Fake Watches -- Does it really matter?

[SenorFunkyPants]

Do replica Cobras receive the same disdain?

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Do replica Cobras receive the same disdain?

I suppose if they are poisonous and will bite they do.

[c1pher]

Reading the first post, I really didn't get the purpose of it, but nevertheless it's an interesting thread. I think everyone has their interests and decides where they want to spend their money on. I'm not really into expensive watches replicas or bling per se. I'm not sure of the connection between BMWs and expensive watches either other than people with money expressing their interest in other expensive things they buy. For me I'm more of a Casio Pathfinder watch guy for day to day wear and most of the time I don't even wear a watch anymore. I prefer to spend my money on other things like a vacation home, motorcycle, in home theater etc, so watches really aren't at the top of my list.

As for real vs. fake, I've never been the type of person to buy a fake of anything. Would I consider a less expensive alternative considering it does the same job for half the money? Yes. And maybe that's the point with the BMW / watch connection. Most people can't even afford a BMW let alone the watches being discussed. It's all about putting on airs and showing people how awesome, or wealthy you are. Kind of like how big a diamond or how big a boob job is for your wife. It doesn't add to the character or substance of the person. With that said, there's nothing wrong with working hard and enjoying the fruits of your labor by buying nice things.

[hd2000fxdl]

Originally Posted by 8k3

Where do you find reputable online sellers of replica watches? I own a couple of Omegas but don't like wearing them everyday, I much rather beat up a $100 rep for day to day use

Not replica, but some of the lines they have are of makers of ones that are what you would call replicas.

Check out World of Watches.

Lots of nice stuff, from ones you don't care if you get wet, damage or lose to very nice ones. I have picked up just over a half dozen from them alone this past year.

I told my wife once, I'll buy a wacth for ever Cruise we take and no more, We did 7 that one year, I'm happy, she's happy and got he Philip Stein exactly how she wanted it put together at a very nice price from the place I mentioned as well.

Harry

[hd2000fxdl]

Originally Posted by BavarianN54

Fake watches are adorned by phony people.

I wouldn't say that, I would say that there might be more people who have real one just to make them think that somehow their dick just got bigger. Now don't you all go crazy, I didn't say you or anyone here, but we have all met that guy or gal..

Seriously, to me I could care less, it's like most things for me, there are things I like, things I don't and have never bought something because of a name, a reputation for quality yes, but not just to show off something because it's made by XX Company.

Harry

[K19BMW]

If I saw someone with a fake watch (although fakes are so good nowadays I most likely wouldnt be able to tell) I would have no problem with as long as they dont go around bragging about it and claiming its real.
I understand that not everyone can afford a rolex, omega, AP, JLC, or etc and so you buy a fake because you like the way the watches look. But if you go buy a fake and starting claiming it's real then you're insulting the people who may have worked their ass off to buy the watch, the watch maker/manufacturer who spent countless dollars on R&D and design on the watch, and just the hobby in general.

[Kwando]

I'm really struggling to stay away from homage watches..Would rather save up for the real thing.

[ErzenE92]

Originally Posted by 8k3

Where do you find reputable online sellers of replica watches? I own a couple of Omegas but don't like wearing them everyday, I much rather beat up a $100 rep for day to day use

try this place, I purchased a couple from them and they look great and run really well. Can't tell the difference unless you asked.

www.iparadisiac.co

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by ErzenE92

try this place, I purchased a couple from them and they look great and run really well. Can't tell the difference unless you asked.

www.iparadisiac.co

if you dont mind me asking, which ones have you gotten?

[Z K]

Originally Posted by ErzenE92

try this place, I purchased a couple from them and they look great and run really well. Can't tell the difference unless you asked.

www.iparadisiac.co

You can do much better than that. There are ones that look exactly like the real ones, including copied movements and the only way you can tell is to open up the case. Of course those replicas cost more than these.

[7smurfs]

My opinion is that 'homages' are okay and fakes are not.

Homage = similar design, different branding
Fake = same design, attempted same branding

[accce]

Don't support the sweat shops who exploit little kids. Just buy the real thing.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by K19BMW

If I saw someone with a fake watch (although fakes are so good nowadays I most likely wouldnt be able to tell) I would have no problem with as long as they dont go around bragging about it and claiming its real.
I understand that not everyone can afford a rolex, omega, AP, JLC, or etc and so you buy a fake because you like the way the watches look. But if you go buy a fake and starting claiming it's real then you're insulting the people who may have worked their ass off to buy the watch, the watch maker/manufacturer who spent countless dollars on R&D and design on the watch, and just the hobby in general.

False claims:
+100 I couldn't agree more. So long as one is being true to oneself and with others, there's really nothing with which to take issue over the matter.

Hard work:
I'd be surprised that anyone spending near or upwards of $20K on a watch is working all that hard to buy it, a house or a boat perhaps...but I understand your point all the same, and I agree with the principle of it.

All the best.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by accce

Don't support the sweat shops who exploit little kids. Just buy the real thing.

How droll. That's much more easily said than done. Many folks can save a lifetime and never reach a point where sensible it becomes for them to drop the kind of money it takes to buy watches such as the ones you pictured. I suspect even some costing even just half of the price might always be prohibitive for many folks.

Indeed, even affording such things, I can't ague soundly that spending such sums makes sense for any reason other than to assuage one's personal yearnings. The fakes, or even the knock-offs that only closely ape high-dollar timepieces, all are quite effective so long as they are of the uncomplicated variety. I can see how someone not really serious about collecting fine watches could easily justify a couple hundred or less in lieu of $10K+.

All the best.

[E90Alex]

Do you know what kind of organizations you are supporting when you purchase these fake watches?

[accce]

The truth about fake watches.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/arielada...ica-watches/2/

[P1]

Fake watches for fake people.

If you're on Instagram, follow account like Fakewatchbusta. It's hilarious.

[AlpineV8]

I don't believe in fakes or supporting that industry. I wouldn't put a body kit on a 328i to make it look like an M3 and I wouldn't sport a fake high end watch.

Nothing to do with being a snob at all. I just think people should be happy with where they are in life because things can always change. People that sport fakes are missing something in their lives maybe? I dunno.

Life is too short. Enjoy it.

[AlpineV8]

Originally Posted by tony20009

How droll. That's much more easily said than done. Many folks can save a lifetime and never reach a point where sensible it becomes for them to drop the kind of money it takes to buy watches such as the ones you pictured. I suspect even some costing even just half of the price might always be prohibitive for many folks.

Indeed, even affording such things, I can't ague soundly that spending such sums makes sense for any reason other than to assuage one's personal yearnings. The fakes, or even the knock-offs that only closely ape high-dollar timepieces, all are quite effective so long as they are of the uncomplicated variety. I can see how someone not really serious about collecting fine watches could easily justify a couple hundred or less in lieu of $10K+.

All the best.

It's illegal. Plain and simple. A person serving up cheeseburgers doesn't just perform brain surgery one day because they realize they will never be able to afford a Patek otherwise.

Life is made up of different people in all different classes. That's life.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by AlpineV8

I don't believe in fakes or supporting that industry. I wouldn't put a body kit on a 328i to make it look like an M3 and I wouldn't sport a fake high end watch.

Nothing to do with being a snob at all. I just think people should be happy with where they are in life because things can always change. People that sport fakes are missing something in their lives maybe? I dunno.

Life is too short. Enjoy it.

I understand your point, and I don't particularly disagree with it by any means. As a practical retort to your point, keep in mind that no matter how many Westerners buy fake watches, or don't buy them, it'll have no impact on the industry that produces them. The fakes are so insanely inexpensive in the country where they are made that they are quite commonly purchased there by folks who live there.

Like it or not, you and I have to accept that if the PRC government is keen to do nothing about it, there's a 1.6 billion person strong market to sell the things to. You, I, others can buy or not buy them; it won't matter to that industry. The weight of "big numbers" cannot be overlooked when discussing this issue.

All the best.

[AlpineV8]

Originally Posted by tony20009

I understand your point, and I don't particularly disagree with it by any means. As a practical retort to your point, keep in mind that no matter how many Westerners buy fake watches, or don't buy them, it'll have no impact on the industry that produces them. The fakes are so insanely inexpensive in the country where they are made that they are quite commonly purchased there by folks who live there.

Like it or not, you and I have to accept that if the PRC government is keen to do nothing about it, there's a 1.6 billion person strong market to sell the things to. You, I, others can buy or not buy them; it won't matter to that industry. The weight of "big numbers" cannot be overlooked when discussing this issue.

All the best.

Agreed. When it comes to numbers, there's little that can really affect that freight train. For me it's just a personal decision to not support it regardless.

Cheers

[dtwyim]

I read this thread from start to finish today. So much emotion and information.

Thanks tony20009 for his informative posts as usual and being so articulate.

What about diamonds? Most people will not be able to tell fake from real at a distance. Some will be able to tell if wearing magnification loupes. They both 'perform' the same.

My wife would sometimes ask me: Why do we bother buying real? We can afford it and no one will really know.

My answer is: I know!