Rep vs. Gen - Why is there such a large gap in the price?

[RacksOnRacks]

Please forgive me if this question has been answered already. I have search the forum, but I haven't found the answer to my question. I know that the answer depends on the Gen and the rep, who made the rep, etc. However, if someone could please give me a general answer I would really appreciate it.

I noticed that there are lots of Rep and Gen owners on this forum and the Rep owners love their watches. My main question is how much better is a $10,000.00 Gen vs. its $150.00 counterpart? Is it the build, the name, the quality, longevity, diamonds- What is setting these watches apart?

Again, if this question has already been answered, please give me the link.

Thanks

 

[dullbling]

I have been wondering the same. Looking forward to reading the responses to this topic.

 

[katt]

Rep vs.Gen

I think you have to look at several factors to understand the reason for the huge price differentials. As you've already cited its the quality of parts and materials used but beyond that its testing and quality control and the amount of time from an actual human that's involved . And of course there is brand image and marketing that requires certain price points to create exclusivity .

But I think for the money over all, there are many examples of replica watches that are indeed a very very good value !

 

[melswatch]

Another factor would be the effort/time/cost in actually designing the gens in the first place. For example, it only only "costs" Microsoft ~$20 to produce another packaged copy of Office 2010 but they sell it for hundreds due to the up front development costs - there's just a little profit in there too ;-)

 

[matlt]

I've honestly never handled a good rep, but justifying the high end price of watches can be difficult. My speedmaster cost more than most of the cars I've owned in my life. It's production cost is most likely $500 or less. It's moon watch status most likely adds a significant bit to the watch. But it's a high quality piece that will easily outlive me, as long as I keep up the maintenance on it. I see a lot of reps seem to go for $250 or more around here, and I would be willing to bet the profit margins are about equal. I own a seiko orange monster, which I consider to be one of the greatest watches you can buy for under $500. I dont own a planet ocean, but I've handled them and often compare the two. I sort of see the orange monster as a poor man's PO. I think very highly of the seiko, it's one of the very few watches I can actually enjoy wearing after buying the speedmaster. But comparing it's feel to a PO, it's a worthless chunk of metal. The band alone on my speedy costs twice as much as most reps, which a lot of people may think is ridiculous, but I think it reflects that value in the way it feels. You can copy looks, even function, but never the feel. Us fanataics in the watch world often talk about value for money, but we all spend often extreme amounts on objects we absolutely dont need when a $20 quartz watch serves the purpose more accurately. I think this also makes the whole rep vs gen point moot. Buy whatever makes you happy.

 

[tflgee]

The cost of a name brand watch includes many things that the rep companies don't have to pay for. Advertising (the biggest cost), development, overhead of large companies, distribution etc. When Tag is paying Tiger Woods 5 million a year that cost has to go somewhere and that somewhere is the cost of the watch. Rep makers don't have these costs. The material costs are usually much less too. You don't see a lot of reps machined out of white gold or platinum. Are the gens worth what they charge? HELL NO they are not worth it. I don't feel the need to help pay for some athlete's or movie stars endorsement.

 

[colinwhufc]

I've honestly never handled a good rep, but justifying the high end price of watches can be difficult. My speedmaster cost more than most of the cars I've owned in my life. It's production cost is most likely $500 or less. It's moon watch status most likely adds a significant bit to the watch. But it's a high quality piece that will easily outlive me, as long as I keep up the maintenance on it. I see a lot of reps seem to go for $250 or more around here, and I would be willing to bet the profit margins are about equal. I own a seiko orange monster, which I consider to be one of the greatest watches you can buy for under $500. I dont own a planet ocean, but I've handled them and often compare the two. I sort of see the orange monster as a poor man's PO. I think very highly of the seiko, it's one of the very few watches I can actually enjoy wearing after buying the speedmaster. But comparing it's feel to a PO, it's a worthless chunk of metal. The band alone on my speedy costs twice as much as most reps, which a lot of people may think is ridiculous, but I think it reflects that value in the way it feels. You can copy looks, even function, but never the feel. Us fanataics in the watch world often talk about value for money, but we all spend often extreme amounts on objects we absolutely dont need when a $20 quartz watch serves the purpose more accurately. I think this also makes the whole rep vs gen point moot. Buy whatever makes you happy.

I think a high end rep with regular services will last just as long as a overpriced Omega, and thats where I will spend my money but each to there own.

 

[deloreandmc]

Basically, a rep, no matter how good, is still a rep.

Difference in quality, what we rep men enjoy, is not being paranoid about beign mugged, or if we may hit it on a desk or door frame os something.


All the reasons I can think of:

Rep: Mass produced vs. Gen, limited

Rep, made on a production line, with (i am guessing) poor working conditions, vs Gen, made in sometimes years per watch, with 1 man, in a quiet, closed, calm, clean enviroment

Rep, no QC, only some dealers offer it, VS, Gen EXTREME QC check

Rep, Cheaper materials, (I.e. steel) VS, Gen, more expensive materials(I.e. Forged Carbon Fibre, Tantalum, Diamonds)

And finally, they are BLOODY over priced.