Why I love reps - from a gen owner

[DurbanPoison]

The replica watch industry is worth billions of dollars. If you take a quick Google search, that number is increasing every year. People love reps for all kinds of reasons. Some just wants to try a watch before they commit to a Gen purchase, some are unable to afford Gens, others prefer to spend their money on more practical means. Here are some reasons why I love reps:

1. It's not practical to own so many Gens

Personally, I am very fortunate to own 1 full gold Gen. But there are just so many beautiful watches out there that I so desire and I can't possibly own every single piece out there. Even if I am a billionaire, would that be financially responsible for me to do so? I think not. My money is better put elsewhere, investments, charity, daily expenses, family, and entertainment. Knowing that I have 1 gen, and therefore I am able to afford gens, makes me feel very contented. I choose to fill the rest of my collection with reps, and that makes me feel very happy.

2. The rep community is amazing

The rep community here is filled with people with a wealth of knowledge. I have seen so many pieces from amazing modders who built reps made of real 18k gold and that is very impressive. Imagine companies like Rolex who invested billions into machinery, facilities, and watchmakers, watchmakers who spent decades perfecting their craft, just to have their watch replicated by some guy from RWI with a workbench in his garage, that is funny and amazing. The people here in RWI are also more humble than people who solely own gens. I have been in many Facebook groups where snobs just post photos of their watch holding a steering wheel and talking shit. Nobody cares how rich you are.

3. Availability

This is something I believe many others share the same sentiment of. Availability of ADs for brands like Rolex, PP, AP is shit. They expect you to suck up to them and "build a relationship", spending loads of money on in house brands or unwanted brands before they offer you your desired watch. This offer is also not guaranteed, and the process is frustrating. Compare that to this - I goto my TD's website, I choose a VSF sub that is 99.999% similar to a gen, I pay a few hundred bucks, my TD sends me QC pictures and ships the watch, and I get the watch within 1-2 months of ordering. A stark contrast between buying Gens from an AD vs Reps from a TD!

4. Thrill and fun

It's really thrilling when I wear a rep out. I don't know if anyone else shares the same experience as me, but I enjoy the thrill when people thinks my rep is a gen. I don't mean to deceive anyone, and I never explicitly tell anyone that "hey look, I just bought this new rolex at $XX,XXX last week". Sometimes I even get admiration and praises for my reps, but I just smile. There was once I was buying some food and the waiter saw my VSF sub 126619LB and he went "woah sick watch dude", I simply smiled.

5. Economical

On RWI, the marketplace here is very efficient. If I bought a rep for $500 and I wear it for a few months and get bored, I can list my watch on the marketplace and someone will buy the watch off me. The phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure" really relates to this forum. Every part of a watch, every screw is of some value to someone out there. For a reasonable price, people will gladly take it from you. This is one of the big reasons why I enjoy wearing reps because even if I break the watch, I can sell it to someone who will gladly buy it from me for their modding project.

 

[donkacper]

Great post, I have similar thoughts on this.
I sometimes think about buying a few gens, lately got an offer for a Pam372 and thought about it, looked at my rep, and came to the same conclusion as always, there are better ways to spend that money.
Instead of buying a gen let’s take the family on a great 10 days of vacation and watch my daughters have crazy fun on the beach, well, that always wins.
It’s not a matter of not being able to afford a gen, just a matter of better things in life to spend on, at least imo.

I think your post also needs 1 addition - security. We of course all live in many different countries but for sure wearing or keeping at home a few expensive gens might be a bit risky in some places. At least when you loose a rep the pain will be a little smaller.

 

[DurbanPoison]

Great post, I have similar thoughts on this.
I sometimes think about buying a few gens, lately got an offer for a Pam372 and thought about it, looked at my rep, and came to the same conclusion as always, there are better ways to spend that money.
Instead of buying a gen let’s take the family on a great 10 days of vacation and watch my daughters have crazy fun on the beach, well, that always wins.
It’s not a matter of not being able to afford a gen, just a matter of better things in life to spend on, at least imo.

I think your post also needs 1 addition - security. We of course all live in many different countries but for sure wearing or keeping at home a few expensive gens might be a bit risky in some places. At least when you loose a rep the pain will be a little smaller.

Agreed with the safety aspect as well. Thats unless if you loose an arm wearing a rep... lol

 

[pam63C]

I can't say I love reps as I have not brought one yet since the PAM63C that I unknowingly acquired more than 20+ years ago. The rep industry then was so different.

But I am interested in acquiring a couple of rep AP primary because of the reason you stated in (3). I am devastated and disappointed that despite having acquired 3 pieces from the authorized distributors over the years, these count to nothing from the boutique to allocate me a new piece. I have been waiting for past 5-6 years for an allocation of the Royal Oak and RO chrono. I came to realize this may never happen. Same shit with Patek.

I am now at ease with myself and no longer feel inadequate or embarrassed or guilty about buying and owing a rep AP. It will be just another watch in my collection should I acquire a rep. So your (4) point on thrill and fun does not apply to me. Anyway, with all the gen watches I have, no one ever questioned me about the origin and I suppose soon it will not matter whether it is a gen or rep that I am wearing. My PAM 63C is a bad replica by all means but it is part of my collection and have equal wrist time as the rest.

On the economics. I brought most of my watches from the ADs at MSRP or discounted from MSRP and some lost values and some gained over the years. Should I aggregate the market value of my collection, I can safety say the collection has raised by more than 40-50% , mainly popped up by a few exceptional pieces. If economics is my main consideration, I will continue to buy gen.

Just my few cents of worth.

 

[DurbanPoison]

I can't say I love reps as I have not brought one yet since the PAM63C that I unknowingly acquired more than 20+ years ago. The rep industry then was so different.

But I am interested in acquiring a couple of rep AP primary because of the reason you stated in (3). I am devastated and disappointed that despite having acquired 3 pieces from the authorized distributors over the years, these count to nothing from the boutique to allocate me a new piece. I have been waiting for past 5-6 years for an allocation of the Royal Oak and RO chrono. I came to realize this may never happen. Same shit with Patek.

I am now at ease with myself and no longer feel inadequate or embarrassed or guilty about buying and owing a rep AP. It will be just another watch in my collection should I acquire a rep. So your (4) point on thrill and fun does not apply to me. Anyway, with all the gen watches I have, no one ever questioned me about the origin and I suppose soon it will not matter whether it is a gen or rep that I am wearing. My PAM 63C is a bad replica by all means but it is part of my collection and have equal wrist time as the rest.

On the economics. I brought most of my watches from the ADs at MSRP or discounted from MSRP and some lost values and some gained over the years. Should I aggregate the market value of my collection, I can safety say the collection has raised by more than 40-50% , mainly popped up by a few exceptional pieces. If economics is my main consideration, I will continue to buy gen.

Just my few cents of worth.

I highly recommend the ZF v3 15500st in blue or black if you are looking at a rep AP. Those 2 are the best right now, with super reliable clone movements. The blue dial can do a little modding from a watch modder and it will be indiscernible from a gen.

If no one raises an eyebrow or questions you on the authenticity of the watches you wear, then you should be encouraged to try some reps. Ultimately, its the wearer and not the rep that makes people question whether the person is wearing a genuine watch or not. It all boils down to lifestyle, confidence, your job etc. Just an example - if you have a high-paying corporate job, and you are very confident and display good body language when interacting with people, people will never doubt that you are wearing a rep.

Go for it, get a rep!

 

[Lev]

You definitely summed up my thoughts on why I enjoy reps. It really is a hobby to so many people and the idea of collecting your favorite watches because you enjoy them mechanically and aesthetically is really satisfying. Would I like to own gens, sure. But as you mentioned it isnt economical or practical to own the gen of every watch. Theyre material items and once the honeymoon phase is over I tend to get a bit less interested. Imagine blowing 15k on a watch and then youre just like "meh". To some people that doesnt matter but I dont think its a valuable investment then.

I wear my reps at work and have had many great conversations with my clients who own the gen versions and they never even thought to ask. The rest of my "costume" fits and so I guess people see me and think "makes sense".

 

[restandrelaxation]

What brought me here was almost damaging one of my gen watches, I came in search of a 40th anniversary speedy..... I've realised now that it isn't going to happen.
What I've found is a community that share my interests and passions and I love it.

 

[DurbanPoison]

You definitely summed up my thoughts on why I enjoy reps. It really is a hobby to so many people and the idea of collecting your favorite watches because you enjoy them mechanically and aesthetically is really satisfying. Would I like to own gens, sure. But as you mentioned it isnt economical or practical to own the gen of every watch. Theyre material items and once the honeymoon phase is over I tend to get a bit less interested. Imagine blowing 15k on a watch and then youre just like "meh". To some people that doesnt matter but I dont think its a valuable investment then.

I wear my reps at work and have had many great conversations with my clients who own the gen versions and they never even thought to ask. The rest of my "costume" fits and so I guess people see me and think "makes sense".

Exactly. Reps like the VSF 126610LV is INDISTINGUISHABLE to the gen. Once u buy the rep u realise how dumb it is to buy the gen

 

[RoXeW22]

@ahboylovespatek what's been the the most unexpected surprise for you as you've gotten into this scene?

 

[DurbanPoison]

@ahboylovespatek what's been the the most unexpected surprise for you as you've gotten into this scene?

The first time I bought a VSF sub I thought my TD sent me a gen lol

 

[Lev]

The first time I bought a VSF sub I thought my TD sent me a gen lol

Ive been in the rep game since 2013 and the developments have been incredible to watch. They are getting so good at it. A lot of people on RWI, RWG and Reddit have such a love for watches that minute details will stand out but all in all, it is very impressive what the factories are capable of.

 

[DurbanPoison]

Ive been in the rep game since 2013 and the developments have been incredible to watch. They are getting so good at it. A lot of people on RWI, RWG and Reddit have such a love for watches that minute details will stand out but all in all, it is very impressive what the factories are capable of.

Yep. If I have 1 wish for the rep world is that we will see solid 18k rep watches from factories like VSF and Clean. They have the blueprint for submariners and Daytonas already. All they need is to use 18k gold and we can have solid 18k gold reps, how amazing will that be?

 

[Lev]

Yep. If I have 1 wish for the rep world is that we will see solid 18k rep watches from factories like VSF and Clean. They have the blueprint for submariners and Daytonas already. All they need is to use 18k gold and we can have solid 18k gold reps, how amazing will that be?

I mean that would be insane. When I told my girlfriend about my watches I think initially I had the same conversation with her as in "why reps or fakes?" "why not just get a real one or a gen you can afford?", etc. After talking a bit (she showed genuine interest) I think she realised that in most or at least many cases it is really a hobby like any other. Its a love for the design, aesthetics, pedigree and collecting and ultimately expanding a collection.

Seeing solid 18k watches from VSF or Clean would certainly make Rolex, etc. start sweating because ultimately the 10% finishing advantage and the access to precious metals is the only real advantage these brands often have next to their marketing.

 

[Thatwatchguy]

Lol reps in precious metals…I mean come on you know that will never happen

 

[Lev]

Lol reps in precious metals…I mean come on you know that will never happen

One can only dream man!

 

[DurbanPoison]

Lol reps in precious metals…I mean come on you know that will never happen

Never know man. But why do you think it will never happen? Want to hear your thoughts.

Personally I think that it’s because of the risk/reward for factories. They are under constant pressure from authorities and risk getting raided anytime. To have that much precious metals in their factories means that in the event of a raid they can loose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of materials, maybe even millions (depending on their inventory). Also I think that it may be due to the demand? I’m not too sure, but I believe the larger demographic of rep owners are not able to afford precious metal watches in the tens of thousands range.

 

[Lev]

Never know man. But why do you think it will never happen? Want to hear your thoughts.

Personally I think that it’s because of the risk/reward for factories. They are under constant pressure from authorities and risk getting raided anytime. To have that much precious metals in their factories means that in the event of a raid they can loose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of materials, maybe even millions (depending on their inventory). Also I think that it may be due to the demand? I’m not too sure, but I believe the larger demographic of rep owners are not able to afford precious metal watches in the tens of thousands range.

This is a very valid point. We might get to the point where technically speaking it is possible but as a whole the demand will not make it worthwhile and yeah it is risky carrying so many valuable metals or valuable equipment in an operation that is illegal. Kind of like how it is risky to be walking around with a 40k gold DD. You are basically signalling to people a certain value. The quality of reps has gotten amazing though, that is undeniable.

 

[Thatwatchguy]

Never know man. But why do you think it will never happen? Want to hear your thoughts.

Personally I think that it’s because of the risk/reward for factories. They are under constant pressure from authorities and risk getting raided anytime. To have that much precious metals in their factories means that in the event of a raid they can loose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of materials, maybe even millions (depending on their inventory). Also I think that it may be due to the demand? I’m not too sure, but I believe the larger demographic of rep owners are not able to afford precious metal watches in the tens of thousands range.

Completely agree, risk vs reward For a maker So not even a conversation for them to have, just doesn’t make sense.

A maker IMO wants to rep a version that will sell, not that is perfect (and they are pretty damn good at it in non precious metals). Then there is v1-4 etc always changing something better and worse than the previous

 

[DurbanPoison]

Completely agree, risk vs reward For a maker So not even a conversation for them to have, just doesn’t make sense.

A maker IMO wants to rep a version that will sell, not that is perfect (and they are pretty damn good at it in non precious metals). Then there is v1-4 etc always changing something better and worse than the previous

Ah right that’s true I never thought of that. From a business standpoint they want products that will sell not products that are perfect. I guess that’s why reps like 3KF 5711 has a protruding crown, clean daytona has a fat coronet etc. They keep teasing us with new versions so we will constantly upgrade and buy newer versions of the reps and that’s how they generate revenue. Marketing psychology. They can make reps perfect if they wanted to but they won’t!

 

[Lev]

Ah right that’s true I never thought of that. From a business standpoint they want products that will sell not products that are perfect. I guess that’s why reps like 3KF 5711 has a protruding crown, clean daytona has a fat coronet etc. They keep teasing us with new versions so we will constantly upgrade and buy newer versions of the reps and that’s how they generate revenue. Marketing psychology. They can make reps perfect if they wanted to but they won’t!

Honestly, a point I didnt even consider...

I mean sure, make a rep that is perfect and everyone will have it but they are creating long-term demand but never producing the item that is 100%. Kind of like a Sisyphus effect.