- Posts
- 2,443
- Likes
- 4,231
wsfarrell
·is the reason why people don't really mind watchco SM300s because it's made of all omega parts?
So what if someone built up rolex watches the same way with all rolex parts?
These alleged 1:1 knock offs.
- Posts
- 1,134
- Likes
- 1,690
ext1
·Vintage Rolexes had serials on the cases---so you're never going to see a genuine new (or new old stock) Rolex case on eBay.
True, good point. You're right that it's significantly easier and more accessible with omega parts.
I guess if one was really determined to find original cases and build up a rolex that way then it wouldn't be so frowned upon, then.
I wondered recently why fakers aren't going after speedy straight lug cases - they must be very easy to make for them. No serial, no chamfers to take care of...
- Posts
- 1,136
- Likes
- 11,361
sah
·This thread is pretty scary, and makes one question even respected sellers. Could they have been fooled?
When did new high quality replica watches get to this level? In the last 2 years? 4 years? 10 years?
When did new high quality replica watches get to this level? In the last 2 years? 4 years? 10 years?
- Posts
- 2,058
- Likes
- 4,635
77deluxe
·So just wondering, is the reason why people don't really mind watchco SM300s because it's made of all omega parts?
So what if someone built up rolex watches the same way with all rolex parts? I feel like something's different there but not sure what exactly.
Watchco are parts watches using all genuine omega parts. While they were not assembled by Omega, all parts were made by omega. Most sellers do not try to hide this from potential buyers. The difference in market price between an omega assembled and issued SM300, and a watchco is reflected in a difference of thousands of $$$.
- Posts
- 16,856
- Likes
- 47,859
STANDY
··schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collectorThis thread is pretty scary, and makes one question even respected sellers. Could they have been fooled?
When did new high quality replica watches get to this level? In the last 2 years? 4 years? 10 years?
Getting better every day. Probably the last few years they have started to get scary good.
- Posts
- 1,872
- Likes
- 2,154
Millenary Watches
·The vast majority of fakes are terrible and can be spotted from miles away. Then there are those fakes that are a little bit better, but you will never be able to completely replicate a Rolex so that it can't be distinguished. Rolex is a billion dollar company that has carried out research and development for decades, the fake factories are... well.... Some fakes requires a more trained eye, but it's always possible to tell them apart in the details.
- Posts
- 54
- Likes
- 170
Ekonomer-Tuomas
·Check out these sites ~
https://perfectwatches.io/product-category/rolex/
https://www.replicamagic.to/product-category/omega/
I wonder how many of the pre-owned watches out there, the ones sold without box and papers, are fake? I guess the box and papers can be fake, too. So, maybe over half? I hope it’s not that high. The used watch scene is a pretty damn scary world to wade into. I know I don’t have enough knowledge to confidently buy a used watch, of that I’m sure.
And then there’s the whole grey market and Amazon thing - yikes!
Sleep tight, folks...
- Posts
- 29,218
- Likes
- 75,506
Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerIf you can't tell the difference, does it even matter anymore?
Yes.
- Posts
- 54
- Likes
- 170
Ekonomer-Tuomas
·Yes.
- Posts
- 10,651
- Likes
- 51,864
Walrus
·And these things have a big market. People buy them in bulk and flip them. I check out certain local sites sometimes find a Hamilton or vintage seiko and I need to file through twenty people selling these things. Hundreds of dollars, and they move. I guess it’s the in thing. And two guys I know who have one come straight out and tell you it’s fake. They aren’t even using them to fool people it’s a cool thing for them to hunt down the most authentic fake if I can say that. Very odd to me spending several hundred to over a grand when you could get so many nice things that are real Oris, orient a good seiko or bulova etc. I don’t know it always used to be as simple as feeling them the fakes I saw.
- Posts
- 1,698
- Likes
- 1,653
kkt
·I believe that's true.
Interesting question, though I think it's moot: Watchco happened because someone in Australia gathered up a bunch of genuine Seamaster cases, dials, hands, etc. I doubt that something like that will happen with Rolex parts. One reason (among others) is that vintage Seamasters had serial numbers on the movement only, so cases (like dials and crystals) could be available as "parts." Vintage Rolexes had serials on the cases---so you're never going to see a genuine new (or new old stock) Rolex case on eBay.
My understanding (correct me if I'm wrong) is Rolex makes it very difficult to assemble a new watch out of replacement parts. First, they only sell the parts to authorized service watchmakers. Watchmakers pay a lot of money for the required training and specialized machinery. Rolex cutting them off would endanger their livelihood, their ability to repay their investment, etc. Second, some Rolex parts are only available on a trade basis: the new parts Rolex supplies have to balanced with worn or broken parts they are replacing.
- Posts
- 6
- Likes
- 3
Nivka
·Before I bought my ceramic sub, I did a lot of research into replicas. I learned so much about the genuine article that I would never have known about otherwise. The hardest parts to replicate for that particular model are the engraving on the rehaut, the colour and shine of the platinum coated insert engravings, the perfectly uniformed recess of the solid end links, the action of the divers extension, the date wheel alignment, the double ar of the cyclops and its beveled edge, the brushing of the case, the angle of the crown guards, the flair of the lugs, the polished and rounded hour markers.
Every time I wear it now I appreciate all those subtle details that make the genuine “perfect”.
Having said that, with ss Rolex so hard to come by these days, I can understand people buying a high end replica for $500 then putting in a genuine crystal and insert for another $1200 and having a damn close copy without years on a waiting list.
Every time I wear it now I appreciate all those subtle details that make the genuine “perfect”.
Having said that, with ss Rolex so hard to come by these days, I can understand people buying a high end replica for $500 then putting in a genuine crystal and insert for another $1200 and having a damn close copy without years on a waiting list.
- Posts
- 134
- Likes
- 156
Theluglife
·this is precisely the reason that I am so afraid of buying a used rolex piece. Granted there are the bad fakes out there that most of us can tell from 10 feet. Then they'd be A++ fakes that going to a jeweler/watchmaker and opening the caseback will be able to tell. But what about the ones with aftermarket bezels, or relumed hands, or professionally refinished dials or repaired poorly with non original parts? I guess at the end of the day, the way to go is to buy the dealer not the watch like they say.
- Posts
- 10,651
- Likes
- 51,864
Walrus
·this is precisely the reason that I am so afraid of buying a used rolex piece. Granted there are the bad fakes out there that most of us can tell from 10 feet. Then they'd be A++ fakes that going to a jeweler/watchmaker and opening the caseback will be able to tell. But what about the ones with aftermarket bezels, or relumed hands, or professionally refinished dials or repaired poorly with non original parts? I guess at the end of the day, the way to go is to buy the dealer not the watch like they say.
- Posts
- 839
- Likes
- 3,026
corn18
·They are getting scary good, but a loop will tell you everything you need to know. Open up the back and look at the finishing on the movement.
- Posts
- 29,218
- Likes
- 75,506
Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerPosted this before a few times, but the days of an obviously fake movement are gone on the higher end replicas...
- Posts
- 839
- Likes
- 3,026
corn18
·Posted this before a few times, but the days of an obviously fake movement are gone on the higher end replicas...
Archer, if you loupe the movement, is there an obvious difference in finishing? That's what I noticed in the video comparing the two Daytonas. At 1x, they look the same. At 10x, it was obvious which one was fake. I'm hoping the fake makers never get that figured out as that will make it impossible to tell the difference.
- Posts
- 29,218
- Likes
- 75,506
Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerArcher, if you loupe the movement, is there an obvious difference in finishing? That's what I noticed in the video comparing the two Daytonas. At 1x, they look the same. At 10x, it was obvious which one was fake. I'm hoping the fake makers never get that figured out as that will make it impossible to tell the difference.
This photo was sent out to a watchmaker group I belong to a few years ago to warn other watchmakers of the quality of the fakes. I've not had one of these in my shop, so I can answer any questions about what this looks like under a loupe, but there are obvious tells.
First is the regulator, but in terms of finish the slightly rounded screw heads on the fake are a tell. Having said that, the 4130 replica movement in the video you posted had flat heads on the screws, so they may have improved these in the same way also...
- Posts
- 255
- Likes
- 732
watchos
·What I don't understand is why a watch maker that is capable of doing what could be argued to be "good work" decide to create a knock off vs building their own watches/brand? Or am I just being naive?
- Posts
- 10,651
- Likes
- 51,864
Walrus
·What I don't understand is why a watch maker that is capable of doing what could be argued to be "good work" decide to create a knock off vs building their own watches/brand? Or am I just being naive?
