Is it true that replicas eventually lead to genuine watch buy?

[Nerohunter18]

100%

 

[Cheesegrater]

It's the opposite for me. Buy a few reps on pieces that I don't really wanna spend the money on or if they are discontinued.

 

[DarkOmega]

I feel that my journey is just beginning and it's creeping up in price. I started with low-end quartz Gen watches, dabbled in low-end mechanical, and am now getting into replicas before I go higher end Gen. I know I'll own Gen of some of these watches at some point or other, but might as well buy what I can afford at the moment.

 

[Cheesegrater]

You can actually get a good mechanical for the same price as quartz. So that should help maximize your budget.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

This is a great thread. I'm early in the rep addiction cycle with 12 so far, and on the verge of 4 more. But, I've recently entered a crisis of Gen faith because I really like my 126613LB rep - so much so that I'm sniffing around ADs and online sellers for the gen version. I can't see myself building a gen collection (some of the gen versions of reps are just too absurdly priced in the grey market), but having one gen of my favorite rep... that's starting to make sense to me.

I wonder if chrono24 is legit....

 

[AAH1483]

For me, I went from low level genuine ($600-$1200usd), to Replica, then to mid level genuine $4,000-$10,000.

Over the course of the month I will wear genuine Breitling, Oris, Hamilton, replica Panerai, Hublot, Rolex.

I can afford up to about $15k without getting a divorce, but I cant justify it really. I like my collection just the way it is and I will personally not buy a genuine watch that cost more than about $7-8k.

Wow!!!! At least your wife stayed. I got threatened trying to buy a used Gen Deepsea D-Blue and my wife had her bags at the door if I had pulled the trigger.

 

[CurioLeo]

This is a great thread. I'm early in the rep addiction cycle with 12 so far, and on the verge of 4 more. But, I've recently entered a crisis of Gen faith because I really like my 126613LB rep - so much so that I'm sniffing around ADs and online sellers for the gen version. I can't see myself building a gen collection (some of the gen versions of reps are just too absurdly priced in the grey market), but having one gen of my favorite rep... that's starting to make sense to me.

I wonder if chrono24 is legit....

Yep, Chrono24 is pretty safe. Stick to your guns - one gen of your favourite rep is reasonable. Otherwise, it becomes a very slippery slope and before you know it, you get to 30+ (and I don't mean Seiko 5s! )

 

[Darkstar74]

Yes, and sometimes even a Gen purchase leads to a Rep, I have a vlauable Rolex Explorer that I basically cannot wear, so I went and bought a rep that I don't care that much about. And yes there is always the temptation to make the rep as real as you can by buying real parts for it...such a fun hobby.
I often wonder how concerned Rolex and companies like that are when folks buy replicas knowing that oneday they will decide to buy gen. it is really that bad?

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

Yep, Chrono24 is pretty safe. Stick to your guns - one gen of your favourite rep is reasonable. Otherwise, it becomes a very slippery slope and before you know it, you get to 30+ (and I don't mean Seiko 5s! )

Great advice, but I’m reminded of this other excellent advice I read somewhere else…

…Here is a little tip from someone who has way too many watches (mostly gen and yes..... several of those are Rolex). YOU WON'T GIVE A FUCK AFTER A SHORT WHILE WHETHER IT IS GEN OR NOT. THE NOVELTY WEARS OFF AND YOU GET INTERESTED IN SOMETHING ELSE...

Now THAT is something to keep in mind….

 

[CurioLeo]

Great advice, but I’m reminded of this other excellent advice I read somewhere else…



Now THAT is something to keep in mind….

Lol, yep. That's also something to keep in mind. I am determined to consolidate to no more than 7 or 8 max and did manage to cull the herd down to 30+ instead of 60+ and now its getting harder to settle on what 7 or 8 to end up with. Need to eliminate that "move onto something else" part

 

[speedomega]

Not a straightforward answer but pretty much yes for me. I can afford some gen brands (Omega, Breitling, Oris, Panerai) and I've bought some of those. Omega in particular is very reasonably-priced brand for the quality. Stuff like Rolex and PP is simply unattainable for me unless I want to severely compromise my finances.

 

[mac427]

CurioLeo said:
"…Here is a little tip from someone who has way too many watches (mostly gen and yes..... several of those are Rolex). YOU WON'T GIVE A FUCK AFTER A SHORT WHILE WHETHER IT IS GEN OR NOT. THE NOVELTY WEARS OFF AND YOU GET INTERESTED IN SOMETHING ELSE..."

TRUTH!!!!! Exactly what happened to me with gens so I decided that it was silly to walk around with 10K on my wrist when I could wear a $500 replica and get the same satisfaction. I sold my Swiss gens and wear reps, Seiko, and other Japanese watches.