Some reps achieved rather good level of quality, so except if one is obsessed collector investing into real stuff, to most of us it seems like no real sense in purchasing gens at price 20-100x over rather well executed rep.
I have half of gens and half of reps in my humble collection of 12 time pieces.
All gens are watches I truly appreciate for their originality and uniqueness and neither of them was replicated in more-less acceptable way, if at all.
All reps are watches I generally appreciate, but reps are of very acceptable quality, externally indistinguishable without truly focused look.
In the end no real difference in wearing 30k gen vs 500$ rep, as long as, rep pleases my eyes aesthetically.
Furthermore, reps provide certain comfort of wearing them with no (big) risk to lose/damage the watch.
So, both are equally useful timepieces.
Of course, gens that are not available on rep markets provide a bit special feeling of 'really unique stuff' for special occasions from time to time.
Actually because of reps I bought more gens than I would do otherwise.
Reps increased awareness and appreciation to good stuff in my case and enjoying both reps and gens, without praising ones over others seems like happy balance.
Also, I definitely started to appreciate smaller brands and less known watchmakers over several dominating names.
I have half of gens and half of reps in my humble collection of 12 time pieces.
All gens are watches I truly appreciate for their originality and uniqueness and neither of them was replicated in more-less acceptable way, if at all.
All reps are watches I generally appreciate, but reps are of very acceptable quality, externally indistinguishable without truly focused look.
In the end no real difference in wearing 30k gen vs 500$ rep, as long as, rep pleases my eyes aesthetically.
Furthermore, reps provide certain comfort of wearing them with no (big) risk to lose/damage the watch.
So, both are equally useful timepieces.
Of course, gens that are not available on rep markets provide a bit special feeling of 'really unique stuff' for special occasions from time to time.
Actually because of reps I bought more gens than I would do otherwise.
Reps increased awareness and appreciation to good stuff in my case and enjoying both reps and gens, without praising ones over others seems like happy balance.
Also, I definitely started to appreciate smaller brands and less known watchmakers over several dominating names.