Rationale for collecting replica watches

[qwerty12345 0]

I was at a party and met a guy who has a Rolex Submariner.

I'm not into Subs (my main interest is vintage Omega) so I assumed it was real, started talking watches with him, and he confessed that the Sub was a replica and he also had a Breitling replica.

 

I had a look at this forum and it seems like some of you have collections of replica watches where the total cost is on par with the price of a decent genuine watch (at least on the used market). To me this is quite surprising (with all due respect). But I'd understand if someone considering a specific model of genuine watch would buy one replica first to see if they liked the size, look, etc.

 

It would be interesting to hear the rationale of people here when it comes to collecting replica watches. I'm not trying to be hostile in any way, just trying to understand your rationale. Would be interesting to hear the opinions of people who think differently than me about watches. Is it a question of being "too stingy" to buy the genuine version (would rather have many replicas than one genuine)? I'm assuming that some people here are doing it for bragging purposes (making people think it's the real deal)? Moreover, some people on this forum seem disappointed when elements of a replica watch are not comparable to the original. Why wouldn't you then just buy the genuine version, which doesn't have such production "mistakes"?

 

Thanks.

[RUSH2112 11]

Sounds like you read enough to find things you take issue with and not enough to answer your own questions which are definitely answered here.

[Diver Dave 0]

I'll go: I have a substantial collection of genuine watches, I've figured out that save for one old Rolex 1665 Sea Dweller, my watches will depreciate with wear and tear, and my old 1665 which I wore nonstop for some 38 years has such family sentimental value now that it's been retired for routine wear so as to preserve it to be passed down. My eye is used to looking at the dial of a Rolex, so guess what? I'm wearing a very good quality replica of a vintage watch (1960's Tudor Submariner) that meets my needs, is comfortable to my eye, and is durable enough to rely on. If it's lost, no biggie, and that fits my needs. I could easily afford the real version of what I am wearing, but why? In genuine watches I'm collecting things that interest me historically but are not watches I would wear (WW-I Trench Watches, for example). I don't see any invenstment potential in modern genuine watches, and the "mainstream" vintage watches are riding a bubble and are over-priced in my view, so I'm collecting interesting watches that are appreciating for historical reasons but that are not generally wearable. So I'm wearing a few reps while collecting watches I don't wear for either investment or fashion reasons. I've also bought a few to see how a gen would suit me, and without exception I've decided that they don't....

Edited May 23, 2017 by Diver Dave

[Theduke.williams 1,039]

££££££££'s $$$$$$$$'s ffs.

I for one cannot afford the real deal, but would dearly love to wear an original.

If I could afford a gen, there's other considerations to make, like do I buy an expensive watch and drive around in a peice of s**t automobile?

Most enthusiasts here do not boast about their watches to the general population, after all we have a great forum here to show off our passion.

A very few fortunate members will buy a replica of a gen that they own, so that they can wear the replica while keeping their precious watch safe at home.

There's also an element of trying a number of various styles of very expensive watches, to find out which one best suits the wearer, before buying the genuine article.

After being a member on this site for close on 5 years, I've decided what my grail watch is, and I plan to spend out on the genuine article as and when I retire. With any luck I'll have enough left to buy a decent motor as well.

[childishthing 1]

Oh look, it's this condescending thread again. Nice first post.

 

I drive a 60k car, own quite a few gens watches worth over 5-10k/ea... but as for my rationale for owning reps? Nunya.

[wowsasb 8]

I like wearing fancy watches and not spending lots of money. Also, it has made me better appreciate the genuine ones and taught me about how watches actually work as I havent been afraid to work on them since they arent actually worth the 5 figures they would be worth otherwise. Definitely planning on buying gens, but not planning giving up reps.

[cvp3 2,103]

$600K house, $100K car and over 50 replica watches. No desire for gens honestly.....the replica does everything I'd want a gen to do and I don't have to lose my mind when I bump my rep' on the corner of a desk.

[fatarms 7,777]

$600K house, $100K car and over 50 replica watches.

$601K house, $101K car and over 51 replica watches. :P

[joegut 0]

I love watches in general and there is not enough money to keep a never ending dessire get a taste of the real thing without compramising my family wellness. Not a matter of showing of to anybody. Just a learning hobbie of a very beautyful and complex time instrument

[RUSH2112 11]

$600K house, $100K car and over 50 replica watches.

$601K house, $101K car and over 51 replica watches. :P

You guys forgot about the 10" and 10.5" penises.

[Thelittleprince 2]

$600K house, $100K car and over 50 replica watches.

$601K house, $101K car and over 51 replica watches. :P

 

602.5k house. 102.0000000001k car and over 52.9398377373737939399393939933 replica watches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fatarms 7,777]

$600K house, $100K car and over 50 replica watches.

$601K house, $101K car and over 51 replica watches. :P

 

602.5k house. 102.0000000001k car and over 52.9398377373737939399393939933 replica watches

 

You motherfucker.

[Thelittleprince 2]

$600K house, $100K car and over 50 replica watches.

$601K house, $101K car and over 51 replica watches. :P

 

602.5k house. 102.0000000001k car and over 52.9398377373737939399393939933 replica watches

 

You motherfucker.

 

 

[Slink73 6]

why buy replicas - because I fucking can!

 

That's like asking why you choose Dominos over Pizza Hut over a McCain's cook at home.

 

I tell you what... why not patronise the fuck out of everybody here who, as you have already scoped out, do it for their own reasons. Do I ask why you own H&M knickers and dress like a women at the weekends? Why you prefer goats to women or why you can never quite find a large enough butt plug?

 

We are hobbyists, we are collectors, we admire shiny things, we are poor and can't afford it, we are rich and can't get enough, we are friends, we are collegiate, we are learning, we are many things. But I tell you what we are not and that's a patronising c&nt. (Well most of us aren't... you know who you are!)

 

 

Definitely got out the wrong side of the bed this morning...

[ElvisFreak 73]

geezus

 

another noob with that never ending question of "what's the point of replicas"....

[Daffy 105]

Easy. I like all sorts of different watches, can't afford to test with gens.

[Slink73 6]

^^ and to cap it all my flight is delayed, i've been at the G&Ts since 10 am (in the lounge) and the lady opposite is wearing a PP that more than likely costs what I earn in a year.

 

Or maybe its a rep but how would I know...?

[reximda 0]

I'll bite.

 

It started as a "what if" question to myself. Then turned into a minor obsession, buying what I thought I loved at the moment, then selling them off when that moment passed. Getting into this hobby dead certain I wanted an IWC Top Gun, sold it inside a couple of months, then diving in head first to see what really appealed to me. I must have bought and sold 40 watches... A pittance to some around here, but enough to give me an idea of what I actually liked. It all culminated on holiday in Florence, some three years after beginning the rep odyssey, when my (gotta love her) wife, insisted I go into the Panerai store, wherein I fulfilled a longtime dream. Shortly thereafter, I divested myself of every last rep I owned, for the simple reason that I now knew what I wanted, and could (sort of) afford to make it happen. I never tried to pass a rep off as legit, as it was actually more impressive to me that the rep was so damn good, and I was eager to share that information with others I came into contact with. I've got a small watchbox of gens that I'm pleased to own, and rotate fairly frequently. The rep community has been an invaluable asset in guiding me towards my grails. And though I've no reps at the moment, I've just ordered a couple from FP that I hope to receive soon! I'll either love them or sell them off or replace with gens. With barely a scratch in the wallet... For the time being.

[Daywatch 4]

1. Cars, fuel, electricity and watches in good old Europe are about 50% more expensive than in the USA (from the european perspective). With the first three, You can´t do anything about it, with watches You still do; (it means: pay double - get the same .... or get one - for the price of two)

2. cheer quantity and variety: it´s better to have 30 reps than 3 gens;

3. my reps did not fall apart after 1 week, the divers I´m taking them for the 4th consecutive Summer into the Ocean

4. they look good

5. some years ago I did the "Pepsi Test" in the dark - and grabbed the rep

 

Omega - they make some nice watches, gen or rep

But than there are so many other desirable choices, if You try it out You´re dooomed......

Edited May 23, 2017 by Daywatch

[gwkiw 0]

My turn.

I love automatic watches. I specifically admire Swiss watch design. All of them. I admire the style, the engineering complexity and on and on.

 

If your lucky enough to be part of the 5% of the world and start your day by cracking open your Brown safe and putting on a piece to impress your buddies at the next Bilderburg meeting good for you. I’m not. My bank likes me well enough and I could easily buy a used gen but my wife wants me to build a deck this summer. I’m fine with that. I’ll build the deck, and hopefully get a couple of reps after its done. I personally wouldn’t be happy with wearing one gen day in and day out. I prefer the alternative to buy various reps representing the various unique makes and styles of Swiss watches I admire instead of looking at them in a magazine. If something happens to it I won’t loose (much) sleep over it if it craps out. I do take care of them as they still cost $$. I’m not trying to impress anyone or passing them off as the real deal as my peers get it and understand the admiration and the hobby. Some associates don’t care about watches and are happy with their $25 quartz but if someone who is interested asks about it I‘ll tell them it’s a rep and we’ll talk about Swiss watch design for as long we want. And finally, I don’t really care what anyone outside the rep world thinks. There are at least around 87,000 of us here that find it an amazing hobby, obsession, or whatever you want to call it.

[Wriggles 12]

Oh look it's this thread again. For someone claiming to not want to be hostile you've managed to post precisely the comments that would piss off most members here.

Go troll somewhere else

[BadApple 13,081]

Comes onto a Replica Watch forum moaning about the very fundamentals of it. It's akin to a eunuch going onto Pornhub.

[markeym3 2]

Apparently it's because I'm a fake person

[GenTLe 1,509]

I like watches, I would feel stupid to push money in whatever"luxury good", where you pay at least 8x the real value of an object.

I am someone who looks for "value for money" which is inexistent on luxury goods.

Moreover I worked for one of these companies in the past (http://www.buccellati.com/) and I came in contact with their mentality. Absolutely NO regretting to have well done reps...

On the average medium priced watches, 3-10k$ (Tag, Rolex, Tudor, Panerai) the reps are like 1/2 or max 1/3 of the price I consider correct for such goods.

 

Plus, with the price of each gen I can have 10+ perfect reps (and believe me, if you try a GOOD rep you will not miss the "gen feeling" nor gen precision).

 

Finally, on a rep I can learn watchmaking techniques, I can service my own watches, I can reshape a case (like for my Double red sea dweller) or darken a case (like I did for my Tudor BB bronze) or... I would have never did it on a gen. Maybe now, but certainly not at the beginning.

[GenTLe 1,509]

And, by the way, just try to get one of the good reps (for instance one of the new Miyota 9015 based Planet Ocean models), and you will get why we are here.