For high quality reps like VSF/Clone/3KF with clone movements or very similar quality, how long should they last? — this is assuming good care and maintenance.
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Reasonable Life
- Thread starter indianaj618
- Start date
- 5/3/22
- 815
- 1,087
- 93
The issue is not good care and maintenance but the very variable level of quality at the factory. Is not unusual with watches I had over 5 years stil going strong without any service. On the other hand I had many that stopped working after a couple of weeks and even arrives broken.
So with some luck, and most of the time, you can enjoy your watch for many years.
So with some luck, and most of the time, you can enjoy your watch for many years.
I have some nearly 20 year old reps still going strong. On the other hand I've had various fail, markers fall off the dial, rubber straps perish etc.
You're not going to get a good idea with one rep, but I've been buying and selling for 2 1/2 years, probably 50-60 reps totally through my hands.
Two needed a service to fix an issue (I only got one fixed, I sold the other needing fixing).
Two were less than perfect but worked (issue disclosed when I sold them).
One has a tiny issue but I can live with it (if you alter it the wrong way the minute and hour hands end up way out of alignment).
Oh, and I had the tube trimmed to remove the screw in crown on my VSF Seamaster when it stripped it's crown thread, done for free by Reece @fixwatch.co.uk
Two needed a service to fix an issue (I only got one fixed, I sold the other needing fixing).
Two were less than perfect but worked (issue disclosed when I sold them).
One has a tiny issue but I can live with it (if you alter it the wrong way the minute and hour hands end up way out of alignment).
Oh, and I had the tube trimmed to remove the screw in crown on my VSF Seamaster when it stripped it's crown thread, done for free by Reece @fixwatch.co.uk
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I was thinking about this the other day. Being new to this game, I initially thought that I should have any reps serviced upon receipt...as a baseline. Then I read that many just run them and do not do service unless required. Then there was a thread about all "X" movements being dry and requiring initial service.... I'm at the stage of buying a few different reps and seeing which ones I like (fit...size...etc)....and wanting the ones I keep to actually last and run properly....
Unless it is a really high end or rare replica watch and / or with a very expensive movement I personally do not think it is worth paying out a similar cost to the watch itself for a service.
Especially so with most 3 hand date only models, which in fact if they do shit their pantaloons you then have the choice, if you can DIY it and it's in VGC swap in a new movement, perhaps an upgrade i.e Miyota 8215 where the A2813 came out, or simply buy a new rep and break up the old one for parts / DIY practice / bin it
I have had around 3 (of approx 100 reps) fail inside 2 years.
1 was a real easy fix, loose rotor, the other 2 got new movements, 2813 swapped for Jap Miyota 8213, Daytona A7750 swapped for an ETA 7750.
HTH
Especially so with most 3 hand date only models, which in fact if they do shit their pantaloons you then have the choice, if you can DIY it and it's in VGC swap in a new movement, perhaps an upgrade i.e Miyota 8215 where the A2813 came out, or simply buy a new rep and break up the old one for parts / DIY practice / bin it
I have had around 3 (of approx 100 reps) fail inside 2 years.
1 was a real easy fix, loose rotor, the other 2 got new movements, 2813 swapped for Jap Miyota 8213, Daytona A7750 swapped for an ETA 7750.
HTH
1. Keep your watches away from water, even if they're waterproof.
2. Keep your watches away from magnets, even if they're titanium.
3. Keep your watches from impacts and falls, even if it's a quartz.
I have a 20+ year old fake Tank Solo quartz that is nowhere near the quality of today's reps and functions just fine by following these simple rules.
2. Keep your watches away from magnets, even if they're titanium.
3. Keep your watches from impacts and falls, even if it's a quartz.
I have a 20+ year old fake Tank Solo quartz that is nowhere near the quality of today's reps and functions just fine by following these simple rules.