What's your longest running rep WITHOUT any mods? I have a "funky" Tag Monaco (obvious differences from a gen) that I've had for about 10 years and it's still running strong. It was the "best" at the time. Do automatic reps last longer than quartz reps??
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RECORD FOR LONGEST REP LIFE??
- Thread starter REPLICANT
- Start date
lexxdiamondz
Active Member
- 2/8/06
- 370
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Welcome to RWI.
It all depends on the movement, servicing, etc. If you have a gen Swiss ETA movement based higher end rep, it will last you virtually the same length as the gen itself, as long as you properly service the movement every three to four years. It's easier said than done as full servicing of an ETA auto caliber can be around 150 bucks, and while it's worth it, people just don't think about spending money to upkeep a rep. However, gen watches are based on the same movement, so there really shouldn't be a difference. Breitlings, Omegas, Tag Heuers, IWC, Panerai, all use ETA base movements for most if not all of their watches, which are the same movements inside higher quality reps. That's why paying so high of a price for gens is ridiculous. Rolex, Girard Perregaux, Zenith, Patek Phillipe, etc. have their own "house" movements. ETA is owned by Swatch, and Swatch owns Omega, Hamilton, along with many other Swiss brands. Essentially, buying an expensive rep is like buying a expensive Swatch. In full circle now, if you get an expensive swatch with ETA movement inside, you should be spending 150 bucks every four years or so to upkeep it.
It's like oil change for your car.
It all depends on the movement, servicing, etc. If you have a gen Swiss ETA movement based higher end rep, it will last you virtually the same length as the gen itself, as long as you properly service the movement every three to four years. It's easier said than done as full servicing of an ETA auto caliber can be around 150 bucks, and while it's worth it, people just don't think about spending money to upkeep a rep. However, gen watches are based on the same movement, so there really shouldn't be a difference. Breitlings, Omegas, Tag Heuers, IWC, Panerai, all use ETA base movements for most if not all of their watches, which are the same movements inside higher quality reps. That's why paying so high of a price for gens is ridiculous. Rolex, Girard Perregaux, Zenith, Patek Phillipe, etc. have their own "house" movements. ETA is owned by Swatch, and Swatch owns Omega, Hamilton, along with many other Swiss brands. Essentially, buying an expensive rep is like buying a expensive Swatch. In full circle now, if you get an expensive swatch with ETA movement inside, you should be spending 150 bucks every four years or so to upkeep it.
It's like oil change for your car.
If you buy reps with good movements and maintain them regularly, they should last as long as a gen. I know my dad has tons of watches he used to buy from those African guys selling watches out of a suitcase. Some of them still work and some are paper weights. That was about 15-20 years ago.
I would imagine that (even though they're reps) the quality is better nowadays then 20 years ago. Hopefully, today's reps will last longer than 20 years.
I paid €450 for a gen Hugo Boss Quartz a few years back and the battery died after about 3 weeks:lol: auto reps will last alot longer and either way in most cases, and the movements such as a21j and a7750 have been proven to be trusty workhorses.REPLICANT said:
That's not true. Quartz movements can last for years. I have a Suunto from my miltary days. It is 10 years old and still going. Just because the battery dies does not mean the movement is bad.
No matter which one lasts longer I (personally) prefer automatic movements. I do have a few quartz watches but most of them are of the Casio, Swiss Army variety. Besides, to me, it sounds more prestigeous when you can say your watch is AUTOMATIC.
I have a 15 yr old Franck Muller I got at the flea market for 60 bux. Back then I thought it was the greatest replica watch I had ever seen :lol: ...It still runs on the same automatic movement it came with and every function works. No issues...Replaced the original rep leather band that lasted almost 10 yrs.
I never had a rep for more than 2-3 years, I usually sell them before they have a chance to fail.
However I do own 4 reps that were all purchased in 2006, a swiss Rolex LV which works well, a Breit Navitimer with an asian 7750 which also works well, a Panerai 0005 with asian unitas which gave up on me last month (will get it repaired when I return home from a trip), and an Omega XXL railmaster with an asian unitas that has already been repaired once this past summer.
So I guess 3 years is an average repair need time span for an asian unitas movement....
All above reps are everyday watches, worn and bumped a lot, been through many airport xray machines, worn in extreme temps...
However I do own 4 reps that were all purchased in 2006, a swiss Rolex LV which works well, a Breit Navitimer with an asian 7750 which also works well, a Panerai 0005 with asian unitas which gave up on me last month (will get it repaired when I return home from a trip), and an Omega XXL railmaster with an asian unitas that has already been repaired once this past summer.
So I guess 3 years is an average repair need time span for an asian unitas movement....
All above reps are everyday watches, worn and bumped a lot, been through many airport xray machines, worn in extreme temps...
I had waited to post in this thread because I needed to verify that the watch was still running. In 1988 I bought a quartz two tone date just from a kid at my high school for about $50. My dad being a watch collector thought it was funny as hell and when I was given my 16610 for graduation I gave him the fake date just.
I called him the other day to see if he still had it and he did. He picked up a new battery for it and its still running. He still thinks its the ugliest watch he has ever seen (two tone DJ with fluted bezel and gold tapestry dial and stick markers).
He is going to send it to me and I will post some pics. The watch is 20 years old this year.
I called him the other day to see if he still had it and he did. He picked up a new battery for it and its still running. He still thinks its the ugliest watch he has ever seen (two tone DJ with fluted bezel and gold tapestry dial and stick markers).
He is going to send it to me and I will post some pics. The watch is 20 years old this year.