Questions about quality of Reps - Steinhart

[MarkMarky]

I want to give few examples like - Steinhart Black one and OVM for $400 with ETA 2824.

I'm surprised how great the quality especially Steinhart is for less than $400. Why can't any of the Reps be of Steinhart's quality even charging more than $400? The bracelets are not of equal quality as Steinharts, neither the fit and finish or dial details.

See below pics, why can't any of the reps can't match this quality of fit of finish for same price? How does Steinhart do it? If you just replace Steinhart word on the dial with Rolex, it will be the BEST Rolex rep by a huge margin.

 

[d4m.test]

Quality control, right equipment, trained personnel. You get more reliable value for money but not the Rolex - logo.

 

[zero_deficit]

Quality control, right equipment, trained personnel.

Most of which suffers when operating in an illegal industry

 

[ottomatic]

Why can't any of the Reps be of Steinhart's quality even charging more than $400?

I own an Ocean 1 Vintage Red and often have the same thought. It seems that with just a little more effort put into quality control by the "factories", reps could be just as good. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more than current prices for a rep with the same level of fit and finish as my Steinhart and a better quality movement ticking away inside.

 

[tommy_boy]

Until the rep market (the buyer) votes with its money, the quality will remain as it is. Why should the sellers improve it?

I have shifted my business away from reps due to the lack of value that I experienced.

Sure, many rep buyers have few or no major issues, and that's great for them. For me, well, not so much.

 

[spiritdreams]

Risk and reward really, the margins on Reps are much higher than the legal homages such as Steinhart or even Invicta, because there an element of risk of jail for creating these replicas, so for the same amount of money, you are able to buy higher quality legal homages than replicas.

Just like drugs, they cost next to nothing to manufacturer but a lot once refined and smuggled in to the country, because the risk associated in each stage, they cost a fortune,

There is nothing stopping you from contacting any TD and ask them to source the best possible replica selected from the best parts that went through super restricted QA and assembled in a clean room just for you, and I am sure they would be happy to pass that a long to the factory, as long as you pay the right price.

 

[btwn68n70]

B..b.b...b......but.....can it beat this?

 

[elloello]

simple movements costs are much diffrent and no rep factory in today's world is going to get ETAs like steinhart etc can, hence they are mostly all China clones and even the so called Eta Swiss they say are mix n match and don't be shocked to see a Swiss ETA Clone Clone if you catch my drift with the Far East factory's.
What has happend FWIW "ETA / Swatch group Swiss" have dramitacly reduced supply to virtually faze out all 3rd party sales then you really left with Steila ETA which I feel The Far East factory's are not going in all heart, why would they? They making clones of clones anyway he!he!

if you want to get in deep with Reps? Then my advice is enjoy the Far East Clones and have a good watch repairer if and when the time is right? Then change the movement to a real Swiss if you are really botherd

but then you can argue well with Steinhart etc, what's the point with the reps?? Horses for courses and all that


i proberly just spun everybody's head out now including mine he!he! Dam I should of stuck to 1980s Casio's watches

 

[Liamborghini]

B..b.b...b......but.....can it beat this?

I actually have this exact watch, same bezel... Only difference is a 23j Seiko movement Such a great watch for the price!

And I like Steinharts, hell they will probably be ETA's, maybe not but I like the watches Its a rep rolex without being a rep

 

[elloello]

Steinharts are super value with real Swiss ETAs ^^^ plus you have the right attuide just enjoy the watches whatever they are

 

[MarkMarky]

Risk and reward really, the margins on Reps are much higher than the legal homages such as Steinhart or even Invicta, because there an element of risk of jail for creating these replicas, so for the same amount of money, you are able to buy higher quality legal homages than replicas.

Just like drugs, they cost next to nothing to manufacturer but a lot once refined and smuggled in to the country, because the risk associated in each stage, they cost a fortune,

There is nothing stopping you from contacting any TD and ask them to source the best possible replica selected from the best parts that went through super restricted QA and assembled in a clean room just for you, and I am sure they would be happy to pass that a long to the factory, as long as you pay the right price.

Good reply and if I want to reach out to somebody, I want to reach out someone in Steinhart and tell them to insert Rolex name on its dial and sell it to me for little extra cost!

 

[MisterGu]

What about taking a steinhart and swapping the dial?


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[ottomatic]

What about taking a steinhart and swapping the dial?

The Steinharts are larger, 42mm. It wouldn't look right even if you could. The case and bracelet are very different from those of a Sub.

 

[egroegart]

I agree and disagree on some points. I appreciate that some people like these watches like the steinharts and such, but they are not for me. I would have a Rep over any of these genuine brands that just literally copy a rolex and put their name on it. To me it's cheap. There is nothing original about them. They essentially copied a rolex in every way shape and form. and to me that just spells cheap and tacky. Sure, they are a nice watch, but I think a TC or other high end reps are just as good, and at least they say the name Rolex on them instead of being a wanna be with their own name on it.

There are genuine brands out there on the cheaper side like Steinharts are that don't copy a rolex directly and are original in their designs. I would much rather have one of those pieces on my wrist, than constantly worrying about people when they look and think it's a rolex at first, but when they get closer and see the name is different they also think immitation, cheap, copy of a rolex. and I don't agree that steinharts are better quality. some aspects are good quality about them, but the bezels on the subs are just the same as my cheapie sub rep. they use the bezel with the cheap wire ring that goes around the bezel, not a genuine type bezel assembly like a TC. So there are some areas of lower quality on them. This is just my opinion. I would never have a watch that copies a rolex directly and has a different name on it. but I don't have anything against anyone who does own one. that's what makes this site a great place to be. We all have different tastes and likes and I like reading about all the different brands and seeing the reviews you guys do. But I'll stick with reps any day over one of those.

 

[sombra]

true steinhart watches are amazing ,before they were call debaufre .

the thing is the quality is amazing but people know they are on the $400 range ,but a super replica of another expensive brand is better !
like AP HUBLOT ,PANERAI,ROLEX ........i rather have super reps than steinhart ,invicta, seiko etc

 

[sub4me]

Eggroll, I can understand your points however I disagree which is of course fine.

Quality, consistency, cloned movements, sub par materials, improper assembly, bad and dirty working conditions, and lots of other things make a rep watch not such a good choice as compared to other lesser known brand name watches that are using genuine movements, come with a warranty, and use quality parts and precision tools to assemble their watches.

With a rep its all about the name brand, the look, the hey I have a Rolex or whatever it is. Most guys would never consider buying any of these reps if the brand name wasn't on it. Let alone sending funds to some stranger across the world.

Look, we all have our own reasons for being interested in reps. I get that look how long I've been around. But in reality no rep can really compare to the build and material quality of most well made gens. Get yourself one of those Steinharts or a good Seiko diver there's just no comparison in quality. Please don't be fooled by the term super rep. It just means your gonna get a few improvements and pay more but in the end you still have a rep of a much better watch you'd really rather have.

 

[MarkMarky]

^^ Well said!

 

[egroegart]

Yes, I completely agree with you Sub. All of those differences do make a difference in overall quality and craftsmanship. I know they are well built, and backed very well with good guarantees and assembled in clean evironments, with the newest and latest precision machinery. My only problem with it is the name on the dial and totally copying their watches from Rolex. I'd rather have my rep watch made in a dirty basement somewhere in China with the red pubes and dust on the dials than walk around with a complete copy of a Rolex that says another name on it. Sure, i am a cheapskate for buying a rep watch for 300 bucks instead of buying the gen that costs 8 grand, but to me it's even more cheap looking to wear what is basically a rep watch with a different name on it. But yes, I totally agree. the warrantee, the build, conditions, everything about these other brands like Steinhart is very professional, and you can depend on years and years of good quality service out of it, but it's just not for me.

 

[MarkMarky]

Yes, I completely agree with you Sub. All of those differences do make a difference in overall quality and craftsmanship. I know they are well built, and backed very well with good guarantees and assembled in clean evironments, with the newest and latest precision machinery. My only problem with it is the name on the dial and totally copying their watches from Rolex. I'd rather have my rep watch made in a dirty basement somewhere in China with the red pubes and dust on the dials than walk around with a complete copy of a Rolex that says another name on it. Sure, i am a cheapskate for buying a rep watch for 300 bucks instead of buying the gen that costs 8 grand, but to me it's even more cheap looking to wear what is basically a rep watch with a different name on it. But yes, I totally agree. the warrantee, the build, conditions, everything about these other brands like Steinhart is very professional, and you can depend on years and years of good quality service out of it, but it's just not for me.

You are totally missing the point and just ranting against Steinhart for no reason. My whole point for this thread is - how well Steinhart achieves the quality, fit and finish in less than $400 and yet none of the Super reps hold a candle to Steinhart's quality, forget the $8k watch quality.

If you so against copied designs(which every watch brand eventually does except super high brands like Patek or Rolex..) then you can buy some of the Steinhart's Original design watches like Aviation series. Still the point is.. if they make a such good quality watch and yet making huge profits by selling the watch at $400 then why can't these Super reps even touch near Steinhart quality for same price? I think someone else answered well to this question above.

 

[btwn68n70]

You are totally missing the point and just ranting against Steinhart for no reason. My whole point for this thread is - how well Steinhart achieves the quality, fit and finish in less than $400 and yet none of the Super reps hold a candle to Steinhart's quality, forget the $8k watch quality.

If you so against copied designs(which every watch brand eventually does except super high brands like Patek or Rolex..) then you can buy some of the Steinhart's Original design watches like Aviation series. Still the point is.. if they make a such good quality watch and yet making huge profits by selling the watch at $400 then why can't these Super reps even touch near Steinhart quality for same price? I think someone else answered well to this question above.

They dont come with pubes....its the pubes that drive the cost up