What time is it? Watches and horology

The land of the rising sun?

Lol

It's an interesting one and I don't have a problem with replicas personally, but can understand peoples issues with them.

My other half has a replica Radiomir - but it has a sterile Cali dial, so its not quite as obvious that it is a replica rather than an homage unless you look at the case back. I think it cost about £120 10 years ago - keeps very good time. Had to replace the plexi as it got cracked, but that could happen to any watch.

The main thing that puts me off is the idea of people inflating their opinion of my wealth if I am wearing a watch that should cost a huge amount.

I have been tempted by some of these homages: http://www.tiger-concept.com/
They even (used to) make custom dials for them if you don't want a toiger on your wrist :P

people buy fakes and feel routinely smug that they didn’t spend thousands

As someone that wears a "homage", that's not true. The kind of person that buys a homage or fake or whatever isn't the same person that has thousands spare to spend on wrist jewellery, so they're not saving money as they wouldn't spend it on the real thing in the first place.

Maybe I’m missing your point but I’m saying fakes = bad, homages = ok

Same Same. #imo

Temporarily on my wrist today.
New (released today) VC Traditionelle, number 1 of 20 pieces. Insane Guilloché dial

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What I mean is, even if someone buys a fake with all the branding and everything, only a very small percent will actually be trying to pass it off as the real deal. Generally people will buy a fake because they want to own the original but it's out of reach and probably always will be, but won't be going around telling people "look at my new Rolex".

As an aside I don't think fakes hurt the market for the real versions, the only real risk is brand dilution but the biggest victim if fakes is the Rolex Sub and they still sell without trouble.

I think something that is often overlooked, is that a lot of the people buying the high-end replicas will have gen watches as well and often use the replica almost as long term test pieces before buying a gen version, or selling on the rep and looking at something else.

Fascinating how polarised this is, I just wrote an essay of guff about my viewpoint but it’s all bollocks. I wouldn’t wear a fake but can see why people do.
Moar Friday wristies people!

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i have never been more embarrased to have clicked on this thread.

Are you sure that’s legit, they misspelt Vacheron? 👀

a fashion item

There are lots of fashion watches, though.

Buying one with a £ks-brand logo on the front clearly isn't just wanting a certain aesthetic. It's wanting to emulate and project a certain lifestyle. A bit like sharing a bottle of Champaign between you and 10 of you mates in a club.

@aggi - it may have been a pitch, but years ago a mate and his family were on holiday somewhere hot and yachty, and someone asked if he could show them some replica watches. They were all gobsmacked at the +€600 prices. He said a lot of people sailing bought exact copies of their real watches in case of damage.

Cor.

"i bought a knock off speedy because i didn't want to damage my real speedy..."

my bollocks. this might have happened one in the entire history of the universe.

Agree. Don't like people having dailys vs special either, if you can't stand to wear something every day though thick and thin, don't own it. Patina and use are as valuable as the metal that makes the cars and watches, IMO.

Got to take issue with this.

Would you wear formal leather soled shoes to garden or lay concreate in?

Maybe I've misunderstood your comment, but to me having special watches for high days and holidays is as* sensible as using the correct screwdriver.

*ok that's obviously an exaggeration, but still.

won the auction for the watch - £55 plus commission/ postage. Thanks for the link to the auction, however that site is very dangerous....lots of interesting watches for sale!

Probably true.

Anyways I'm off to buy this.

Then shake it in a bag of coins to fake years of cool stories.

I guess one curve-ball off the back of the original Daytona that sparked this. Is it still wrong to buy a fake steel sports Rolex if they don't sell them to people any more?

Excellent, look forward to the pics. It takes me a good couple of minutes everyday to scan all the email alerts I set up after missing a bargain.

fakes = bad, homages = ok

But why the distinction?

At some point the line appears to be only whether it carries a different name on it or not. If it's Gucci and calls itself Bucci... is 1 letter still too close? What's the difference and why is it relevant?

Ok I’m gonna try and put this fake / replica discussion to bed.

Let’s say you start to naturally lose your hair and you can’t afford £20k for hair transplant from that clinic in Belgravia.

Would you wear a toupee? Even if most people couldn’t tell you were wearing one?

Buying one with a £ks-brand logo on the front clearly isn't just wanting a certain aesthetic. It's wanting to emulate and project a certain lifestyle. A bit like sharing a bottle of Champaign between you and 10 of you mates in a club.

At some point... it's starting to feel classist.

If someone wishes to buy a replica watch and indulge in their own fantasy that they're living a lifestyle... let them.

Take Tudor's latest insta marketing.

No way I'm taking my Pelagos on a fixeh.

That fine nurling won't withstand gravel, even if it is titanium.

G Shock yes.

Would you wear a toupee? Even if most people couldn’t tell you were wearing one?

Hell no.

I'd wearing a full wig from Pak's in Finsbury Park, and would have a full mane at that.

.

ss vs fixed