Fakes, what's the feeling?
Discussion
Presumably anyone happy to buy a fake is also happy to buy stolen goods.
Fakes are nothing less than stolen IP.
Yeah, I accept that the world is full of people happy to buy stolen goods. I think it's just plain wrong & I think that the people that do it are untrustworthy.
I also think that you won't ever convince them that they're wrong. You will simply be told "I achieved the same as you for less, so you're a mug."
As evidenced by this thread, they are oblivious to the moral and legal issues and blind to the quality differences.
Fakes are nothing less than stolen IP.
Yeah, I accept that the world is full of people happy to buy stolen goods. I think it's just plain wrong & I think that the people that do it are untrustworthy.
I also think that you won't ever convince them that they're wrong. You will simply be told "I achieved the same as you for less, so you're a mug."
As evidenced by this thread, they are oblivious to the moral and legal issues and blind to the quality differences.
Why does anyone give a toss if others buy fake watches?
If you're buying a watch because you like how it looks or appreciate the engineering, someone else having a fake one doesn't make yours any less well made or look less appealing.
If you're buying a watch because you think it gives you perceived status, and you're worried other people are getting the same status on the cheap, then you probably need to have a good look at yourself.
I was generally against fake watches, but after reading some if the posts in this thread, am starting to think they may actually serve a purpose.
If you're buying a watch because you like how it looks or appreciate the engineering, someone else having a fake one doesn't make yours any less well made or look less appealing.
If you're buying a watch because you think it gives you perceived status, and you're worried other people are getting the same status on the cheap, then you probably need to have a good look at yourself.
I was generally against fake watches, but after reading some if the posts in this thread, am starting to think they may actually serve a purpose.
mikeveal said:
Presumably anyone happy to buy a fake is also happy to buy stolen goods.
Fakes are nothing less than stolen IP.
Yeah, I accept that the world is full of people happy to buy stolen goods. I think it's just plain wrong & I think that the people that do it are untrustworthy.
I also think that you won't ever convince them that they're wrong. You will simply be told "I achieved the same as you for less, so you're a mug."
As evidenced by this thread, they are oblivious to the moral and legal issues and blind to the quality differences.
Maybe they just aren't pedants? Fakes are nothing less than stolen IP.
Yeah, I accept that the world is full of people happy to buy stolen goods. I think it's just plain wrong & I think that the people that do it are untrustworthy.
I also think that you won't ever convince them that they're wrong. You will simply be told "I achieved the same as you for less, so you're a mug."
As evidenced by this thread, they are oblivious to the moral and legal issues and blind to the quality differences.
I know two Police Officers and a Magistrate who wear fakes - it hasn't bothered them too much. Seems to be those who pay 3 grand of their hard owned more for the real thing are the ones who are bothered. I dont see GT40 owners going around calling people with replicas 'untrustworthy' or those with Lotus 7's calling Locost owners criminals.
If you worked out how long it took you after tax to earn 3 grand, that time is just wasted effort if you can buy a replica instead. For some people that would be 8+ weeks so I know what I would do!
V6Pushfit said:
Maybe they just aren't pedants?
I know two Police Officers and a Magistrate who wear fakes - it hasn't bothered them too much. Seems to be those who pay 3 grand of their hard owned more for the real thing are the ones who are bothered. I dont see GT40 owners going around calling people with replicas 'untrustworthy' or those with Lotus 7's calling Locost owners criminals.
If you worked out how long it took you after tax to earn 3 grand, that time is just wasted effort if you can buy a replica instead. For some people that would be 8+ weeks so I know what I would do!
I think you're almost hitting the nail on the head there with the last point. Expensive watches are (generally) for those with high amounts of disposable income and for those that appreciate the craftmanship and history of the piece. Those hard earned pounds are devalued when someone tries to pass off a fake for the real thing. I know two Police Officers and a Magistrate who wear fakes - it hasn't bothered them too much. Seems to be those who pay 3 grand of their hard owned more for the real thing are the ones who are bothered. I dont see GT40 owners going around calling people with replicas 'untrustworthy' or those with Lotus 7's calling Locost owners criminals.
If you worked out how long it took you after tax to earn 3 grand, that time is just wasted effort if you can buy a replica instead. For some people that would be 8+ weeks so I know what I would do!
Maybe it's me but I just don't get the idea of buying some piece of c**p fake when for similar money, or a touch more, you could buy a very good seiko, tissot, used Tag, Christopher Ward, Hamilton....the list goes on and on. I can only think that the reason is that people don't care about the watch itself (or the history and heritage attached) as much as the names. Perhaps that's the difference of opinion.
Would those same people be happy to swan about wearing gold plated jewellery instead of solid? Fake wallets and belts? Fake sunglasses? Buy their girlfriend a CZ engagement ring and tell her it's diamond?
V6Pushfit said:
If you worked out how long it took you after tax to earn 3 grand, that time is just wasted effort if you can buy a replica instead. For some people that would be 8+ weeks so I know what I would do!
That makes no sense. If you want a Rolex and you buy a counterfeit Rolex you have wasted your money as you still don't own a Rolex. Seems to me, most if not all of the arguments for and against have been made.
One point which perhaps hasn't been covered is the quantified effect on employment from counterfeiting.
The estimate from this analysis suggests counterfeiting reduces jobs in the EU by 27,000.
http://www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk/16677-counterfeiti...
One point which perhaps hasn't been covered is the quantified effect on employment from counterfeiting.
The estimate from this analysis suggests counterfeiting reduces jobs in the EU by 27,000.
http://www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk/16677-counterfeiti...
EddieSteadyGo said:
Seems to me, most if not all of the arguments for and against have been made.
One point which perhaps hasn't been covered is the quantified effect on employment from counterfeiting.
The estimate from this analysis suggests counterfeiting reduces jobs in the EU by 27,000.
http://www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk/16677-counterfeiti...
Well that's a pro for Turkey joining the EU then because the 27,000 jobs would be retained in the Union One point which perhaps hasn't been covered is the quantified effect on employment from counterfeiting.
The estimate from this analysis suggests counterfeiting reduces jobs in the EU by 27,000.
http://www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk/16677-counterfeiti...
There is an assumption here that a replica (fake/counterfeit whatever term doesn't matter) is just a worthless piece of tat.
I've seen a replica Panerai that was so convincing even the authorised dealer couldn't tell (and it has a sapphire glass back) so the movement was fully visible. The movement was the same (Unitas 6497) and to all intents and purposes it was visually (and weight) identical to the real thing. Aside from water resistance I'd not expect it to be all that inferior to the real thing.
I'd have no reason not to expect it to behave like any other £175 mechanical watch. He's had it 3 years so far and its never once had an issue and still looks as good as a new one (and its worn every day).
Given the genuine item costs 20 times as much.....
Yes there are cheap and nasty ones as well but the good ones out there are seriously convincing.
I've seen a replica Panerai that was so convincing even the authorised dealer couldn't tell (and it has a sapphire glass back) so the movement was fully visible. The movement was the same (Unitas 6497) and to all intents and purposes it was visually (and weight) identical to the real thing. Aside from water resistance I'd not expect it to be all that inferior to the real thing.
I'd have no reason not to expect it to behave like any other £175 mechanical watch. He's had it 3 years so far and its never once had an issue and still looks as good as a new one (and its worn every day).
Given the genuine item costs 20 times as much.....
Yes there are cheap and nasty ones as well but the good ones out there are seriously convincing.
lostkiwi said:
There is an assumption here that a replica (fake/counterfeit whatever term doesn't matter) is just a worthless piece of tat.
You might make that assumption, I don't. I don't think the quality of the counterfeit is of any consequence what so ever in this context.The term obviously does matter, as you (and others) who are trying to make some kind of case for counterfeit watches consistently avoid using the term, preferring to dress them up as 'replicas'. A replica isn't inherently fraudulent, a counterfeit is. You are talking about counterfeits.
One particular Rolex of mine (quite old and not particularly valuable) shares its bracelet, fastener and end pieces with particularly valuable Daytonas.
Mine doesn't suffer from stretch, but could do with a pair of new end links. I am sorely tempted to buy a copy Daytona bracelet with which to replace it. I may well go with a coronet as the quality appears to be equal
Mine doesn't suffer from stretch, but could do with a pair of new end links. I am sorely tempted to buy a copy Daytona bracelet with which to replace it. I may well go with a coronet as the quality appears to be equal
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