Ten Reasons to Reject the Idea of Buying a Replica Watch

Jul 21, 2008
If you still have hesitations whether to buy or not to buy a replica watch of your favorite brand, below you will find the most crucial reasons to help you make up your mind. The article is based on real opinions shared by simple customers as well as experienced watch experts.

1. A replica watch shows off what you really don't have: This is what many people actually think about wearing a replica watch. 'Fakes are worn to impress plastic minds,' as one customer said. 'If one buys a fake, he is fooling others,' 'A fake is and will always be a fake and so is the person who owns one' - these are some more opinions about replicas. All these statements reflect one and the same idea - people wearing replica watches are not taken seriously and their reputation may seriously suffer. If you care about what people think about you, especially in business circles, it is better to avoid wearing a replica watch.

2. Almost anyone can tell a replica watch from an authentic one: Many watch experts think that low quality replica watches will be spotted at more than 20 feet away ('they are so poorly made that even a blind chimp would not mistake one for the real thing'). Even if you are not a watch expert yourself, your attention will be caught, for example, by the gold plating of a fake that is too yellow in color or the glass or plastic crystal not reflecting light like sapphire crystal.

3. A replica watch will actually impress no one: Considering the two opinions mentioned above, if you want to impress others with a fake, you will hardly manage to do that. As a rule, people who purchase highly priced authentic timepieces find no reason to impress anyone as they already have at their disposal enough income to purchase many other expensive items and hardly feel the need to impress anyone with an over-expensive wristwatch.


4. A replica watch will never grow up in value: This reason needs no explanation. There is little or no sense to pay 500-1000 dollars for a fake watch as it is much better to save some more money until you have enough to buy a real nice authentic timepiece, probability a used one from a reputable dealer.

In comparison, an authentic watch becomes a thing to be inherited by the generations to follow, a true family relic and talisman the value of which grows over time.

5. Poor durability: Replica watches are produced from poor quality materials, so they are easily scratched or even broken. The mechanisms inside a replica watch will not last for a long time, so you will have to either take your watch to be repaired or, if it is seriously damaged, simply throw it away.

One can take an authentic watch to the authorized service center where it will be treated properly and last for many years to come.

6. Lack of precision: Cheap replica watches are equipped with poor quality mechanisms, usually, cheap quartz movements, so one shouldn't expect great precision from a fake watch.

The mechanisms of genuine watches are often hand-made and guarantee remarkable precision.

7. Lack of additional functions and complications: The majority of replica watches do not feature the functions they are meant to, as they simply imitate the design of an authentic watch but lack the corresponding functions. So, if you dream about a watch with a minute repeater or a tourbillon, you will never find a replica watch with such horological complications.

8. Lack of innovative features: Replica watches do not provide the innovations incorporated by the authentic ones. A great advantage of an original watch is that its producer spends much time working on innovations, applying new high-tech materials, improving the watch's design and technical features. Consequently, the quality and durability of branded watches gets significantly improved and owners of genuine timepieces can enjoy wearing their watches that guarantee precision timekeeping.

9. Replica watch buyers involuntarily support illegal activity of fake watch producers: Today, the widespread counterfeiting industry, violating intellectual property rights, is linked to major organised crime, drugs, prostitution and even people-smuggling. The producers of qenuine watches join efforts to fight counterfeiting and minimize its negative effects.

10. Inner feeling of dissatisfaction: Many customers who buy a replica watch quickly get disillusioned as it turns out to be not half a thing they so much wanted to own.

Authentic watches are true masterpieces of engineering and beauty. Many customers compare purchasing a genuine watch to purchasing pieces of art or diamonds as they hold a special value to their owner.

Purchasing a replica watch holds no value or meaning as it is a kind of self-deception - you long for a masterpiece but get an imitation that only looks like the thing you have been dreaming about.


P.S.: Wide choice of reasonably priced authentic watches: A replica watch may be successfully substituted by a reasonably priced timepiece produced by some other reputable brand. If, for example, you are crazy about Patek Philippe watches, the price of which often reaches dozens of thousands of dollars, try to discover another Swiss brand or a Japanese brand that produces high quality timepieces available at affordable price range. As a good alternative, Tissot watches are on the list of Swiss bestsellers attracting whole armies of avid fans.

As one customer said, 'I would prefer a real Casio over a fake Rolex.'




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posted by: Michael / Apr 21, 2011 02:22 PM
What i think is this :
first of all it depends on your income , for many people that buy luxury watch even a 10000$ watch is no big deal to achive (less then half of their month net income).
This article is more intendent for the rich people and not the average guy's .
of course if you are amulti millioner then for you even 1000000$ is low price for a watch
(you get my point..) - there are apartments that worth more then 20000000$ -so you get my point .
But if you earn less in a mounth then the price of the watch you want to buy, and you are not such a watch fan lover ,so i will recomend you to think twice before spending on this watch .
What can i say is that i dont think that who wrote this article is right cause from what i saw in the internet many sites say their fake watch looks exact like the originale and have shapire cristale on them .
In the other hand to buy afake watch is inded not as pleasering as buing areal one - cause you it is fake and not something that you strive to achive - it's not like you manage to achive something .
Another thing is that if you go to work with a fake watch , and someone will ask you if it is original you will lay or tell him its fake ( so either you fell bad cause you lay or tell him it's fake so you didnt foll anyone ).
I also think evan if people at work belive you
you watch is real , it's not so good cause they might think you got alot of money and will by gelose at you so you cant gain something positive of it .
posted by: Unknown / Dec 08, 2010 03:49 AM
Well here is a clue. There is only one reason to buy a watch and that is to tell time. A $10 watch does that and gives you alarms and the whole nine yards. Anyone who spends more then $100 on a watch is a insecure dip stick!! One of those brainwashed people who think that a name brand anything makes a statement. Good Lord!
posted by: James McGwiggan / Oct 11, 2010 12:13 AM
BULL! I'm with Steve on this one. The town where I live there are a lot of heroin addicts. They are always looking for something to steal to make a quick buck. I now will only sport a replica when heading in to the city. This article is hogwash.
posted by: Steve / Jul 27, 2010 08:53 PM
I live in NYC, where sub-humans will come right up to you and rip anything off of your person worth taking. I could only wear a replica in this city. I'll be damned if I'm going to hand over a $5000.00 Rolex.
posted by: Jay Vanroot / May 23, 2010 08:11 PM
This article was written by someone who has affiliation with watch companies. You should wear a watch because you like it. If you want real, buy real, if you want fake buy fake. Pretty simple, if you get robbed by a crackhead and you have a fake asian watch, you'll only be out about 100 bucks.
posted by: M.Steyn / May 23, 2010 08:11 PM
One reason to buy a fake watch - why should only the rich of this world buy 100.000 dollar watches, but the ones who work hard and earn little only may dream of these watches.
posted by: S Romano / Mar 16, 2010 09:15 PM
This article is hilarious. How about this? Buy a fake Rolex or a real Casio and give the other 5K to your favorite charity. Then you'll feel great every time you look at your wrist!
posted by: engelsione / Feb 06, 2010 03:46 AM
Well there is a flip side to that coin!!! There are about 25 reason why not to buy a genuine watch!!! Are you referring to the cheap low quality "feakes? Yes, they are worthless, Have you seen a swiss replica of panerai, or a Graham? Even you (the author) will pass them as genuinel!!!!
Educate yourself first. many people can not drop $8K to pay for advertisements and pay high salaries to CEO's of the big brand watch mekers. I wear 100% high end replicas, to impress my self, and the next guy.
An expesive watch is only for one thing! To make a statement!!!! and I make the same statement with a $400.00 replica, than a $12,000.00 watch. !!
posted by: mark r / Jan 25, 2010 07:11 PM
I made the mistake of buying a fake tag heuer online, when i opened the package the bezel popped off, shortly followed by one of the buttons. Despite repeated e-mails to the seller, no refund, replacement or repair were offered. The only offer they give me was 10% off next purchase. My advice would be never ever buy a replica watch.
posted by: Jerry / Jan 04, 2010 02:16 PM
Agree on the behind the times, most reps these days over 150 dollars are excellent looking watches.

I think understandably that owners of genuine watches that they have paid thousands for are these days are not happy because they are looking very much the same as watches that can be gotten from good replica dealers for a fraction of the price.

This of course seriously detracts from the day to day wearing value of their watch.

Unless of course perhaps they want to stop and tell everyone 'hey, my watch is a genuine Rolex/Panerai/Cartier' and here are my papers to prove it'.

Yes, serious bad form to bring up such a topic of conversation in a casual setting. What would you prove if the intelligent person you were talking to at a party or business setting proved to have a replica watch? Two embarrassed people. Most people at a party if you said 'hey look at this fellow he has a replica watch' would feel that YOU are the person with poor taste and not the one with the rep. And in normal casual society they would be right.

I know many people from the replica forums I am on that could easily afford a gen but buy a rep-the savings would often buy you a car or get your kid into college.

I like these people that have finally made beautiful watches affordable for the common man. And, yes, good advertising. If I came into a chunk of money I would be more than proud to finally buy a real version of a watch I've grown to like by having it on my wrist day after day.
posted by: Kevin Fung / Dec 12, 2009 04:10 PM
Is penerai replica watches worth to buy as I find the gen. one is very simple & not diffcult to be immitated.
posted by: James Cobswell / Sep 23, 2009 07:21 PM
The article has been around for many years. These things may have been true many years ago, but the replica industry has changed over the years and most gen watch dealers will tell you that the only way to really tell is by taking off the back. Here's the reason the companies of the originals don't go after the fakes. Most people who buy the fakes aren't going to buy the real thing anyway. As far as the watch collectors go, they are a different breed. They may have real ones and fake ones. You wont ever know which one they are wearing on any given day. You may be out shopping one day and see someone with an awesome looking watch. That watch might be the real thing, but it could be a rep. You end up looking up the real thing and buying it because you saw someone wearing a rep. That is free advertising for the makers of the genuine article. How many Rolex watches do we see in movies that are reps? Let me tell you, I have seen several shows and movies where the stars were wearing fakes. Lets's face it, anyone who would confront someone and ask if their watch is real or fake would have to be a complete tool. Would you ask a girl at work "are your boobs real?" Yes maybe there is some idiot out there that would say something like this, but I doubt we'll ever run into them.
posted by: Darren / Sep 20, 2009 03:33 PM
Message to Frenchy where did you get your watches from ?
posted by: frenchy / Sep 14, 2009 06:41 PM
i own omega seamaster 2 breitling 1 panerai luminor marina and waiting for the new california limited edition ferrari panerai These are all replicas.I broke the pins on my omega and the jeweler thought it was real. I think that my love for watches has nothing to do with my wallet size.If you see a fake of a watch you would dream of owning buy it . I buy my watches for myself not the rest of the world
posted by: Bill / Aug 12, 2009 11:46 PM
Great comments! Where do you suggest purchasing a good replica (Breitling)? I see so many on the web.
Thanks
posted by: chung / Jul 09, 2009 02:59 AM
I just got my first rolex submariner replica and i have checkek the original rolex specifications and it looks like the original, if you don't open the bakc the watch is the same and very affordable....i'm looking foward to have my rolex replica collection and increase it with tags, panerai, omega, breitling, I do it because i like the watches and because they are afordable and can pay for them....I can wear a different one every week and Really i don't feel guilty----they look as the gens....ENJOY YOUR REPLICAS
posted by: Tim / Jun 13, 2009 06:50 AM
Sorry to break it to you, but you are the one being fooled.

Here are the reasons why you should buy a replica.

1. Replica's these days are very hard to tell apart from the real thing. The author obviously hasn't scanned the internet and bought a fake watch. Many times watch dealers can't even tell the difference from a replica and the real thing unless they open the watch up and see the movement. Something like 90% or more breitlings are fake. (taken off the breitling website itself)
2. Who cares what the movement is. Quartz, Japanese, 7750 Asian movement, what's the difference. The watch looks real and for all you know it could last longer than the real thing.
2. You can buy a replica sports version Blancpain for $100 vs the real thing that costs $30,000. I don't know about you but, I am not swimming and playing tennis with my $30,000 watch. If I lose the $100 replica that looks the same and beat it up oh well I can buy 3000 of them. Get my point??
3. I think it is flat out insane and stealing when a company can sell a watch with a fancy name and swiss movement for $5000-$1,000,000 when it costs them maybe $1000 tops to manufacture. Let's all be very thankful for the replica sites. They give every average person the chance to wear a nice watch. It's about time capitalism gave back to society.
4. I encourage the author to buy a replica. You may start collecting them :)
posted by: Joe Scottish / Jun 06, 2009 09:55 PM
I would love to own a Bell & Ross, but at $4000, that is about what I make in 3 months - so I guess I will keep my cheap ass guess.
posted by: ron / May 20, 2009 08:11 PM
Most real watches are rediculously overpriced and the movements aren't any better
I owned a lot of high quality replicas that even under a microsope you can tell I will never buy the real thing again
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posted by: Maxman / Mar 10, 2009 05:38 PM
I dont want to be rude. So with all do respect to the auther of this article, sorry. This is so poorly writen that It's realy quite funny. The facts behind this are total crap, and thats on a good day. First thing is most people could care less about what kind of watch one wears. The rep watches that they are making today are very accurate. Thats also go's for the movement. The auther says one could buy a used watch to be more cost efective. Then states that they go up in value. Im sorry you can not have it both ways. Most people I know who buy reps also have gens, like myself. I guess I have a evel twin. There is this guy on youtube, an AD. He admits that the gen watches are realy overpriced. He says he can understand why some people might consider a rep. At least thats honest. The rep makers have realy brought this fact to the surfice. People who sell these watches have familys to feed to,dont you think. The bottom line for me is if you like to wear a nice rep, do so. If you find rep watches to be public enemy # 1, dont buy one. The person responsable for this article must have a agenda. This article just dosent make any sense. One more thing. My neighbor has a gen Rolex. He paid $7.500. for it. He keeps it in a safe most of the time while he wears a very nice rep. Insurance on these things is outragious. Is he a phoney? I dont think so.
posted by: Tao Jiang / Dec 25, 2008 09:41 AM
Yes I agree. You might have fooled everyone, but can you fool yourself?
Won't you feel a little upset and guilty to have cheated so many people in the night?
While yes, you might received a lot impression around, but whenever you tell them it's a replica, all them will feel being cheated and regard you as a worse guy than real you.

So wake up, or you will pay more than you earned from all the replica junks.

posted by: Ken / Dec 03, 2008 09:29 PM
Who are the most reputable dealers in Replica watches on the Web in terms of quality and pricing? Is there a real difference between Japanese and Swiss movements?
posted by: glen / Nov 24, 2008 07:11 PM
Who cares what you have to say about replicas. All I know is even if it craps out in a year or two I can spend 55 bucks and get a new one and maybe change what I want. If you buy the over priced crap it never goes up in value and you are stuck with it. As far as I'm concerned the 10 dollar Timex does the same thing if not better than the 40 thousand dollar rolex. Wake up people. The only reason the big watch makers are upset is the people who were buying their watches are now seeing the light and if they can afford it and people know they can then they can get away with the great looking fake.
posted by: Royal Bias / Oct 16, 2008 06:08 AM
I don't see a reason why people are talking for the replica watches.

If the manufacturers of replica watches are so good at their art, why can't they develop their own brands and sell them with proper billing, compensating watchmakers, and paying taxes?

If the Replica watches look, weigh and feel like the real one, the manufacturers of such items are actually stealing from their own plate. They could be developing their own brand, selling watches at discount prices and not appearing as bad guys.

What do you say? These replica watch manufacturers surely can develop their own brands, but will not do so because building a brand takes pain, hardwork, ethical business practices and general approval from all quarters.
posted by: Mr. Thorndyke / Oct 15, 2008 07:18 AM
As another person said, this article is outdated and not worth the time spent reading it. I have purchased many replica watches, Rolex, Breitling, Panerai, Hublot an others and the quality of construction, as well as the up to date innovations are replicated so well, that it alomost makes no sense to spend thousands on genuine watches. It is an exciting hobby, and there are quite a few people out there who feel the same.
posted by: Tom Myers / Aug 11, 2008 08:11 PM
- First I must confess that i prefer to buy watches I like, not the brand name. I don't really care too much if a gen TAG HEUER costs $$$$ or $$$.
- If I really want a watch and I consider it special for a reason then I think about if I am willing to accept the price tag. If that's fine with me then why not? I don't really care if they are made by a prestigous brand. But it is more often the case that the prestige brands turn me off with their often unadequate pricing.
- Next thing: Would I tell everybody if my watch was a replica? Why should I do that? I am in the fortunate position that I don't have to impress business partners by wearing expensive watches. Do I care if others consider my watch cool? Simple answer is: No!
- If asked, would I tell that any of my watches is a replica? First I must say that the unsolicited question if a watch is gen is really bad style. That's rude and offending behaviour, no matter if the watch is gen or not. Can you imagine how many Rolex owners had to face this question more than once?
You never should ask if you're not talking about watches with a fellow you know personally! That's just as inacceptable as wearing a Panerai rep when meeting Signore Bonati.
- What is that illegal thing about? Is it illegal because the manufacturers are a part of organized crime or are they organized crime because they uninvitedly play in the garden of wealthy international investment groups who own the gen brands? Are these guys bad criminals, even terrorists or are they just working to make a living, unfortunatelly offending brand rights because there's a market?
Is it more immoral to build watch for 100$ and sell it for 300$ (reps) or to build a watch for 500$ and sell it for 5000$? One of this is really a scam!
And yes, I have allready seen a working tourbillon for considerably less than 50.000$
posted by: involt / Aug 09, 2008 08:11 PM
1. A replica watch shows off what you really don't have

Obviously, it's a replica! By definition it shows what it really isn't. This statement is a tautology


2. Almost anyone can tell a replica watch from an authentic one

I own a couple of replicas that cannot be distinguished from gens unless you test them or remove the caseback

3. A replica watch will actually impress no one

What do you mean? So, if you can't afford a gen, and someone give you a genuine watch as a present, will anybody believe that you're wearing a rep? This statement conflicts with the former

4. A replica watch will never grow up in value

Really? I wouldn't be so sure...

5. Poor durability

I own a cheap Submariner copy, bought in 2001. I swimmed, dived (20 meters or so) keeping it on my wrist, and it still works flawlessy. Trying to swim wearing a genuine Breitling Chronomat cost me about 250 euros

6. Lack of precision
Many replicas use swiss ETA movements, that are COSC certificated. Just like a Rolex, a Breitling, an Omega...

7. Lack of additional functions and complications
It depends on the accuracy of the reproduction, as well as on the movement used

8. Lack of innovative features
Maybe. But you should mention the cost of aforesaid features. The presence of "innovative features" (that I'll probably never use) means "lack" of thousands of euros in my wallet

9. Replica watch buyers involuntarily support illegal activity of fake watch producers

So what? "Illegal" doesn't mean "wrong", "unfair" or "unjust". Violating intellectual property is definitely a crime, not an injustice. The concept of "intellectual property", when applied to a brandname, is an injustice. On the other hand, if there are so many differences between reps and gens (in terms of appearance - statemnt no. 2 - or features - statement no. 8) there is no need to worry about the intellectual property, don't you think?
The fake watch producers prove that they aren't be able to make watches as good as the original ones: this is free advertisement. The producers of qenuine watches should be very happy

10. Inner feeling of dissatisfaction
Speak for yourself. I'm very happy when I wear a replica.


"you long for a masterpiece but get an imitation that only looks like the thing you have been dreaming about"

I never "dreamed" about owning an (exaggeratedly) expensive watch; my dreams concern quite another matter. The human society presses us in order to make us buy things of all sorts, posing them as "status symbols". And the reps give us the possibility to grasp some status symbols at a fraction of the price; should we reject such a possibility?
posted by: Ol4 / Aug 08, 2008 08:11 PM
In reply to Tom Myers: Yes, I agree with you to some degree - there are some good quality replica watches that do not match the points in the article and may even compete with mid-range consumer class watches. Still, why to pay some 200-300 $ for a replica when you can choose from a variety of genuine middle-priced watches with cool look and functionality? For example there are Tag Heuer watches priced in a range of 500-1000 $ - so, no great difference in price.
I can't quite agree that a watch that isn't worth being copied isn't worth buying - there are a lot of Swiss and Japanese producers offering reasonably priced pieces of great look and functionality.
- Yes, I agree - even watch experts will not be able to detect a replica from a genuine one at a glance if it is extremely well-made. Still, a qualitative replica watch might look nice, but not so nice as a genuine one produced from top quality materials and hand-assembled by experienced watchmakers.
- Probably it will impress people around by its cool look - by the way do you tell your acquaintances or business partners it's just a replica?
- As for the durability and precision - I strongly doubt these characteristics are the same as in case of authentic pieces that are developed to last for generations.
-What about such complications as a tourbillon and perpetual calendar? Have you ever seen a replica with these properly working features?
- As for the issue of supporting organized crime - I think this point is beyond any doubt. No matter how well your replica is made - the activity of its producers is not legal and it's discouraging to think it has been produced by people working as almost slaves. Switzerland has already prohibited the import of any counterfeits as the economy of the country strongly suffers because of counterfeiting.
As for the moral side of the issue, you are right these are just watches, the same as counterfeit sneakers or handbags. But authentic watches of such brands as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Corum, etc. are real masterpieces the same as original paintings or other pieces of art - they have their own connoisseurs and collectors.
I understand why replica watches have their supporters, yet I would think twice before buying a replica watch ))))
posted by: Thor / Aug 08, 2008 12:53 PM
Wrong on almost every count. That takes talent. Congratulations!
posted by: Tom Myers / Aug 08, 2008 10:40 AM
Well, there´s a lot of low-quality stuff around and that´s one point I agree with. But you kown exactly what to expect of a 20$ watch, no matter what brand name is on it.

Talking about the gens: Many manufacturers are still producing exceptional quality watches, others do rather ordinary stuff not worth 30% of their retail price. I guess you would have to agree that some greedy companies owned by international investment groups could not survive in competition if they did not have their prestiguous rich peoples´toy image. While better replicas will never reach the level of the real high-end watches they might be well compareable to mid-range consumer class watches. Even though it is offending to the fellows who developed the gens it doesn´t really harm them, but the companies that mostly sell them heavily overpriced. And then a watch that isn´t worth beeing copied isn´t worth buying, right?

After all they´re all just watches so let´s enjoy them...
posted by: Ol4 / Aug 05, 2008 08:11 PM
These are not old prejudices at all - just compare the amount of expensive good quality replica watches to the amount of cheap fakes available - and you will understand you are wrong. If you are happy to own a good quality replica, good for you. But you can't deny there are tons of replicas that justify all the reasons mentioned in the article.

Why do you feel people wearing replica watches have the legal and moral right to support their producers, thereby impairing the interests and intellectual property rights of the producers of authentic watches? You are supporting the law-breakers! If you have enough money to buy a quality replica watch, why don't you buy an authentic watch, a masterpiece of the art of Watchmaking based on many years of research and improvement?

Replica watches are all about making easy money - they have nothing to do with the Art at all!
posted by: Tom Myers / Aug 04, 2008 08:11 PM
This article is rather useless as it only repeats old prejudices.
- Replicas can be quality timepieces, they are availeable with good quality movements.
- The statement that a replica owners just wants to impress others by wearing an expensive looking watch is not even close to the truth.
- Calling a rep owner cheap for that reason is pretty arogant.
- Good quality reps can be had for the costs of a full service of an expensive gen, even with swiss ETA movements.
- You can easily find a good watchsmith who will service a rep.
- I won't expect the author of this text to be able to tell the rep even in a side-by-side comparison if it is a quality piece.

Sorry, this article was not worth the time to write it, just old prejudice, but no real info.
posted by: Gordan Simmons / Jul 27, 2008 02:55 AM
I think you are a little behind times. My Rolex replica fooled the biggest Rolex dealer in New Orleans. It keeps perfect time, weighs, looks, feels like the real one.
The replicas these days are almost perfect.

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