Threads discussing counterfeit products on pistonheads.
Threads discussing counterfeit products on pistonheads.
Author
Discussion

Motorrad

Original Poster:

6,811 posts

216 months

Friday 20th November 2009
quotequote all
Mostly in the 'Watches' subforum.

These threads crop up regularly and usually involve a poster trying to procure a fake watch or boasting about whatever they've managed to acquire. They sometimes have links to websites where they can obtain these products.

IMO Pistonheads is on very shaky ground allowing discussion and promotion of these illegal products apart from any moral argument.

I therefore think discussion of counterfeit products should be taboo on PH as these threads lead to nothing more than promotion of these fakes and have no place on an enthusiasts forum.

andy_s

19,854 posts

288 months

Saturday 21st November 2009
quotequote all
I think you're possibly exagerating the case slightly, yes, now and again topics like that come up or a fake/replica/homage gets mentioned in a thread however I think the general response or 'group-think' is that fakes get short shrift. Everyone is pretty much of the opinion that the normal fake (i.e. a Rolex bought in Bangkok for a tenner) has no place in the forum and the topics concerned die their own death, hopefully educating someone in the process.

There are 'fakes' which are sold as 'homages' which are a slightly different kettle of fish as they copy the style but not the trade-marked names or logos, these are generaly of slightly more interest horologically and are built by companies which do not fund the bogey man, an example is Marina Militaire which is a Panerai 'homage'. They are being taken to task by Panerai as we speak but are actually quite mainstream watches.

I think that the forum self-regulates quite well without any more prohibition being needed, Stuart and other mods are frequent visitors and contributors and seem not to have approached this with heavy hands so far. You'll also notice that anyone that see's an advert on PH for something which is obviously a glitter-watch fake will instantly report it as such. I think everyone is fairly recognisant of the dodgy moral ground and although there is some discussion about sea-gull movements and quality of ETA's 'made in China' etc, the general concensus is not at all pro-fake.

ThatPhilBrettGuy

11,810 posts

269 months

Saturday 21st November 2009
quotequote all
Press the report button. That's what it's there for.