Here we go! Fake or nice mod?
Let's open a little can of worms with the following questions:
*Context: I bought and assembled this watch with parts I bought individually. This wasn't a kit I purchased. I am not intending on selling this piece either.
Would you consider modded watches to be FAKE watches?
Do you think that the modding community is harming the watch industry?
Would you ever buy a modded watch?
I'm sure many of you don't care one way or the other, but I think it's interesting to get a sense of how people feel about this topic.
I love modding watches myself. It's really the only hobby I have, other than collecting them.
Here are a couple of my recent builds...
Thanks for stopping by!
Newbie on a mission to get all I can out of this beautiful watch journey. My philosophy is that life is too short to not pay attention to the passing of time.
Surely it's only a "fake" if you're trying to present it as something it isn't.
In this case, it appears to use elements from various watches without appearing to copy any one watch in particular. And you are clearly saying that it's a watch you built yourself, so not a fake.
I can see why people are a bit sniffy about homages, even "honest" ones that are quite close to their inspiration (Pagani, AddisDive, etc), but I'm not so sure I would necessarily conflate them with fakes.
Modding is a different matter altogether, and seems to me to be about borrowing elements to create something new.
If you're going to start accusing mod-builds of being "fake" where the hell does that leave every Submariner-inspired dive watch (which is most of them)?
Oh, and to answer your other questions: no and probably not but I'd be tempted to build one.
If the OEM brand is on the dial it's a fake.
Surely it's only a "fake" if you're trying to present it as something it isn't.
In this case, it appears to use elements from various watches without appearing to copy any one watch in particular. And you are clearly saying that it's a watch you built yourself, so not a fake.
I can see why people are a bit sniffy about homages, even "honest" ones that are quite close to their inspiration (Pagani, AddisDive, etc), but I'm not so sure I would necessarily conflate them with fakes.
Modding is a different matter altogether, and seems to me to be about borrowing elements to create something new.
If you're going to start accusing mod-builds of being "fake" where the hell does that leave every Submariner-inspired dive watch (which is most of them)?
Oh, and to answer your other questions: no and probably not but I'd be tempted to build one.
I appreciate the feedback. I agree wholeheartedly. I also would not buy a modded watch myself. For the same reason I don't buy steaks from mid-tier restaurants, I know I can make a better one at home lol.
If the OEM brand is on the dial it's a fake.
That is where it gets tricky IMO. I can buy OEM dials, buy OEM parts as well. It becomes, what amount of OEM parts make it legit. If I buy an OEM dial, movement, but case is Namoki mods, is it fake? What combination of OEM vs aftermarket parts legitimizes the watch. It's ultimately in the eye of the beholder. I would always disclose whether or not I built or bought a watch.
I agree 100%
"Surely it's only a "fake" if you're trying to present it as something it isn't"
Would you consider modded watches to be FAKE watches?
No Especially that one without a name/brand at the 12 o'clock position. In fact, for me and my experience I couldn't wear a watch without some text name at that top position.
2.Do you think that the modding community is harming the watch industry? No - Why would it? Modding inspires this community.
3.Would you ever buy a modded watch? Yes absolutely 💯
That is where it gets tricky IMO. I can buy OEM dials, buy OEM parts as well. It becomes, what amount of OEM parts make it legit. If I buy an OEM dial, movement, but case is Namoki mods, is it fake? What combination of OEM vs aftermarket parts legitimizes the watch. It's ultimately in the eye of the beholder. I would always disclose whether or not I built or bought a watch.
If you use all oem parts to build a a non produced version then it’s named Frank N. Stein.
If you buy an SKX case, dial, hands, 7s26 in my book, it’s an SKX at that point.
I agree with the sentiment above. It is is only fake if you were to pass it off as something it is not. If it said Tudor on the dial, trying/pre tending to be a watch made by Tudor.
Besides that it is homage/clomage territory to me. Though mods can be wholly unique too of course, depending on the design.
All the available parts to buy are offshoots of the fake industry either Seiko or Rolex. I build those kind of watches also and pick and choose the parts I like best. Well done!
No
No
No
That was easy, next
It needs a logo. Maybe Coupe? (2 door) Looks great though. Do what’s fun for you. 🤙
The line becomes blurry when you try to reproduce a known watch 1 for 1 with aftermarket parts and simply slap a fake logo on the dial. The infamous """Seiko mods""" that are 99% Submariner clone parts and 1% fake Seiko logo on a dial that was never part of the Seiko catalog in the first place...
To me, modding should be about adding a fun twist to an existing watch or assembling parts in a new, creative way to create a new watch configuration, rather than trying to produce homemade homages/clones.
For instance, I dig the Salmon dial SRPE (although it's technically a fake Seiko dial) or the Tokeilab Pelagos x 62MAS creation. You had a vision for something original that isn't available elsewhere and you made your own unique watch. 👌On the other hand, I am less excited about this BB36 because it's too close to an homage watch with nothing original.
Your not trying to pass it off as something it’s not so nice mod (build) in my opinion.
It's not a fake. Fake is when the dial has a brand name on it. Especially this one. I don't see Tudor on it. Modified are fine too. If you buy a car and don't like the wheels so you put after market wheels on it. You like how it looks. Same thing with a watch. You get a watch and you want different hands or bezel. A different strap or bracelet. Same thing. There are not that many watches being modified to hurt any market. Check out this mod. It doesn't say Rolex.
If you built it from individual parts and assembled it yourself, is it a mod, or have you become an ultra-exclusive microbrand?
Nice work:)
I built this Milsub homage using parts bought individually. Seiko dial and NH35 movement. I think modding enhances a personal touch on the market. What are people’s thoughts?
I love some of the modded Seiko especially the red moon variant. Beautiful and would like to own one. They are honest in stating such which is great for the inexpensive market.
It’s a fake only if you were trying to sell it to someone like another watch. For me it is nice watch for your own private collection.
That is where it gets tricky IMO. I can buy OEM dials, buy OEM parts as well. It becomes, what amount of OEM parts make it legit. If I buy an OEM dial, movement, but case is Namoki mods, is it fake? What combination of OEM vs aftermarket parts legitimizes the watch. It's ultimately in the eye of the beholder. I would always disclose whether or not I built or bought a watch.
If the original manufacturer didn’t assemble and distribute it then it’s a fake. Fake is fake now matter how many OEM parts might have been cobbled together by a third party.
It's not a fake. Fake is when the dial has a brand name on it. Especially this one. I don't see Tudor on it. Modified are fine too. If you buy a car and don't like the wheels so you put after market wheels on it. You like how it looks. Same thing with a watch. You get a watch and you want different hands or bezel. A different strap or bracelet. Same thing. There are not that many watches being modified to hurt any market. Check out this mod. It doesn't say Rolex.
Straps/bracelets , like tires, are considered accessories and not part of the proprietary original design.
This 100% Is changing a strap a mod? Does it make the watch a fake? It's a completely open debate with everyone having their own opinion on what is and isn't acceptable. For me unless selling as an original without full disclosure it's a perfectly acceptable copy/creation.
Straps are accessories and not part of a proprietary design.
I built this Milsub homage using parts bought individually. Seiko dial and NH35 movement. I think modding enhances a personal touch on the market. What are people’s thoughts?
Seiko dial on a non Seiko manufactured = fake IMHO.
Lose the branding and a mod.
(you asked)
Seiko dial on a non Seiko manufactured = fake IMHO.
Lose the branding and a mod.
(you asked)
Yep. I did. Well pointed out 😂😂😂
Straps are accessories and not part of a proprietary design.
They are is they have the makers name on them. The market for fake straps is also considerable. Is a fake Omega strap on a genuine Omega watch acceptable?
They are is they have the makers name on them. The market for fake straps is also considerable. Is a fake Omega strap on a genuine Omega watch acceptable?
No-but it's a fake strap on a genuine watch.
Apples and oranges.
1, yes since it is not what the brand manufacture it unless if is sterile or own name on it. 2, no as long people know their own risk of owning one. 3, yes, depending on how much I am willing to spend to the bin if the watch fails, those micro artist or watchmaker are basically high end modder if they don't produce their own movement.
No-but it's a fake strap on a genuine watch.
Apples and oranges.
How about none standard replacement hands? Just the dial? Original case with some parts of the movement being fabricated by an independent? Everyone has their own limit on when a watch becomes a fake and not just a modification.
Mod all you want. But take the OEM name off the dial.
Mod all you want. But take the OEM name off the dial.
I'm gonna keep doing what I do, but I appreciate your opinion. 🍻