Gen vs. Reps at same price

[tnprogrammer]

So I got to thinking...not really knowing enough about the different movements used in reps I want to pose this question to some of you. When I buy a rep for $300, am I really getting a watch that is worth $300? Is that $300 rep, generally speaking, as well made as a $300 gen? I mean, Orient watches are known to be very good watches and they use in-house auto movements. I could get a Mako for under $300 right now. If my only concern was getting a good solid watch would I be better served to buy that Mako or buy one of the more popular reps that go for $300.
Bottom line...I just wonder if the whole point in buying reps is to get a watch that looks like the gen at a greatly reduced price even though the rep is generally not built well. Or, am I mistaken, and a $300 rep, most of the time, really is a pretty solid watch?
I certainly understand the obvious issues about quality control, etc. with reps. I'm just speaking in generalities. I guess I look at it this way...if that rep you just paid $300 for was not a copy of a really expensive watch, would you still buy it?

 

[SMP_lover]

There is no absolute answer to your question. I still could not find an appealing gen under $500 that would win against say an AP Diver or same CrPO (There are no gens in that price category with better crystal than noob's CrPO out of the box) but i'm sure there are some nice gens out there for me to discover and win some ground against reps.

 

[ottomatic]

Straight out of the box, I'd say the Mako is better than a $300 rep. You're getting a solid movement and you don't have to worry about getting it wet. Many reps have the potential to be just as good, but it will take a little work (and some money if you have to pay someone to do the work). I had a Mako, sold it here actually. It's a great watch for the price.

 

[tnprogrammer]

I totally realize there is no quick and dirty answer to this question. It's really just to get opinions of you guys that have more experience with reps than I do.

 

[Roller]

I believe a $300 GEN of a Citizen, Seiko, is far better than the same $$$ REP. But we are not paying $300 for the movements........mostly the name and design. Hell my Seagull 172S is better than the equivalent REPs

 

[d4m.test]

Generally speaking I do favour looks&design&feel of the same priced rep - assuming everything is well aligned and the movement is reliable.
There are some fantastic gen-deals to be had (Seiko SKX etc.) but once You have them, that´s it, imo reps offer more visually attractive choices
and quite often even much better lume.
Reps have become too expensive etc. - still there are some models that 4me even compete at the $1000 level as You won´t find anything comparable.

 

[SUMIKITO]

There are many good Reps sporting Asian 2824/36-2 movements that are in the $300 range. Many. Namely Rolex, Omega, and others. They will last as long as your Orient too. I know every Orient out there by heart. I own quite a few. Have so for over 30+ years. An Orient is a great watch for the money. It all depends on your mindset. You never show of an Orient. Everyone will ask you "what's that" ? You just wear and enjoy it. A Rep is different. It is a "study" in an imitation ["fake"] watch. Something to show off, or just wear. You need to be flexible in your thinking to have both.

 

[ripponlea]

I've had similar conflicts before. I've owned several Seikos and Orients, both highly regarded in the affordable watch community and extremely well built. At the end of the day, the designs simply didn't suit me and I couldn't appreciate them as much as I do Swiss watch designs.

But, in the $300 price range, I'd say you can get similar bang for your buck with reps. If you need water resistance, stick with gens. If you just intend to wear your watch out and not participate in any perilous activity, the quality of a rep will more than suffice.

 

[ShiroTenshi]

This question have me thinking, and my reasoning now are these:

Gen = 70% reliability 30% looks
Rep = 30% reliability 70% looks


I have a few gens in similar price range (up to $300), Orient, Seiko, Kenneth Cole etc.. While they are reliable watches, they just do not look as nice as my reps (with a few exceptions).
Similarly, while my reps looks great, I will not expect them to work flawlessly out of the box.

So when I am able to get a gen that looks great, and within a reasonable price range, im all out for it. Some examples being my Orient Bambinos and Seikos. Best of both worlds (reliability and looks)
Same goes for reps, many of those running on 2824/2836 are a reliable bunch, and with the looks. So again as long as the prices are right, im all out for them.

 

[ShiroTenshi]

So I got to thinking...not really knowing enough about the different movements used in reps I want to pose this question to some of you. When I buy a rep for $300, am I really getting a watch that is worth $300? Yes, you are paying more for the looks.

Is that $300 rep, generally speaking, as well made as a $300 gen? Generally no, not in the build. But there are many exceptions these 2 years, like the AP Divers, Noob subs, PAMs..

I mean, Orient watches are known to be very good watches and they use in-house auto movements. I could get a Mako for under $300 right now. If my only concern was getting a good solid watch would I be better served to buy that Mako or buy one of the more popular reps that go for $300. If your only concern is getting a good SOLID watch, the Mako wont fail you.

Bottom line...I just wonder if the whole point in buying reps is to get a watch that looks like the gen at a greatly reduced price even though the rep is generally not built well. Or, am I mistaken, and a $300 rep, most of the time, really is a pretty solid watch? Reps are replica of famous brands, so yeah the point is to get a NICE LOOKING watch at greatly reduced price, but the recent quality of reps are challenging the very fundamental of this.

I certainly understand the obvious issues about quality control, etc. with reps. I'm just speaking in generalities. I guess I look at it this way...if that rep you just paid $300 for was not a copy of a really expensive watch, would you still buy it?
If the rep is not a copy of an expensive watch, its not a rep. So as long as the look and price is right, I will buy it as a gen,

My 2 cents, hope that helps

 

[HerbertPeter]

If you want a reliable rep that comes out of the box you have to go with an already modded rep like bk or Tc. You get a great watch that looks gen like and it is solid because of the eta movement. Waterproofing is a thing on reps, you never now, I have some cheap rollies and a gen seiko diver. I waterproofed the rolex and now I can go deeper with it as with the seiko. Its all about what you want, if you care about your watch and make somithing on your own, you can go with a rep, but if you want to buy a watch and you dont want to do something you probably have to go with the gen or you have to be very lucky.

 

[egroegart]

I guess it all just depends on what you like. There aren't any gens in the 300 to 500 dollar range that I like. I just don't. I have always admired brands like Rolex and Omega and other higher end brands. And since I can afford any of those yet I have always enjoyed having the reps of the models that I like. I've had cheapies, and really bad reps in the past, but the good quality reps of today are pretty amazing. I've had minor problems. but not many with reps. Mine have flaws, but really only noticeable if you study them closely. But as far as function they have been just as reliable as any gen I've ever had. Needing a service every few years maybe, and I've had some that I've never serviced. They can outlive you if you take care of them.

 

[Raddave]

They can outlive you if you take care of them.

Or if you dont take care of yourself !

Sorry, thats just me being a smartyboots.

Carry on !

 

[egroegart]

Or if you dont take care of yourself !

Sorry, thats just me being a smartyboots.

Carry on !

That is true too. lol

 

[ajs914]

I totally realize there is no quick and dirty answer to this question. It's really just to get opinions of you guys that have more experience with reps than I do.

The quick and dirty answer is that, for example, a $200-300 Seiko dive watch is going to outperform practically any rep dive watch. One of the biggest issues with reps is the lack of care used to assemble them. I've received reps with dry seals, missing case back gaskets, screws that fell out, etc. not to mention cosmetic issues like sharp edges that need filing, bracelets that need oiling, off center bezels. You can sort through most of this kind of stuff, get the watch pressure tested, and end up with a good rep.

 

[tnprogrammer]

Really good input guys. Thanks!

 

[Ing. Gabriel]

My 2 cents, hope that helps

Sorry as I dont speak english very well I didnt understand this answer "Reps are replica of famous brands, so yeah the point is to get a NICE LOOKING watch at greatly reduced price, but the recent quality of reps are challenging the very fundamental of this."
Do you mean they are getting better quality?

And guys, I was thinking for example, what about buying a steinhart, looks alike Rolex but it is great for sure or what about put a rolex dial on a steinhart?

Greetings

 

[Trevor]

For simple movements, reps are pretty solid except you need to be aware of the water damage.

If you want to abuse a watch for particular purpose, e.g. sport. Then go with a cheap gen. Reps are not designed to take a puch, they are designed to be cosmetically corrected.

 

[mui.richard]

I don't think there's any reason to compare the two at all. I think people buy them for very different reasons.

As for myself, buying gens from ADs gives me the peace of mind that the watch is 100% gen and is covered by warranty and service. It also means I'll be getting years of trouble free service from the watches. My oldest piece is a 20+ yrs old Tudor Sub that had only needed 3 movement services thus far and still running within COSC spec. And from my limited gen experience, from names like Cartier, Rolex, Tudor...to Seiko 5's, have been very good and none have given me any problems.

Now mind you I just started with reps and in fact just got my first piece here from another member. The experience is more or less the complete opposite...I have to get hands on to fade the bezel insert, regulate the movement, re-install the hands to get the date to flip at midnight...but I feel like this high level of "involvement" is what makes reps so much fun!

I wouldn't hesitate one second to open up the case of my rep Tudor with a pair of scissors, but I wouldn't in a million years open up my gen Explorer even if I had the right tools...but that's also why I love the rep Tudor so much!

 

[nurg12]

No you're paying for research and quality of replication, not the quality of the watch you end up getting.