The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches

[Proxy]

Good read, appreciate the information, was quite helpful.

 

[vinksperber]

Thank you. Some of the stuff I figured. Some is really expert level - so great to know! To know what needs to be learned!

 

[paculz]

Yes very informative and interesting post. Still replicas being sold is considerably high in price and yet too many QC issues especially no top replica could fix a easy oiling movement and water resistance. You can still buy a authentic watch with100m resist watch for 30$ on the market.

 

[Mircoled]

Never really posted this list here, but this was the 2nd replica watch board I found, so here it is. Whatever good it can do.



Most of us arrived here with minds polluted by scam sites and scam "review" sites: all peddlers of lies and deception.

In an effort to help cleanse the noobs' minds of this filth, I propose the following 10 common and devious lies and misconceptions
about replica watches, and the business of manufacturing and selling replica watches.


Lie #1: The best replica watches are made in Switzerland, followed closely by Italy.

-- This is the biggest lie of all. All replica watches are made somewhere in Asia, mostly China. Saying that replicas are made in Switzerland or Italy is a lie intended to extract more money from the ignorant.


Lie #2: Replica watches are graded according to quality. C (or whatever) is the lowest and AAA+++ (or whatever) is the highest.

-- Who decides what is "C" and what is "A"? The "International Replica Watch Governing Board"? Pure nonsense designed, again, to get more of your dollars.


Lie #3: The movements in "Swiss made" replicas are identical to the genuine watch movements. 27 jewel movements are the best.

-- (See Lie #1 for "Swiss made".) Far from the truth. Very few replica watch movements come from anywhere but China and any watchman can immediately tell it's not genuine. There are no Asian 27 jewels movements in replica watches; only 25, 21, or 17. (Some newer replicas are powered by an ETA 7753, which does have 27J.)


Lie #4: The best replicas are 99% true to the genuine and will even fool an Authorized Dealer (AD).

-- Not true. While some may be close (picking a number is impossible) to the genuine, all replicas are flawed. Do you really think you can spend $200 or less and get a watch that's 99% identical to a $4,000-20,000 watch? As for fooling ADs, maybe. Common clerks are easily fooled, but seasoned ADs, upon close inspection, will know it's a replica.


Lie #5: The gold on "Swiss grade" replicas is much higher than on other replicas. The crown, bezel, and mid links are solid gold and the full-gold replicas are 5-wrapped (or 6-wrapped, or whatever).

-- While a few models have been shown to have solid gold mid links (Rolex replicas), the rest of the watch is gold plated or double or triple wrapped gold. ("Search" for threads on how this is done.)


Lie #6: The best Rolex replicas are made with 904L grade steel.

-- Big fat lie. Good replicas are made with 316L quality steel. Rolex is one of the few companies that use 904L steel and it costs 3 times as much as 316L. Replicas are not made with 440 steel, either.


Lie #7: Buying a replica watch is risky, but not if you use sellers from "Replica Review" sites.

-- What most people don't know is the "review" sites are owned and operated by the people who run the sites they recommend--it's very incestuous. These "review" sites are clever and it's easy to get taken in by their lies.


Lie #8: You can tell you're getting a good watch after a thorough examination of the web site.

-- Please. If you think everything displayed on the web is true, you deserve to be fleeced. Scam sites lie about everything, from the quality of their goods to their pledge to make sure every customer is happy. Many even post pictures of genuine watches, (Look for pictures where the watch hands are set at "10:10." Pictures of genuine watches seen in advertisements are always set to "10:10.") but send you junk.


Lie #9: Picking a good seller will always result in getting a good watch, one I won't have trouble with.

-- We wish. Quality control in replica watch factories is hit-and-miss, but mostly shoddy. One batch may be great while the next produces watches that are DOA. (Remember, making replica watches is illegal, even in China. Replica watch "factories" are usually small operations that can be easily moved or hidden from prying authorities.) What is true, though, is a good dealer will want to protect his/her reputation and will fix whatever is wrong.


Lie #10: Paying by COD is the best way to get the cheapest price. Plus, I can examine my watch before paying the courier to make sure I get what I paid for.

-- A really dumb thing to do and a huge red flag that you're dealing with a true scammer. They want cash because they know you'll scream foul to your credit card company the moment you see the junk you just paid $1,000 for.


One final point. Remember, replica watches are counterfeit goods. While it is not illegal to purchase or possess replica watches in most countries, it is illegal to sell them. Keep this in mind when using PayPal or communicating with credit card companies.

Hi, I read your article, and when you describe the type of steel, you say that 904L is absolutely used in replicas, but for example Jtime, which is a reliable dealer, describes the type of material depending on the price, with a 904L on expensive models, and 316 on the less expensive ones, what can you tell me about that? Thanks.

 

[Mircoled]

#lie6
So clean and vsf are not using 904 but 316

Yet every trusted trader and website describes that it is indeed 904 ?

I have seen that on expensive models over 600/700 dollars the description is on 904L steel, on low-end models it is specified 316L.
it must mean something..

 

[KevinFinnerty]

This thread should honestly be mandatory reading before anyone asks a single question. The “waterproof out of the box” myth still floats around way too much — people don’t realize how crucial pressure testing is, especially with screw-down crowns that feel fine but aren’t sealed properly.

Also appreciated the point about factories not being consistent — I’ve already seen how even top-tier reps can vary batch to batch. Great reality check.

– Kevin Finnerty

 

[Fiddo]

I have seen that on expensive models over 600/700 dollars the description is on 904L steel, on low-end models it is specified 316L.
it must mean something..

The original post you reference was made back in 2008. In 2008, 904L was not used in reps. However, today it is used in some.

 

[Mircoled]

but you can't tell me if JTIME actually uses the 904L as described by them?

 

[domiffm]

but you can't tell me if JTIME actually uses the 904L as described by them?

Since when is a TD producing watches?

 

[Reaps]

but you can't tell me if JTIME actually uses the 904L as described by them?

Too little context, too little understanding, "JTime" does not make your watch, you need to look at factory such as BP/GMF/VSF/Clean, and then you also need to look at watch. Spectroanalysis used recently showed VSF is cheating and not using full 904 for bracelet, Clean however is using 904, since they learned their lesson from ZZF.

But quite frankly like I say many times, and as someone who has real experience in material selection and industrial manufacturing, this shit really doesn't matter for anyone, all that BS people talk about 904 and 316L looking different is a hock of shit, it's the difference in finishing, and the material properties between the two will never impact you unless you spend your whole life 24/7 underwater

 

[Dave2302]

Too little context, too little understanding, "JTime" does not make your watch, you need to look at factory such as BP/GMF/VSF/Clean, and then you also need to look at watch. Spectroanalysis used recently showed VSF is cheating and not using full 904 for bracelet, Clean however is using 904, since they learned their lesson from ZZF.

But quite frankly like I say many times, and as someone who has real experience in material selection and industrial manufacturing, this shit really doesn't matter for anyone, all that BS people talk about 904 and 316L looking different is a hock of shit, it's the difference in finishing, and the material properties between the two will never impact you unless you spend your whole life 24/7 underwater

Exactly 100% agree wiv wot Reaps sed above /\ /\ /\

There's too much bullshit eminating around the internet about watches, (where is my Reddit Emoji) also cock and bull from factories and some watch suppliers. It's usually spouted from the bowels of those who know Jack shit.

Same story in the Power Boat world where I do have significant knowledge of Stainless and salt water.

Mind I'm not singling out no nuffink watch guys, we all had to learn somewhere, you only have to look at Car forums, Boat forums, Building Forums etc and read all the utter horses ass shit spouted by so called professionals to realise you can't believe much of it, have to sort the wheat from the chaff.

RWI is however a haven, where there are guys like Reaps and too many others to mention who really truly do know what they are talking about, even my blunt grumpy old ass will come out with the odd nugget now and again

 

[CSM_911]

this is one of the best posts i have seen in a long time. thanks for posting it. while there are different grades of replicas,( some better than others) it is best to read the reviews from the owners on these boards to find out the real quality of a watch you are wanting to purchase. never listen to a seller just arbitrarily saying his product is grade 1 or AAA. he only wants your money.


great post!!

hk

Great and straight to the point post!

 

[stockit]

These days, some reps can fool dealers.

 

[teera22]

Wow, thanks for breaking it down! Some of this clicks right away. Really show how deep this hobby goes. Love that there's always more to learn - keeps things interesting!

 

[Foomanstu]

My reps even fool me.

 

[pinoysap]

Good stuff, thanks for the list.