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DON bezels... the new bubble?

dsio
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I'll give you where the definition sits for me here. If for example someone decided to make some aftermarket number 6 endlinks and made them fit a flat link Omega bracelet but made them solid or structurally different in addition to marking them differently that would be an aftermarket part as its clearly different and can't be passed off as an Omega part. An exact copy isn't an aftermarket part, its a counterfeit.
 
Tjmmartin
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Thanks dsio, I do appreciate your stance. I suppose it boils down to where you draw the line on the spectrum of original to counterfeit. I suspect I draw the line a little more towards the counterfeit (BUT NOT COUNTERFEIT! ) end of the spectrum. I believe that the definition of counterfeit is copying with the intent to deceive. I totally agree that if financial deception is intended then clearly that is wrong, but is it so wrong to market an aesthetic copy, suitably marked and branded, I don't think so. I suspect we will continue to disagree but thank you for taking the time to air your views. Tim
 
flyingout
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Tjmmartin Tjmmartin
As for the role of such parts I think the main argument against them has been highlighted by Bienne2998 and pitpro but I would be interested to hear other arguments other than just branding them as counterfeit
You've heard from some of the heavy hitters (read buyers) here as to why your aftermarket/fakes are undesirable. From my perspective, the worst part is that if they are good fakes, they will be used to deceive. So for that reason alone I'm on the side of the others.

Even if disclosed, I would discount service and aftermarket by whatever a replacement correct part would cost. (We saw what that is today.)

But a story as to why I disagree. Today I took five watches into my watchmaker for service estimates. Four were beaters or possible gifts to nephews (yeah, yeah, I'm serious here). One, though, a solid gold JLC, got a nice compliment from the person helping me. Immediately I said, "unfortunately, it's a redial." Not the first time with this watch. I feel I'm deceiving if I don't do that. (With someone who knows the difference.)

I would have to do the same with a fake DON every time I showed it to someone able to appreciate the watch.
 
Davidt
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Where exactly do you put a mark to reveal that a DoN bezel is aftermarket? If you want it to be an accurate replica, it can't be on the front, so must go on the back.

Therefore it can't be seen unless the bezel is removed and even then a dishonest seller could file it off.

It doesn't matter if they are produced with honest intent. The fact is, people could always pass them on as original.

Personally I can't see how a 'correct looking but fake bezel' is better than a '99% correct and original, modern omega bezel'.
 
Tjmmartin
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David3449 I do agree with your comments, much of what i've said here is playing the role of devils advocate. It is this forum that rightly reinforces the "iconic" status of the DON bezel which may ultimatley result in the emergence of copies. Part of my argument is that it may be better to have upfront branded aftermarket bezels rather than very good true fakes that alledgedly are already out there as alluded to earlier in this thread - and if they are out therethen I do believe that it is the role of this forum to expose ways of identifying them rather than suggesting members do not necessarily have to disclose methods of identification.
 
dsio
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Tjmmartin Tjmmartin
David3449 I do agree with your comments, much of what i've said here is playing the role of devils advocate. It is this forum that rightly reinforces the "iconic" status of the DON bezel which may ultimatley result in the emergence of copies. Part of my argument is that it may be better to have upfront branded aftermarket bezels rather than very good true fakes that alledgedly are already out there as alluded to earlier in this thread - and if they are out therethen I do believe that it is the role of this forum to expose ways of identifying them rather than suggesting members do not necessarily have to disclose methods of identification.
But this is the whole point, the ONLY reason the DON bezels have any value at all is that they are a sign of an original Omega part...
 
Tjmmartin
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dsio I agree, but apparently fakes are already out there ( although i have not seen any evidence, but I am a beginner ) so one could argue that cat is already out of the bag
 
dsio
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I don't even know what that means, are you saying if they exist already then that makes it ok?
 
Tjmmartin
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If fakes are out there then there is a market for them. As it stands alledgedly you can hardly tell them from the real thing therfore theoretically all sales must be considered suspect ( I accept this an extreme argument ). If clearly branded ( and I accept the difficulty of ensuring branding is visible ) then aftermarket bezels would go someway to underminging the fake market. Lots of caveats i know.
 
Tjmmartin
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Link to ulackfocus's contribution to "I am shocked - SHOKED......." thread
 
dsio
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Honestly what are you trying to achieve at this point?
 
MSNWatch
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Counterfeit: made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud.

Even if you are keeping it for yourself - you are deceiving yourself. Why? - Because you want the appearance of the real article and are unwilling to pay for the the genuine piece. Why do I say unwilling? Because if you own a watch nice enough to have a pristine bezel then you're not exactly crying poverty.
 
MSNWatch
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dsio dsio
Honestly what are you trying to achieve at this point?

Intellectual masturbation.
 
Tjmmartin
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MSNWatch I suspect you are right.
Deceiving myself I can live with, deceiving others is clearly unacceptable.
I'm not really trying to achieve anything with this thread and certainly have no intention of offending anyone.
With these prices maybe fake / aftermarket DON bezels will become available and I think it worthwhile having an open disussion rather than just saying "aftermarket bezels are wrong fullstop".
 
Tjmmartin
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No intention of not a happy ending from my perspective. I acknowledge the experience and knowledge of this forum and truly value your opinions.
 
Traveler
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Here's a happy ending ... One thing my wife did get right ... She bought me this :

image.jpg
 
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