Anyone feel underwhelmed when finally get that Rolex gen?

[PorscheRacer]

Underwhelmed isn’t what I feel. Anxiety is the word I’m looking for. People usually have anxieties when wearing a rep due to the fear of being call out but my anxieties come from fear of wear and tear from wearing my Gen. Everytime my Gen bangs into something, the pain... oh the pain. I love my Gen but I can never feel as carefree and comfortable as I do with my Reps. I love the wear and tear on my reps but I’ll never feel that way with a Gen.

So no I don’t feel underwhelmed by my Gen, it makes me appreciate the engineering in finer details of the watch due to the knowledge I’ve gained through reps and all the flaws that comes with it.

In attrition to my post above, I totally agree with this post.

A couple of years ago I decided to ‘treat myself’ and wear my gen GMT when I went travelling/holiday for 1 month.

I practically woke up every day and panicked briefly until I was sure my watch haven’t been stolen out of my hotel room while I slept. I was worried about theft or mugging every time I was in a crowd, a bar, on public transport. I was worried about every little scratch I got on the watch from my daily activities and carrying luggage etc. I found myself wearing long sleeves all the time as I felt totally conscious of people looking at it.

Honestly, never again.

As I said, my a gen SuperOcean 44 is perfect for travel or weekends away. Don’t care if it gets knocked, scratched, beaten up, lost or stolen. I love it as a watch.

For daily social or office wear, I wear my Rolex reps.

The funny thing is, once you own both the Gen and Rep versions of the same watch you totally stop worrying about being called out, because you realise the reps are so good.

I often open my watch drawer and don’t know which is my gen or rep GMT or Sub. The only way I can tell at a glance is because my Gen watches have scratches on that I recognise.


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[SQUALO]

Absolutely agree !!
Gen panic vs Rep Happy

 

[OmegaRules]

I had to get my Gen no date out of it’s box today to really think about this discussion topic again.
Humm...I must say having a Gen and knowing it’s the real deal has its place for sure. I still love wearing my reps though mainly for points that have been mentioned.
I can swim with it, shower with it, work in the yard with it a,omg other things and not panic of getting it scratched or damaged.


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[CJS57]

I just acquired a new 214060 Sub last week. I feel fulfilled not underwhelmed. It is the real deal and I makes me feel good to wear it. I will still keep collecting super reps though! Way to much value for so little money and no worries about anything bad happening as already said.

 

[centrum]

I wholeheartedly agree with what other people have said above. But to add my 2 cents, I would get gens for Nomos, Grand Seiko, and F. P. Journes. These got to be had in gens imo.

For most other watches, I'm fine with wearing the rep ????.

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[CJS57]

By the way I spent a lot of time over on the gen forum doing research before i bought a gen. It is so different over there. They never mention a factory defect etc. They all talk about their hunt for getting more gens from ADs. Also when to wear what model in what social situation. It is forbidden to even mention a rep! But there is a section to discuss if a certain watch is a fake or a real gen. Never any specifics given, people just say yes good or no bad. It is as if every gen is perfect and that is that. Mine is as near perfect as a watch can be but there are a couple of little tiny errors too.

 

[nipe]

By the way I spent a lot of time over on the gen forum doing research before i bought a gen. It is so different over there. They never mention a factory defect etc. They all talk about their hunt for getting more gens from ADs. Also when to wear what model in what social situation. It is forbidden to even mention a rep! But there is a section to discuss if a certain watch is a fake or a real gen. Never any specifics given, people just say yes good or no bad. It is as if every gen is perfect and that is that. Mine is as near perfect as a watch can be but there are a couple of little tiny errors too.

Hahaha, the people on gen forums are the worst. Love those "incoming" threads on TRF. You can't even call it a circle-jerk as 99% of the members care solely about themselves and honestly couldn't give a f*ck about anyone else. They're there for one reason only, to pat themselves on their back. They type their fake "congrats" to up their postcounts, give one-worded answers to any question because honestly - why should they be bothered wasting their time on someone else they in reality don't really care about. Is there such a thing as a solo-jerk community? If so, TRF would be the capital. Anytime a topic gets just a little bit interesting or controversial it gets closed by a mod.

 

[Redheart]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the value of your watch plays a great role in how you feel wearing it.
You can trick someone else and they will be fooled by this value thing.

There is however a dimension of the aesthetics in all watches matter, and I believe it is related to the finer details, that is proper to watchmaking, and that is truly satifying with gen. Be it mechanical, or ornemental, the really fine details are like work of art. Denying gen beauty is denying the whole rep thing IMHO.

Some ultra popular gen got super repped, and they have those fine details more often that not, but never as the same level as the gen.
I really enjoy wearing my reps, and they always are reasonable money wise so that I am never self conscious wearing them, otherwise it wouldn't be fun at all

 

[bimmeister]

Depends what your end goal is, in my mind. If you want a likley appreciating asset that you can feel good about supporting the real brand and get decades of use out of, buy gen. If you swap regularly, don't care about appreciation, and are looking for close to same short-term quality, rep's your game.

Back in 1989, I bought a gen 1675 pepsi GMT and a datejust. Sold the DJ for $3k profit, and still (mostly) daily the 1675, now appraised at near 20x amount paid for it.

 

[MarkMarky]

Hahaha, the people on gen forums are the worst. Love those "incoming" threads on TRF. You can't even call it a circle-jerk as 99% of the members care solely about themselves and honestly couldn't give a f*ck about anyone else. They're there for one reason only, to pat themselves on their back. They type their fake "congrats" to up their postcounts, give one-worded answers to any question because honestly - why should they be bothered wasting their time on someone else they in reality don't really care about. Is there such a thing as a solo-jerk community? If so, TRF would be the capital. Anytime a topic gets just a little bit interesting or controversial it gets closed by a mod.

You sound like banned TRF member ????

 

[p0pperini]

To be honest, i thought about buying a folder last week for me write down details of what is genuine within each watch and what the aftermarket parts are for the same reason - Lol! I’ve so few watches but somehow that was important in my mind too P

And here too. The only thing that I fret about, now I have a fair number of reps, gens and Frankens, is what would happen if they got passed down to my family for whatever reason. It’s partly what motivated me to write the articles detailing each one. I also keep a spreadsheet with all the details and values - but that’s of limited use to someone who inherits a load of dodgy dive watches that “all look the same”...

This thread is very interesting. I’ve never handled a gen Submariner, but really struggle to imagine how it could possibly be better than any of my Frankens - apart from that nebulous “Hey, it’s a gen!” feeling. And I’m really not sure that would make up for the “This thing cost way too much” feeling!


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[Usernametaken]

That “this cost way too much” feeling is a pretty strong one. Especially when you get into frankens


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[Fontaine]

I currently own (amongst other watches) a gen Rolex 126655, a gen Tudor BB58 Harrod’s Edition as well as a rep Daytona panda (Noob/CF bezel/ARF dial and clasp), rep 116600 SD 4000 and a rep 6240; before I had the 126655 I had a gen 116622 that replaced a rep 116622.

Honestly I don’t live in fear of scratching them or them being stolen - I just live my life and enjoy knowing that I can pull off the reps or gens with ease.

I will say however that I would never under any circumstance consider a non-gen gold watch, Rolex or otherwise. That’s my line in the sand!

Aside from that, getting the reps serviced can prove a little tricky and, of course, knowing you haven’t lost money on most Rolex sport watches is a good feeling...

 

[c_hall100]

And here too. The only thing that I fret about, now I have a fair number of reps, gens and Frankens, is what would happen if they got passed down to my family for whatever reason. It’s partly what motivated me to write the articles detailing each one. I also keep a spreadsheet with all the details and values - but that’s of limited use to someone who inherits a load of dodgy dive watches that “all look the same”...

This thread is very interesting. I’ve never handled a gen Submariner, but really struggle to imagine how it could possibly be better than any of my Frankens - apart from that nebulous “Hey, it’s a gen!” feeling. And I’m really not sure that would make up for the “This thing cost way too much” feeling!


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It won’t feel any better than your Frankens or indeed and of the high end reps that we can get hold of these days...... I’ve bought n sold and handled hundreds of gens in my 30 odd years of collecting, buying and selling watches and aside from the solid gold ones there is very little difference in the way they physically“feel”

True “feel” different ball game altogether

In fact my gen GMT Pepsi feels a whole lot more tacky, gingly and lighter than the current 6 digit ARF/ZZF brigade of Subs etc

My solid gold gen date date from the 70’s didn’t feel a whole lot better than the Noob Day Date anniversary I just sold in the M2M section, sure it was a tad heavier but only marginally

As for the frankens that you guys literally spend
£1000’s on, the gap will get even closer

I haven’t been a member here all that long and the only fake watches I have came across prior to this form were the crappy ones you buy on the beaches and in the markets when you’re on holiday

I was blown away by the quality feel of what you can pick up these days, having said that i’m not one for micro analysing the smallest details and getting too carried away with it all.


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[OmegaRules]

It won’t feel any better than your Frankens or indeed and of the high end reps that we can get hold of these days...... I’ve bought n sold and handled hundreds of gens in my 30 odd years of collecting, buying and selling watches and aside from the solid gold ones there is very little difference in the way they physically“feel”

True “feel” different ball game altogether

In fact my gen GMT Pepsi feels a whole lot more tacky, gingly and lighter than the current 6 digit ARF/ZZF brigade of Subs etc

My solid gold gen date date from the 70’s didn’t feel a whole lot better than the Noob Day Date anniversary I just sold in the M2M section, sure it was a tad heavier but only marginally

As for the frankens that you guys literally spend
£1000’s on, the gap will get even closer

I haven’t been a member here all that long and the only fake watches I have came across prior to this form were the crappy ones you buy on the beaches and in the markets when you’re on holiday

I was blown away by the quality feel of what you can pick up these days, having said that i’m not one for micro analysing the smallest details and getting too carried away with it all.


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I hear you. There is no doubt that the quality of reps can range from poor like shat you see on canal st, to some very good and solid replica models which are featured on RWI. If you get into Frankens then that’s another ballgame.
I will say, my BK sub 116610 is a beautiful example and having a gen Rolex sub which I can say is stunning in itself, I find myself still marveled by the details of it as a rep and just how solid and good it feels to wear. It’s a price proposition a buyer has to consider and individual investment is the real factor.


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[Jackster]

I find this an interesting topic... I have agonised endlessly about the gen/rep wearing thing. As for feeling underwhelmed... I am very proud of the fact that I worked incredibly hard to enable myself to purchase my gen sub and I like the way I feel when I wear it knowing that it is 'real' & secondly I am just about to have it serviced and I know it is going to last another 10 years before it will need servicing again and during this time it is going to go up in value!!!! BUT i question daily wether i'm a shmuck to have such an expensive watch on my wrist... I really struggle with the value aspect. ie a qualitly rep would probably give me 98% of the feeling for a fraction of the price.

My daily beater is a rep sub and I love it, i'm a builder so obviously i'm not going to wear my gen to work and for this my rep is priceless, I love the way it looks but I don't have to worry about it at all.

So I think it is subjective, oh, and it's true what they say, no one gives a hoot what you wear on your wrist, not once have I been commented on my watch, and the people that do notice, ie other WIS like us don't really care either, they just know you probably have the same illness as them!

 

[JDM180]

I was majorly disappointed by the QC or lack of it, I thought buying the real deal meant not having to worry about shit like that but the quality control of the genuine stuff that I've had or seen would be rejected more than most the rep QC pics on here. Hairs on dials, faulty clasps, shitty lume,LOTS of misalignment.

Dont belive the marketing bullshit, the materials are maybe a touch nicer and dont get me wrong gen is gen and some stuff just has that look about it where you can tell it's a genuine item, but the QC is no better. Gen owners just wont admit it's anything other than perfect because it makes them question why they spent ££££ , and most are not looking close as we scrutinise our reps.

 

[p0pperini]

Gen owners just wont admit it's anything other than perfect because it makes them question why they spent ££££ , and most are not looking close as we scrutinise our reps.

This is absolutely the key point, IMHO. Buying gen means never having to agonise and nit-pick tiny points of detail on your watch - because it’s gen! A gen has none of the stigma attached to owning a watch that isn’t a 100% perfectly executed example. I’m not even going to look for flaws... it cost me ten, twelve grand, and it’s GEN - that’s the important thing! It doesn’t matter that it’s got a badly aligned rehaut, uneven lume or dodgy date alignment - it’s a GEN!

 

[Fontaine]

This is absolutely the key point, IMHO. Buying gen means never having to agonise and nit-pick tiny points of detail on your watch - because it’s gen! A gen has none of the stigma attached to owning a watch that isn’t a 100% perfectly executed example. I’m not even going to look for flaws... it cost me ten, twelve grand, and it’s GEN - that’s the important thing! It doesn’t matter that it’s got a badly aligned rehaut, uneven lume or dodgy date alignment - it’s a GEN!

I'll throw this into the mix - when one has access to vintage Rolexii that used other manufacturers movements in gen watches (I'm thinking vintage Daytonas for example), does it not become even more difficult to make the 'gen argument'? For me at least, it does - the same Valjoux and Zenith calibers are available in many other much cheaper watches and I know of people who there making frankens of these vintage pieces to a level not seen even on this site (to my knowledge at least)...

At that level, a $10-40k franken (and yes, they're out there!) vs a $150k gen becomes a little redundant to me if they actually have the same non-Rolex movement and genuine case/dial/hands/crown etc. Mostly because it would be extremely difficult to definitively say whether an old piece was genuine or not.

 

[p0pperini]

I'll throw this into the mix - when one has access to vintage Rolexii that used other manufacturers movements in gen watches (I'm thinking vintage Daytonas for example), does it not become even more difficult to make the 'gen argument'? For me at least, it does - the same Valjoux and Zenith calibers are available in many other much cheaper watches and I know of people who there making frankens of these vintage pieces to a level not seen even on this site (to my knowledge at least)...

At that level, a $10-40k franken (and yes, they're out there!) vs a $150k gen becomes a little redundant to me if they actually have the same non-Rolex movement and genuine case/dial/hands/crown etc. Mostly because it would be extremely difficult to definitively say whether an old piece was genuine or not.

The vintage watches issue crossed my mind while I was responding earlier, but I decided not to touch on it - as it's such a specialist area, and certainly one where "caveat emptor" is absolutely to the fore. I don't think I could ever even consider dipping my fingers into that shark-infested boobytrapped minefield- for all the reasons you mention.