When is a Replica not a Replica ???

[R2D4]

Another scintillating and eye-opening thread that has again stretched the envelope and pushed the boundaries of repdom.

The only criteria for me when it comes to reps is that I demand they come from China. If not I refuse to buy them : )

LMAO. Amen.

 

[jvd45]

Having recently bought two Hublot Replicas and Borrowed 2 more for evaluation I am wondering some points .

All of them were wrong in some area but very close just not perfect, but all were wrong in detail not build quality.

I have as a result noted one thing that has amazed me in the last few weeks the quality of new stock is getting so close that we have to question what the difference is .

My example is the Hublot big bang all ceramic Black hole it in fact has a very fine Chinese copy movement that is correct in every detail

The rubber band has a vanilla scent ( as the original )and a PVD clasp that is find in finish and construction .

the end pieces of the the case are ceramic Hublot use PVD steel the bezal is polished and looks great and is ceramic, the original is brushed matt ceramic the band should be grooved this one is flat black but in my opinion is better .

In essence I bought a very very nice watch that is not a replica as it was never made by Hublot but it is the same shape and the has the same name on the face .

... so isn't it about time someone started selling such watches that after all are not in any kind of copyright infringement.

(emphases added)

Are you trying to sell these?

I only ask because Im now confused. I have a high regard for these reps but am under no illusions as to the the fact that they are copies and therein lies their appeal. They are only worth buying as they have been so faithfully reproduced - hence the cult following.

You allude to the fact that you are looking for accuracy in this copy. Close to what ? The original? wouldnt that make this a copy?

What makes this rep nice are the features inherited from the gen, itself a stunning watch. Im not going to afford that so I may buy the rep. That is unpretentious.

But to call this fake (and I'm not going to go into IP law here) free from copyright infringements is an epic u-turn when you were patently looking for accuracy and fidelity to its gen counterpart. It is only by happy coincidence that the flaws which you think are enhancements, differentiate it from the gen, in your mind sufficiently so that it is in itself an original piece. This is flawed logic. Does it mean that if rep companies produce a stuning 0.999:1 rep it will be less unique, less desirable than some fantasy model? I think not.

Incidentally, the name would not be copyright but a trademark infringement, and all those features you love patented..
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Come on, we all enjoy what we do here as hobbyists and there is no need to clutch at the straws of legality. I bought it with my cash, it is mine, I enjoy it... end of.