Of course they’re a rip-off. What luxury item isn’t? That’s half the fun...
I have always preferred the twisted lugs, but, still, it is a wonderful rendition of an iconic Speedmaster. Here's are two opposing views, maybe they will help in your decision:
I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but, there are some luxury items that aren't a rip-off. Some watches can honestly be considered an investment, think Patek Philippe, think vintage Rolex sport models, think vintage Speedmasters. How much was that Rolex Daytona Paul Newman ref 6263 in 1994? Well take a look...
Sources: https://www.bobswatches.com/paul-newman-rolex-daytona
Patek Philippe
The problem with this is twofold: 1) It would have taken the equivalent of over $26,000 in today’s dollars to have gotten into the Newman market back then, which is not easy for even dedicated watch collectors; and, 2) we know in hind-sight they were good investments. Until they appreciated so nicely, they were just rip-off luxury goods.
Ok, I see your point, but, I think it's best that we agree to disagree. I bought a Rolex 6239 Newman in auction in 1988 for approximately 4k (8500.00 today's dollars) with buyers premium and tax, at the time, I never considered the watch to be a rip-off. In a manner of 4 years the watch more than doubled in value.
I definitely agree hind-sight is always 20-20, but certain watches and certain brands are damn good bets.
Source:https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/reference-points-the-paul-newman-daytona
Here’s my point: I, like you, have apparently done well with some of our watches as they have appreciated in value. But, I think you’ll concede that in 1988, or thereabouts, many watches were not yet universally become viewed as good investments, such as traditional investment vehicles like the stock market or real estate, which up until that point had fairly well-charted return statistics.
So, I’m saying you may have hypothesized that they could be good investments, but there was no real history to prove they were good investments, so therefore they were still over-priced luxury objects that we were lucky to have done well with.
