TimeTechTalk.com Home

TimeTechTalk.com > Time Tech Talk > Time Talk > How do you feel about replicas?

Welcome to 3T! Please take the time to register and join in on the friendly,knowledgeable watch talk.Please note that not all registrations will receive an immediate activation e-mail.Those who do not receive an immediate notification will be activated manually within 48hrs. by an admin. without an e-mail activation url sent to you,you may then sign in using your username and password,if you feel there is a problem please e-mail us at timetechtalk@hotmail.com and include your name and username and we activate your account.Thank You!

 Moderated by: 3T Page:  First Page Previous Page  1  2  3  4  5  Next Page Last Page  
New Topic Reply Printer Friendly
How do you feel about replicas?  Rate Topic 
AuthorPost
 Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 11:33 pm
  PM Quote Reply
37th Post
NANDO-FERDZ
3T WIS


Joined: Thu Jul 6th, 2006
Location: California USA
Posts: 358
Status: 
Offline
When I hear the word REPLICA it sounds to me like cheap, low quality and illegal products that I cannot take.

If you think that you can wear a replica watch in public and you can still be proud just go ahead and buy one. Otherwise please don't waste your $ to patronize illegal products.

 

jsb806f wrote:
Dear Friends,

I saw an Eberhard in my latest edition of InSync Magazine. I went to check it out on the internet and Googled Eberhard. To my surpise I turned up a bunch of sites featuring replica watches. For example,

link edited/removed by 3T admin/O

1.  What are the ethical issues surrounding the purchase of replica watches, if any?

2.  Are these replics any good? Looks like many of them are made in Japan using Japanese automatic or quartz movements. Seiko does to and that's a well respected high quality brand.

Your thoughts?

Last edited on Mon Oct 1st, 2007 02:11 am by NANDO-FERDZ

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 01:34 am
  PM Quote Reply
38th Post
OldeCrow
3T WIS


Joined: Sun Feb 26th, 2006
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2897
Status: 
Offline
This topic is a lot like the "Are you gay" check box on your enlistment papers..

Standing in line at the liqueur store with the rest of the members of your church the next county over that isn't dry and pretending you don't know each other...

I'm a watch junkie if there was a way to own a replica legally I would sure be happier but my compulsion to "check out" every watch I can get my hands on doesn't draw the line at copyright and trademark infringement. I have a few reps, even reps of watches I have genuines of. I don't show them on the genuine forums or "pass" them off, (though I remember seeing a couple of Omega reps in the wrist checks over the last year, perhaps not here though) I'm a farm boy the cows don't care what watch I wear anyway. The genuine forums are full of people who are full of themselves and lots of "facts" but still have to take their g-shock to k-mart to get the battery changed or into ben bridge to get the bracelet sized...

The replica community is far more technically orientated, interested in mods, hands on tinkering etc. It has been an interesting back door into the manufacturing and parts end of the hobby and has provided a wealth of materials to work on and learn from without me personally having to pay my share of someone elses billion dollar advertising budget. I have yet to find a place in the mainstream forums for a guy who bought a handfull of tools and taught himself how to take a 2824 apart. I think I just gave my self an idea for a watch website.....

I realize the rest of you don't buy watches just to take them apart so I forgive you for your high standards.
 goofy



Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 09:22 am
  PM Quote Reply
39th Post
Crue4
3T WIS


Joined: Mon Mar 12th, 2007
Location: Georgia USA
Posts: 298
Status: 
Offline
I have to echo many of the points in Olde Crows post..  while it certainly is up to each individual to choose his choice on this matter.. 

I see nothing wrong with buying a cheap watch (replica) ... taking it apart, learning the ins and out of the movt', do it yourself modifications... grab some second hand parts to modifiy and fix... grab a relume mix and give it a go... screw it up... order a few sterile dials and hands, try again... and eventually put it all back together (hoping it runs right and looks decent) put the case back on and admire with pride the things you learned, the things you messed up, the things next time you will do differently, and have something to discuss with other watch-aholics about the process...  Something that I have just started to do for fun, and it is just that... fun... 

I think many WIS have paid quite a penny to folks like Kent Parks, Duarte, Bill Yao, and Jack to do this for them. 

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 10:25 am
  PM Quote Reply
40th Post
rare m5
3T WIS
 

Joined: Sat May 20th, 2006
Location: Texas USA
Posts: 232
Status: 
Offline
I have worked in a several Copyright Infringement cases in the past.  Nothing good ever come out of owning a replica watche. 

Seriously, If I see you wearing a replica, automatically you lose my respect.  Period.  It's a integerity and suitablility issue for me.  You can give me thousands of execuses, they are illegal, period.  Those people sell them because consumers continue to buy them.  Once again, it doesn't matter how you justify it, still a federal violation. 

You guys are smart enough to know all types of movements out there.  I have learned so much from you guys.  You serious need to buy a replica to see its movement or modify it? 

I'm going to go rob a bank, just to see how the police would respond to a bank robbery.  I'm pretty sure the police would let me go when I told them my reason.

Don't buy replica watches.

Last edited on Mon Oct 1st, 2007 10:26 am by rare m5

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 10:42 am
  PM Quote Reply
41st Post
KenC
Admin


Joined: Sun Sep 4th, 2005
Location: Florida &, Arizona USA
Posts: 11288
Status: 
Offline
OldeCrow wrote: This topic is a lot like the "Are you gay" check box on your enlistment papers..

Standing in line at the liqueur store with the rest of the members of your church the next county over that isn't dry and pretending you don't know each other...

I'm a watch junkie if there was a way to own a replica legally I would sure be happier but my compulsion to "check out" every watch I can get my hands on doesn't draw the line at copyright and trademark infringement. I have a few reps, even reps of watches I have genuines of. I don't show them on the genuine forums or "pass" them off, (though I remember seeing a couple of Omega reps in the wrist checks over the last year, perhaps not here though) I'm a farm boy the cows don't care what watch I wear anyway. The genuine forums are full of people who are full of themselves and lots of "facts" but still have to take their g-shock to k-mart to get the battery changed or into ben bridge to get the bracelet sized...

The replica community is far more technically orientated, interested in mods, hands on tinkering etc. It has been an interesting back door into the manufacturing and parts end of the hobby and has provided a wealth of materials to work on and learn from without me personally having to pay my share of someone elses billion dollar advertising budget. I have yet to find a place in the mainstream forums for a guy who bought a handfull of tools and taught himself how to take a 2824 apart. I think I just gave my self an idea for a watch website.....

I realize the rest of you don't buy watches just to take them apart so I forgive you for your high standards.
 goofy




Crow...a whole new perspective that I had never even thought of, although, I'm still not sure I could do it...ate the core, I would still be supporting an activity I don't condone!

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 12:39 pm
  PM Quote Reply
42nd Post
oagaspar
Site Founder


Joined: Sun Sep 4th, 2005
Location: Akron, USA
Posts: 28142
Status: 
Offline
Damn!....I knew I was doing something wrong!! I should have beeen buying them to take apart!...WTH was I thinking!  

...all kidding aside but I can think of quite a few watch brands one could buy for a lot less than the cost of a replica to take apart and educate themselves in watchmaking....I have plenty of Invictas I use for that purpose why ruin a good replica! subtlelaugh.gif 

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 01:10 pm
  PM Quote Reply
43rd Post
Crue4
3T WIS


Joined: Mon Mar 12th, 2007
Location: Georgia USA
Posts: 298
Status: 
Offline
rare m5 wrote: I have worked in a several Copyright Infringement cases in the past.  Nothing good ever come out of owning a replica watche. 

Seriously, If I see you wearing a replica, automatically you lose my respect.  Period.  It's a integerity and suitablility issue for me.  You can give me thousands of execuses, they are illegal, period.  Those people sell them because consumers continue to buy them.  Once again, it doesn't matter how you justify it, still a federal violation. 

You guys are smart enough to know all types of movements out there.  I have learned so much from you guys.  You serious need to buy a replica to see its movement or modify it? 

I'm going to go rob a bank, just to see how the police would respond to a bank robbery.  I'm pretty sure the police would let me go when I told them my reason.

Don't buy replica watches.
You certainly are entitled to your opinion... but I have a guess that you would have to lose a lot of respect to MANY in the watch community if ever owning a rep was the criteria..  I think many WIS have owned one at some point in their hobby...  btw, if you read the US Customs site,  I think you will also find some interesting inclusion material on "grey market" items as well..   also I don't currently own a replica watch, so I guess you can still respect me.

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 02:09 pm
  PM Quote Reply
44th Post
mjl4321
3T WIS


Joined: Sun Aug 5th, 2007
Location: San Diego, California USA
Posts: 43
Status: 
Offline
I may be wrong, but 'gray market' does not mean the same thing as replica.  Certainly in the UK, grey (not the spelling ;-)  ) market means an authentic item but distributed through unofficial or unauthorized (used a 'z' just for you guys) channels.

And, if it's commonly accepted for WIS to own replicas then I guess we are a different and much more diverse group than I had thought.  Passion has to come with integrity.


Crue4 wrote:
rare m5 wroteYou certainly are entitled to your opinion... but I have a guess that you would have to lose a lot of respect to MANY in the watch community if ever owning a rep was the criteria..  I think many WIS have owned one at some point in their hobby...  btw, if you read the US Customs site,  I think you will also find some interesting inclusion material on "grey market" items as well..   also I don't currently own a replica watch, so I guess you can still respect me.


Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 02:26 pm
  PM Quote Reply
45th Post
Crue4
3T WIS


Joined: Mon Mar 12th, 2007
Location: Georgia USA
Posts: 298
Status: 
Offline
mjl4321 wrote: I may be wrong, but 'gray market' does not mean the same thing as replica.  Certainly in the UK, grey (not the spelling ;-)  ) market means an authentic item but distributed through unofficial or unauthorized (used a 'z' just for you guys) channels.

And, if it's commonly accepted for WIS to own replicas then I guess we are a different and much more diverse group than I had thought.  Passion has to come with integrity.


 

style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f8"I know the difference b/n grey market and replica, but I was simply referring to the US customs website says a few things about grey market items whether they are legal or not to bring into our country as well... If your bored, and read the code, it seems that if you try to enter the country with either, it could be confiscated...  just playing both sides...  guess you missed me saying that I personally do not own any replicas... but I certainly would not "look down" on someone that owns a replica. 

style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f8"Personally I don't look at replicas any different from a "watch" standpoint (ethics aside) as I would a ebay "homage" or Alpha... sorry they each are what they are, a replica is a replica, a cheap chinese homage is a cheap chinese homage (made by the same folks in the same factory with the same tools and same counterfeiting owners) ...  I enjoy watches and own a watch for my personal reasons.. I hope each person who loves watches buys what they like, and enjoys them whether it is an Invicta, Militare Marina homage, Grey Market Seiko, Hubolt Big Bang Replica, or genuine Rolex.....  I try not to pass judgement of folks, but hey that is just me...

style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f8f8f8"
 

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 02:28 pm
  PM Quote Reply
46th Post
Crue4
3T WIS


Joined: Mon Mar 12th, 2007
Location: Georgia USA
Posts: 298
Status: 
Offline
canadajo wrote: I'll never buy another rep. I didn't like the process, the guilt or the way I feel about the peice.     

 

THAT WAS WELL PUT ......I COULDNT THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO SAY IT IF I HAD A HUNDRED YEARS ...... MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY .........


I think this is an echo of my sentiments... I have owned 2 in the past, and honestly never wore them b/c I simply didn't like how I personally felt wearing them but they were nice to look at and dream, and nice to take apart and put back together..

 

As far as the whole "legality" issue... how many of us had not buckled our seat belt before we were down the road a bit... how many have exceed the speed limit, how many had a beer before we were 21, how many have used a fake ID to enter a bar before being legal age, how many have had bit of moonshine, how many have done a rolling stop at a stop sign...  ?  

Last edited on Mon Oct 1st, 2007 02:47 pm by Crue4

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 03:13 pm
  PM Quote Reply
47th Post
oagaspar
Site Founder


Joined: Sun Sep 4th, 2005
Location: Akron, USA
Posts: 28142
Status: 
Offline
Watch the video in this thread link Crue and maybe you will have a bit more insight as to where replicas are made.

http://www.timetechtalk.com/view_topic.php?id=8422&forum_id=1

Back To Top PM Quote Reply  

 Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 05:30 pm
  PM Quote Reply
48th Post
OldeCrow
3T WIS


Joined: Sun Feb 26th, 2006
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2897
Status: 
Offline
There isn't any moral high ground to be found around here.

People frequently make the mistake of thinking that their moral compass points in the correct direction when discussing replicas and this leads to the topic degrading rapidly.

The important thing to remember about your moral compass is that it only points in a streight line when you don't konw how lost you are!

If you think Its OK to go down to Wall Mart and fill your cart to the top with Human rights violations, Industrial espionage, child and slave labor violations, Industrial waste and polution violations (otherwise known as "Made in China") goods and then draw the line at replica watches you are sadly mistaken.

Copyright and trademark law was inteded to protect an individual so that he might profit from the fruits of his labor ie inventions intelectual propertly rights etc. And it was intended to protect him from other individuals and more importantly corporations who would otherwise just steal it and mass produce it!

Do I think it's ok for China to just do whatever the hell they want.. no but they are in the process of committing mass suicide by industrial polution and waste so I am pretty sure they will get what is coming to them.

Certainly even corporations are entitled to some level of protection but it's people like D. Freemont who copyright and trademark law was intended to protect and it's corporations like Rolex and Swatch and Richmont that the copyright and trademark law was intended to protect D. Freemont from. You will have to excuse me from not crying when billion dollar corporations who are often guilty of the same thing cry when someone is stealing their goodies.

Trademark and copyright are the least of the reasons why you shouldn't be buying a replica and for the more important reasons I listed above we are all guilty by the fact that we are all participating in this conversation on a keyboard made in China.

You want to talk about respect in the same sentence as replicas look me in the eye and tell me the only thing from China you own is the replica on your wrist! That guy has my respect at least what little I have to go around.
 
Oscar if you have some Invicta's with 7750's you are willing to sell me for 200.00 shipped you know were I live. Until then I would prefer the replica with the Chinese 7750 which other than price is exactly the same as the Swiss and is much more forgiving on my pocket book when I screw it up.
It’s only been in the last six months that the Chinese 7750’s have become common enough to buy in Germanese models on eBay but a used rep with the Chinese 7750 is still cheaper.
 
  Replicas are representative of bigger problems that you can't solve just by not buying replicas it doesn't mean its OK to buy them but I'm going to hell for much more serious reasons than buying a replica so I sleep just fine.

The short and honest answer is I don't think replicas are OK but I own a couple in spite of my feelings.
 
 


 

Last edited on Mon Oct 1st, 2007 05:40 pm by OldeCrow

Back To Top PM Quote Reply

Current time is 01:19 pm Page:  First Page Previous Page  1  2  3  4  5  Next Page Last Page    
TimeTechTalk.com > Time Tech Talk > Time Talk > How do you feel about replicas? Top



Lead Theme By: Di @ UltraBB
UltraBB 1.17 Copyright © 2007-2012 Data 1 Systems
Page processed in 0.1966 seconds (60% database + 40% PHP). 36 queries executed.