Bought a REP Panerai as a test drive before putting down some serious cash on a GEN. Wore the REP for about 4 months and fell in love with the watch. Went out and bought the GEN. After about 1 week felt like a total idiot, both watches are exactly the same, albeit a few very minor details. GEN is marginally lighter and movement is slightly better finished. Felt like the huge amount of extra cash for the GEN was not worth it. Sold the GEN taking a small financial hit, but money in the bank. Couldn't be happier with the REP. I think I got lucky as I read here that PAMs are the most accurate replicas available. Will keep on searching for almost perfect REPS and save a lot of cash lol. Anyone have a similar experience?
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REP made me sell my GEN! Anyone had the same experience?
- Thread starter greensones
- Start date
I think there are a number of watches not worth buying in Gen as the reps are so good. Certainly Pam 111 would be prime example.
I have had several gen subs, still got one somewhere. But since buying the Noob V7 3135 I won't buy another gen sub.
I have done the same thing, buy the rep before the gen then after getting gen I was unimpressed. I noticed it on a Tudor Ranger the most....
This worries me as i have long term plans to purchase a Rollie GMT and having just received my rep I'm over the moon with it!
barth
Respected Member
- 5/10/12
- 3,483
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Noob v2 makes going gen pointless for most watch collector imo, except for value retention considerations of course.
After a couple of services value retention soon disappears. It's no longer what it used to be, and my guess is it will fall through the same hole as Panerai one day.
Reps made me buy my gen.
Those awesome reps made me grow a huge love for one specific brand. Then I was sure I was ready. I wanted the perfect thing. No more movement failures. I needed to find a special one, one that is not replicated.
There are some differences, however subtle or useless they may be. And here I am, not regretting anything and not feeling the buyer remorse many members had warned me about. It could have been otherwise.
I still want to buy reps and L'll keep doing it.
Those awesome reps made me grow a huge love for one specific brand. Then I was sure I was ready. I wanted the perfect thing. No more movement failures. I needed to find a special one, one that is not replicated.
There are some differences, however subtle or useless they may be. And here I am, not regretting anything and not feeling the buyer remorse many members had warned me about. It could have been otherwise.
I still want to buy reps and L'll keep doing it.
Depends. Some PAMs are not worth to go gen for. Most Tudors too imo. Rolex is questionable thanks to TC and the recent NOOB builds. I still want to buy a gen AP 15400. Call me a dull, empty or whatelse as a person but everytime I buy a 10000+ piece and slap it on my wrist I feel like I have made it in life (yes I know how pathetic it must sound) and I loose all my pain, frustrations and anger for around 45 minutes. It´s a quiet expensive flow experience.
WWJBD
Active Member
Im right there with you Omega fan. One day I will totally put down the cash on an AP or Patek. Its special and they are made for celebrating your life.
Really interesting stuff here, happened to me as well but I still keep the gen as it's the only one and I feel like it's needed in my collection. However, I really don't see myself buying a second gen anytime soon...
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Mauricio, that watch is amazing but those green pants are spectacular. Only a cool dude can pull those off. Much respect.
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Just go with what is best for you.
I personally have both and love both.
The pam 111 comparison is so true the noob v3 is an incredible rep in my humble opinion.
Will
I personally have both and love both.
The pam 111 comparison is so true the noob v3 is an incredible rep in my humble opinion.
Will
Haha you guys crack me up! Only to be clear, I'm not against owning GENS. I too wish to own a Patek or Vacheron someday.
I have a mix of gens and reps. The last time I bought a brand new gen was 1982 (a S&G Rolex Oyster)
A long while ago I decided I'd never buy a gen new out of the case again as long as I live. Initial depreciation may be overcome in time, but I hate getting hit with it. Since then, every gen was purchased used, and every one of them has increased in resale value - some of them to the point I don't wear them daily anymore (thats what my reps are for).
In the last couple/few years (I think in large part thanks to the scrutiny and feedback boards like this provide Makers), reps are getting so good (and I don't just mean appearance - I'm referring to function) that its unlikely I'll ever feel the need to buy an expensive used gen "keeper" again either.
That said, I do pick up dead or dying gens for repair... then use them a while and most often resell them. As an example, I recently acquired a gen automatic Omega Seamaster 200m missing crown and bezel insert. I'll scrounge parts (gen and or rep) to patch it together, wear it a while, then if its not getting use after six months, flip it. I may or may not make a profit (overall I break even) but I enjoy the exercise and learn things.
So, yes, in conclusion... I do believe that todays superb quality reps can substitute completely for gens - for those of us who could afford either - and provide 99% of wearer satisfaction. The only thing its unlikely we'll ever see with reps is the financial appreciation a gen can provide - and if you pick gens carefully - that can be significant!
A long while ago I decided I'd never buy a gen new out of the case again as long as I live. Initial depreciation may be overcome in time, but I hate getting hit with it. Since then, every gen was purchased used, and every one of them has increased in resale value - some of them to the point I don't wear them daily anymore (thats what my reps are for).
In the last couple/few years (I think in large part thanks to the scrutiny and feedback boards like this provide Makers), reps are getting so good (and I don't just mean appearance - I'm referring to function) that its unlikely I'll ever feel the need to buy an expensive used gen "keeper" again either.
That said, I do pick up dead or dying gens for repair... then use them a while and most often resell them. As an example, I recently acquired a gen automatic Omega Seamaster 200m missing crown and bezel insert. I'll scrounge parts (gen and or rep) to patch it together, wear it a while, then if its not getting use after six months, flip it. I may or may not make a profit (overall I break even) but I enjoy the exercise and learn things.
So, yes, in conclusion... I do believe that todays superb quality reps can substitute completely for gens - for those of us who could afford either - and provide 99% of wearer satisfaction. The only thing its unlikely we'll ever see with reps is the financial appreciation a gen can provide - and if you pick gens carefully - that can be significant!
I have both the gen and the noob v2 rolex gmt master, the rep is great but can't compare to the gen, so i use de rep to work and gen on weekends. In other cases i wouldn't buy the gen, like some people said, it is a waste of money. I considered buying a gen black bay, but went with the rep and saved a few thousands. I'm also considering selling my gen superocean abyss 42, because the rep of this model is so amazing.
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I own several reps, Rolex, IWC, Omega... I own one gen and it is the last watch I reach for. Call me strange but I like the reps better because I can't see the value in the gen.
Rep made me not buy more (expensive) gens (in the EU), expensive being more than $3.000. The value conception and "You get what You pay for" has totally changed in the last 20 years from 1996 onwards. Thing is, You only get 20% of what You pay for nowadays in Europe. Net "take-home salary": to afford a $10k watch in the EU, first You have to make $22k gross, than $2k of the 10 are for VAT alone. It´s a value added tax, not an added value
If You live in Switzerland.... it´s another story altogether, not only is the net take home salary, from the exact same gross income, a whooping $22k higher per year, luxury watches are also tax deductible business expenses, no wonder Hans Wildorf moved his London-based company to Genéve in 1919 when the british revenue service had the brillant idea of establishing a wartime tax. Clever people, the Swiss, they know how to attract business, wasn´t Panerai some italian store too before legendary South-African watchmaker Johann Rupert :laugh:icard: turned it Swiss in 1997, hired some lawyers and re-invented the whole lucrative business of buying old patents and reinforcing brand-name protection by all means?
If You live in Switzerland.... it´s another story altogether, not only is the net take home salary, from the exact same gross income, a whooping $22k higher per year, luxury watches are also tax deductible business expenses, no wonder Hans Wildorf moved his London-based company to Genéve in 1919 when the british revenue service had the brillant idea of establishing a wartime tax. Clever people, the Swiss, they know how to attract business, wasn´t Panerai some italian store too before legendary South-African watchmaker Johann Rupert :laugh:
icard: turned it Swiss in 1997, hired some lawyers and re-invented the whole lucrative business of buying old patents and reinforcing brand-name protection by all means?Rep made me not buy more (expensive) gens (in the EU), expensive being more than $3.000. The value conception and "You get what You pay for" has totally changed in the last 20 years from 1996 onwards. Thing is, You only get 20% of what You pay for nowadays in Europe. Net "take-home salary": to afford a $10k watch in the EU, first You have to make $22k gross, than $2k of the 10 are for VAT alone. It´s a value added tax, not an added value
If You live in Switzerland.... it´s another story altogether, not only is the net take home salary, from the exact same gross income, a whooping $22k higher per year, luxury watches are also tax deductible business expenses, no wonder Hans Wildorf moved his London-based company to Genéve in 1919 when the british revenue service had the brillant idea of establishing a wartime tax. Clever people, the Swiss, they know how to attract business, wasn´t Panerai some italian store too before legendary South-African watchmaker Johann Rupert :laugh:
The average consumer in EU is doomed srs. Most of them live from paycheck to paycheck. The demographic is turning on them. Then the refugee crisis to make matters worse. Luckily I work for a Swiss company in Switzerland even though I am German. I will either try to get a Swiss or US passport and life my life there. Due to these developments taxiation will increase a lot and I do not need this in my life.
B2Topic: It depends in each individual case. Some gens are well worth their money while others are not. Best example is Hublot I guess. Up to 20000 Euros for a modified 7750. If I would make money that easy I would become apes**t-crazy. If it would not be for Marketing Budget they could buy a whole Sub for every special Hublot Big Bang they sell.