A lot of people keep asking me if a replica watch requires other maintenance methods than an ordinary watch. Every time, my answer is both yes and no. Over the years I have been involved in the replica watch hobby, I have come to understand that even the most expensive watch in the world deteriorates if the owner doesn’t take proper care of it.
I have several replica watches that I really care about. And today, I will not talk about what the experts in the field recommend. Rather, I will talk specifically about what helped me to keep my replica watches in optimal condition. I’ll share tips that make my imitations look amazing and work as well as they did on day one. So, the main idea is that any watch needs care, regardless of whether it is genuine or a knockoff.
The risk factors for any replica watch are the same as for an ordinary watch: dust, severe impacts, dirt, and humidity. The difference between an authentic watch and a replica, however, is that the authentic industry has developed many engineering solutions to combat these risks. As for the replica industry, we have to admit that it is not that strong in this aspect. So, replica watches are slightly more sensitive to these risk factors. However, I would like to mention once again that in the end the watch only serves as long as the owner takes care of it. And if you know how to pull it off, you will enjoy your beloved knockoff for many years to come.
#1# Winding is an essential aspect of all replica watches
Replica manufacturers use quite high-quality lubricants, according to what they say. However, the final consumer can never be sure of their real quality, because we cannot confirm the quality control of the replica watches.
In this context, regular and constant winding helps to preserve the long-term replica watch operation. If we omit regular winding, the replica watch is likely to dry due to possible low or medium-quality lubricants. But through constant winding, the oil spreads inside the components, extending the life expectancy of the replica watch.
It is imminent to wind the replica watches carefully. The winding system may not be as safe as that of an authentic watch. So, you could damage the inner structure. If you’re lucky enough to have a manual wind replica watch, it’s best to wind it around the same time every day. If we’re talking about an automatic one, make sure you wind it regularly, even if you don’t regularly wear it on your wrist.
Never wind the replica watch when it is on the wrist. It is an incorrect procedure because you generate pressure with the inner components when you try to hold the crown. Replica watches, like other watches in fact, must be wound when they are off the wrist.
#2# Maintain proper replica watch hygiene
A few years ago, I thought that a replica watch was maintained with water and liquid soap to clean it. Today, I’m sure you have to take the liquid soap out of the equation because it does nothing but harm.
Regular cleaning of the replica watch is important because there is nothing worse than a watch on the wrist full of dirt and sweat stains. But for cleaning, a simple microfiber polishing cloth is more than enough. And nothing more. Sometimes, when the dirt has hardened too much, you can use a little water. But never add soap for the watch cleaning.
I noticed that the replica watches lose their luster after each wash with soap and water. And the effect is not exactly immediate. This is gradual and you don’t even realize that it’s actually because of the apparently harmless soap. Many replica watch enthusiasts have ended up severely damaging their watches precisely because of improper care with soap during cleaning.
#3# Water-resistant knockoffs are treated differently than non-water resistant
You can’t even imagine how many times watch enthusiasts have irreversibly lost their replica watches just because they didn’t know if they were water-resistant or not. Replica manufacturers apply different production techniques in the execution of water-resistant and non-resistant replica watches. Customers buy non-water-resistant knockoffs and start cleaning them with water. Water penetrates through seals and gaskets even in the smallest quantities. Penetration leads to affection of the internal mechanism that can rust over time and the watch is irreversibly damaged.
Personally, I check each of my new replica watches for the pressure test. I take my knockoffs to specialists who have special tools for estimating the water resistance profile. And if the imitation turns out to be non-resistant, I never clean it with water, and I limit myself exclusively to the microfiber polishing cloth.
In the same context…
I want to mention that not all diver imitations are water-resistant. Consumers fail to draw attention to this detail taking the replica watch to the beach immediately after receiving it. Being non-water-resistant, the watch naturally stops working, and the consumer blames the dealer. Be cautious about the type of replica watch you buy. Specify with the dealer f the knockoff is indeed resistant to water. In most cases, the water resistance profile of a knockoff differs a lot from the resistance of the genuine watch.
#4# Changing straps in replica watches ain’t an easy task
Many people think that changing straps in a replica watch is a piece of cake. And as soon as they receive the replica watch, they start replacing the straps with one they like better. It is not necessary to tell you that replica watches are relatively more sensitive to impacts than authentic ones. And when a customer starts to change the straps of the watch, he scratches the lugs without realizing it.
Manufacturers use quality materials. However, these are not ever-lasting and can be impacted in the process of changing straps, when the person is not a professional in the field and does not really know how to do it correctly.
Even if I know a thing or two about watches, I never dare to change straps myself. I am sure that something will slip through my fingers and I will impact both the aesthetics and, possibly, the functioning of the watch. For this reason, I trust specialists when I want to change my strap.
#5# Don’t be afraid of specialists
I recently found out that replica watch lovers avoid going to a watch specialist. The reason is that they feel uncomfortable because they have an imitation and not an authentic watch. I was shocked to hear such an argument and I wonder how people repair their knockoffs if they don’t turn to specialists.
I am addressing all hobbyists in the replica industry: replica watches have very similar mechanisms to authentic watches. So, what the specialist will see in your knockoff is not much different from what he is used to seeing in a regular watch. Be sure that you won’t surprise him with your replica timepiece. The specialist has probably already seen thousands of watches like yours, i.e. knockoffs. So don’t hesitate to contact a specialist because most of the time, he can solve your replica watch issue.
In the same context…
Keep in mind that the oils inside the replica watch can become dry over time. The teeth in the inner mechanism are also prone to wear and tear. So there are some natural changes that only a specialist can solve.
For this reason, regular servicing of replica watches is as important as that of genuine watches. Many dealers do not offer a warranty for the knockoffs they sell. So it is unlikely that you can return the watch back for service. In this case, a regular watch repair shop may be able to solve the problems you are facing.
In many instances, watches may require disassembly, then reassembly. And only a specialist can do it right. I can be proud of the expert who serviced my Patek Philippe Nautilus knockoff. He disassembled and reassembled my watch, after which it works without any trace of repair.
So trust those guys who will in no way judge you for your replica watch, they will do everything possible to make it work properly.
Bottom line
I want you to know that replica watches can serve as reliably as authentic ones. The secret is to take care of them and behave cautiously with them. We all realize that knockoffs are more susceptible than an authentic watch. These are less resistant to shocks and more prone to humidity. But if you take care of your imitation the same way you would take care of a $10,000 watch, be sure that this one would serve quite decently.
What matters a lot is the source from which you buy your knockoff. If you have a quality replica watch from the start, you have much more chance that it will last much better over time. In case you are looking for such a reliable source, we are here to help you anytime.