OT: High End Watches - Page 13  

I had a feeling that link was to the spring drive from Seiko. Grand Seiko watches are some of the nicest I've seen but people in this country may not shell out $5000 for a Seiko no matter how good it is.

After all the discussion in this thread about replicas I decided to take a risk and order the Patek I have always wanted. It finally arrived from Russia yesterday after a month and half wait (I was starting to doubt if it would arrive, but it turned out that the post office here had been sitting on it for a month). I am very happy with the quality except for the band, but I have never seen good replica leather anyway.

I took it into a high-end watch shop to try and get a quality replacement band and the guys behind the counter had to get out the magnifying glass to tell it was a replica- it should at least pass the casual glance test. Rather more worrying they all wanted to know where they could buy one from!

Last night some local idiots tried to steal a bunch of Rolexes from Mayor's Jewelers. Problem was, there were two cops right outside the store and they were nabed. They had over 2 million in watches when they were caught. This is the store where I have been on the "list" for a stainless Daytona for over two years.

I know where you can buy a good replica :)

I have a great replica, Swiss made. It is almost perfect but I collect so I need the real deal.

There are no Swiss Made Replicas. That is a marketing slogan to separate you from an extra $500-$600 of your money. Pretty much 99.9% of replicas are made in Asia. Now, some replica sites advertize that they use ETA movements in their watches but there are no replicas that are made in Switzerland.

That's a pretty bold statement. What makes you so certain?

There are millions of reps produced each year. The people that make reps can't afford to pay the labor in Switzerland. There are scam websites like replicacenter.cxx which look like a consumer alert/review site. If you check more carefully, you will see that the sites that they recommend buying from are the ones that they own. The "Swiss Made" replicas that places like Idealwatches.cxx charge $850-$1200 for are available for less than $200 shipped to your home. And unlike the scam sites the ones that sell them for $200 do not demand wire transfers or COD and take paypal. And the latter also have Swiss movements with sapphire crystals.
If you don't believe me register at replicacollecter.cxx or replica-watches-guide.com/forum and do a search on "replicacenter".

Read this: http://www.replica-watches-guide.com/learn-more.htm
if you want to learn about the various scams perpetrated on people who want to buy replicas. It honestly doesn't matter to me if you buy replicas or not but don't be fooled into paying $800 for a replica that is available for less than $200.

Oh and btw. After I bought an Omega(genuine) for my father, I bought a Rolex Daydate with a swiss mvt(cost me the princely sum of $180). I wanted to give it to my dad on Father's day and tell him that I was saving the Rolex for his birthday but I thought he might as well use it. And then spring the Omega on him on his birthday as a surprise. Well, the replica was so nice, I bought another daydate, an omega GMT, and a VC Overseas model. They are great watches and the nice thing around where I live is that pretty much no one knows what Omega or VC(the ones I wear regularly) are so they don't draw attention to themselves.

Here are some highlights from timezone.com forum for reasons not to buy fakes. I have purchased two replicas in the past and wouldn't mind doing so again. However, I agree with the coments made in these posts:

1- besides them being illegal, fake, false, counterfeit, and disingenuine.....yes, the biggest problem is that you'll know you're wearing a fake. In a few months, after the intial excitement over your great deal wears off, that fake watch is going to feel like half of a pair of handcuffs on your wrist. You'll feel a little dirtier every time you put it on, knowing that you're wearing a lie.

No matter how good its timekeeping and no matter how good a movement they stick inside, you'll know that it will never be what it pretends to be. No matter how many compliments you get on your new watch, you'll know down deep that it's all a sham.

Finally, one day in the not-too-distant future, you'll toss it in the trash just to get it out of sight and relieve your conscious. So much for that good deal.

On the other hand, with $600, you can purchase a quality, legitimate watch that you'll actually be proud of in 6 months or 6 years. Seems like the choice should be obvious.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2- They'll never be good enough...

...to make up for the fact that you will have become a poseur at the cost of some little bit of self-respect.

In addition, you'll be breaking the law and supporting an industry that has to lie and cheat in order to sell their products.

Having been involved in the investigation of hundreds of different versions of fake watches, I can tell you that there's not a single replica web site that tells the truth about their watches.

Whether overstating plating thicknesses, misinforming about marks of authenticity or outright lying about movements used, they're all just as underhanded as the products they're selling.

And if a so-called Rolex 'expert' can't tell, find a better expert; not everyone that sells Rolex knows what to look for.

All in all, it's slimeballs that sell these illegal and inferior items; if you want to bring yourself down to their level - and throw away $600 at the same time - go ahead.

But you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life. It doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy....

...oops, sorry...got carried away.

Oh well - we'll always have Paris.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3- I think owning a fake has little to do with the watch itself, but
everything to do with being the type of person who would own a fake. This discussion was had on another forum, and someone said something that I very much agree with: Wearing a fake is a way of saying that you desire the outward appearances of having achieved something meaningful without actually doing any of the work necessary to achieve that thing. It's a cheat, a short-cut, a purely indulgent expenditure designed to fool others into thinking you are something you aren't. I completely do not approve, personally.

Like most everyone, my primary attraction to a watch is aesthetic. However, any interest past that initial feeling of "That's a good looking watch" is based on features like quality of construction, movement, history of company, durability etc. etc. Fakes posess none of those qualities. A fake is just a quickly made piece of crap designed to look like something it isnt. Fakes have no history, no quality, hell there's not even really a "company" behind them: They're just free-floating garbage meant to impress everyone but the person who owns it. Personally, the only person I want my watch to impress is *me*, because in my experience no one else gives a good g@d-damn about it.

Just my $.02.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4- Aside from the fact that you'll be a poseur, you'll also be putting money in the pockets of theives, and supporting an industry that caters to scam artists. These vendors live for folks who intend to rip-off unaware buyers. Even though your intentions might not be to try and sell the watch as real, your keeping the suppliers of those who will in business.

So even though you have somehow rationalised the fact that you apparently desire to fool people in order to warrant their approval (whether you admit it or not,) hopefully you're an ethical enough person to consider the other consequences of buying a fake.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


5- Replicas remind me of "kit cars". Phoney.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6- Re: Are the replica's finally good enough?

After just reading other peoples posts on this forum for a couple of months, I finally decided to post my first reply to a question that seems to be a hot iron here...

I haven't worn a watch for 16 years until a co-worker got me interested...and yes, the first watch I bought was a fake Patek..and before I had it delivered, I ordered a 2nd fake Patek...
Result: For a few days I liked them even though they were not the most accurate copies...then: I notice that their power reserve is really low (20hours?)... and the I got this bad feeling about these watches... Yes, I can not afford the real thing...but I just could not get myself to wear the fakes anymore..They just felt so (guess what?) FAKE.
They're now collecting dust in a corner and I got myself a REAL watch, a Longines Evidenza (black face, white roman numerals, brown strap). I LOVE this watch and I have worn it nearly every day since. It just feels so much better to wear the REAL THING!

Just my 2cents....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7- Re: Are the replica's finally good enough?

Ask not if replicas are good enough - ask if you are too good for replicas.

The reason I bought my replica was not to impress anyone (nobody that I know would even know what a Patek was), but because it was a mechanical watch with a design that I liked at a price I was willing to pay. I would be quite happy if there was no Patek markings on the watch- not all of us replica buyers are posers trying to impress others :)

One of todays headlines got me thinking:

Experts Confirm Shakespeare Portrait Fake
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...peare_portrait

What would happen 400 years from now when one of our decendants finds out their cherished inherited watch from his ancestor is a fake? :)

I saw a great deal on a pair of replica Halcro's! Maybe I should bite.

This is the harry winston opus V watch. The most outrageous
thing i have seen in quite a while and very unique. $110K


http://www.network54.com/Forum/messa...eid=1112215571

That is a beautiful watch. As an art piece, if I were to pay $100K for a watch, that would be the one. But somehow, I'm guessing my wife would not be as fond of its looks since it seems a little thicker than she would like (especially for $100k ;) ).

here is the twin cage zenith tourbillon. The cage rotates in 2 planes.

http://www.zenith-watches.com/img/4_.../big_8_1_1.jpg

I'll 2nd PF's recommendation of the Rolex Daytona. I've worn mine 24x7 for the last 10 years or so and if it ever dies (not especially likely as I get it serviced every 3 years or so) I'll get another.

TM

That is a nice watch! I better stop reading this thread before you guys cost me some serious money ;)

Thanks,
Raul

LOL, I read this entire thread with giggles under my breath. Fake, real, authentic, genuine, faux, deception, illusion, bona fide, bogus. I mean, do you guys really care if a woman has real or fake boobs if you find her attractive and like her personality a whole lot? I bet more than half of you wouldn't hold fake boobs against her, so why bag on people who like replicas or knock-offs because they can't afford to spend $20,000 on a watch?

i would feel uncomfortable wearing a fake watch, since it is pretending to have something which i dont own.

historically clock making was one of the most advanced expressions of human mechanical engeneering and precision craft work. wrist and pocket watch making miniaturised it to the exteme, and turned it into a high art. that is the main reason that the better products were usually very expensive, since they took a long time in skilled man hours to make, and additionally used expensive precious metals and quality materials which were also decorated and engraved. any current watch maker that still uses that type of approach, or finding an older original, is worth every penny (presuming you can afford it).

but even if you are lucky enough to be able to affor a 15000$ muller or pathek philipe, you have to be rich enough to be able to afford loosing it or damaging it (or get it stolen). if i'd own that type of watch i'd think trice before i'd wear it in the real world.

but isnt it possible to find new "replica" watches that are based on some of these beautifull classic or antique models/brands ? i am thinking of watches like those made by Franck Muller , Patek Philipe, Cartier, Breitling, etc... there is no need imo to try and make it an exact copy and have the copyrighted/trademarked name on it. if they are "inspired replicas" and then then contain a good modern swiss made movement, it be worth 200$. there is no need for brand theft and promoting mafiosi and corruption.

anybody know any companies that sell watches like that ? or is it possible to order a replica watch from one of those online companies but have it made without the brand name on it, aand how do i know in advance if it will have some of the better ETA movment in it ?

Such a thing cannot exist if the original manufacturer is still in business, because even if it openly stated it was a copy, it would still need the approval of the watch manufacturer to be "legal" and of course the watch manufacturer would not give it. The last thing the Rolexes of the world would sanction would be $200 "legitimate imitation" Rolexes. And besides, who would want to buy one then? No one would make one because no one would want to buy one. What would me more embarassing than walking around with a bag that says "Gucci approved fake Gucci bag" :D.

As soon as Paris Hilton is spotted sporting one, every woman would want one!

To tell you the truth I prefer real to fake boobs. The fake ones may look good but they don't feel the same.... :)

I totally disagree and I see them every day

It all boils down to whether the implants are silicone or saline and also the tecnique used by the surgeon to place the implant.

IOW, there is good fake and lousy fake--much the same as a replica watch.

A replica watch is a fake.. That is all there is to it. While imitation is the sincerest of flattery, a fake very purpose is to fool; thus the correct epithet is "fake" there is no lousy or good replica they are just "fakes" :mad:

Frantz--settle down

the analogy was related to breast augmentation and IMO there are certainly exceelent ones and others very shabby and although they are both fake I can tell you in no uncertain terms that there are some women who have had breast surgery and you absolutely cannot tell because the scars are hidden and that the implant feels so real that it is just like the real thing--very deceptive I would say.

:D

Man!! From High End watches to High end breasts :D

oneobgyn,

So am I to take from your comments that you regularly feel your women patients breasts to see if you think they "feel real"? We aren't going to be seeing stories about you on the 10 O'Clock news some day, are we? You aren't doing the feeling when they're anesthetized, are you? I hear you get an extra 10 years for that.

QQQ,

thats not what i was saying in my post, look for ex at this watch, http://www.tic-tock.com/php//Display..._WATCH_ID=5273 (a 14.000$ muller) , and at this one http://www.prestigetime.com/item.php?item_id=2145 (a 9.000$ cartier )

both of those are traditional watches with a classic look. both are in the lower end of the price scale for their brands, and have only a very simple movement function inside (they only tell the time, no more, no less). yet they are still around 10.000$, and i find it obcene to spend that kind of money on a "brand" while 2/3 of mankind doesnt have clean drinking water, basic health care, or a roof over their head. like somebody stated earlier in this thread when they were recomending what fake (?) watches to buy . many of those "brand" watches often have a generic movement inside (which exist in various quality and intricacy levels).

i'd say that if you can buy a 200$ "reproduction" watch that has the exact same movement inside as the 10.000$ "brand" one, then the fool is the one that let himself be fleeced for the sake of having an "original" name tag on his wrist. if that gives the wearer a warm fussy feeling, i'd question their judgment and value system, however much they are huffing and puffing about the a-moral act of wearing a "fake".

it should be possible to design a number of new watches around those types of classic designs, and use a good swiss movement inside. i dont have an arts background, but even i could produce a few new "original" designs based on those within a week.

so my question is still the same: anybody know any companies that sell watches like that ? thin, elegant, classic look, but not a brand that charges 900% surcharge for the priviledge of having their name on it. the above 2 watches i listed are imo not worth more than 1000$ each, even with their brand on it, presuming it is not a precious metal version. and without the brand, its not worth more than 200$, which is about what the good fakes go for it seems.

if you can afford to buy a complex intricate and unique watch such as a "Sky Moon" ( by Patek Philippe ) http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/clo...moon/index.htm
or a Franck Muller "Master Calendar Moon" http://jomashop.com/2850-mc-l.html for ex, then we are talking about much more complex movements that are unique and usually inhouse designed. if you got the money to get that kind of showpiece of human mechanical engeneering, then good for you, at least you are getting your moneys worth.