A subject about fakes...

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

I guess there are basically TWO kinds of fakes out there...

1. The "genuine" fake which in reality is a fake and "honestly" sold as a fake.

2. The "fake" fake which in reality is a bloody fake and is "dishonestly" sold as the real McCoy.

Naturally, the second type would be a really good fake...one which would fool at least 95% of the experts out there at first glance...all with box, papers, the whole deal right down to the minutest detail. The only giveaway would be the Swiss ETA movement instead of the Rolex one.

So what kind of a guy are you? This is a simple poll...let's be honest about it and vote with comments if you wish. I, of course, hate fakes.

JJ

[Goodwatch]

You make this a bit confusing but I understand what you mean. And I can’t use any of the poll options as an answer. Makers of top-end fakes like to call their rip-offs ‘replicas’ on their websites but don’t try to sell their wares as the real thing. The prices reflect this. But there’s another category of people who are trying to offload their dubious fakes as the real thing, often on auction sites or via small ads. Then there’s the cheapo fakes, quartz Subs and the like that are peddled by the suitcase men. Finally, the ‘tribute’ watches. Sicura was a Swiss brand that had several Sub look-a-likes many years ago. However ‘genuine’ these brands are, they do ride the bandwagon driven by the famous brands they are copying. ‘Me too’ watches, are what I like to call them. But is has more to do with fashion then anything else.

There are all kinds of rumours surrounding the really good fakes. Who’s behind them? Who has the capital to set up the tooling and the plant to make these watches? I don’t know, but the fact that they exist means that there’s big bucks to be made.

Fact is that the one’s who are trying to sell fakes as the real thing are just scumbags who should go to jail for their crimes, as like any other criminal.

Why would someone want to buy a fake but pass it off as the real thing? Take my own place of work. Although the salaries are OK, the chances that someone would spend 3000+ Euro on a watch are very slim. People have better ways to spend that much cash. So when I spot a ‘Rolex’ on someone’s wrist, 99 out 100 it is a poor fake. That’s why it doesn’t happen. It’s too obvious. That leads me to the next question: who are you trying to impress with your fake? That nice girl at the bar? Your mates? The girl isn’t interested in your watch and you mates know (they know how much you earn).

I say everyone deserves a real Rolex (or Panerai, or …..). At the end of the day you are just fooling yourself. Often people say that Rolex charges too much for their watches and buy a cheap fake in order to keep that money out of the pockets of Rolex. But remember that millions of fakes are sold each year and thus you are lining the pockets of crooks with more money than Rolex or the other makers would ever receive.

[TARDIS]

Death to the Replicators!

[Prince]

Fakes undermine legitimate business. All fakes should be flattened by a steam roller!!! I volunteer to drive.

[dman]

Sort of like asking on a Rolex forum which is better Rolex or Omega,Panerai, etc.... The answer will always be the same. I am not a fan at all of fakes, in fact I think they are flat out thieves. But I also refuse to condone a person for wearing one, I have more important things in my life to do.

If a person wears one to pass off as the real deal and fool people, that doesn't say something about them for sure, but if a person tries to sell a fake as real, that really tellls you something about that person.

[C.J.]

edt

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by C.J.

I don't like them at all but I think that the choice is up to the individual. If a person isn't into watches the way we are, they may very well see no problem with wearing one for the looks, fashion or style. If they wear a fake and proclaim it to be authentic, they are shallow, dishonest, and lack self confidence. If they try to sell the watch as being authentic they should be having soap dropping parties in jail

Love the "soap dropping parties in jail" bit!!

[BreitSheik]

"Why buy a fake version of a watch, when there are dozens of companies that make a watch that looks almost exactly the same? Especially when the quality of these real watches is better than the fake ones and the price is better too."

Because there is no "magic" in them. But when you buy a rep (and I'm talking about 99% homage genuine top quality replica with ETA movements, and not your Canal Street version) that has the "Rolex" name on it (or any other Swiss brand for that matter) and put it on your wrist, that's when you feel the magic! Just what is the magic? That you have acquired such a luxury item without paying full admission. I think that's what it basically boils down to which is the main reason why it angers the purists!

Of course it also gives you a nice feeling of false pride and accomplishment thereby feeding your ego. And because of that, it makes you happy. However in some of us, there may still be that small inner voice counteracting that choice because of illegality which is often but overpowered by our impulses. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

Is it wrong to market them? YES! But is it wrong to own them? That is one gray area where you alone can answer. What is your motive and/or intension for wearing them? If your intension is to wear them because you are afraid of ruining your genuines, then that is a good intension. Or if you are simply a collector who collects them as pure novelties, I don't see anything wrong with that. (What do you say to people who owns and displays a rep painting of a Mona Lisa or Monet in their living rooms?) But if your motive to wear them is to flash them around telling people it is real, then that is wrong. To own them and sell them as real is wrong. Every case depends on what purpose it serves. To each his own.

This is just my personal opinion on the matter. You can accept me or hate me for what I am ... but at least I am being true.

[JJ Irani]

Good post, Gill...at least you've been totally honest!!