The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches

AllergyDoc · 01-19-2008, 11:43 PM

Never really posted this list here, but this was the 2nd replica watch board I found, so here it is. Whatever good it can do.

Most of us arrived here with minds polluted by scam sites and scam "review" sites: all peddlers of lies and deception.

In an effort to help cleanse the noobs' minds of this filth, I propose the following 10 common and devious lies and misconceptions
about replica watches, and the business of manufacturing and selling replica watches.

Lie #1: The best replica watches are made in Switzerland, followed closely by Italy.

-- This is the biggest lie of all. All replica watches are made somewhere in Asia, mostly China. Saying that replicas are made in Switzerland or Italy is a lie intended to extract more money from the ignorant.

Lie #2: Replica watches are graded according to quality. C (or whatever) is the lowest and AAA+++ (or whatever) is the highest.

-- Who decides what is "C" and what is "A"? The "International Replica Watch Governing Board"? Pure nonsense designed, again, to get more of your dollars.

Lie #3: The movements in "Swiss made" replicas are identical to the genuine watch movements. 27 jewel movements are the best.

-- (See Lie #1 for "Swiss made".) Far from the truth. Very few replica watch movements come from anywhere but China and any watchman can immediately tell it's not genuine. There are no Asian 27 jewels movements in replica watches; only 25, 21, or 17. (Some newer replicas are powered by an ETA 7753, which does have 27J.)

Lie #4: The best replicas are 99% true to the genuine and will even fool an Authorized Dealer (AD).

-- Not true. While some may be close (picking a number is impossible) to the genuine, all replicas are flawed. Do you really think you can spend $200 or less and get a watch that's 99% identical to a $4,000-20,000 watch? As for fooling ADs, maybe. Common clerks are easily fooled, but seasoned ADs, upon close inspection, will know it's a replica.

Lie #5: The gold on "Swiss grade" replicas is much higher than on other replicas. The crown, bezel, and mid links are solid gold and the full-gold replicas are 5-wrapped (or 6-wrapped, or whatever).

-- While a few models have been shown to have solid gold mid links (Rolex replicas), the rest of the watch is gold plated or double or triple wrapped gold. ("Search" for threads on how this is done.)

Lie #6: The best Rolex replicas are made with 904L grade steel.

-- Big fat lie. Good replicas are made with 316L quality steel. Rolex is one of the few companies that use 904L steel and it costs 3 times as much as 316L. Replicas are not made with 440 steel, either.

Lie #7: Buying a replica watch is risky, but not if you use sellers from "Replica Review" sites.

-- What most people don't know is the "review" sites are owned and operated by the people who run the sites they recommend--it's very incestuous. These "review" sites are clever and it's easy to get taken in by their lies.

Lie #8: You can tell you're getting a good watch after a thorough examination of the web site.

-- Please. If you think everything displayed on the web is true, you deserve to be fleeced. Scam sites lie about everything, from the quality of their goods to their pledge to make sure every customer is happy. Many even post pictures of genuine watches, (Look for pictures where the watch hands are set at "10:10." Pictures of genuine watches seen in advertisements are always set to "10:10.") but send you junk.

Lie #9: Picking a good seller will always result in getting a good watch, one I won't have trouble with.

-- We wish. Quality control in replica watch factories is hit-and-miss, but mostly shoddy. One batch may be great while the next produces watches that are DOA. (Remember, making replica watches is illegal, even in China. Replica watch "factories" are usually small operations that can be easily moved or hidden from prying authorities.) What is true, though, is a good dealer will want to protect his/her reputation and will fix whatever is wrong.

Lie #10: Paying by COD is the best way to get the cheapest price. Plus, I can examine my watch before paying the courier to make sure I get what I paid for.

-- A really dumb thing to do and a huge red flag that you're dealing with a true scammer. They want cash because they know you'll scream foul to your credit card company the moment you see the junk you just paid $1,000 for.

One final point. Remember, replica watches are counterfeit goods. While it is not illegal to purchase or possess replica watches in most countries, it is illegal to sell them. Keep this in mind when using PayPal or communicating with credit card companies.

daytona4me · 01-20-2008, 09:10 AM

A nice read for noobs just getting into replicas! Good Job AlergyDoc!

I had asked Ruby about the AAA grade thing, she said that factories are now marking their swiss movement and ones with AR coating with these stickers,, but again... who is the Authority of AAA items. lol.

dave123 · 01-20-2008, 10:32 AM

Gotta pin it D.

Noobs love it.... 8)

OldeCrow · 01-20-2008, 10:48 AM

For the noobs who think our replicas are made on an assembly line like cars you really need to follow the link in my signature and see what a replica "factory" really looks like!!

AllergyDoc · 01-20-2008, 11:48 AM

That link is great, OldeCrow!

Now, would those be the "Swiss-trained" technicians?

hk45ca · 01-20-2008, 12:35 PM

this is one of the best posts i have seen in a long time. thanks for posting it. while there are different grades of replicas,( some better than others) it is best to read the reviews from the owners on these boards to find out the real quality of a watch you are wanting to purchase. never listen to a seller just arbitrarily saying his product is grade 1 or AAA. he only wants your money.

great post!!

hk

watchbuff · 01-20-2008, 01:38 PM

I think they all want our money, some are less scrupulous about it than others and offer varying levels of quality that is subjective to the masses.

The smart shopper looks here.

AllergyDoc · 01-20-2008, 01:59 PM

Made a couple of minor changes to #3 and #6. I was told the ETA 7730 has 27J. Also, Rolex watches are expensive because of better marketing, not more expensive steel. Probably true.

brtelec · 01-20-2008, 02:09 PM

Good post allergydoc, I had read this on another forum, it is great info for everyone.

fakemaster · 01-20-2008, 03:54 PM

I thought this was already here somewhere.

01-19-2008, 11:43 PM	#1
AllergyDoc Dark Overlord Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,589	The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches Never really posted this list here, but this was the 2nd replica watch board I found, so here it is. Whatever good it can do. Most of us arrived here with minds polluted by scam sites and scam "review" sites: all peddlers of lies and deception. In an effort to help cleanse the noobs' minds of this filth, I propose the following 10 common and devious lies and misconceptions about replica watches, and the business of manufacturing and selling replica watches. Lie #1: The best replica watches are made in Switzerland, followed closely by Italy. -- This is the biggest lie of all. All replica watches are made somewhere in Asia, mostly China. Saying that replicas are made in Switzerland or Italy is a lie intended to extract more money from the ignorant. Lie #2: Replica watches are graded according to quality. C (or whatever) is the lowest and AAA+++ (or whatever) is the highest. -- Who decides what is "C" and what is "A"? The "International Replica Watch Governing Board"? Pure nonsense designed, again, to get more of your dollars. Lie #3: The movements in "Swiss made" replicas are identical to the genuine watch movements. 27 jewel movements are the best. -- (See Lie #1 for "Swiss made".) Far from the truth. Very few replica watch movements come from anywhere but China and any watchman can immediately tell it's not genuine. There are no Asian 27 jewels movements in replica watches; only 25, 21, or 17. (Some newer replicas are powered by an ETA 7753, which does have 27J.) Lie #4: The best replicas are 99% true to the genuine and will even fool an Authorized Dealer (AD). -- Not true. While some may be close (picking a number is impossible) to the genuine, all replicas are flawed. Do you really think you can spend $200 or less and get a watch that's 99% identical to a $4,000-20,000 watch? As for fooling ADs, maybe. Common clerks are easily fooled, but seasoned ADs, upon close inspection, will know it's a replica. Lie #5: The gold on "Swiss grade" replicas is much higher than on other replicas. The crown, bezel, and mid links are solid gold and the full-gold replicas are 5-wrapped (or 6-wrapped, or whatever). -- While a few models have been shown to have solid gold mid links (Rolex replicas), the rest of the watch is gold plated or double or triple wrapped gold. ("Search" for threads on how this is done.) Lie #6: The best Rolex replicas are made with 904L grade steel. -- Big fat lie. Good replicas are made with 316L quality steel. Rolex is one of the few companies that use 904L steel and it costs 3 times as much as 316L. Replicas are not made with 440 steel, either. Lie #7: Buying a replica watch is risky, but not if you use sellers from "Replica Review" sites. -- What most people don't know is the "review" sites are owned and operated by the people who run the sites they recommend--it's very incestuous. These "review" sites are clever and it's easy to get taken in by their lies. Lie #8: You can tell you're getting a good watch after a thorough examination of the web site. -- Please. If you think everything displayed on the web is true, you deserve to be fleeced. Scam sites lie about everything, from the quality of their goods to their pledge to make sure every customer is happy. Many even post pictures of genuine watches, (Look for pictures where the watch hands are set at "10:10." Pictures of genuine watches seen in advertisements are always set to "10:10.") but send you junk. Lie #9: Picking a good seller will always result in getting a good watch, one I won't have trouble with. -- We wish. Quality control in replica watch factories is hit-and-miss, but mostly shoddy. One batch may be great while the next produces watches that are DOA. (Remember, making replica watches is illegal, even in China. Replica watch "factories" are usually small operations that can be easily moved or hidden from prying authorities.) What is true, though, is a good dealer will want to protect his/her reputation and will fix whatever is wrong. Lie #10: Paying by COD is the best way to get the cheapest price. Plus, I can examine my watch before paying the courier to make sure I get what I paid for. -- A really dumb thing to do and a huge red flag that you're dealing with a true scammer. They want cash because they know you'll scream foul to your credit card company the moment you see the junk you just paid $1,000 for. One final point. Remember, replica watches are counterfeit goods. While it is not illegal to purchase or possess replica watches in most countries, it is illegal to sell them. Keep this in mind when using PayPal or communicating with credit card companies. __________________ Sue Lor: All the people in this house are very traditional. Number one: never touch a Hmong person on the head. Not even a child. The Hmong people believe that the soul resides on the head, so don't do that. Walt Kowalski: Well... Sounds dumb, but fine. Sue Lor: Yeah, and a lot of Hmong people consider looking someone in the eye to be very rude! That's why they look away when you look at them. Walt Kowalski: Yeah. Anything else? Sue Lor: Yeah... some Hmong people tend to smile or grin, when they're yelled at. It's a cultural thing, it expresses embarrassment or insecurity. It's not that they're laughing at you or anything. Walt Kowalski: Right, you people are nuts.

01-20-2008, 09:10 AM	#2
daytona4me Cat Herder - Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: RIGHT BEHIND YOU!! Posts: 10,102 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches A nice read for noobs just getting into replicas! Good Job AlergyDoc! I had asked Ruby about the AAA grade thing, she said that factories are now marking their swiss movement and ones with AR coating with these stickers,, but again... who is the Authority of AAA items. lol. __________________ THE FORUM IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE! Guanaco on 4chan... "It's like putting a few puppies and a few butterflies with some rose petals into a blender and pushing the 'puree' button while videotaping it"

01-20-2008, 10:32 AM	#3
dave123 I'M BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,341	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches Gotta pin it D. Noobs love it.... 8)

01-20-2008, 10:48 AM	#4
OldeCrow VIP MEMBER / SUPPORTER! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PorTlAnD OrEgOn Posts: 1,740	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches For the noobs who think our replicas are made on an assembly line like cars you really need to follow the link in my signature and see what a replica "factory" really looks like!! __________________ Listening to: Iron & Wine, Priscilla Ahn, James Taylor, Peter, Paul and Mary, my crazy IndieFolkmix...

01-20-2008, 11:48 AM	#5
AllergyDoc Dark Overlord Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,589	OldeCrow's link That link is great, OldeCrow! Now, would those be the "Swiss-trained" technicians? __________________ Sue Lor: All the people in this house are very traditional. Number one: never touch a Hmong person on the head. Not even a child. The Hmong people believe that the soul resides on the head, so don't do that. Walt Kowalski: Well... Sounds dumb, but fine. Sue Lor: Yeah, and a lot of Hmong people consider looking someone in the eye to be very rude! That's why they look away when you look at them. Walt Kowalski: Yeah. Anything else? Sue Lor: Yeah... some Hmong people tend to smile or grin, when they're yelled at. It's a cultural thing, it expresses embarrassment or insecurity. It's not that they're laughing at you or anything. Walt Kowalski: Right, you people are nuts.

01-20-2008, 12:35 PM	#6
hk45ca Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: in the 918 Posts: 11,969	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches this is one of the best posts i have seen in a long time. thanks for posting it. while there are different grades of replicas,( some better than others) it is best to read the reviews from the owners on these boards to find out the real quality of a watch you are wanting to purchase. never listen to a seller just arbitrarily saying his product is grade 1 or AAA. he only wants your money. great post!! hk __________________ The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee. "say hello to my little friend"

01-20-2008, 01:38 PM	#7
watchbuff Chief Pilot of the Darkside Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: In Repgeeks Matrix. Posts: 2,793	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches I think they all want our money, some are less scrupulous about it than others and offer varying levels of quality that is subjective to the masses. The smart shopper looks here. __________________ The best revenge is living well. By watchbuff Gen: Bell and Ross 03-88 Aviation Type Breitling B-2 Lum Tec Combat B-1 Lum Tec M-15 Lum Tec Lumzilla Movado Stainless Tissot T- Touch titanium Stowa Pro Diver Luminox 3053 custom by Flav Casio ProTrek titanium Casio G-Shock - Hydro Conversion Seiko Orange Monster Seiko Black Monster (Custom Lume Bezel) Hamilton Khaki Aviation 7750 Classic Swatch GK104 Rep: DSN PAM 111H Ultimate Jimmy Fu case Palp crown Had/Sold/Traded Gen Bell and Ross 01-92 (For a Breitling Emergency) Gen Breitling Emergency (Sold outright) Too many rep Submariners, and Noobmariners to count (Sold, destroyed, modded and parted) MBW GMT II with Coke bezel, gen box tags and gen Pepsi bezel spare. (sold) Rep Pam 005 (Sold) Rep Omega Seamaster Professional ala Fakey (Sold) Rep Omega Broad Arrow White (sold- and missing it)

01-20-2008, 01:59 PM	#8
AllergyDoc Dark Overlord Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,589	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches Made a couple of minor changes to #3 and #6. I was told the ETA 7730 has 27J. Also, Rolex watches are expensive because of better marketing, not more expensive steel. Probably true. __________________ Sue Lor: All the people in this house are very traditional. Number one: never touch a Hmong person on the head. Not even a child. The Hmong people believe that the soul resides on the head, so don't do that. Walt Kowalski: Well... Sounds dumb, but fine. Sue Lor: Yeah, and a lot of Hmong people consider looking someone in the eye to be very rude! That's why they look away when you look at them. Walt Kowalski: Yeah. Anything else? Sue Lor: Yeah... some Hmong people tend to smile or grin, when they're yelled at. It's a cultural thing, it expresses embarrassment or insecurity. It's not that they're laughing at you or anything. Walt Kowalski: Right, you people are nuts.

01-20-2008, 02:09 PM	#9
brtelec Advisor and Gent Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: I'm on a boat! Posts: 4,676	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches Good post allergydoc, I had read this on another forum, it is great info for everyone. __________________ Two things are infinite - the universe and human stupidity. And I am not sure about the former. -Albert Einstein

01-20-2008, 03:54 PM	#10
fakemaster Horological Creationist Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 9,332 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: The Top 10 Lies about Replica Watches I thought this was already here somewhere. __________________ Noobs! Look here before you buy! Replica Watch Scam Dealer List -------------------- -------------------- A Noob Tutorial: Posting 101 -------------------- People will assume your gen is a fake before they presume your fake is a gen...if they care at all.