Notorious nwBIG

[CF_Stan]

I’ve seen the NWBIG list and the discussions around what qualifies etc.

However, I was wondering how reps compare to gens on the wrist, during normal daily use. Excluding:

Precious metals – where weight and colouring are noticeable.
Hand finished – Polished and brushed cases, bracelets to a very high standard on gens, AP, PP etc.
Extra complications – Anything other than Hours, minutes, seconds and date

And consider that the rep is made of the same material, with correct dimensions, weight and functions, how noticeably different is it on the wrist. Really interested to hear from any members that have the same model in gen and good quality/super rep.

What got me thinking along these lines was when I got my first rep, PAM1661 I was amazed at how good it was. The quality of the carbon fibre case, the patterning etc. Apart from strap feel I wondered if I owned the gen and the rep 1661 would I know which one I was wearing if I picked it up blind.

This to me also represents NWBIG, even though there may be very minor inaccuracies that are not really noticeable unless under heavy scrutiny.

 

[LongyUK]

The ARF SD43 is more or less identical from the gen in the hand.

The latest Clean Batman is 99% there too...

As a rep and gen owner I would say most high end reps make their gens not worth buying, I honestly get no more enjoyment wearing my gen batman than I do my clean...

 

[Hesekiel]

Let me put it this way: the best of the best replicas, in some cases with a splash of meaningful mods, are absolutely indistinguishable from gens on the wrist. Where they lack is not in the looks department, but in real-life applications, i.e., diving or repeated chronometer use. That means not even a TD would be able to identify such a rep as a rep . . . on the wrist.

 

[WobuffetRep]

I’ve seen the NWBIG list and the discussions around what qualifies etc.

However, I was wondering how reps compare to gens on the wrist, during normal daily use. Excluding:

Precious metals – where weight and colouring are noticeable.
Hand finished – Polished and brushed cases, bracelets to a very high standard on gens, AP, PP etc.
Extra complications – Anything other than Hours, minutes, seconds and date

And consider that the rep is made of the same material, with correct dimensions, weight and functions, how noticeably different is it on the wrist. Really interested to hear from any members that have the same model in gen and good quality/super rep.

What got me thinking along these lines was when I got my first rep, PAM1661 I was amazed at how good it was. The quality of the carbon fibre case, the patterning etc. Apart from strap feel I wondered if I owned the gen and the rep 1661 would I know which one I was wearing if I picked it up blind.

This to me also represents NWBIG, even though there may be very minor inaccuracies that are not really noticeable unless under heavy scrutiny.

My mate went to an panerai ad with his 1661 to buy a new strap and the ad said ”nice watch, one of my favorites”. Sadly it’s not worth buying gen ones these days as you get pretty much the same watch for a fraction of the price (if you go for the ”nwbig” ones).

 

[CutePinkKitty]

Let's say money is not a problem.

would you guys still say nwBIG ?

 

[LongyUK]

Let's say money is not a problem.

would you guys still say nwBIG ?

That question defeats the point. If money is no object then value is no concern.

The simple answer for me (a gen 2023 batman owner) is that the accuracy of my clean is so close that the gen is NWBIG. I bought the gen retail so investment comes into it etc....

Would anyone ever know my clean is a rep... No.

And to be quite honest anyone who could call it is probably a rep owner anyway.

 

[flashu]

For the reps I have nobody will call me out as i can afford them real life.

All my friends told them which are reps they couldn’t tell the difference anyway, now if you go on certain circles it might get noticed but still hard to tell wrist wise.

I think what it netters to you and joy of wearing them is all that counts for.

Yes you need to do your homework choosing the closest to gen especially if you have/had/handle gens

The rep world is amazing for what it is, variety and the endless possibilities of trying, modifying, Franken and pure joy of mechanical as it is

 

[muiramas]

NWBIG thread is total chaos - I don’t go in there.

 

[joeyc]

Let me put it this way: the best of the best replicas, in some cases with a splash of meaningful mods, are absolutely indistinguishable from gens on the wrist. Where they lack is not in the looks department, but in real-life applications, i.e., diving or repeated chronometer use. That means not even a TD would be able to identify such a rep as a rep . . . on the wrist.

No wAy Id dive wIth a rep

 

[Thatwatchguy]

Breitling SOHII GF blue dial + Top Time Zoro

Omega VSF PO Ti dial

And my list could go on

 

[P..DR..D]

The W in nWbig is key to me.

Worth

Here we are most likely talking about its closeness to gen under scrutiny by someone with knowledge.

And remembering we are comparing it to something 20,50 or 100 times the cost.

The only way to get 100% is to pay 100% & some people (I would probably say most people) are happy with <100%.

Is a piece of metal worth XX or XXX thousand, to me, no, to others, yes.

The W to me is enjoyment.

Since joining & discovering the wonderful world of reps, I now get at least the same, and in some instances more, joy from wearing my rep/Franken watches, versus GEN, because of the stories behind them.

I still wear all my watches, but no longer distinguish.

It's a piece of jewellery to give a smile.
Exceptions being inherited watches where the story spans lifetimes.

Countless members across the fora have both rep and gen equivalents, and have kindly done macro comparisons, but to me, maybe naively, I can rarely see the differences. Others can, bravo & I consider them the experts

As for W, in the GEN world you're playing with big numbers and the variance in W can shift both up and down, with the impact felt, depending on your incoming bracket, so risk/reward.

From what I've seen in the rep world, we are of course playing with smaller numbers, so naturally any shift is less of an impact, but most times you can recoup what you paid, or very very close, thus holding their W.

 

[Dave2302]

The W in nWbig is key to me.

Worth

Here we are most likely talking about its closeness to gen under scrutiny by someone with knowledge.

And remembering we are comparing it to something 20,50 or 100 times the cost.

The only way to get 100% is to pay 100% & some people (I would probably say most people) are happy with <100%.

Is a piece of metal worth XX or XXX thousand, to me, no, to others, yes.

The W to me is enjoyment.

Since joining & discovering the wonderful world of reps, I now get at least the same, and in some instances more, joy from wearing my rep/Franken watches, versus GEN, because of the stories behind them.

I still wear all my watches, but no longer distinguish.

It's a piece of jewellery to give a smile.
Exceptions being inherited watches where the story spans lifetimes.

Countless members across the fora have both rep and gen equivalents, and have kindly done macro comparisons, but to me, maybe naively, I can rarely see the differences. Others can, bravo & I consider them the experts

As for W, in the GEN world you're playing with big numbers and the variance in W can shift both up and down, with the impact felt, depending on your incoming bracket, so risk/reward.

From what I've seen in the rep world, we are of course playing with smaller numbers, so naturally any shift is less of an impact, but most times you can recoup what you paid, or very very close, thus holding their W.

Absolutely 100% agree with every single word of that post, and I couldn't possibly have worded it better nor added to it

It sums up my ethos since past experience, and latterly learning from the guys here on RWI.

 

[PlastikMan]

What I also like about the NWBIG thing is that I can dollar cost average my watch portfolio. I own a few gens, own a lot of reps and I enjoy the diversification of my portfolio. Also if one gets stolen or nicked on a night out in Soho, my investment is wedged

 

[WobuffetRep]

I’ve always been against reps but these days it’s unsafe rolling around in 10k watches. You wear watches because you enjoy the look of them and if you love the submariner for example but have that feeling something might happen then it’s not worth buying the gen one. I had the gen sub and nights out with a t-shirt gave me looks from shady people. Loosing 500$ vs 10k$ is a huge difference (regardless of how rich you are) if you can get past that it’s a rep one then in the end it’s a huge win.

 

[Dave2302]

I don't care what happens, que sera and all that, if I did care I wouldn't get outta bed in the morning in case I died falling down the stairs.

Agreed if I was going into a real dodgy area i wouldn't be flashing a Gen about !!

 

[WobuffetRep]

I don't care what happens, que sera and all that, if I did care I wouldn't get outta bed in the morning in case I died falling down the stairs.

Agreed if I was going into a real dodgy area i wouldn't be flashing a Gen about !!

Of course but if you cant flash a gen at all times then it’s not worth it. Some countrys are dodgy wherever you go.

 

[Karbon74]

Let's say money is not a problem.

would you guys still say nwBIG ?

If money is not a problem, the price diff between a gen and a rep is not a factor either. Both are in the range of loose coins.

And another thing, get rich (and powerful) enough, whatever you buy/wear will be considered very good or very bad taste

 

[Pinion Minion]

The W in nWbig is key to me.

Worth

Here we are most likely talking about its closeness to gen under scrutiny by someone with knowledge.

And remembering we are comparing it to something 20,50 or 100 times the cost.

The only way to get 100% is to pay 100% & some people (I would probably say most people) are happy with <100%.

Is a piece of metal worth XX or XXX thousand, to me, no, to others, yes.

The W to me is enjoyment.

Since joining & discovering the wonderful world of reps, I now get at least the same, and in some instances more, joy from wearing my rep/Franken watches, versus GEN, because of the stories behind them.

I still wear all my watches, but no longer distinguish.

It's a piece of jewellery to give a smile.
Exceptions being inherited watches where the story spans lifetimes.

Countless members across the fora have both rep and gen equivalents, and have kindly done macro comparisons, but to me, maybe naively, I can rarely see the differences. Others can, bravo & I consider them the experts

As for W, in the GEN world you're playing with big numbers and the variance in W can shift both up and down, with the impact felt, depending on your incoming bracket, so risk/reward.

From what I've seen in the rep world, we are of course playing with smaller numbers, so naturally any shift is less of an impact, but most times you can recoup what you paid, or very very close, thus holding their W.

 

[joeyc]

If money is not a problem, the price diff between a gen and a rep is not a factor either. Both are in the range of loose coins.

And another thing, get rich (and powerful) enough, whatever you buy/wear will be considered very good or very bad taste

I was given great advice when I was younger by a very wealthy cheap ass family member who shall remain nameless- joe don’t worry about what your gonna buy when you have money- worry about making the money- and then you just buy what you want.

Keep in mind while wealthy people have nice expensive watches most don’t average multimillionaire here in USA land wears a $100 watch- because it tells time the Same.

What you have is not a good reflection of your wealth. Unless it’s serious real estate portfolio you own- not on credit. You can’t fake that.

Rich think different and are stubborn and cheap lol

Buy what you like so
Your the one that’s happy, not everyone else. Honesty I love my $3500 116234 datejust and my fifty fathoms and my speedmaster. I but reps for the other stuff cause I would never buy them in Gen if I had money to burn

Same goes for cars

Buy what you like- screw everyone else
Unless what you like is above the watch I posted lolol

 

[joeyc]

Minions watch, me and you need to work on a project lol