Unrealistic expectations of forum members ( majority ) by a disillusioned replica buyer

[Vineetd23]

This.

Anyway, yes @chocolito you've really been unlucky with those three examples.

I've not been around the scene all that long, so should probably STFU and wait for a couple more years till my collection's matured a bit. But in the blink of an eye that I have been here, I've somehow managed to buy over 200 watches, most of them reps, and I'd say that no more than a dozen of them have exhibited any issues (mostly minor like being a bit reluctant to click over at midnight, that sort of thing). I've had one or two DOA and a couple have died while I owned them... mix of TD and M2M examples.

I put it all down to the luck of the draw. They're small marvels of mechanical engineering. Once you've tinkered with a few and seen how fragile it all is (and broken lots of bits as a result), it's frankly staggering that any of them survive a day worn on the average person's wrist!

You definitely have standing, more than most, to chime in after 200 watch purchases, OP should consult with you before his next purchase, or he should just throw darts to randomly pick one, better chance of no issues that way then after his carefully researched purchases.

 

[Feefo]

I found this in my latest VSF, someone help !

But you know that Tony suffers from Hirsutism, stop buying from him.

 

[eBoy]

I found this in my latest VSF, someone help !

One of Hont's famous pubes. Legendary addition by the TD free of charge. Supposedly makes the movement anti-magnetic.

 

[g00n]

I found this in my latest VSF, someone help !

 

[p0pperini]

@p0pperini 200 watches in 48 months?

Heh slightly insane eh. I mean, I've been buying watches all my adult life. But yeah, I'm late to the rep scene.

 

[RDRoss]

It's just a fun hobby. If I would Beginn to worry about Issues and lost money I would stop.
I think many of us do own Gens too, or would be able to buy but reps are a special sort of fun.
You can try out watches your interested in for little money. For me personally I love building my own
Vintage watches.

This is very true. I own gens but love reps as a “try before you buy” type thing. Also it opens the door to modding and that is one hell of a door to deal with once opened.

 

[RDRoss]

I found this in my latest VSF, someone help !

Demand the TD do DNA testing on the next QC!

 

[P..DR..D]

On it

 

[Cheesegrater]

I found this in my latest VSF, someone help !

you are joking right? RIGHT?

 

[Art Vandelay]

I found this in my latest VSF, someone help !

The quality of those hairsprings are shocking.

 

[Art Vandelay]

In contrast here is the gen pube, I mean hairspring.

 

[eBoy]

you are joking right? RIGHT?

@BMW760 never jokes! EVER!

 

[TESLA760]

@BMW760 never jokes! EVER!

 

[daytona4me]

Trolling is fun.

100% trolling

 

[muiramas]

What the ***k did I just read?

 

[Thatwatchguy]

I am just disappointed in myself for going on this journey

 

[g00n]

What the ***k did I just read?

 

[Feefo]

 

[TheBigJS]

I can't compare to the obvious rep gods here but here is my miniscule experience.

VSF 126610lv, bought m2m here, in person last year, had been serviced, regulated and water tested. Perfect, keeps time within 5 seconds a day. My boss has a real 116610ln and as normal 50+ y/o with normal eyesight, we agree, you cannot tell mine isn't gen or his isn't rep. Truly NWBIG.
VSF 126610ln, would be my daily wear but drops random 5-10 min when it feels like it, have never actually witnessed it so no idea if it stops for 5 mins or slows from a hour. Quality wise other than that to touch, again NWBIG. Probably just needs a service.
VSF 116613lb, perfect, obv plated and VSF plated at that so Saturday night posing, not a daily wearer.
Clean Pepsi GMT M2, crystal is poor and as I have 8.5" wrists have got cheap eBay links added, other than that, perfect.
Now sold 16610lv, Kermit, 18 y/o, still going strong.

 

[guybythelake]

Interesting points... But... I think it depends on the rep, is it a 100 bucks DH Gate or something like Clean or VSF or ZF. Also are we talking about the movement or other parts of the watch? Most good reps today are not going to fall apart unless you abuse them. Actually they are put together very nicely. Let's take Rollies for example. They are performance watches, if you get a Clean Sub, while it will be fine with pool time, I would not take it down 200 meters in ocean because it is not likely to hold up. But how many of people are doing that? Most submariner owners gen or rep do not go deep diving, so you are wasting your money for paying for performance requirements that you don't need. I think gens are more of a novelty item that a good rep... lol.
But also I recognize that I am able to perform basic things to my watches such as I can a do movement sawp, regulation and basic watchsmitting like lubing the gaskets. And I have changed movements in the past. This is still so much more cost effective than a gen with pretty much same look and feel. I treat all my watches with care, gen or rep and their performance has been acceptable for my lifestyle. So I would not dismiss good reps as toys since they serve me everyday just as a gen would.