I admit that the title of this article sounds pretty confusing, and maybe a bit astonishing. Many of the watch community members would probably throw me stones if they had the opportunity. Even those who are in the replica hobby for a long time would say that a genuine is always a better option than an imitation if it wasn’t for the spicy price. And I totally agree. After all, people buying replica watches instead of genuine timepieces would be always happy to forget about imitations, whenever the prices would be much more affordable. But, don’t judge me hard until you get my point.
During my entire adulthood, I was talking to diverse watch enthusiasts to understand better what drives people to buy watches. Of course, the main reason is to have a time-indicating accessory, obviously. But why would people spend thousands of dollars for a luxury watch, if there are so many cheap time-indicating accessories made by less-known factories? So, there must be something more than just the need of having a tool to show time.
Apart from that, many people are owning luxury authentic watches that would prefer to go back in time and buy a replica instead. So, the insights you will discover in this article are more than my personal opinion. It’s an article based on the judgment of many watch enthusiasts and collectors. So, if you are curious about WHY a replica watch would be a better party starter, follow me in this article.
To begin with, consider the following disclaimers
First of all, I want to make sure you got the right point. In this article, I predominantly refer to imitations of high quality. I would never dare compare a cheap fake watch with a genuine one. In contrast, high-quality imitations are pretty decent alternatives to authentic models, as they have a higher close look and a pretty reliable technical construction.
In addition, please consider that replica watches DO differ from counterfeit ones. I truly believe, based on my expertise, that counterfeit timepieces are manufactured to satisfy the quantity needs of the market. In contrast, replica timepieces come to satisfy the price AND quality needs. People looking for quality will find nothing appropriate in the counterfeit industry. On the other hand, the replica industry is currently able to manufacture pretty decent imitations from average to high-end quality standards.
So, why would a replica watch be better than a genuine one?
People usually buy luxury watches just because they are expensive and come from a reputable brand. So, the brand says it all. If it is a Rolex or an Omega- that’s pretty enough to pay thousands for the watch. But, the problem is that in the rush for the brand, the consumer forgets about his personal needs along the way. Few owners of a genuine Rolex or Omega truly know which is the technical profile of their watch. What’s its water resistance profile? What calibre drives the watch? Which is the name of the collection the watch belongs to? What other complications does the watch have apart from the time and date indicating? The answers are always very vague.
This speaks about the fact that customers don’t really know what they wear on their wrists. And in many, in very many instances, the watch doesn’t satisfy the main needs of the owner.
Usually, the picture looks as follows: a customer buys a genuine watch, spending some thousands on it. He is happy during the first couple of months because the brand on his watch comforts his ego. After a while, he begins realizing that the watch lacks some features he would need. For example a GMT function, or a day complication. As a result, he begins thinking of another timepiece that would include the features he really needs. Finally, he either sells the watch or simply gets another more sophisticated one, throwing the first one somewhere in the wardrobe.
I dramatize the scenario a bit just to make you get the point better. Either way, that’s how it usually happens on the whole.
What would change with a replica watch?
Let’s take a look at what would have happened in an alternative scenario if the watch had been an imitation. Just a short reminder here: most people want a brand on their wrist, not necessarily an ensemble of functions.
Would a high-quality replica watch satisfy this need? Absolutely. And what other benefits would the owner gain?
First of all, he would gain time. “Time for what???” you would normally ask. Time for everything- I will answer. The point is that buying a luxury timepiece requires plenty of time and effort, as customers have to wait years until a luxury watch is available for them. That’s how the system works. Scarcity is a normal phenomenon in the luxury watch world. Many watch collections are released in limited amounts per year and the waiting list is long, too long sometimes. Now imagine, you wait years to have the watch, and when you get it, you realize it doesn’t match your needs. Not the best scenario, I would say.
A replica watch is always attainable. You can get one, taste it and conclude if a genuine version will or not be to your liking. High-quality replica watches are almost identical to genuine models. You’ll “taste” its weight, dimensions, and style. You can see how well it couples (or not) with your usual outfits. You’ll also be able to understand to what extent it meets your daily needs in terms of complications. Is the date feature enough for you? Or do you use the GMT function as frequently as you thought you would?
So, a replica watch would be like a bridge leading you to the right genuine version. Instead of spending thousands of dollars and time, a replica version is an affordable way to understand better if a certain watch model suits you or not. If it does, and you feel like you resonate with the replica version, go ahead and get the genuine model, being sure (not guessing if..) that your selection is the best of all.
To sum up…
You are right in thinking that a genuine timepiece is incomparable and no imitation can ever be better. And I share the same opinion. The idea of this article is to make you know how unreasonable a luxury watch purchase can sometimes be. Not once do people wait for years to buy them and aren’t satisfied with how they fit in the end. In such a context, a replica version BEFORE a genuine watch would make you understand better if the model you choose is the one that will comfort you best.
If you decide to apply in practice this curious and unusual technique, try to consider the following in your replica watch:
-how comfortable is the replica watch weight for you;
-how do you feel about the case dimensions, especially if you take a watch with dimensions you had never had;
-does the replica watch match your outfits? Pay attention to the dial color, bracelet type, etc…
-how comfortable are the complications of the watch? Do you need other features you previously disregarded? If yes, try to find the genuine version of the watch with the features you feel like missing.
In case the replica comforts you from all perspectives, you can be sure that waiting for the genuine model and paying its price is worth it. If on the other hand, you feel like the case diameter isn’t as comfortable for you as you expected, or the leather strap would suit you better than the metal bracelet of your replica, then you know what you should be looking for in the next genuine model.