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How reliable are super clone movements?

ski_bum

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It seems as though they either work or they don't. For reference - I've got a Breitling with a 7750A from 2015 that still runs and keeps decent enough time. I had another one with a 2824 that stopped working after about 6 months...
 

eBoy

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eBoy

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I’m surprised people think this is normal? Maybe I should just stay away from replicas.

It is, actually.

People paying $500-$1000 for replicas and think it’s normal to have a bunch of stuff stuck inside the movement and say it’s a gamble whether the watch works or not

Welcome to the world of illegal, counterfeit, unregulated products.

What kind of replicas and factories are you guys buying from? I’d like to know so I can stay far far away.

All. From AAA to ZZZ factory... Like I said, there's always Tissot et al. for that price range if you need more reliable products made under regulation with a warranty.
 

Nono92

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You can have problems with gen too. It was just to say that the QC is higher with gen.
 
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RDRoss

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@wasup , based on your comments I would suggest sticking to gen watches. While these clone movements are vast improvements over earlier generations they are not the equivalent to a $3k movement. And the fact that they can take gen parts is a marvel of modern reps. That being said, these are counterfeit items. Replicas of watches worth thousands and thousands more. You get what you get.
 
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eBoy

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I think everyone can have their own expectations of course. It's not anyone's business whether these are unrealistic.

In theory.

Where I see the problem is that users like this tend to cause the most problems for our TDs. Similar to the Reptime nuts with their digital rulers rejecting 10 good watches in a row, scrutinizing reps more than any gen owner would ever scrutinize their gen. This increases the prices.

Any customer who expects gen perfection ultimately will sooner or later cause headaches for a TD and contribute their little part to higher prices. Prices increase no matter what, but this completely exaggerated expectation for gen quality on a counterfeit product just adds totally unnecessary costs for our TDs that then everyone else has to carry. With no real effect on the quality, I may add. This makes this so pointless. 😂
 

RDRoss

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I think everyone can have their own expectations of course. It's not anyone's business whether these are unrealistic.

In theory.

Where I see the problem is that users like this tend to cause the most problems for our TDs. Similar to the Reptime nuts with their digital rulers rejecting 10 good watches in a row, scrutinizing reps more than any gen owner would ever scrutinize their gen. This increases the prices.

Any customer who expects gen perfection ultimately will sooner or later cause headaches for a TD and contribute their little part to higher prices. Prices increase no matter what, but this completely exaggerated expectation for gen quality on a counterfeit product just adds totally unnecessary costs for our TDs that then everyone else has to carry. With no real effect on the quality, I may add. This makes this so pointless. 😂
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pam63C

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I think it is wise and prudent to do a complete service of the movement upon receiving it. A well cleaned, oiled and assembled movement should last at least 5 years. My Seiko 5 is still tickling after more than 10 years without any service as it is a relatively well cleaned and serviced movement out of the factory.

Yes, it is expensive to do the servicing but if you spread it out across 5 years and 365 days per year, it is peanut.
 
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rolex4me

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if you really want a replica, then simply have your watch cleaned and serviced by a watchmaker you trust upon arrival, as this will give you the best chance of owning a watch that is reliable. after reading your posts, but i would recommend you to go gen, because i think that you will have many other flaws in the course of time (dial, pointer, lumen etc.). greetings r4m
 
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eBoy

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Yes, that’s the case. So now can you stop posting stupid stuff?
I think 'stupid' is a bit harsh. 😆

But it's really naive and apparently a tendency to observe the world through very optimistic pink-colored sunglasses. Yes, we all want the best for our money, but this planet isn't a perfect Happy Unicorn Utopia. You'd think an expat living in / citizen of South-East Asia would be more aware of what the deal is with illegally manufactured counterfeit products. 😂 So strange, really. 🤔
 
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wasup

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@wasup , based on your comments I would suggest sticking to gen watches. While these clone movements are vast improvements over earlier generations they are not the equivalent to a $3k movement. And the fact that they can take gen parts is a marvel of modern reps. That being said, these are counterfeit items. Replicas of watches worth thousands and thousands more. You get what you get.
Who said anything about it being comparable to a $3000 movement? a $10 watch from walmart doesn't have things stuck in the movement
 

eBoy

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If you still don't get the difference between Walmart or Amazon and an anonymous illegal sweat shop in Guangzhou, then you will definitely not find happiness in pursuing the rep hobby.

This is absolutely not for you, bro.

Better to stick with $10 gens from Walmart!
 

wasup

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I think 'stupid' is a bit harsh. 😆

But it's really naive and apparently a tendency to observe the world through very optimistic pink-colored sunglasses. Yes, we all want the best for our money, but this planet isn't a perfect Happy Unicorn Utopia. You'd think an expat living in / citizen of South-East Asia would be more aware of what the deal is with illegally manufactured counterfeit products. 😂 So strange, really. 🤔
I guess you've only lived in the EU, once you've travelled you realized how little you know about the rest of the world.

Asia has been completely different than it's being portrayed online and in western countries with media driven narratives, counterfeit product or not, it's made in a factory, and factories make the same products that are genuine. Everything is matter, it either works or doesn't, to say something that's counterfeit is subpar to a "genuine" just because its illegal/counterfeit makes no sense and is just pure ignorance.

Sure QC isn't the same, but having stuff stuck in the mechanism of a watch is just asinine, like I said a $10 watch from walmart doesn't have this issue.

Like I have said, I am hoping to hear what factory you purchase from and TD so I can AVOID it. Why are you avoiding this question?
 

wasup

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If you still don't get the difference between Walmart or Amazon and an anonymous illegal sweat shop in Guangzhou, then you will definitely not find happiness in pursuing the rep hobby.

This is absolutely not for you, bro.

Better to stick with $10 gens from Walmart!
I will see for myself I guess, if you're happy paying $500-$1000 for watches with things stuck in the mechanism, it just sounds like some ones having a field day in China sending you garbage and laughing at how you don't care. Whats your TD and factory? I will avoid it completely!
 

wasup

Getting To Know The Place
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If any TD or factories want to chime in I'd love to hear, this will open my eyes up when a factory/TD admits its normal for things to be wrong with the watch and stuff is normally stuck in the mechanisms!

I don't know any chinese factory, genuine or counterfeit of any types of products that would admit their product sucks.
 

wasup

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I've lived in Chiang Mai for 5 years and traveled to over 40 countries. I think I know a thing or two about Asia. 😂
Why are you avoiding the question? Chiang Mai is for old retiree's haha, theres no business there. What TD and factory do you buy your watches from?
 

eBoy

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Whats your TD and factory? I will avoid it completely!
It affects all TDs and all factories. You can read and write fairly well. Why are you completely ignoring what a watchsmith said at the beginning of your thread?

"It's common with reps". That's quite clear, isn't it?