If you are a replica watch hobbyist, you surely know that replica watches come in different degrees of quality. Many sites and dealers offer the same watch model at different quality levels, starting with an A grade and ending with a Swiss 1:1 Mirror Copy. Watch lovers often ask me why spend $1,000 on a knockoff, if a $250 A-grade looks the same?” But, does it really look the same? More than that, does it work just like a Swiss copy?
So, what properties define an A-grade replica watch? Why is it cheaper? Is it identical to a Swiss 1:1 Mirror Copy fake watch? I want to answer these questions in this article so that you can make a clear difference once and for all. Unfortunately, many dealers take advantage of users’ unawareness and sell them imitations with false properties. I hope that following this article you will become much more aware and selective.
Truth be told…
It is surprising how dealers try to convince users that a $1,000 replica watch is almost identical to a $250 watch. Personally, I see this as a sign of disrespect toward the customer and the replica industry. Why not tell the truth and clearly explain the features of a $250 replica watch?!
The Internet is full of online sources that offer Rolex replica watches with a Japanese movement and with a water resistance of “up to 100 meters”. In the same context, you can find a multitude of “Swiss” A-grade knockoffs at a low price under the pretext that they are on sale, while they are identical to the authentic ones. Unfortunately, such scenarios are encountered at every “corner”. And many consumers become victims of these unrealistic promises.
Through this article, I want you to become wiser when a scammer tries to lie to you. I want you to have all the necessary arguments to make him feel frustrated because you are an informed and intelligent buyer. At the same time, I will tell you about all the correct features of an A-grade replica watch so you know what to expect when you buy it.
What are A-grade Japanese Replica Watches?
Some time ago, the audience passionate about replica watches believed that Swiss-made replica watches were actually produced somewhere in Switzerland. Now, the public has become much more informed. Respectively, people understood that Swiss-made watches mean, in fact, watches from Asia, but of exceptional quality, worthy of being compared with the Swiss ones.
As for Japanese imitations, confusion still occurs and the public still believes that they are made in Japan, as their name suggests. But these, like the Swiss imitations, come from Asia. It is far too unlikely to find a factory producing replica watches somewhere in Japan.
Why are they called “Japanese” then? The suffix “Japanese” refers to the fact that these watches have a truly Japanese mechanism, known as the Miyota 21-jewel automatic movement. At the same time, they have a very decent production and assembly quality. So, the main parts are Japanese, but the production and assembly itself take place in Asia.
Like it or not, about 99% of the replica industry comes from Asia. This does not mean that all imitations are identical. Indeed, some factories produce knockoffs of low to medium quality. Others have the priority of offering imitations extremely similar to authentic watches. It is important to know how to differentiate between them and to pay attention to details.
Tell me more about Miyota 21-jewel automatic movements
You will find a lot of dealers who will tell you nice things about different types of Miyota, including those with 23, 27, or 31 jewels. The purpose of these dealers is no other than to deceive you. The truth is that Miyota produces only one type of movement, namely the one with 21 jewels. Consequently, everything you find featuring 23,25, 27, or any other amount of jewels actually runs on the oldie but goldie 21-jewel mechanism.
Dealers are aware that the people know that 21-jewel Miyotas are not exactly the newest movements. They have already been in the industry for quite some time. And using the “novelty tactic”, the dealers manage to convince the public to buy these watches.
What do I mean by “novelty tactics”? When dealers say that a watch runs on a Miyota 27 but not on a 21-jewel, that suggests an upgrade, a progress, a novelty. As a result, the potential buyer understands that positive changes and serious improvements have been made with a new type of mechanism.
Respectively, he is more likely to buy the product without actually knowing that it runs on the traditional 21-jewel mechanism. I think it is unnecessary to tell you that everything that comes with the specification “27-jewel, 31-jewel, 25-jewel” is more expensive than the usual 21-jewel mechanism. So, dealers not only take advantage of the public’s naivety but also have additional income obtained based on a lie.
Actually…
This truth is unfortunately very painful. And the most frustrating is that such marketing applies in any other sphere, and not only in the replica industry. I want you to be more vigilant. I want you NOT to believe what you are told when a seller tells you about Miyota mechanisms with any jewels you want, just not 21. In the same context, such dealers are not only lying about the mechanism. As a rule, they lie in all possible aspects, to trap you by any possible means and argument.
The characteristics of a Miyota 21-jewel mechanism include but are not limited to hacking signals and sweeping second hands. These 2 features depend on each other because the second hand stops precisely because of the hacking signal from the mechanism. The same mechanism is found in genuine Rolex watches. And it is very gratifying that a Japanese imitation has the same features as an authentic watch, isn’t it?
The reputation of Miyota 21-jewel mechanisms is quite decent. These mechanisms are not expensive to service and have a very promising functionality rate. Watches running on Miyotas last from 2 to 4 years on average, with small exceptions of course. According to Miyota-running watches’ owners, they fully justify their price.
What other features are specific to A-grade Japanese replica watches?
Your job is to draw attention to details. An impressive number of online stores describe Japanese watches as having the highest level of horological perfection. And while it is true that their quality is quite decent, not all the information is usually truthful. One of the most common “myths” about these watches refers to the type of crystal.
Where there is sapphire crystal, there is actually a mineral crystal
I don’t understand why many dealers avoid the truth and lie that a watch has a sapphire crystal, when in fact, it is a mineral crystal. Omega itself opted for this material in its Moonwatch, which speaks volumes of the material’s reliability. However, it seems that the audience is more excited about the sapphire crystal and the dealers are happy to offer it. Only not for real, but for fake.
What you need to know is that A-grade Japanese Rolex replica watches (like the other brands, as well) come with a mineral crystal. This is the standard for A-grade watches!!! No matter how hard a dealer tries to convince you otherwise, you will make a big mistake if you believe him. Dealers know that it is almost impossible for a buyer to demonstrate the type of material.
Moreover, the manufacturers process the mineral so well that it is almost impossible to spot visually that it is a mineral and not a sapphire crystal. Only after some time, the luster of the mineral gradually vanishes. And then the customer understands that he paid for the mineral crystal as for a sapphire crystal in vain.
Think from another perspective, namely that of price. A modestly priced watch can’t have a sapphire crystal that costs a lot as a raw material. And I assure you that manufacturers will never do acts of charity by selling replica watches without making a profit. For this reason, a watch cannot a priori be accessible if it has a sapphire crystal.
Gold-plating misconceptions
Another “legend” promoted by many dealers refers to the thickness of gold that manufacturers apply in gold replica watches. You will find a ton of stores swearing that the watches feature the “gold-wrapping” and “thick-gold plating” techniques. But I want you to think a little: how true can this information be, taking into account that the A-grade replica watch costs around $200, or a little more expensive than the stainless steel models? Does gold have such a low value? Of course not.
The explanation is very simple. The thickness of the gold in the A-grade replica watches is actually very thin. When we talk about gold models, I’m talking about a layer of 5-10 microns of 14k-18k gold plating. And this is nowhere near equivalent to the 18k gold plating promised by the dealers. The dealers omit the fact that the public can question the price of the watch vs. the thickness of the gold. It is naive to think that an “18k gold plating” knockoff can be so affordable.
Speaking about the gold in replica watches…
I cannot avoid talking about the durability of the gold layer. If we follow the promises of the so-called dealers, the gold layer lasts from a year to an eternity, whenever you take care of the watch regularly. The truth, however, is that the gold layer lasts, on average, for half a year. It all depends on how often you wear the watch, or if you put it in contact with water or not. But, anyway, the gold layer is not eternal and you start to notice it’s fading here and there already after a few months.
Some owners of such watches wear them for no more than half a year. Even if the mechanism works flawlessly, they no longer get the pleasure of wearing a watch that wipes its gold layer in places. And in this context, the watch becomes nothing more than a forgotten accessory in the wardrobe, because you don’t really want everyone to notice the worn-off layer of gold on it.
Also…
Many dealers suggest that you can restore the gloss and original condition of the watch by polishing it at home. No, you can not! If you start to polish it or clean it yourself, the remaining gold layer will disappear completely. Such a maintenance method makes sense for Swiss knockoffs or genuine watches, but never for A-grade watches.
I do not recommend A-grade replica watches for gold models. If you still want something with gold, opt for AAA-grade or Swiss knockoffs. The quality of gold plating is more resistant and durable. If you are looking for gold in A-grade replica watches, you will enjoy them for no more than a few months.
What about the proportions and weight of A-grade Japanese replica watches?
Now we move on to the positive aspects of Japanese A-grade watches. Up until now, everything seemed a bit bleak, didn’t it?
A-grade watches also have benefits and one of them refers to the comfort they provide and the identical proportions they have. What differs between Japanese watches and authentic ones is directly the production process and the materials in them.
Rolex uses its own Oystersteel, which actually means 904l stainless steel. Replica factories use 316l stainless steel, the density of which is slightly lower. As a result, this material is a bit lighter than 904l stainless steel. To compensate for the solidity, the replica manufacturers try to add a bit more steel to the architecture of the replica watch, to bring it as close as possible to the weight of the authentic watch. Consequently, A-grade watches are usually identical in proportions and weight, with minor differences. Some consumers claim that they feel the A-grade knockoffs as less solid on the wrist. This is due to the density of the steel we were just talking about. However, the difference is negligible.
Visually, the stainless steel of A-grade replica watches looks quite good and similar to what we see in authentic models. The manufacturers know quite well how to polish and brush it so that it looks close to the original models.
However, if we analyze a gold replica model, the visual differences of the metal are very expressive. At the same time, replica gold models are much more lightweight than authentic solid gold watches. You probably realize why.
Markings and engravings
If we believe the online sources that sell replica watches, their engravings and markings must be 100% identical to what we see in authentic Rolex watches. Well, a non-watch guy who has no idea what a genuine Rolex looks like might believe this myth. And if you wear your A-grade knockoff in an environment that is not exactly educated in horology, your watch may receive a couple of ovations.
But, you should never dare brag about an A-grade Rolex knockoff to a seasoned watch enthusiast. He will immediately identify that it is a knockoff.
The markings and engravings of the A-grade imitations look decent. The execution is quite attentive. But it is not identical to the original. And if you compare the 2 models side-by-side, it doesn’t take you even 2 minutes to understand which one of both is the “intruder”.
A distinctive detail between A-grade imitations and genuine Rolexes consists of some specific markings between the lugs of the watch. Only the original brand can engrave them perfectly. Also, I found a couple of genuine Swiss-made Rolex replicas that had this engraving, executed quite qualitatively.
Besides these types of watches, I could never find a decent engraving between the lugs. The engraving looks so silly that the manufacturers decided to avoid it. So, either you find A-grade replicas with very sloppy lugs engraving, or the engraving is completely missing.
On the whole, manufacturers strictly respect the engravings and authentic markings in the execution process of A-grade knockoffs. However, they are far to be perfect, and any professional can easily them.
A-grade watches’ magnifying lenses
Very few people know that replica watches have different magnifying lenses in date models. (Almost) All sources indicate that the lenses increase the date window by 2.5x. But this is true exclusively for authentic Rolex watches and genuine Swiss-made Rolex knockoffs. The rest of the replica models come with variations between 1.5 and 2x date magnification.
Japanese A-grade imitations are no exception and also propose a 1.5x-2x increase in date frame, depending on the manufacturer. For this reason, do not expect the imitation to have date visibility to the same extent as you have seen with authentic watches. Also, refrain from believing those who sell A-grade knockoffs swearing that the magnifying lens provides 2.5x magnification. That’s just not true.
Water resistance profile
The aspect of water resistance is a very painful one for those who are used to buying replica watches. No dealer will admit that the replica watches he offers are not water-resistant. Absolutely all of them promise, at least, some resistance to convince the public to buy the watch. Some promise 5 meters, others give unconfirmed guarantees of up to 300 meters.
Now think: the original brands spend years and hundreds of thousands of $ in creating water resistance systems. And the replica industry already has them and offers them at symbolic prices of only $200. I hope you could feel the sarcasm in my text. Either way, the idea is that A-grade water-resistant replica watches simply do not exist.
A-grade watches can withstand raindrops. And that’s it. What is said to withstand up to 5 meters is resistant to rain or hand washing. Anything more than that affects either the internal mechanism or the quality of the stainless steel, which starts to rust after a short time.
If your goal is a truly water-resistant replica watch, for sure A-grade watches should not be your target. Search in the category of Swiss-made knockoffs, where the probability of finding a water-resistant timepiece is much higher.
As for A-grade Rolexes, they are not compatible with the “water resistance” definition. For this reason, avoid their contact with water at all.
A-grade Japanese Rolex knockoffs’ warranty
I always encourage replica watch hobbyists to be cautious when it comes to replica watch warranties. Some dealers don’t even offer a warranty and buyers don’t even know about this.
So, what should you pay attention to?
First of all, make sure that the dealer offers a warranty in general. Stores that avoid this responsibility are shady and you should avoid them.
Secondly, draw attention to the warranty period. This must seem logical and reasonable to you. When a dealer promises a 1-2 year warranty for a $250 knockoff, it doesn’t sound reasonable at all. It sounds too good to be true.
A reasonable warranty period for these watches includes half a year. If the watch shows evidence of problems along the way, the manufacturers will probably not repair it but will offer you another one instead.
Everything that sounds like an exaggerated guarantee is more of a deception. The long-term guarantee makes sense when it comes to genuine Swiss-made copies. If it applies to an A-grade watch, most likely the dealer will disappear from the radar because he will not be able to comply with the promised warranty.
Bottom line
On the whole, Japanese A-grade replica watches are pretty decent knockoffs. They justify their price by their quality. About the price, by the way, I can say that the price of $250-$300 is very reasonable for a Japanese knockoff.
In this context, be very cautious, because many dealers will sell you “Japanese” knockoffs at the price of about $100. But these are Chinese or whatever you want, just not Japanese (featuring Miyota movements).
Either way, regardless of whether the price of the watch is $150 or $250, you cannot expect it to be identical to the authentic one. You have to keep in mind that you will find clear differences between the models. So it depends on what matters to you and what your priorities are.
If you expect identical functionality and look from a $250 knockoff, you will surely be disappointed.
If, on the other hand, you are aware of what a $250 replica means and offers, I think you will be satisfied with what you will receive.
It is important to leave emotions aside and to realize that a $250 imitation cannot have a sapphire crystal, Swiss movement, and 18k gold.
Unfortunately, there are still such emotional buyers who soar into low prices for some perfect watch features. The experience of many of them ends with endless arguments and attempts to return the money. All this happens when expectations are excessively high. In this context, I hope you have become more aware of A-grade watches. Now you clearly know what an A-grade watch entails and you know what to expect. These are quite decent but don’t expect perfection from them. Filter the false advertisement to the maximum and always buy wisely.