Have you bought one of those great looking Rolex/Omega fakes
Discussion
They seem like a lot of money for fakes.
I'm not sure there's much point in owning a genuine one if your main goal is to impress others. To do that, you may as well just have the fake - nobody needs to know. To me, the pleasure of owning a great looking watch which has been made by a premium watch is exactly that. If I know it isn't, or even worse, I'm accused of wearing a fake and tried to kid others it isn't, I'd feel bad about myself.
I've owned great looking fakes in the past as I love the styling of them and a lookalike just doesn't cut it for me but it's easy to lose interest in them. I don't think that interest would be lost if it was the genuine thing.
Maybe another justification to own a good looking fake is that genuind models cost a lot to service whereas a fake is never going to get the care of a real one.
Other than the scrap I've got in a bottom drawer somewhere, I don't own fakes now and have no intention of wearing one as they don't do anything for me.
I'm not sure there's much point in owning a genuine one if your main goal is to impress others. To do that, you may as well just have the fake - nobody needs to know. To me, the pleasure of owning a great looking watch which has been made by a premium watch is exactly that. If I know it isn't, or even worse, I'm accused of wearing a fake and tried to kid others it isn't, I'd feel bad about myself.
I've owned great looking fakes in the past as I love the styling of them and a lookalike just doesn't cut it for me but it's easy to lose interest in them. I don't think that interest would be lost if it was the genuine thing.
Maybe another justification to own a good looking fake is that genuind models cost a lot to service whereas a fake is never going to get the care of a real one.
Other than the scrap I've got in a bottom drawer somewhere, I don't own fakes now and have no intention of wearing one as they don't do anything for me.
In the late 80s I bought a copy GMT whilst on a business trip to Taiwan. I paid 25USD. It was a poor quality item, but I bought it as a conversation piece as I already owned 3 genuine Rolexes and it was interesting to make comparisons when having a beer with mates.
Years later, my purchase paid dividends when my house in UK was burgled. The copy piece was stored in a bedside cabinet and I was deprived of it during the burglary. I maintain that the thief's delight of striking lucky by nicking such an 'expensive' timepiece made him or her leg it quickly and didn't think it worthwhile to look for other stuff or having a crap on my carpet for the sake of it.
I suppose in today's world of Woke, I'd be prosecuted for causing untold distress to my villain do to the humiliation suffered when they attempted to offload my counterfeit down at their pub.
Anyway, he/she was a person I was delighted to deceive and I recommend buying a copy and bunging it in a bedside drawer!
Years later, my purchase paid dividends when my house in UK was burgled. The copy piece was stored in a bedside cabinet and I was deprived of it during the burglary. I maintain that the thief's delight of striking lucky by nicking such an 'expensive' timepiece made him or her leg it quickly and didn't think it worthwhile to look for other stuff or having a crap on my carpet for the sake of it.
I suppose in today's world of Woke, I'd be prosecuted for causing untold distress to my villain do to the humiliation suffered when they attempted to offload my counterfeit down at their pub.
Anyway, he/she was a person I was delighted to deceive and I recommend buying a copy and bunging it in a bedside drawer!
HIAO said:
Switzerland considers the economic loss from counterfeiting as a quite serious issue.
Counterfeit luxury goods are routinely confiscated at the border. These are returned to the brand whose IP was infringed.
The brand verifies the counterfeit nature of the item, even where it was for personal use. The unfortunate importer or exporter of the counterfeit item pays for the verification, plus a significant penalty, plus, plus, plus. All at eye watering Swiss rates.
It’s not unusual for the end result to cost in the ball park of the cost of having bought a genuine version.
If you’re travelling in Europe, or the US, makes sense to avoid the risk.
I'd be interested to see a citation for the confiscation of personal property at a Swiss border. (Not in an arsey way, just because I'm interested.) Likewise, any citations for anywhere else in Europe or the US.Counterfeit luxury goods are routinely confiscated at the border. These are returned to the brand whose IP was infringed.
The brand verifies the counterfeit nature of the item, even where it was for personal use. The unfortunate importer or exporter of the counterfeit item pays for the verification, plus a significant penalty, plus, plus, plus. All at eye watering Swiss rates.
It’s not unusual for the end result to cost in the ball park of the cost of having bought a genuine version.
If you’re travelling in Europe, or the US, makes sense to avoid the risk.
The whole 'economic loss' thing seems a bit of a nonsense in some ways.
If someone is buying a £200 copy off a website because they don't have £10k (or whatever) to spunk on some veblen goods, the manufacturer that is being copied (and the 'luxury goods' industry overall) has not lost a sale of £10k (or indeed any figure) because it was never going to happen in the first place.
Whereas if someone does have the means to purchase a £xxk watch but decides to go with a copy (e.g. wheelspinning, as detailed above) then it is likely they already have other £xxk purchases of originals of said veblen goods or are buying the copy with the plan to purchase the original if they like it after time with it (e.g. wheelspinning, as detailed above) so the 'luxury goods' industry overall has still benefitted from sales, just not of the particular copied item being bought at that point in time.
Either way, I'm not sure we should cry too much for an industry raking in £billions in profit margin each year from goods that are obviously and intentionally overpriced. lol
Wheelspinning said:
Here was my dilemma.
I have a number of Rolex, the most expensive being my ever rose GMT.
I have been in the fortunate position of being offered watches very regularly from my AD.
Whilst on holiday last year, there was a high end replica boutique that piqued my interest as I have never knowingly handled a fake since a tag on a lads holiday in '93.
Basically every watch I have, they had a copy of, and I was a bit blown away by the quality; i had bought a BLNR maybe 6 months previously with the oyster bracelet and asked for another with a jubilee which was going to take a wee bit longer than normal as I had just been in receipt of the other recently.
I decided to buy the BLNR on the jubilee to do me until I was allocated one from my AD.
When I got the message in late December it had come into stock, I actually declined...I have worn the replica a fair bit more than the other watches I have; it keeps time, looks to my eye identical to my other BLNR but was approx £9000 less.
I think the 2nd post in this thread was the most relevant; it was a response to 'who are you trying to impress with a fake', the response being 'who are you trying to impress with the genuine article?'.
I was probably near the end curve of buying Rolex as I had acquired all of the ones I liked, but this definitely sped the process up.
Go figure.
I feel no different wearing the genuine BLNR to the replica BLNR, and what others think doesn't even come into it for me.
Thanks for your post I have a number of Rolex, the most expensive being my ever rose GMT.
I have been in the fortunate position of being offered watches very regularly from my AD.
Whilst on holiday last year, there was a high end replica boutique that piqued my interest as I have never knowingly handled a fake since a tag on a lads holiday in '93.
Basically every watch I have, they had a copy of, and I was a bit blown away by the quality; i had bought a BLNR maybe 6 months previously with the oyster bracelet and asked for another with a jubilee which was going to take a wee bit longer than normal as I had just been in receipt of the other recently.
I decided to buy the BLNR on the jubilee to do me until I was allocated one from my AD.
When I got the message in late December it had come into stock, I actually declined...I have worn the replica a fair bit more than the other watches I have; it keeps time, looks to my eye identical to my other BLNR but was approx £9000 less.
I think the 2nd post in this thread was the most relevant; it was a response to 'who are you trying to impress with a fake', the response being 'who are you trying to impress with the genuine article?'.
I was probably near the end curve of buying Rolex as I had acquired all of the ones I liked, but this definitely sped the process up.
Go figure.
I feel no different wearing the genuine BLNR to the replica BLNR, and what others think doesn't even come into it for me.
Countdown said:
If the latter then it seems quite bonkers for watches to be seized by passport officers who are unlikely to be horological experts.
In around 1988 my wife and I arrived back at Heathrow from a week's holiday in Switzerland. Passing through UK customs I was accosted by a female customs officer who asked us routine questions (where we'd been, purpose, how long etc) during the conversation she'd obviously caught a glance at my 18ct Daydate which was only a few months old. She asked where did I purchase the watch, and I told her that I'd bought it from Ernest Jones in Guildford earlier that year. She responded by asking if I had evidence of this as she naturally thought that I'd bought it whilst in Switzerland. As it happens I had the receipt in my wallet.There was much scrutiny of this and she had difficulty in hiding her disappointment that I was able to provide this. Anyway, I was free to go with my possession. I asked her what would have happened if I hadn't been able to prove that it had been bought with UK duty and VAT paid and the response was that they would remove it from me, give me a receipt for it and have the watch inspected (I don't know by whom) to determine its status, presumably from the serial No. and it would be returned to me after any dues were paid.
I can't imagine that this would happen today, as the only time I've seen customs officers in the green channel is when a flight from Jamaica has just arrived.
Next we'll hear some bonkers attempted justification for having pride in something that is actually an ersatz version of something else. People buy cheap crap because they want the image of the real thing with the lesser financial hit. Anyone who says different doesn't know human nature. Is it wrong? Of course, with a direct copy you're attempting to deceive other people.
popeyewhite said:
Next we'll hear some bonkers attempted justification for having pride in something that is actually an ersatz version of something else. People buy cheap crap because they want the image of the real thing with the lesser financial hit. Anyone who says different doesn't know human nature. Is it wrong? Of course, with a direct copy you're attempting to deceive other people.
What do you feel is the deception?RSTurboPaul said:
popeyewhite said:
Next we'll hear some bonkers attempted justification for having pride in something that is actually an ersatz version of something else. People buy cheap crap because they want the image of the real thing with the lesser financial hit. Anyone who says different doesn't know human nature. Is it wrong? Of course, with a direct copy you're attempting to deceive other people.
What do you feel is the deception?popeyewhite said:
RSTurboPaul said:
popeyewhite said:
Next we'll hear some bonkers attempted justification for having pride in something that is actually an ersatz version of something else. People buy cheap crap because they want the image of the real thing with the lesser financial hit. Anyone who says different doesn't know human nature. Is it wrong? Of course, with a direct copy you're attempting to deceive other people.
What do you feel is the deception?Is the deception that someone has less money than they are 'advertising'?
Or that they are 'cheating' because only the genuine article should/can somehow enable the wearer to exude the correct image/'qualities' that the marketing departments say buyers of the products have, and the viewer looking at someone wearing a copy may assume that person has those qualities?
popeyewhite said:
Countdown said:
Only those people who care whether some stranger has a genuine or fake Rolex. To most people it makes zero difference.
If you say so.OTOH if somebody has bought it purely for their own personal enjoyment and doesn't care what anybody else thinks, they won't care if somebody else is wearing a fake. My enjoyment of my own watch isn't affected at all by what some stranger is wearing
RSTurboPaul said:
I am interested to understand your thoughts on the matter.
I've posted them [above].RSTurboPaul said:
Is the deception that someone has less money than they are 'advertising'?
Not everyone is so fixated with money as you seem to be Paul. I imagine some just like fakes because they're easier to get hold of than the real thing [football shirts].RSTurboPaul said:
Or that they are 'cheating' because only the genuine article should/can somehow enable the wearer to exude the correct image/'qualities' that the marketing departments say buyers of the products have, and the viewer looking at someone wearing a copy may assume that person has those qualities?
I don't think you've thought that through. If, as others have noted, the fake is good enough to fool almost everyone looking then the fact the watch is ersatz occurs only to the wearer. Fakes are not the same quality as originals but attempt to give the buyer the same ownership feeling. It's deception.popeyewhite said:
Countdown said:
Only those people who care whether some stranger has a genuine or fake Rolex. To most people it makes zero difference.
If you say so.The same as I don't have any interest in concerning myself as to whether the Chanel/Hermes/Gucci handbags I see carried by ladies are real or not. If they like it, fair play to them.
Mont Blanc said:
popeyewhite said:
Countdown said:
Only those people who care whether some stranger has a genuine or fake Rolex. To most people it makes zero difference.
If you say so.The same as I don't have any interest in concerning myself as to whether the Chanel/Hermes/Gucci handbags I see carried by ladies are real or not. If they like it, fair play to them.
HIAO said:
Switzerland considers the economic loss from counterfeiting as a quite serious issue.
Counterfeit luxury goods are routinely confiscated at the border. These are returned to the brand whose IP was infringed.
The brand verifies the counterfeit nature of the item, even where it was for personal use. The unfortunate importer or exporter of the counterfeit item pays for the verification, plus a significant penalty, plus, plus, plus. All at eye watering Swiss rates.
It’s not unusual for the end result to cost in the ball park of the cost of having bought a genuine version.
If you’re travelling in Europe, or the US, makes sense to avoid the risk.
Loss from counterfeiting…. Not quite as serious as running a secret banking system where criminals from around the world can hide their wealth. Counterfeit luxury goods are routinely confiscated at the border. These are returned to the brand whose IP was infringed.
The brand verifies the counterfeit nature of the item, even where it was for personal use. The unfortunate importer or exporter of the counterfeit item pays for the verification, plus a significant penalty, plus, plus, plus. All at eye watering Swiss rates.
It’s not unusual for the end result to cost in the ball park of the cost of having bought a genuine version.
If you’re travelling in Europe, or the US, makes sense to avoid the risk.
The Swiss can do one.
Countdown said:
Are you talking about Import/Export businesses, or individuals travelling through airports or border crossings?
If the latter then it seems quite bonkers for watches to be seized by passport officers who are unlikely to be horological experts.
Both individuals for personal consumption as well as businesses. Import, export or in transit. If the latter then it seems quite bonkers for watches to be seized by passport officers who are unlikely to be horological experts.
It happens at the customs check, rather than the immigration check.
Watches, handbags, clothing. They don’t need horological expertise to have a doubt and be dissatisfied with the responses they are given to obvious questions.
The brand verifies and seeks damages from the unfortunate owner. If the fine exceeds chf 5,000 it’s an automatic criminal record. It’s not unusual for brand appointed law firms to seek damages of chf 10,000+.
https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/information...
https://www.stop-piracy.ch/en/what-should-you-do/l...
Not just Switzerland. France, Italy and the US take a similar approach.
I don’t work for a luxury goods manufacturer; I have lived in Switzerland for 13 years, and I’d never knowingly touch anything counterfeit.
RSTurboPaul said:
I'd be interested to see a citation for the confiscation of personal property at a Swiss border. (Not in an arsey way, just because I'm interested.) Likewise, any citations for anywhere else in Europe or the US.
The whole 'economic loss' thing seems a bit of a nonsense in some ways.
If someone is buying a £200 copy off a website because they don't have £10k (or whatever) to spunk on some veblen goods, the manufacturer that is being copied (and the 'luxury goods' industry overall) has not lost a sale of £10k (or indeed any figure) because it was never going to happen in the first place.
Whereas if someone does have the means to purchase a £xxk watch but decides to go with a copy (e.g. wheelspinning, as detailed above) then it is likely they already have other £xxk purchases of originals of said veblen goods or are buying the copy with the plan to purchase the original if they like it after time with it (e.g. wheelspinning, as detailed above) so the 'luxury goods' industry overall has still benefitted from sales, just not of the particular copied item being bought at that point in time.
Either way, I'm not sure we should cry too much for an industry raking in £billions in profit margin each year from goods that are obviously and intentionally overpriced. lol
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/not-the-real-thing_trade-in-fake-brand-name-goods-continues-to-boom/41763420The whole 'economic loss' thing seems a bit of a nonsense in some ways.
If someone is buying a £200 copy off a website because they don't have £10k (or whatever) to spunk on some veblen goods, the manufacturer that is being copied (and the 'luxury goods' industry overall) has not lost a sale of £10k (or indeed any figure) because it was never going to happen in the first place.
Whereas if someone does have the means to purchase a £xxk watch but decides to go with a copy (e.g. wheelspinning, as detailed above) then it is likely they already have other £xxk purchases of originals of said veblen goods or are buying the copy with the plan to purchase the original if they like it after time with it (e.g. wheelspinning, as detailed above) so the 'luxury goods' industry overall has still benefitted from sales, just not of the particular copied item being bought at that point in time.
Either way, I'm not sure we should cry too much for an industry raking in £billions in profit margin each year from goods that are obviously and intentionally overpriced. lol
Old article from a credible source.
I don’t have an interest in arguments for and against.
I’m sharing the fact that thousands of people each year are caught with counterfeit goods, at Zurich airport alone. And, it costs them money and a burocratic nightmare.
Gassing Station | Watches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff