I think everyone is different in that regard actually.
For me it depends whether it’s “for best” or a daily beater. So for the super reps I have a Rolex Yachtmaster which is absolutely fantastic. A friend of mine who works in the City used to do a deal then pop in to WatchFinder in Royal Exchange and pick up a new watch. One day he bought the Yachtmaster the same as my rep and when we put them side by side they were very very similar, without putting them up against each other I expect the person in the street would not know which was the gen. my other 1:1 include omega spectre, no time to die, Breitling heritage b01 chrono.
But .... it doesn’t bother me if someone can tell or not because I wear what I like and wouldn’t really give anyone else a close view anyway.
Wife has a Korean Chanel v12, white ceramic 38mm which is indistinguishable from gen and was 400ish.
I had a very close to gen Hulk - which was expensive for a rep, and it was again (side by side with the same guys Gen Hulk) very very close. Didn’t like it though, didn’t suit so the quality made no difference to me - I sold it on RWI.
Middle ground in the 2-300 dollar/euro mark I have a PAM 512, and an AP ROO stainless in blue.
I have 2 Miyota based cheapy subs, and these I wear the most, keep changing the inserts, generally messing with them. For the summer they have nato straps off eBay for £30.
We have various gen Rolex and Omega watches. They are reserved for occasions. One is a 1947 watch and actually the newer rep movements are much smoother, it doesn’t hack, and changing the date means going round and round and round and round. But it’s my favourite. Hardly ever wear it.
So - I want a bluesy (white good one) so I will buy a cheap ish one (not rubbish cheap like DHgate, but middle like a BP type quality). It will be my autumn beater on steel. If I love it I’ll sell it on RWI and get a better one. Especially if Rolex build a blue steel one which they might then zzf arf or noob might do a nice one. It I expect I’ll be happy with an A2824 £250 one when I get it.
Close up you can tell. Some of the cheapy (Narikaa) are really good though. Some of the so called 1:1 are not perfect either. If you get something you don’t or you do but fancy the better version on your wrist as long as you use a TD or buy it on here on the forum wouldn’t lose you much to sell, catch and release, flip, wear for a bit then sell - whatever.
Research, if you can’t find then ask, the people here are very clued up. Enjoy
I remember the public information film to stop people trying cigarettes.
Nick O’Teen - “one puff and you’ll be in my grasp”
Welcome to the club ....
Love Rolex, Omega and Tudor.
Based in UK
