Rotary Aquaspeed

[moleamol]

What do you guys think of these? I was just wasting some time in town today and had a look at a few watch shops. Had a look at Tag and the usual suspects but was shocked when I saw a couple of these that they were made by Rotary. Are they as good as they look?

I have been mulling over a watch purchase for a while and currently can't justify £1k upwards and these look really good for the money. Are they, or are they cheap poo?

[Mr MoJo]

I'm not sure how Rotary are getting away with certain designs they are selling at the moment. Surely this is a copy of a Speedy.

Edited by Mr MoJo on Wednesday 18th November 17:45

[moleamol]

Well it is certainly the same colour. And a watch. Heavens above.

[Slagathore]

They all seem to be rip-offs of more expensive watches

For that sort of money - £100-150, you can get a decent seiko.

Or, with a bit of searching, something a bit more interesting.

[cyberface]

moleamol said:

Well it is certainly the same colour. And a watch. Heavens above.

The bracelet and bezel are *very* similar - you can see that they've switched the shiny highlight on the bracelet links from either side of the centre link to the inner edges of the outer links, so it *is* different - but it looks very similar. The bezel is almost identical.

This watch isn't probably the best example - there are plenty of other current Rotary models which are quite clearly 'inspired' or even 'homage' watches of iconic designs from other manufacturers. Given that Rotary aren't some agile back-street Hong Kong brand who can dodge lawsuits, I'm surprised that they're getting away with how close some of their current designs are.

For a better example:

Complete with 'wave' guilloche on the dial, identical hands, and indexes as per the Seamaster:



This is a Breitling Colt Chrono Ocean, down to the bezel and dial / subdial colours, though spacing is different and so is the bracelet - genuine here:



This smells rather strongly of Cartier to me... Tank Française, peut-être?



So the 'Speedy' copy isn't really the best example, but Rotary are certainly sailing *very* close to the wind with some of their watches. That said, if you were in the market for an 'homage' then getting a Rotary may be a good idea, since at least you'll be covered by high-street shop guarantees etc. if it falls apart. Personally if I was getting an 'homage' I'd get a 'sterile' one with no branding - or go the whole hog and get a counterfeit top-end 'replica'. Some of the Rotary 'copies' are so obviously rip-offs (the Cartier potentially the worst) that anyone who knows their watches will immediately 'see' the Cartier, then when the 'Rotary' badge is seen, sneer at the audacity of Rotary...

[moleamol]

That Cartier rip off really is taking the piss. I don't want one because it looks like something else, I just like the look of a couple of them and they look like they are fairly well made. Upsetting a watch snob aside, are they actually any good?

ETA: Out of interest, what is this one ripping off?

Edited by moleamol on Wednesday 18th November 20:29

[moleamol]

Can I also ask about the Christopher Ward sport and dive ranges? They look very nice to me but are they rip offs as well?

I quite like this one, I've realised a watch only needs one dial. Is it a rip off of anything (not sure which strap I prefer): http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/dive/c6/c6sks...

(As you can tell my watch knowledge is lacking)

Edited by moleamol on Wednesday 18th November 21:27

[Jovial Joe]

moleamol said:

Out of interest, what is this one ripping off?

Edited by moleamol on Wednesday 18th November 20:29

Looks like a Zenith Defy to me
http://www.thewatchgallery.co.uk/watch.asp?product...

If you stab yourself in the eyes with a sharp stick.

Regards

[immigrant]

Rotary do have some very neat looking watches in the range called 'Editions'. I particularly like the skeleton style but some might say they're a Richard Mille rip-off. I've seen them in the shops and think they'd make for a great casual beater but I'm not sure I'd be happy paying the £300ish they're asking.



Couple of 'real-life' pics pimped from WUS





And look, there's a Ringenieur too:

[CommanderJameson]

moleamol said:

Can I also ask about the Christopher Ward sport and dive ranges? They look very nice to me but are they rip offs as well?

I quite like this one, I've realised a watch only needs one dial. Is it a rip off of anything (not sure which strap I prefer): http://www.christopherward.co.uk/men/dive/c6/c6sks...

(As you can tell my watch knowledge is lacking)

Shades of the Sinn U1, but by no means anything approaching a rip-off.

[CommanderJameson]

Mr MoJo said:

I'm not sure how Rotary are getting away with certain designs they are selling at the moment. Surely this is a copy of a Speedy.

It's a rip-off, but not of a Speedmaster Professional. I think it's trying very hard to be a Daytona.

Edited by CommanderJameson on Thursday 19th November 08:03

[rednotdead]

immigrant said:

Rotary do have some very neat looking watches in the range called 'Editions'. I particularly like the skeleton style but some might say they're a Richard Mille rip-off. I've seen them in the shops and think they'd make for a great casual beater but I'm not sure I'd be happy paying the £300ish they're asking.

Couple of 'real-life' pics pimped from WUS

That's my wrist and my watch (both pics)! And quite agree, not worth the £375ish RRP but I picked it up for a tad under £100 in the EJ summer sale! The editions range are big solid watches and Amazon have them for some good prices at the mo........

Edited by rednotdead on Tuesday 2nd February 22:21

[Ikemi]

CommanderJameson said:

Mr MoJo said:

I'm not sure how Rotary are getting away with certain designs they are selling at the moment. Surely this is a copy of a Speedy.

It's a rip-off, but not of a Speedmaster Professional. I think it's trying very hard to be a Daytona.

Edited by CommanderJameson on Thursday 19th November 08:03

Rotary have already copied the Daytona!



However the above watch looks more like a Tag Heuer Carrera Day-Date:

Edited by Ikemi on Wednesday 3rd February 09:09

[moleamol]

FWIW I got a Christopher Ward watch and I am extremely impressed by the quality and how good it looks/feels. Already a couple of others I want now.

[Ikemi]

moleamol said:

FWIW I got a Christopher Ward watch and I am extremely impressed by the quality and how good it looks/feels. Already a couple of others I want now.

Congrats on the new purchase! Be sure to post up some pics ... Believe me, this watch buying marlarkey is pretty addictive! What are you after next?

[LordGrover]

Speaking of Christopher Ward, I quite like this bargain: click.

ETA maybe bargain's a bit strong for a quartz watch but still may be tempted.

Edited by LordGrover on Wednesday 3rd February 15:31

[Dan_1981]

LordGrover said:

Speaking of Christopher Ward, I quite like this bargain: click.

I really like the c7 and have been mulling over one for a while.

But i like the one with the blue face and the metal bracelet.

Which isn't in the sale

[moleamol]

A C7 is what I got but brown/brown. The pictures don't do them justice. I'm not particularly bothered that it's quartz because I got it for how it looks. Having said that one of the ones I fancy next is an auto.

[LordGrover]

Luckily I left my wallet at home today... phew!

[CedGTV]

And another Daytona copy...........