Unrealistic expectations of forum members ( majority ) by a disillusioned replica buyer

[225450]

Not only that, but they don't even compare to entry level Japanese Seikos or Orient....which have top notch quality processes....reps, well, they are what they are.

Do you think that's still valid when we consider the latest clean Subs or vsf etc nowadays?

 

[Jackster]

Do you think that's still valid when we consider the latest clean Subs or vsf etc nowadays?

I have been wondering about this…. The cleans and VSF have all be it the same movement as Gen but I’m pretty sure the guy that services my Gen sub would turn his nose up at my VSF. That said when it does need a service I might just enquire for fun as the Gen has only just been done so has another 10 years before it’s due again. The other problem is the watchmaker is a true professional so even if he would service the rep he’d likely want the same amount that he charges for a Gen, which is more than the Watch is worth. So you’ve either got to find someone that is prepared to do a cheap service or you just sell it here for parts and buy a new one? I had an Omega PO with decorated plates and the watchmaker who said he would work on it completely ruined it!

 

[Hesekiel]

@Jackster . . . you hit the hornet's nest!

That's why my watches are exclusively powered by ETA, Sellita, Seiko, or Miyota movements!

People seem to forget service cost. Servicing a replica Rolex movement is not cheaper than servicing a GEN.

 

[Natas78]

Errrmm there are trusted watchmakers like myself who are specialised in clone movement servicing that just ask normal prices for service.
And I like to think that we have a special skill set that "gen" watchmakers don't -need- to have anymore. We think outside the box because we have to. We meet challenges that gen watchmakers will never face.
and we don't charge an arm and a leg doing so.

 

[TESLA760]

Errrmm there are trusted watchmakers like myself who are specialised in clone movement servicing that just ask normal prices for service.
And I like to think that we have a special skill set that "gen" watchmakers don't -need- to have anymore. We think outside the box because we have to. We meet challenges that gen watchmakers will never face.
and we don't charge an arm and a leg doing so.

This is true. I have a watchsmith like this. Kudos to you guys.

 

[Jackster]

Errrmm there are trusted watchmakers like myself who are specialised in clone movement servicing that just ask normal prices for service.
And I like to think that we have a special skill set that "gen" watchmakers don't -need- to have anymore. We think outside the box because we have to. We meet challenges that gen watchmakers will never face.
and we don't charge an arm and a leg doing so.

You fancy emigrating to Australia

 

[Natas78]

You fancy emigrating to Australia

If not for huntsman spiders and spiderwasps and whatnot I would lol

 

[TheBigJS]

@Jackster
People seem to forget service cost. Servicing a replica Rolex movement is not cheaper than servicing a GEN.

Technically, from a work put in point of view you'd think that's true, but I believe you'll find @Natas78 has a slightly lower hourly rate than a Rolex service centre.
Or (god forbid) someone like Patek who want £110 to change the battery in a quartz match, and £1k-2k to service something with a few complications.
Yes, Rolex might keep your watch for 2 months but when your bill is "only" £800 how much time do you really think was spent on it, it's not even 10 hours is it? If they'd cracked on a bit you could have had it back 2 days later.
I took my VW T4 in for a gearbox rebuild and a longer 5th gear (that involved trailering it 80 miles and it was a rebuild, not an exchange), and said you may as well service it while it's there. That's probably more actual work than a watch service, and it was done in 3 days.

 

[Hesekiel]

@Natas78 . . . I appreciated the handful of watchmakers like yourself who cater to the hobby at very fair prices. But you can't deny that it cost more to service a Ferrari or Bentley than a Volkswagen Beetle or Chevy Camaro, even if labor cost-per-hour are the same. Hence my statement that servicing a Rolex or Patek or other high end watch with an in-house movement will cost more because of the parts situation alone. You can throw in a fresh Seiko NH35/36 or Miyota 9015 or ETA 2824-2 for less money than having to source GEN parts to fix a broken Rolex rep movement, n'est pas?

 

[Cheesegrater]

If you take your rolex or Patek or AP to a watchmaker for servicing, does that void the warranty and would the manufacturer know it’s been opened and serviced by a 3rd party?

 

[Dave2302]

You can throw in a fresh Seiko NH35/36 or Miyota 9015 or ETA 2824-2 for less money than having to source GEN parts to fix a broken Rolex rep movement, n'est pas?

That is exactly my ethos if a movement shits itself

 

[Jackster]

If you take your rolex or Patek or AP to a watchmaker for servicing, does that void the warranty and would the manufacturer know it’s been opened and serviced by a 3rd party?

You would only take a Gen Rolex to an independent watchmaker when it is out of its factory warranty as it doesn’t matter anymore and they are cheaper and quicker than RSC. In warranty you’d be mad not to send it back to RCS

 

[asusundevils1971]

If you take your rolex or Patek or AP to a watchmaker for servicing, does that void the warranty and would the manufacturer know it’s been opened and serviced by a 3rd party?

If your gen watch is under warranty why would you want someone other then a trained watchmaker from said factories service center touching it. And yes if the service center knew (don't know how) that it was touched by someone other then them it would void what warranty that is left on the watch.

All the top brands you mentioned and then some will tear your watch down, clean all parts in ultrasonic cleaner, replace and fix what needs done, change gaskets and seals, rebuild movement and regulate it to COSC, pressure test it and then give you a two year warranty on their work.

If your watch is past it's warranty then you would have to decide if you want take it to their service centre and pay a lot but they should have the parts on hand for the repair and it could be a lot quicker turnaround and you do get the two year warranty on the service.

 

[Cheesegrater]

I’ll stay with the manufacturers I suppose.
I met this watchmaker who said he can service the watches as per manufacturer spec, cheaper and faster so I was thinking if he just said that to make money.

 

[TheBigJS]

And yes if the service center knew (don't know how) that it was touched by someone other then them it would void what warranty that is left on the watch.

This has (with cars) been challenged in court and thrown out in the UK and it's certainly in EU law, you can take your brand new car, be it a Kia or a Lamborghini to an independent garage for it's servicing and the manufacturers guarantee still stands.
Besides a Rolex guarantee is only 5 years, for a £10k+ watch that's probably not long enough to satisfy "fit for purpose" laws in the UK. And it's not going to be invalided by putting a NATO strap on or changing the bezel insert.

This is more of the same "Rolex AD will confiscate your rep cow dung" people love to spout.

 

[asusundevils1971]

Besides a Rolex guarantee is only 5 years, for a £10k+ watch that's probably not long enough to satisfy "fit for purpose" laws in the UK. And it's not going to be invalided by putting a NATO strap on or changing the bezel insert.

A five year warranty on watches (Rolex) that range from 7K - 120K CDN isn't so bad as cars that are bought for 15K - 120K CDN only give you a three year limited warranty with 60K limited kilometres. Here in Canada you can get some services done within reason that won't void the warranty.

Also when you get your Rolex serviced (every 5 - 10 years after warranty ends) they give you a two year warranty on the work done and it's a full service as I mentioned above. Get your car repaired (they don't tear it apart and rebuild it like it just came from the factory new) and you might get a three or six month warranty on the parts from manufacturer defect.

You can put any bracelet or strap on a Rolex and it won't void the warranty (put the gen bracelet back on before sending for service) BUT if you don't use a gen bezel insert the service centre will NOT touch the watch, send it back and you might lose what's left of the warranty.

 

[TheBigJS]

120K CDN isn't so bad as cars that are bought for 15K - 120K CDN only give you a three year limited warranty with 60K limited kilometres.

Best Car Warranties in the UK 2024
Toyota – 10 years/100,000 miles (that's a spot over 160,000km)
Kia – 7 years/100,000 miles
Suzuki – 7 years/100,000 miles
MG – 7 years/80,000 miles
Hyundai – 5 years/unlimited miles
Isuzu – 5 years/125,000 miles
SsangYong – 5 years/100,000 miles

Just sayin'

 

[MaximillianGT]

Besides a Rolex guarantee is only 5 years, for a £10k+ watch

IWC gives you an 8-year warranty if you register online, just saying.

 

[asusundevils1971]

Toyota 3 years / 60km
Kia 5 year / 100000km
Hyundai 5 year / 100000km limited comprehensive limited warranty
Suzuki 3 year / 60km limited warranty
Isuzu 3 year / 60km limited warranty

Canada is different from the UK
Just saying

 

[Reaps]

IWC gives you an 8-year warranty if you register online, just saying.

For the price you pay for some of those "movements", they better be giving you a 20 year warranty lol