Why are used replicas so expensive?

[Zack Morris]

I don't mean to sound negative with this, I am just asking the question.

I have been trolling here for a few months looking at the used replica section. I routinely see watches that are $350, $500, and even upwards of $800-900.

Am I missing something? I have tried to go through the list of recommended sellers and I can't find new watches that approach these prices.

I even see a watch listed right now that is almost as expensive as a gen Buy It Now on eBay (*cough* vintage Seamaster).

I know that the price of objects are invariably set by what people will pay, but WHY? Why are so many people willing to pay more than it costs for a new one?

Is it just the element of trust among members (even though I see one of your own has just screwed multiple people over with the DSSDs) or is it that the used watches that are showing up are the best of the best (even though I continually see watches with misplaced pearls - do ANY have centered pearls?).

Again, I think this entire subculture of replicas is very amazing and am impressed that there is enough demand to have such high quality replicas, but it seems to me that aside from this forum (and a few others), if someone said "yeah, I paid $800 for this replica" that people would think they are certifiable.

I do think that $350 seems like a cut off point for me personally, but I am just trying to understand how the watches can even be worth this much in parts since I've seen sites that seemingly sell "homages" which are identical to these replicas in movements and components but are several hundred dollars cheaper due to the brand names noticeably lacking.

I am not asking anyone to justify anything, as it seems like they sell like hotcakes regardless of the asking price on the member sales section, I am just trying to see if there is something I am missing that makes these replicas go for so much, or in some cases for a whopping $10 less than retail. I deal a lot in recording studio equipment, and even the coolest, newest equipment seems to be immediately worth half of its initial value (or if it is a boutique item, it may be worth 70%).

 

[guanaco]

Trolling? lol, you mean lurking. :lol: I do the trolling around this neck of the woods!

Well, it depends, if you read well those $500-900 are 99% of the time modded watches, usually with gen parts like dial, hands, crystal, bracelet, etc. or some have been modded with Swiss 7750 and its variants, or perhaps gen movement, etc.

Sometimes a watch with a certain strap will make the price go up, for example, you have a $200 Date-Just but decide to sell it with a genuine Alligator strap, that would make it sell from $280-$350+ depending on the design of the strap and the buckle/deployant that comes with it.

If you think the price is too high and a new one is less expensive then why buy the used one?

 

[guanaco]

How about a $7,000 rep?

http://www.puretimewatch.com/produc...rbillon-18k-rose-gold-diamond-bezel-and-lugs/

 

[Zack Morris]

I see. I didn't know people were modding these with genuine parts. I can see how that would drive the price up so much. Same with expensive bands.

Yes, lurking not trolling. :wacko:

I have been looking at the used section because I am a big fan of vintage watches and I am impressed at the care people put into making these vintage reproductions. The "vintage" watches that are new obviously look like they were made last week, and I don't think I have the skill to make one of those look 40 years old. In the instance of "vintagized" watches, I can definitely see charging a premium in the used market.

 

[Zack Morris]

How about a $7,000 rep?

http://www.puretimewatch.com/product/grand-complication-tourbillon-18k-rose-gold-diamond-bezel-and-lugs/

Seriously?

>_< this makes my head hurt.

 

[guanaco]

Be careful though, and do some research before buying vintage watches... some people just throw it against a rock, set it on fire and its instantly a "vintage". :lol:

 

[guanaco]

The game: you just won it.

 

[ThreadLocker]

As with everything else in life, you get what you pay for.

If you want a brand new PAM 111h with: recessed pin, rep lume, rounded CG pin, non-engraved 6497 without swan neck and dagger, no AR, and a rep strap........$160 will get you one.

If you would like a used PAM 111h with: flush pin, VacLume, flat CG pin, engraved 6497 with dagger swan neck, Chief AR, and a $150 Gator strap...........$500 will get you that.

Your choice.....I personally like the used one better!!!!

 

[Zack Morris]

Excellent info. THanks.

 

[Q5?]

You brought up the DSSD issue. We have over 27000 members now.
There are far more successful sales than bad.

You also brought up the $10 discount. Most used prices include shipping and all new dealer prices exclude shipping. I think the average non-modded watch is lower than $10.

If you are ever unsure on a watch for sale, just PM a veteran member your q's. That's what we're here fore!golf: joke)

 

[P4GTR]

It's very rare that a sales thread will pop up with a value on it that is questionable, without drawing attention and being questioned.

You are not experiencing people buying $100 reps and posting them here for $120, used. This may be a rep watch forum, but the membership wasn't born yesterday. Gen/Rep member for member I don't think you will find many other forums with as many knowledgeable watch enthusiasts.

If you have an example ask, like Q5 said. I'd also be happy to take a PM from you if you had a question about a watch you were interested in and help with whatever I could.

 

[Zack Morris]

Thanks for the help. Yes, the shipping is also something I didn't think about, and I am just now learning that many of these are shipping from Asia which I'm sure isn't cheap. I am also starting to see some of the higher priced reps (such as replicamake).

 

[P4GTR]

Shipping is usually ~$30, definitely a factor.

 

[JellyJoe]

+1 what has been said.
All the expensive reps you see in the sales section are franken projects with lots of work and attention to source gen or top quality aftermarket parts, assembly, service, customizing soldering, shaving cases etc etc.
Keep an eye on the list of parts and mods and you will start seeing whats behind such watches.
If you aren't personally interested in expensive replacements and hard work to customize watches and make em spot on with gens, just order out-of-the-box replicas using our trusted dealers. You will surely save some dosh, sacrificing perfection of course. But you will see, in a few weeks you'll be all into frankens and projects, I reckon

Incidentally, the guy who scammed in here is just a wandering rogue who registered 3 weeks ago with a new nick, sly enough to quickly make friends and exploit the weak sides of an otherwise great community, in order to take advantage of a few hundred bucks.
Not "one of our own" at all.

On the other hand, stay tuned and you will see friends exchanging parts, sending gifts, helping sales and projects, aiding the community in any way they can. In other words, the "guys of our own".

P.S. As you are aware of studio recording, I can give you some good examples.
Apart from mechanical parts losing efficiency with usage or misuse (tubes, speakers etc...), standard digital recording equipment tends to devalue quickly over time cos it's based on technology being constantly updated. Years ago 16bit and 48Khz were considered great standards for processing digital data. Nowadays if you give a film maker a 16bit soundtrack master (always lower than editing sample rate) he will barf in your hat and make a paper plane with your contract. (TV soundtracks quality is normally much lower than movies).
Just what happens with computers. When you can buy it in a shop, it's old stuff already.
It happens with reps versions too, when an "Ultimate" comes out some previous V1, V2 etc may see their price collapse eventually.

Now think of a Steinway Grand Piano or a hybrid modular console with custom analog inserts and circuits and digital implemented controls, instead: they are much much less subject to loss of market value. Not to mention tube amplifiers and effects with even saturation frequencies and analog recorders which are virtually gaining worth over the years and are still used on request in most of the best studios in the world.
Mechanical devices need more attention but they hardly outdate.


Btw, welcome to the replica heaven, mate.

 

[Zack Morris]

Studio comparisons: spot on.

 

[bosnjo]

Seriously?

>_< this makes my head hurt.

And it doesn't even tell you what mechanism is in it!

 

[d4m.test]

I think some are slightly more expensive as they actually come with a genuine Swiss-ETA movement! Others are probably modded and serviced.

 

[Meta4]

Another feature to consider is that a s/h rep has had a degree of quality control that many dealers can't provide. Buying used you can have some certainty that the watch you are buying has proved that it runs well and doesn't have any issues. For many members that's of some importance.

And since many members have multiple reps, most are not heavily worn.

I even see a watch listed right now that is almost as expensive as a gen Buy It Now on eBay (*cough* vintage Seamaster).

Are you saying a rep of a similar price to a gen vintage Seamaster ???
Please point me to the cheap gens.

The gens of the only vintage Seamaster that has been repped go for about US$1500 for a really bad one and upwards of US$2500 for a good one.

 

[d4m.test]

What vintage seamaster has been repped? how recently was it repped? do you have a link?

 

[levelmanroger]

Shipping is usually ~$30, definitely a factor.

+ 2-6 weeks wait time and Customs concerns. Buying one already CONUS from a reputable member who has already QC'd the watch is often worth a few bucks


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