If you are in the replica watch hobby for quite a long time, you probably have seen forums and Google articles talking about different replica grades. Plenty of online stores offer several options of imitations from A-grade to Super clone replicas. Most probably, the only thing you could spot until now is that these are different in price, as you automatically think that the higher the grade, the better the replica. But what exactly is the difference between them? Is there indeed a difference? And if yes, what makes a Super clone the most expensive replica option of all?
In this article, I will talk mainly about two categories: AAA replicas and Super clones. In fact, these are considered the highest levels in terms of replica quality. With this side-by-side article, I hope you get some answers regarding this matter.
To begin with…
It’s more than probable that you had read articles saying that all replicas are identical, and there is no such term as “grades” in the replica industry. Many sources suggest that these grades. A, AA, AAA, and Super Clones, are nothing else than a marketing strategy to convince the potential customer.
The truth is that these grades do exist. If you only could handle a Chinese replica bought from a street corner in Shanghai you would understand what I’m talking about. Not only do these look different from the design point of view, but their technical construction is simply awful (sorry for the terminology).
On the other hand, some factories produce replica watches with exquisite execution. Aesthetically, they look great and are made with astonishing precision and accuracy. Moreover, we can’t deny the fact that the replica industry has evolved significantly in the last few years, producing better and better imitations.
Therefore, you might be right in thinking that there isn’t any regulatory organization that could monitor the quality of replica manufacturing. But, this does not mean that there aren’t quality levels. Replica factories divide into two categories: those that produce for quantity and those that produce e for quality. The main challenge here is to find a quality-producing factory and dealer.
For example…
I can write a lot of theories here, but I’m afraid you won’t get the main point as I’d like to. Therefore, I prefer to compare two replica watches. One is a Super clone model while the other is an AAA-grade replica. I truly hope it will be easier for you to spot the difference and to conclude for yourself that not all replicas are the same.
So, I got these two imitations from a quality factory (AAAReplica.to, if you are curious). It’s about two Rolex imitations. The first is a AAA Rolex Day-Date 40 Presidential Blue Dial and the second refers to a Swiss Super Clone Day-Date 40.
At first inspection, both of them look pretty good. The flatted bezels of both don’t differ from each other and seem to be manufactured pretty accurately and carefully.
If you look at them separately, you will spot a professional attitude toward every single detail. On the other hand, if you compare each of them with the genuine model, you will spot that the Super Clone is closer to the authentic model than the AAA replica.
Detailed comparison
While the AAA replica doesn’t show imperfections in its construction (it feels steady, compact, and well-assembled), it does show minor deviations in colors and fonts. The finish of the AAA replica is performed pretty professionally, but it does not look as shiny as the genuine model. On the other hand, the Super Clone features the specific shine of the polished surface, making it much closer to the authentic model. If it is to rate the shine effect of the imitation in comparison to the genuine model, I would give 10 out of 10 points for the Super Clone and 9.5 for the AAA replica. As you can see, the difference is insignificant, but it still exists.
Further on, I look at the dial color of the genuine model. I see an intense blue transitioning from dark to light and vice versa, under different angles. The so-called Super Clone font is closer to the genuine model. On the other hand, the AAA imitation has a little brighter font, looking a bit different from the authentic model. So, the conclusion is that the Super-Clone reproduces the dial color more precisely than the AAA replica. In the same context, I must say that I see no difference in the transitional pattern of the dial I n both reps. Both of them greatly imitate the dark-to-light “Ombre” of the dial.
Another great similarity is the weight. Both replicas have an identical weight. Moreover, both of them have the same weight as the genuine model. Great job here!
Stainless steel
Remember when I mentioned the slightly different finish? It can be related to the fact that the AAA replica is all made out of 316 stainless steel. On the other hand, like the genuine version, the Super Clone is of 904l steel. This explains why the finish lays a bit differently, but not critically different. Also, this explains the price difference between AAA replicas and super Clones. 904l stainless steel is more expensive in obtaining and producing. So, please! Stop believing those dealers who promise you 904l steel watches for a low price. It’s simply impossible. If you worry about quality, then don’t. 316 stainless steel is a great, durable, and reliable material. A lot of watch brands including Omega, Hublot, and Tag Heuer use it without reservations.
Inside movement
Now that you already understand what exactly sets these two models apart, it’s high time to talk about the inside movement. After all, I think that movement is the most important element of a watch, isn’t it? I might be wrong, of course, but who needs an attractive watch if it doesn’t run properly, right?
Well, these watches have a different movement. The super clone comes with a cloned movement from the genuine model. So, basically, each cloned replica comes with its cloned movement. As for the AAA replicas, these are usually interchangeable with each other. This means that it’s highly possible to find the same movement in a lot of replica watches.
This doesn’t mean that they are inferior to super clones. Japanese AAA movements have gained great respect lately for the great improvements it has made in the field. And, generally speaking, I don’t quite understand why people are so afraid of Japanese movements. Take a look at Casio and Citizen brands. These produce great and reliable watches for decades. Not to mention the Seiko, which is a real threat to flex currently. So, don’t be afraid of Japanese imitations. These deserve all the respect.
Conclusion
There is nothing left to say, I guess, except for the fact that both imitations, clones, and AAA-grade replicas are with their money. Even though the AAA replicas have certain deficits in design, you might agree that these are minor errors. Obviously, there is no official committee checking for the quality of super clones or AAA-grade replicas and sometimes it is hard to believe in the quality of a replica watch. But, don’t forget that some replica factories work for quality and not for quantity. It’s always better to create a long-term relationship with customers. This guarantees customer return and recommendations.