AllergyDoc 41 Posted November 20, 2008 Many arrive here with minds polluted by scam sites and scam "review" sites: all peddlers of lies and deception. In an effort to help cleanse the noobs' minds of this filth, I propose the following 10 common and devious lies and misconceptions about replica watches, and the business of manufacturing and selling replica watches. Lie #1: The best replica watches are made in Switzerland, followed closely by Italy. -- This is the biggest lie of all. All replica watches are made somewhere in Asia, mostly China. Saying that replicas are made in Switzerland or Italy is a lie intended to extract more money from the ignorant Lie #2: Replica watches are graded according to quality. C (or whatever) is the lowest and AAA+++ (or whatever) is the highest. -- Who decides what is "C" and what is "A"? The "International Replica Watch Governing Board"? Pure nonsense designed, again, to get more of your dollars. Lie #3: The movements in "Swiss made" replicas are identical to the genuine watch movements. 27 jewel movements are the best. -- (See Lie #1 for "Swiss made".) Far from the truth. Very few replica watch movements come from anywhere but China and any watchman can immediately tell it's not genuine. There are no Asian 27 jewels movements in replica watches; only 25, 21, or 17. (Some newer replicas are powered by an ETA 7753, which does have 27J.) Lie #4: The best replicas are 99% true to the genuine and will even fool an Authorized Dealer (AD). -- Not true. While some may be close (picking a number is impossible) to the genuine, all replicas are flawed. Do you really think you can spend $200 or less and get a watch that's 99% identical to a $4,000-20,000 watch? As for fooling ADs, maybe. Common clerks are easily fooled, but seasoned ADs, upon close inspection, will know it's a replica. Lie #5: The gold on "Swiss grade" replicas is much higher than on other replicas. The crown, bezel, and mid links are solid gold and the full-gold replicas are 5-wrapped (or 6-wrapped, or whatever). -- While a few models have been shown to have solid gold mid links (Rolex replicas), the rest of the watch is gold plated or double or triple wrapped gold. ("Search" for threads on how this is done.) Lie #6: The best Rolex replicas are made with 904L grade steel. -- Big fat lie. Good replicas are made with 316L quality steel. Rolex is the one of the few companies that use 904L steel and it costs 3 times as much as 316L. Replicas are not made with 440 steel, either. (admin edit 2017: 904L now used in a limited range of Rolex reps from ARF - caution advised) Lie #7: Buying a replica watch is risky, but not if you use sellers from "Replica Review" sites. -- What most people don't know is the "review" sites are owned and operated by the people who run the sites they recommend--it's very incestuous. These "review" sites are clever and it's easy to get taken in by their lies. Lie #8: You can tell you're getting a good watch after a thorough examination of the web site. -- Please. If you think everything displayed on the web is true, you deserve to be fleeced. Scam sites lie about everything, from the quality of their goods to their pledge to make sure every customer is happy. Many even post pictures of genuine watches, (Look for pictures where the watch hands are set at "10:10." Pictures of genuine watches seen in advertisements are always set to "10:10.") but send you junk. Lie #9: Picking a good seller will always result in getting a good watch, one I won't have trouble with. -- We wish. Quality control in replica watch factories is hit-and-miss, but mostly shoddy. One batch may be great while the next produces watches that are DOA. (Remember, making replica watches is illegal, even in China. Replica watch "factories" are usually small operations that can be easily moved or hidden from prying authorities.) What is true, though, is a good dealer will want to protect his/her reputation and will fix whatever is wrong. Lie #10: Paying by OD is the best way to get the cheapest price. Plus, I can examine my watch before paying the courier to make sure I get what I paid for. -- A really dumb thing to do and a huge red flag that you're dealing with a true scammer. They want cash because they know you'll scream foul to your credit card company the moment you see the junk you just paid $1,000 for. One final point. Remember, replica watches are counterfeit goods. While it is not illegal to purchase or possess replica watches in most countries, it is illegal to sell them. Keep this in mind when using PayPal or communicating with credit card companies. 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 101 Posted November 20, 2008 ooo - another instant sticky. Nice going, AD! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllergyDoc 41 Posted November 20, 2008 In case any actual noobs ever stop by. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 1,065 Posted November 21, 2008 Pinned, as it should be. Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
schauble 0 Posted August 31, 2009 In case any actual noobs ever stop by. Noob here. Thanks for the info!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 1,065 Posted September 1, 2009 In case any actual noobs ever stop by. Noob here. Thanks for the info!! No worries, that's what we're here for. Any questions, just ask. Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arm.1412 0 Posted March 25, 2010 noob here ! great info ! Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meetbharat123 0 Posted March 31, 2010 Thanks Very much for the info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Killasam 0 Posted May 7, 2010 Only Just Red This.. Nice One Doc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
houndoggie 58 Posted May 7, 2010 This should be PM'ed to every new member when they register. SRSLY!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddo 0 Posted May 7, 2010 This is one of the first posts I read when I found RWI (It's posted over at RWI too.) after I paid $800 for a $150 watch. Great information! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAGster 5 Posted May 7, 2010 Very interesting and useful thread. I´m a newbie that was about to be scammed by one of those "fancy" rep. watches website. But as my Granpa always said: "if something looks to goo to be true, is because is not" he he. Just a question: I have read some articles regarding the "counterfeit goods" and obviously one of those goods are the watches, well the article stated that those goods are illegal to produce an to sell, even in China, but it doesn´t specified if buying those goods are also illegal or unlawful, does anybody knows anything else about this?. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 101 Posted May 7, 2010 Reps are illegal to sell pretty much everywhere. In some countries they're illegal to own too. In other countries, they're legal to own, but illegal to sell or import. It depends on where you are... Homages are legal everywhere, however. A good option for us all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllergyDoc 41 Posted May 7, 2010 In the U.S. it's illegal to sell or import for the purpose of selling. Legal to buy, own, and wear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Watch hapnin? 0 Posted May 15, 2010 In the U.S. it's illegal to sell or import for the purpose of selling. Legal to buy, own, and wear. Thanks Allergy Doc- Your's is the first post Ive read. I know nothing about watches and would like to learn more about what makes a fine watch a fine watch. To where should I proceed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted May 15, 2010 Just choose the watch, then choose the dealer. Send him/her an email, preferrably with the picture of the watch you want, and wait for the answer. You'll get it pretty soon. Then pay, and wait for the mailman. Then scream WOOAAWW!!! here and post a few pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikec4 0 Posted June 19, 2010 In case any actual noobs ever stop by. I own several replicas but still consider myself a student. Your insight is very much apprciated . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NSK 0 Posted June 27, 2010 Thanks, read this on another site as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tofast4u2c 0 Posted July 11, 2010 Very good heads up here. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wencarnacion 0 Posted July 11, 2010 Thanks for this useful information. It is a great post that every member should read. I am sure that everyone will give an A+++++ for your work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MRFROG 0 Posted July 11, 2010 Excellent advice - thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
panto 0 Posted July 14, 2010 noobie grateful here!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllergyDoc 41 Posted July 14, 2010 And the royalty checks just keep on rolling in.... I'm in negotiations with Spielberg for the film rights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daytona 0 Posted July 18, 2010 (edited) Noob here. Thanks for posting this. Edited July 18, 2010 by daytona Share this post Link to post Share on other sites