The area of replica watch industries is vaster and vaster every year. You can come across dealers that have no idea about either original luxury watches, or the grades of replicas. As a result, many of them sell replica timepieces as much as possible, as quickly as possible. Thus, we, as customers, come to think that no replica watch can be good and it’s a pure waste of money.
With this article, we want to educate our customers. We carry the responsibility of showing how and why is it necessary to make a difference in the replica watch industry. In addition, we want to bring clarity and remove confusion. Also, it is a must for us to speak frankly about the misconceptions that circulate in this domain. Finally, we hope to offer some answers and lucidity on the plate. And this goal is to be accomplished via the demystification of the most frequent misconceptions about replica watches.
1st misconception
“Dealers claim that Japanese-made watches enter the category of 1-grade replicas.”
In fact:
Replica watches indeed have different grades, from 1 to 5. The 1st grade is the most expensive and the most valuable in terms of quality. The 1-grade replicas are Swiss-made imitations, exclusively. This means that only such type of replicas has a genuine Swiss-made movement. In addition, manufacturers might use the most qualitative stainless steel, which is a 904L alloy. This one is a superior level of quality and not all replica manufacturers can afford that. As a result, a Swiss-made replica of Rolex looks feels, and operates identically to a genuine watch.
On the other hand, Japanese-made replicas are highly qualitative, yes. But, it is improbable to deliver the same quality as Swiss manufacturing, even for a replica. The Japanese ones have a great function. However, the craftsmanship and the mastery of the Swiss movement cannot be beaten.
As a result, 1-grade replicas refer to the Swiss-made watches. The Japanese are qualitative but enter the 2-grade category.
2nd misconception
“If you need a waterproof watch, you just ask the dealer.”
In fact:
Let’s stop at this aspect for a while.
First of all, you have to understand that waterproofing and water resistance are 2 different things. I always associate complete waterproofness with original watches only. Why, because the brands invest a lot in the waterproof mechanism. Further Ron, they test it and improve it constantly. There are no huge possibilities for the replica industries. Therefore, replica watches are water-resistant.
Second, when we speak about water resistance, we have to know with whom we speak. If we negotiate with a dealer offering 3-grade replicas and hear promises of complete 50 meters waterproofness, would you believe it?
On the other hand, dealing with a Swiss-made Rolex replica from a trusted store, there is a big chance to have a great water-resistant timepiece. What we are trying to say is that it is crucial un understand the grade of a replica watch. The higher the grade, the more reliable the water resistance feature is.
Therefore, don’t rush believing that a 150$ replica Rolex is secure under 30 meters of water. Dealers have the purpose to sell by any means. And if they have to promise you complete waterproofness, they will. And customers might not be able either to return the watch or to receive a refund. Just be realistic, and realize that a replica is a replica. So, keep it as safe as possible, to avoid water damage, despite all the promises.
3rd misconception
“Good replicas come with the logo or brand name engraved on the dial.”
In fact:
The truth is that a (good) replica must look identical to a genuine watch. If the genuine watch has the engraving, therefore its replica version also has to have it. This rule is applicable for the 1-grade replicas.
Conversely, there can be cases when an Asian replica has an inscription engraving on it, but you have to be aware of the quality. If the Asian replica is 3-grade, the logo engraving on it doesn’t make it a high-quality replica at all.
There is another case that you must take into account. It’s a fact that 2-grade replicas are also impressive in terms of quality and design. They differ from the 1-grade by a little poorer quality of the stainless steel and minor color divergencies. At rest, they are also items of great craftsmanship and mastery. So, some of them do not preserve the logo engraving on the dial. If it is present, it can be modestly different in position. Overall, it does not mean that it is a bad replica.
The conclusion is that the logo or the brand name engraving on the watch cannot be considered a reliable criterion for the replica quality.
4th misconception
“I can trust a Japan-made replica in case it offers me 2 years of warranty.”
In fact:
First of all, everything depends on how you protect your replica watch. You can earn a Swiss-made Rolex and if you are not careful with it, no 2 years warranty will help you in preserving it in a good condition. So, love your timepiece and apply various techniques to clean it and take care of it.
Second, if we take Swiss-made replicas as a superior quality standard then you have to know that even such a standard doesn’t offer 2 years warranty. There are only a few sources that indeed offer 2 years of warranty for their Swiss-made watches. As for the rest, they usually propose 1 year.
In such circumstances, try to evaluate how real a 2 years warranty for a Japan-made watch can be. So, all we try to do here is to reduce the level of customers’ naivety. However, it does not mean that there is no place for a warranty at all. A realistic warranty is 1 year.
In addition, try to define what a warranty means for yourself. For instance, the warranty for a Japan-made replica can be 1 year. This means that for 1 year it has to function smoothly. And it does, at a certain point. It ticks smoothly. Meanwhile, the engraving begins to dent, the luster begins to fade, and other cosmetics issues appear. At some point, the watch becomes completely anesthetic and you just quit wearing it. Do you get our point?
If you seek a warranty, speak with the vendor about what it refers to. Is it only promises about functioning well? Or it also refers to the design aspect, as well? So, be wise and look for durability in both senses: great mechanism operation and long-lasting beauty.
5th misconception
“A sapphire crystal is an indicator of a good replica.”
In fact:
Yes, you are right to think so. Even genuine Rolex uses sapphire crystal, which is indeed a criterion of high-end standard. But, did you know that a qualitative sapphire crystal can cost between 70-150$? Now, how can a “good” replica watch with a sapphire crystal cost about 150 $? Where’s the dealers’ profitability?
The profitability comes from the mineral crystal, which dealers try to sell as a sapphire. The mineral crystal is a good option, in fact. It is resistant to various factors. Also, it is a little more affordable than the sapphire one. So, next time think twice when a vendor insists on the sapphire crystal for an affordable price. We admire those vendors who are transparent with this aspect. They gain a lot of credibility and customer retention.
Therefore…
Our final conclusion is that there are so many misconceptions regarding replica watches. It’s up to you now to make the difference. We strongly advise you to inspect the online stores proposing you legends about watches. The more informed you are, the higher the chance of finding a reliable replica.