Longevity of Reps

[txrob779]

Great thread. I often wondered about this. I have several gens that I wear and I mean wear. (get my money worth). I believe that that if you spend thousands for a high end watch you should be able to wear it with confidence as described by the AD when you open your wallet.

Since finding reps, I have several BK Rollies including the latest TW product (which is a awesome Sub BTW) I am wondering if I can get the same wear from these higher end reps? I like to swim, dive, hike and travel in my watches without worry. So, I'm putting them to the test now. We will see how they last. They sure look great and the ETA movement is silky smooth.

I have a Tag Kirium replica..thats OLD OLD OLD.....

Wife dropped it a year ago..has had 2 21j's..found it broken in 24hr Fitness' steam room

 

[madcatlancelot]

My Breitling blackbird lasted only for few months.... *sigh*

I had better success with 6497s and Asian ETA clones, all working so far.

 

[tommy_boy]

Wow.....1898......now that's longevity!

I have a gen from the same period. Pocket watch, of course.

The reps had many flaws, I can tell you. The Chinese could never get the crown right.

 

[sawalke4]

So do you guys think the life span of my swiss ETA PO will be the same as my friend's gen?

 

[trailboss99]

Why not? Service it when needed and it should last forever.

 

[slimslim]

and cheaper to service...

 

[trailboss99]

Quite

 

[sub4me]

Well alot depends on how you treat the watch, now also take into consideration that all reps are made with the cheapest products possible which of course includes the movement and everything right down to pins, screws, and metal used. I suppose if you treat the watch well, service it, and don't get it wet most reps can have a decent life span but to compare to a high quality gen is not the same. Take for example a PO, forget about the movement, dial, crown, bezel, and all that stuff. Look at the bracelet and clasp now compare it to the gen, its a whole universe apart, that rep clasp and bracelet will break down, the gen will hold up, same goes for the rest of the watch.

 

[txrob779]

The gen Co-Axial movment is just a tricked up ETA anyway I do believe.

 

[Q5?]

The gen Co-Axial movment is just a tricked up ETA anyway I do believe.

My Gen SMP lasted 10 years before anything went wrong.

The prices G and Katt charge is extremely fair. I never think of How much my rep costs (price, shipping, fees, service) I always remember how much I save compared buying the Gen.

I'm way ahead in the game.

 

[sub4me]

The gen Co-Axial movment is just a tricked up ETA anyway I do believe.

Have you seen the new 8500 movement yet?? If not take a look, you will be impressed for sure, for shizzle in the bizzle, I think thats how it said.

 

[sawalke4]

Well alot depends on how you treat the watch, now also take into consideration that all reps are made with the cheapest products possible which of course includes the movement and everything right down to pins, screws, and metal used. I suppose if you treat the watch well, service it, and don't get it wet most reps can have a decent life span but to compare to a high quality gen is not the same. Take for example a PO, forget about the movement, dial, crown, bezel, and all that stuff. Look at the bracelet and clasp now compare it to the gen, its a whole universe apart, that rep clasp and bracelet will break down, the gen will hold up, same goes for the rest of the watch.

Thats why I have a gen strap, also why I serviced the movement and waterproofed to 100ft!

 

[Pakz]

Of all my reps (oldest dates back from 2008, so that's not a large observation period), most are still performing perfectly...
Just two exceptions: the B&R 02 has some stuff in the winding mechanism, and needs to be hand wind from time to time to ensure power reserve (it's the 4813 movement). And the Navitimer, which I believed was dead, then revived, but still has some issues with that bloody A7750... For both a service would certainly solve those problems, which feel like they're caused by some foreign objects (dust, scraps of metal... ) in the movement. But I don't know any watchsmith that would be OK working on reps around where I live... And maybe one day I'll work up the courage to really try to see what's going on in there...

All the rest, they're OK, movement, case, bracelet, etc. wise. I do swim in some and no problem, too...

I'd reckon that the lifespan of my reps will be... long!