Why I Buy Reps

[shirazi_r]

A good friend and colleague of mine today asked me why it is I only buy reps, despite my stark interest in watches. While I've previously purchased a handful of gens, this really did get me thinking.

I love luxury watches, I truly do. Not only do I love them, but I recognize all the craftsmanship, design and hard work that goes into them. However, at some point or another I stopped wearing and buying my watches for everyone else and started doing it for myself. It isn't because I can't afford gens or because I'm cheap, it's because I want to look down at my wrist and smile, even if others won't. I don't try hard to pass my reps as gens, and while I won't go about letting it be known publicly, I've reached a point where I don't care what others think.

The only problem I would have getting away with splurging on a gen is where that money could have gone (investment fund, relief work, etc.) and while I'm sure that sounds cliche, it's why I wear reps and wear them with pride.

I haven't been here long, so I thought I would start at the most fundamental level of community building; understanding why we're all here. I'm here because I love watches, and reps are my flavour.

P.S. That whole swiss thing about "Fake watches being for fake people" is rubbish. I have plenty of colleagues who buy gens, and I can assure you, the way they wear them only adds to the fake persona.

 

[romulous]

A Rep. pureist at heart and proud of it.... Welcome

 

[watchguy23]

Very nice post, agree 100%

 

[d4m.test]

Well said!!!

dave

 

[safari801]

Well said. Some phonies buy gens on credit when they can't really afford them. Everyone who notices my rep rollie thinks it's real, so why spend on the gen?

 

[moggio]

Im old enough to agree with you alll the way! Purist!!!

 

[d4m.test]

I completely agree! Personally, it's the cost that makes me buy a rep. I have an incoming gen soon (Planet Ocean 45) but that will probably be my only gen... I just love having more than one watch and having 10 gens is way too much for me!

And yes, many people buy the real thing just for the fake personas! I really don't think the rep trade affects the gen sales. If anything, it increases it!

 

[shirazi_r]

Well, nice to see some folks sharing the sentiment. It seems as though I'll be enjoying my time here at RWI.

 

[polaris]

When I started I wanted the gen look for the cheap price.
When I bought a few I wanted the accuracy, that before I had never noticed lacking.
When I had been on the forums a few years I grew an interest for brands besides Rolex/Omega/Tag
When I modded a few I found the watches that I really, really like.
Now one day I plan on buying the gens. (after mortgage and the like, prob have to wait until retirement )

There is an intangible self satisfying feeling in owning the gen that is priceless. Reps opened many different brands that I would never have previously thought of.

Most importantly, they make me happy. I get happy when I look at my wrist, much more than before, I like shining my watch under a lamp to see the lume glow, I enjoy changing straps to fit my mood and changing the watch depending on the day of the week or where I am to go.

I like modding, getting as close as I can on as little as possible to the look of the genuine. I don't do it for others, to show off, that'd be a losing battle. I do it as it makes me happy, my hobby and interest. It's allowed me to evaluate many different brands and watches and learn what I really like.

But, in honesty if I was on million dollar salary I would just stick to the gens. Watches are a much cheaper hobby than cars.

I have spent a few K on reps now (I try not to think about it). Enough to a buy a nice gen. More than I would have ever previously intended to spend on watches. But there are some reps I can't part with. Like any hobby though, you spend a few dollars on them, but what's most important is that the hobby makes me happy.

 

[lorenzo81]

Collecting reps is because of gens we must never forget this. You get the same look for much much much less...but do you get the same FEEL...well that depends on the person...a friend of mine bought a couple of reps off me and then bought himself a gen cause they didn't make him FEEL right.
I like my reps and the one I wear the most is a fantasy AP ceramic watch value 90$. Surely it's always a nice feeling when people look at my rolex gmt II but thats not why I collect reps.

 

[shirazi_r]

Like any hobby though, you spend a few dollars on them, but what's most important is that the hobby makes me happy.

Couldn't agree more. I like things that make me smile and more often than not, they tend to be the things I don't regret. Same reason I bought a 3 series while everyone else seems to have a 7. Like I said, it's about me smiling, not the lad who's staring down my car, watch, home etc.

 

[Txr]

This may sound funny but I really dont like wearing watches, so I dont. I do like however the design of a few paricular watches.

So I see it like buying a print of an expensive painting... It looks just the same as the original and is enjoyable as a piece of art.

The rep I bought looks just like the original watch and thats all I want. No need to spend $10000 for this ...

 

[Q5?]

This may sound funny but I really dont like wearing watches, so I dont.

Shame on you! :spank:

I enjoy the waiting game and then the modding game.

 

[tommy_boy]

I was looking at my Breguet catalog last night.

Wifey-Poo asked me how many times i need to look at it. I simply said, "This watch costs $68,000."

She replied, "Why would anybody spend that much for a watch?"

You either get it or you don't. Either way is fine, but most of us here get it.

 

[shirazi_r]

I was looking at my Breguet catalog last night.

Wifey-Poo asked me how many times i need to look at it. I simply said, "This watch costs $68,000."

She replied, "Why would anybody spend that much for a watch?"

You either get it or you don't. Either way is fine, but most of us here get it.

It's not as though I don't get it, I see the appeal. The issue is justifying it personally. I come from a background where things like Audemars and Pateks are unheard of and in turn when the time came that I could afford them, I just couldn't justify it. It escapes me how we can be indulging in lavish things when so many are in need. I am no angel, and I believe strongly in enjoying the fruits of our labour, though all in moderation. It's not wrong to dream of a Rolex and buy one when you've worked hard for it; though on the contrary, throwing down a small fortune isn't right in my eyes.

I agree with Txr, it's much like buying the print of a work of fine art. Half of the appeal of a gen is the novelty of what it costs, and that novelty wears off quickly.

Mind you these opinions and views are just that. Take them for nothing more.

 

[tommy_boy]

It's not as though I don't get it, I see the appeal. The issue is justifying it personally. I come from a background where things like Audemars and Pateks are unheard of and in turn when the time came that I could afford them, I just couldn't justify it. It escapes me how we can be indulging in lavish things when so many are in need. I am no angel, and I believe strongly in enjoying the fruits of our labour, though all in moderation. It's not wrong to dream of a Rolex and buy one when you've worked hard for it; though on the contrary, throwing down a small fortune isn't right in my eyes.

I agree with Txr, it's much like buying the print of a work of fine art. Half of the appeal of a gen is the novelty of what it costs, and that novelty wears off quickly.

Mind you these opinions and views are just that. Take them for nothing more.

Sure, that's what I mean: You get the appeal. Luxury is one thing, the craft is another thing. So most of us here--you included, of course--understand what their appeal is. We appreciate the craft, but most of us can't either rationalize or justify the expense of the ultra luxury brands!

I hope you enjoy the discussion, as I do. This hobby is fascinating!

 

[plymman]

I think replicas can make you feel just as good as the real thing. Here's my story, and it's an odd one.....

I love well made watches and a few people i work with had omega's and breitling's etc.. and however much I wanted to be in their 'club' and join in the watch chit chat I couldn't afford or justify it. Some years before this my uncle died while he was living abroad and it took a long time for his personal effects etc.. to be sorted out. I was left a box that when I opened it was full of watches.

Some vintage Smiths, Allaine, Hamilton, Mappin and Webb and some 80's models including Rado, quartz seamaster and a stunning datejust. I assumed they were fake as he often travelled to the far east and the rolex hadn't even been worn. I wore it, loved it and people admired it, when they asked if it was gen I told them the story. I felt good wearing it and got confidence from it.

I had them looked at by a local watchmaker and he confirmed they were gen which surprised me but didn't change the way I wore it, treated it, or thought of it.

I guess my point is the joy of a watch is in the wearing and the feeling it gives you and I don't see why a good quality replica shouldn't be worn, enjoyed and treasured like an original.

 

[d4m.test]

I think replicas can make you feel just as good as the real thing. Here's my story, and it's an odd one.....

I love well made watches and a few people i work with had omega's and breitling's etc.. and however much I wanted to be in their 'club' and join in the watch chit chat I couldn't afford or justify it. Some years before this my uncle died while he was living abroad and it took a long time for his personal effects etc.. to be sorted out. I was left a box that when I opened it was full of watches.

Some vintage Smiths, Allaine, Hamilton, Mappin and Webb and some 80's models including Rado, quartz seamaster and a stunning datejust. I assumed they were fake as he often travelled to the far east and the rolex hadn't even been worn. I wore it, loved it and people admired it, when they asked if it was gen I told them the story. I felt good wearing it and got confidence from it.

I had them looked at by a local watchmaker and he confirmed they were gen which surprised me but didn't change the way I wore it, treated it, or thought of it.

I guess my point is the joy of a watch is in the wearing and the feeling it gives you and I don't see why a good quality replica shouldn't be worn, enjoyed and treasured like an original.

Wonderful story and well said!

 

[tangle]

Two sentances in this thread stand out for me

"...what's most important is that the hobby makes me happy."... Polaris

"....I guess my point is the joy of a watch is in the wearing and the feeling it gives you and I don't see why a good quality replica shouldn't be worn, enjoyed and treasured like an original."....Maestro

I wear my treasured Gen Breitling Navitimer just as much as my Modded IWC Portofino, I adore watch design always have and always will, I could never sustain my hobby if I could only buy gens. Perhaps in a few years I may sell a load of reps and buy a Gen Planet Ocean 42mm as I love my rep of it so much, this is a watch I would never have bought if I had only ever worn it a few minutes in a AD. Wearing it has convinced me this is a special watch.

Also this forum plays a big part in my enjoyment of this hobby, which reminds me I should donate and become a full member, I have been on this forum for about a year and honestly it has enriched my life and increased my knowledge of watch design, a big thanks to all those involved. Even if I could afford Gens all day I would still visit this site and buy a rep before I spend 1000s on a Gen.

I am siting here wearing a breiting BCE rep which I love. Honestly who apart from us and a Breitling specialist would ever know it isnt genuine, I appreciate this watch just as much as I appeciate the design of the Naivitimer, it does help that the BCE is just so accurate.

I enjoy these threads, please may they continue.

 

[donaldejose]

Many different reasons; and all can be valid.