. At least these watches look good in the photos.

My watches have always been purely functional and cheap (as in my 15 year old Timex that still is my EDC) and I doubt that I will ever be in a position to own or wear a multi-thousand dollar timepiece. On the other hand, owning a “replica” for $50 or so does have a certain snob appeal. And I am due for a new toy!

Now, I have learned – at times painfully – that the axiom “You get what you pay for” is very true. I don’t expect a $75 Rolex be anything near a $30,000 watch.

So, has anyone had any experience with these fakes? Do they really look as good on your wrist as they look in the photos? And how do they holdup in the real world? Will they last long enough to be worth buying?

Any advice (including on line dealers) would be most appreciated. Thanks!!
 
THere are some really good quality fakes out there now that are pushing the $2-300 mark. There are also some flea market specails that sucks, depends on what you want. That being said, you can purchase a good watch in that price range that isnt a fake
 
My Dad was a watchmaker who repaired and revered Rolex all his working life. I'm quite familiar with the brand and, frankly, some
of the replicas I have seen recently are good to the point where I would want a professional to look at anything I was ready to
purchase. There was an article in one of the major watch magazines a couple of years ago regarding Rolex fakes and even THEY
were fooled a time or two. Good luck on getting one serviced, though. Most watchmakers won't touch them
 
There are some good fake watches, like ones I've seen in Taiwan which are made using Seiko internals. But a fake is still a fake. From the people I've observed who typically wear counterfeit clothes, bags, shoes, watches, even knives, they are living a false lifestyle that is readily apparent. Your friends know your financial situation, so one is only deceiving themselves.
 
Look around at the watch forums (as if you didn't have enough trouble just hanging out on a knife forum!). There are dozens of 'boutique' watchmakers out there making some fabulous watches that don't have the 'stigma' of the fake watch.

While they don't sell for $29.95, you can get a watch for between two hundred and a thousand dollars that looks and runs as good as the 'big name' watches and that have the added cache of being nearly one of a kind. Spend $2000 with one of these makers and you'll have a watch that people will think cost 5 times that much. I'm not talking flash here, either. These watches will look good in a business suit or a bathing suit.

There's a whole world out there just waiting for you to discover it!

Go get 'em!

(Dear Lord, what have I done?)

Never mind. Go to WallyWorld and buy a Timex.
 
CWL said:
There are some good fake watches, like ones I've seen in Taiwan which are made using Seiko internals. But a fake is still a fake. From the people I've observed who typically wear counterfeit clothes, bags, shoes, watches, even knives, they are living a false lifestyle that is readily apparent. Your friends know your financial situation, so one is only deceiving themselves.
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I agree with this.

Everyone should have a good watch like your Timex, that works. You can get a decent watch that costs in the hundreds but has the added distinction of looking like itself, not like what it is not. True style is looking like yourself at your best, not like an ad for someone else.
 
It's much more satisfying to own the real deal.

[YouTube]1eJuo9pk4bw[/YouTube]
 
I bought a fake rado watch. The band kept clipping my very few wrist hairs and was annoying.
The gold colored steel chipped off from regular use in about a month.
The second hand would jump if I tapped the watch too hard.

I wasn't a fan.

Just go to a movado outlet and get one for half price.movado has a nice look.
 
If you're interested in quality "homage" watches I suggest looking at MKII. Their LRRP Milsub is a great homage to the original, which now commands 75k.
 
Seiko SKX 007 is around $200 bucks and I wear one everyday for the past year and a half and it has never failed, I get quite a few complements on it from customers and co workers alike.
 
Gov't Mule said:
If you're interested in quality "homage" watches I suggest looking at MKII. Their LRRP Milsub is a great homage to the original, which now commands 75k.
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Not sure if they do it anymore, but I had MKII work the dial and hands on a MarcelloC Nettuno III, and have been very satisfied. Like CharlieMike, I also own a Rolex Sea Dweller, so it isn't like I am trying to fool anyone, but the band wear on the SD was annoying me, and I opted for a less expensive every day watch. The Nettuno has a visible back, and an ETA movement, solid link bracelet and a solid build. The watch and the work cost a total of $600.00. THAT said, getting an automatic watch serviced every 3-4 years will run you about $200.00 in parts and labor, while a quartz movement watch will cost about $50.00 for a new battery and pressure test every 5 years or so, and the quartz watch will probably keep better time. People on the Forums are quite pleased with the "Monster" watches and SKX007 by Seiko, so that may be a good option for you.

Here is a "before" of a Nettuno(not mine):

and an after(not mine), this one shown sold used in 2009 for $450.00:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
a little reverse thinking... I wore a real Rolex GMT Master (BX purchase in 1972 for $210) for 30 years when I was teaching... the kids thought it was fake anyway.....a teacher couldn't afford a real one
 
Theres fakes and there are companies that make similar looking watches. If I want something that looks like a rolex gmt, is just as or more reliable/accurate why would I pay thousands when I can get a steinhart for around 400.
 
Why buy a "good fake" when you can buy a homage watch from a reputable company. Eg if you don't have the funds for a Rolex Submariner, then buy a Seiko SNZF17J1 or SKX007 for $170 rather than spending $100 for a replica made by a factory that might not even exist in a year's time.
 
When you buy/wear a fake watch/knife/purse/wallet/etc, not only are supporting the people who are infringing on another company's copyright's and intectual property, but you are also saying a lot about your own personality.

I'd rather wear a REAL g-shock/seiko/etc than a FAKE rolex/omega/breitling/panerai/etc

I wouldn't buy a fake watch any more than I would a fake Sebenza knife, Coach bag, or Louis Vuitton wallet. If I couldn't afford to buy a Rolex-level watch, then there are plenty of good watches to be had for a few hundred dollars.

Like Charlie Mike said... It's much more fun owning the real thing anyways.
IMG_5359.JPG
 
maury said:
Do they really look as good on your wrist as they look in the photos? And how do they holdup in the real world? Will they last long enough to be worth buying?
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Would you buy a fake Chris Reeve, Strider, Spyderco, Benchmade, etc?

As others have mentioned, buy a nice Seiko 007 instead. It will last long enough to be worth buying.
 
I'm a casio man but that's just me

Hey OP- you should go buy a vacheron constantin!!

Rofl
 
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