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What's the biggest hint (for you) that you are wearing a replica, and not a gen?

fjhuerta

You're Saying I Can Sell?
18/7/21
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Hello all....

I've been reading this forum for a while, and now I own two reps: a VSF Submariner, and a GMF AirKing. My dad now uses the Sub, and absolutely loves it.

I've noticed lately I wear my replica basically every day nowadays. Nobody notices it's not real. I, myself, don't give a second thought to it. For me, it's better made than many "Swiss" watches (like my Hamiltons or Raymond Weils).

But today, I decided to use my gen Rolex AirKing. It's an older, smaller model. I hadn't worn it in months. And I have to say - it "felt" completely different than the replica. The main giveaway was the bracelet - the replica feels edgy on its sides. This one is absolutely, silky smooth. Same thing with the link movement on the bracelet - it feels smooth and perfectly made on the gen, and it somehow feels "wrong" on the rep.

Looking at them side by side (I know it's not the same model, but still) I can see the "Rolex" engravings inside the dial are more delicate, and far better polished, and certain details, like the bezel, are smoother and rounder. The Rolex is the better made watch. But, very surprisingly, not by much.

It's strange, because these details do not amount to much. If I saw both watches side by side, and didn't know better, I'd never think one of them is a rep (the GMF is really well built). But when I wear them, the illusion shatters - the gen just feels silky smooth. The rep feels edgy and unfinished. It's a matter of comparing them side by side, but the difference is there, and is noticeable.

So.. what's the biggest difference you perceive between your gens and your replicas?
 
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daytona4me

Robert - EOW 19/01/2024
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Biggest hint is if you are worrying about it. Zero people know the difference from 5-10 feet away. If someone is close enough to see my wrist up close, that means I'm getting lucky and not caring one bit at that moment if I'm wearing a replica or genuine.
 

P..DR..D

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"So.. what's the biggest difference you perceive between your gens and your replicas?"

I'm brand new to the rep scene, and only have a few so far (number growing) but to me the main differential is "price" :thumbsup:

All my watches are treated the same and get the same wrist time, and have the dings and scratches to prove it. Some of course are sentimental (inheritances etc) others are gifts, some bought to mark milestones, some to reward myself, others just because they looked nice.

As always, comes down to the dineros ;)
 

fjhuerta

You're Saying I Can Sell?
18/7/21
29
18
3
Biggest hint is if you are worrying about it. Zero people know the difference from 5-10 feet away. If someone is close enough to see my wrist up close, that means I'm getting lucky and not caring one bit at that moment if I'm wearing a replica or genuine.

LOL, yep, and kind of my point. I could not tell one of my AirKings is a replica just by looking at them side by side. I have to actually wear them. And next to my other watches, the replicas may be better made (then again, at close to $500 each, they better be!).

My dad told me that he once got a rep in NY back in the 90s and it basically fell apart in 3 months. He was blown away at his Sub. Basically, he cannot see any differences between it and his GMT, quality-wise.
 

P..DR..D

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LOL, yep, and kind of my point. I could not tell one of my AirKings is a replica just by looking at them side by side. I have to actually wear them. And next to my other watches, the replicas may be better made (then again, at close to $500 each, they better be!).

My dad told me that he once got a rep in NY back in the 90s and it basically fell apart in 3 months. He was blown away at his Sub. Basically, he cannot see any differences between it and his GMT, quality-wise.

Agreed. Sometimes I thank the lucky stars my attention to watch detail & knowledge on the differences is minimal.

When I look at some of the QC pictures people RL on here, I shake my head in wonderment sometimes, but that's their prerogative, as ultimately it's their money, their choice. They're the ones who have to be happy.

Another thought is that some of the dates on my GENs are just horrendous, no other words for them, but no way am I spending hundreds to correct/service, especially when the only person who sees it is me, and tbh I care more about the company I keep, when wearing them, than the jewellery on my wrist :drinks_cheers:

Do they switch over at midnight, or cleanly transition, give ya a clue about who doesn't care - me :p
 
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P..DR..D

- Pátrún Bródúil -
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Most friends when see my Rolex say fake straight away. Only thing that rep is the movement and case rest gen.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

Ya need new friends Sir ;)

I joke of course, but friends should build you up, regardless what's on your wrist. Once you're not trying to play it off as GEN, no harm no foul, it's none of their business tbh.

My friends (and missus) think I'm mental spending $500ish on a, their words, "fake". I point out that I've earned my money and shall spend it as and when I please, and if I wanna buy a few "replicas", means I've more money to socialise and spend my savings on what's important. :drinks_cheers:


Enjoy the weekend folks

:goodluck:
 

micksmith1987

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The biggest difference is the feeling, when you manually wind the watch
100% agree. For example, VSF Seamasters 300m or Ceramic Seamasters are considered super reps and they deserve it. Visually they are impossible to tell apart (unless 10x magnification;), but the moment you unscrew them and wind, you know.
 
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Dr Fun Socks

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Biggest hint for me is that my bank balance doesnt say -£1,000,000. Get a few tourbillons and a roger dubuis knights of the round table in your collection, and if it was gen its like a life time of earning for most normal people. I have expensive taste and a cheap northern mentality! 90% the same watch, 1% of the rrp of the gen…
 
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W47chl0v3r

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Biggest hint for me is that my bank balance doesnt say -£1,000,000. Get a few tourbillons and a roger dubuis knights of the round table in your collection, and if it was gen its like a life time of earning for most normal people. I have expensive taste and a cheap northern mentality! 90% the same watch, 1% of the rrp of the gen…

Never have to even spend service costs to maintain the gen and have to worry about it being stolen. I know when I wear nice watches in crowded places I feel paranoid.
 

fjhuerta

You're Saying I Can Sell?
18/7/21
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Never have to even spend service costs to maintain the gen and have to worry about it being stolen. I know when I wear nice watches in crowded places I feel paranoid.

Me too. And even when the rep looks exactly like the real thing I tend not to care.
 

WolfKissed

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If it’s my close friends? The tell is that I’m wearing a watch because they know I don’t see the value in actually spending $20k on “man jewelry”…. If it’s a stranger? I can pull off any Rep I’ve ever bought because there is no tell… they can’t see anything and likely don’t even know/care I’m wearing a watch that retails at $200k Gen.

Now.. I’m a middle aged executive. I wear polos and docker shorts and putt around the bay in a Duffy boat.. so I look the part. If you’re in college, wear baggy cargo shorts and buy peanuts from the vending machine for lunch because you’re broke… your cover was blown long ago! ????????

I think you hear it all the time here… YOU ARE THR BIGGEST TELL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Ecender

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Some wear their reps ootb, some do light mods and others frankens. It all depends on what you like.
 

Rx4Time

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Biggest hint is the overall picture. Are you someone who can afford the genuine? If so even the few who'll notice will assume it's genuine. If you present as someone who can't afford it, then they will assume replica.
 

EuroTime25

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If you have a Richard Mille and come out of a 1995 Honda Civic with a $500k watch thats a hint. But with reps today its hard. 99.99999% dont know the small details and they connot be seen on a wrist. I handed my AP 15703 JF V10 to a friend who has many AP and he cannot tell. Most people when they own a watch dont look into where the crown needs to be. Or is the cristal a bit more out than in, and stuff like that. Most people here see a watch with a crazy zoom and detail that a naked eye will not see. Plus do you know the difference between a real Seiko Samurai or a Fake one? Or any watch you may have. I think not. These details that some people here will say its a dead giveaway are not what regular people will notice. Like XF AP vs JF yet I looked into large photos and its really hard to tell. I mean my wife who doesnt know whatches said they are the same. Which is what most people will say. And if someone calls you out which they wont unless you own a DHGate version so what. I just dont feel like most people here to wait 5 years for a watch, or pay thousands of dollars when we can get a rep for a fraction that gives us the same enjoyment. And lack of worry if its damaged or stolen. In the end enjoy the watch and those small details no one and I mean no one will notice. Unless they are on here or work selling gens and have to look out for fakes. I was able to own all my dream watches for a fraction of price. I could have bought my 1st dream watch a Panerai 111 or all the reps of all the watches I really wanted. So I did that. I saved $100k in watches because I connot take them to my grave. So ill enjoy other things and still have the watches I always wanted. Some will disagree but who cares. Im happy and thats all that matters.
 

Yacht-Monster

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My collection is a mix of gens and reps. I also flip a few watches and am always altering my collection. Those who know me know that I have a good amount of watches so I never get asked. As a few have mentioned earlier, I'm middle aged and with the exception of a couple of pieces, I normally only buy reps of watches that I could actually afford.
 

C5000

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Do you have the class to match the watch? It is statistically improbable that one can afford an AP and not act like they are poor or undeserving. The mindset and insecurity are the tell. So is puffing yourself up like a douchebag.
 
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