Your thoughts on fake watches
Discussion
Blown2CV said:
honestly i think it would be a better idea to spend £50 on a fake than £500. You can get a lot of nice other watches for £500, it doesn't need to be a fake rolex with a £10 movement.
This.Plenty of watches at the sub £100 price point that offer the exact same style and 80% of the feel of the original.
At £150 and more there are plenty of good quality original watches to consider.
I've owned an Invicta "Sub homage", loved that watch and wore it as a beater for 8 years. Great thing and took quite a beating.
Now got a Didun Design Royal Oak rip off. Uncanny good copy for the price. But wouldn't consider it if it was over £100.
h4rvs87 said:
You'll always know it is a fake.
If you can't afford it, don't buy it has been my motto.
Tends to be easier to spot the fake person than the actual watch. Tend ti be hugely over compensating and going out of their way to show things are 'real'. Each to their own.
yep, basically. It's the fundamental misconception that the only thing that's important is what people see, rather than it being who and what you actually are inside your head that matters. There are some prestige watchmakers that make watches which are designed to be ostentatious and showy, but for the most part they are designed for the owner to enjoy the detail of and engineering behind. It isn't about someone spotting you are rich from 100 paces.If you can't afford it, don't buy it has been my motto.
Tends to be easier to spot the fake person than the actual watch. Tend ti be hugely over compensating and going out of their way to show things are 'real'. Each to their own.
I thought I'd seen this topic before but don't have an issue with same/similar topics coming up from time to time.
My opinion is that the shonky fakes just look silly. Similar to say a Diablo copy on an MR2. Fairly harmless but pointless. Just so much landfill.
Then there are those which look very nice, possibly not faithful replicas but still look like nice looking watches. Yes, they are OK even if they don't appeal to me.
The simple fact is that most people couldn't tell a copy from a real one and that includes many owners of the real thing so who cares.
We all have our standards and some people are not prepared to raise theirs.
My opinion is that the shonky fakes just look silly. Similar to say a Diablo copy on an MR2. Fairly harmless but pointless. Just so much landfill.
Then there are those which look very nice, possibly not faithful replicas but still look like nice looking watches. Yes, they are OK even if they don't appeal to me.
The simple fact is that most people couldn't tell a copy from a real one and that includes many owners of the real thing so who cares.
We all have our standards and some people are not prepared to raise theirs.
Blown2CV said:
not really, i just can't stand the smarminess of this type of fake watch wearer. This whole "oh you didn't buy a REAL one did you?? Wow what a MUG!! See this?? Guess how much, just GUESS" business is a bit much for me. They aren't as bad as the people who pretend they spent 200x more than they did actually though.
As I think has already been implied, this debate has been done before 
Expensive watches are effectively jewellery, worn to show off and impress, not because they tell the time better than cheaper watches. A Casio F91 tells the time as well as a Rolex (if not better).There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing off and impressing people. We all do it to a greater or lesser degree, whether it's having a nice house, a nice collection of cars, a nice pair of shoes, or a hot wife.
However what seems to irk owners of "genuine" watches is that "fakers" might get the same kudos and admiration for a lot less cost and effort. That's what really upsets.
It shouldn't matter at all whether somebody else has got a fake. It shouldn't affect the enjoyment or pleasure derived from owning a genuine one.
Blown2CV said:
yep, basically. It's the fundamental misconception that the only thing that's important is what people see, rather than it being who and what you actually are inside your head that matters. There are some prestige watchmakers that make watches which are designed to be ostentatious and showy, but for the most part they are designed for the owner to enjoy the detail of and engineering behind. It isn't about someone spotting you are rich from 100 paces.
So you're enjoying the detail and engineering, the fake owner isn't.So what? How does his owning a fake reduce your enjoyment of owning a genuine version?
Countdown said:
Blown2CV said:
not really, i just can't stand the smarminess of this type of fake watch wearer. This whole "oh you didn't buy a REAL one did you?? Wow what a MUG!! See this?? Guess how much, just GUESS" business is a bit much for me. They aren't as bad as the people who pretend they spent 200x more than they did actually though.
As I think has already been implied, this debate has been done before Expensive watches are effectively jewellery, worn to show off and impress, not because they tell the time better than cheaper watches. A Casio F91 tells the time as well as a Rolex (if not better).There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing off and impressing people. We all do it to a greater or lesser degree, whether it's having a nice house, a nice collection of cars, a nice pair of shoes, or a hot wife.
However what seems to irk owners of "genuine" watches is that "fakers" might get the same kudos and admiration for a lot less cost and effort. That's what really upsets.
It shouldn't matter at all whether somebody else has got a fake. It shouldn't affect the enjoyment or pleasure derived from owning a genuine one.
it isn't just about what watch tells the time best.
there is something wrong with only wanting to show off, and genuinely it isn't what everyone wants to do.
Genuine watch owners don't get annoyed that people paid less than they did, because they didn't buy the same thing... by a LONG way
I couldn't care less about people who buy fake stuff, it's their lives. However when asked, I will give my views. When people trying to say that buying real stuff for market prices is a mug's game... yes that's what pisses me off.
Countdown said:
Blown2CV said:
yep, basically. It's the fundamental misconception that the only thing that's important is what people see, rather than it being who and what you actually are inside your head that matters. There are some prestige watchmakers that make watches which are designed to be ostentatious and showy, but for the most part they are designed for the owner to enjoy the detail of and engineering behind. It isn't about someone spotting you are rich from 100 paces.
So you're enjoying the detail and engineering, the fake owner isn't.So what? How does his owning a fake reduce your enjoyment of owning a genuine version?
TiggerBits said:
From a personal point of view, the concept of a fake watch doesn't bother me if the buyer is aware it is fake.
And yet on another thread you said "...fake watches are a rip off and morally wrong".Looking forward to tomorrow's troll thread on cheap, fake, homage Parnis watches.
Fakes....hmm.
Always been violently opposed to them, on principal or rather, since I bought one thinking it was real! Yes I was a newbie to the watch world and (honestly) didn't realise how many fakes are out there.
I have spent the last 5 years with a genuine Rolex 114060 Sub and loved every minute of owning it. Not once did anyone say anything about it or even notice it as far as I'm concerned. I sold it recently as I 'lucked' in to a used Daytona which is lovely.
But, a friend of mine gave me a 'Breitling' recently, he was adamant it was real but the price he paid and one look at it was enough to say otherwise! It is not a 'good' fake. Lots of 'tells' - subdials to small and too close together, date wheel sunken and the biggest, the chrono is not functional! I have taken to wearing it when messing about with the car or doing something else (I hate being without a watch!) and I have to say, while it's heavy, an obvious fake (if you get close enough) it is also remarkably accurate! Over the past couple of weeks it has remained stubbornly correct to the second while my expensive new Daytona is gaining 2 seconds a day (as did my Sub before it).
The bracelet snapped, I repaired it using bits from another watch (a real cheapie one of the kids bought me for Christmas years ago) and it is quite nice to have a watch to play with, if I wreck it, it's no great loss.
I know I'm going to hell for saying this but: I quite like the thing!
Always been violently opposed to them, on principal or rather, since I bought one thinking it was real! Yes I was a newbie to the watch world and (honestly) didn't realise how many fakes are out there.
I have spent the last 5 years with a genuine Rolex 114060 Sub and loved every minute of owning it. Not once did anyone say anything about it or even notice it as far as I'm concerned. I sold it recently as I 'lucked' in to a used Daytona which is lovely.
But, a friend of mine gave me a 'Breitling' recently, he was adamant it was real but the price he paid and one look at it was enough to say otherwise! It is not a 'good' fake. Lots of 'tells' - subdials to small and too close together, date wheel sunken and the biggest, the chrono is not functional! I have taken to wearing it when messing about with the car or doing something else (I hate being without a watch!) and I have to say, while it's heavy, an obvious fake (if you get close enough) it is also remarkably accurate! Over the past couple of weeks it has remained stubbornly correct to the second while my expensive new Daytona is gaining 2 seconds a day (as did my Sub before it).
The bracelet snapped, I repaired it using bits from another watch (a real cheapie one of the kids bought me for Christmas years ago) and it is quite nice to have a watch to play with, if I wreck it, it's no great loss.
I know I'm going to hell for saying this but: I quite like the thing!
Honestly I am really not a fan of fake anything. Homages I am indifferent too, personally with watches I prefer a unique design from a more affordable brand.
However my view on fakes/replicas is a strong dislike, the legal aspect and funding unscrupulous individuals is secondary for me, my strongest dislike is, they have no brand to protect. If you buy a Seagull watch, or a Ganzo knife, or a Huawei phone etc etc then you are buying into a Chinese brand, now whilst their quality may not be the best, in my eyes they will at least put a bit of effort in to ensure reliability, even after sale support to protect their brand image so they can sell even more.
When you buy a replica they are piggy backing off of someone else's brand. So you have no idea what you are getting, and the producer has no vested interest in making a product with any sort of longevity after it leaves his door.
This alone would put me off. With watches there is also a cheaper option, particularly the Japanese brands.
However my view on fakes/replicas is a strong dislike, the legal aspect and funding unscrupulous individuals is secondary for me, my strongest dislike is, they have no brand to protect. If you buy a Seagull watch, or a Ganzo knife, or a Huawei phone etc etc then you are buying into a Chinese brand, now whilst their quality may not be the best, in my eyes they will at least put a bit of effort in to ensure reliability, even after sale support to protect their brand image so they can sell even more.
When you buy a replica they are piggy backing off of someone else's brand. So you have no idea what you are getting, and the producer has no vested interest in making a product with any sort of longevity after it leaves his door.
This alone would put me off. With watches there is also a cheaper option, particularly the Japanese brands.
I've got a Submariner and a fake one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-Pl...
My FIL gave it to me as I didn't want to take the real one to thailand. I think I am more of a target when I have this on
https://www.amazon.com/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-Pl...
My FIL gave it to me as I didn't want to take the real one to thailand. I think I am more of a target when I have this on
Some interesting comments here. Some are focusing my opinions.
I didn't realise how much a word can grate. Homage. Bloody hate it.
Anyone who criticises you for "being a mug" for owning an original or someone who calls you for wearing a fake. They are as bad as each other. It's your wrist. You do with it what you want.
The only type worst than the above is someone who pretends theirs is a real and expensive model. They probably have ab M badge on their non M car.
Ignore the brand. Enjoy the watch for what you get out of it.
Personally, I really like my Seikos. Not because of the brand - obviously. I just like them. I don't owe anyone an explanation why. Not even myself.
I didn't realise how much a word can grate. Homage. Bloody hate it.
Anyone who criticises you for "being a mug" for owning an original or someone who calls you for wearing a fake. They are as bad as each other. It's your wrist. You do with it what you want.
The only type worst than the above is someone who pretends theirs is a real and expensive model. They probably have ab M badge on their non M car.
Ignore the brand. Enjoy the watch for what you get out of it.
Personally, I really like my Seikos. Not because of the brand - obviously. I just like them. I don't owe anyone an explanation why. Not even myself.
bigandclever said:
TiggerBits said:
I am perfectly aware that in many countries counterfeit watches are illegal, as I am that in many countries they aren't.
I thought counterfeiting was illegal globally?In the UK you can own buy a counterfeit watch, use it and can even sell it just so long as you don't try to sell it as the real McCoy or try to sell for financial gain. If you sell for financial gain you are guilty of infringing copyright laws.
In France you can't even own a counterfeit watch legally.
There are other variations in between.
I don't wear a watch, but to me, a watch is just a piece of jewellery, so the only important thing is aesthetics. Paying exponentially more for a genuine seems silly, though I'd be equally happy with a completely unbranded version of the same design. Buying a fake just for the name is equally silly.
Cars are different, the important thing there is primarily performance, and you don't get that with a fake. That being said, many people appreciate the aesthetics of cars more than performance, so I can see the appeal in fake kit supercars etc (as long as they look good).
Cars are different, the important thing there is primarily performance, and you don't get that with a fake. That being said, many people appreciate the aesthetics of cars more than performance, so I can see the appeal in fake kit supercars etc (as long as they look good).
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