Have you ever considered buying a Rolex replica because buying at an AD is utterly impossible?

Agreed. there are lots of brands with DJ vibes.

replica watches are technically illegal (and trademark infringement).

it also makes actually buying a genuine rolex all that much harder if those replica producers continue to thrive. Imagine being able to conduct a private sale with no worries about fakes.. but because they exist, we put our faith (and a premium) in pre-owned vendors (DavidSW, Crown & Caliber, etc).

I've bought (bad) fakes as a joke.  I've bought homages (from Steinhart on down) because I was curious.  I've also bought actual Rolexes.

I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that the Rolex waitlist thing is a gift to watch lovers.  It's created so much headroom for other brands that operate in different manners.  I don't know that a Formex or a Sinn or a Grand Seiko does well if Rolex operates differently.

As for the specific prompt, I'd probably buy a nice modded Seiko homage and save myself the guilt and cash.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1222521415/seiko-date-just-palm-dial-green-ready-to?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=seiko+palm+dial&ref=sr_gallery-1-8&frs=1&sca=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1 

Due to finances & economics, I'm not in the market for a Rolex and may never be. 

That said, I'm not impressed with their elitist attitude and don't know that I would consider one even if I was in a financial position to do so. 

I do have an homage of a Sub and that would likely be where I stay. 

Never, never, never buy a replica. They are fraud, pure and simple. They often fund organized crime, as well.

Buy a homage. A lot of them are downright incredible. For example, if you want a "super clone" of a Submariner, buy a Ginault. If you want a 39mm Explorer, buy a Tissel.

Nope, but it hasn't been my experience that I can't get Rolex at the AD.  Either way I'd never buy a replica.

Do they have one with the palm motif?  That’s what I liked.  If I could just buy the original at an AD, and at MSRP, then this would not be an issue.  I would say, regarding the potential funding of organized crime, I feel just as likely to get screwed with a fake on the scalper/grey market and that’s funding organized crime also.  Rolex being Rolex is what makes me consider this purchase.  

I buy super clones all the time. I think I’ve purchased something like 50+ fake Rolexes over the past 12 months - handed them all out as stocking stuffers to family, friends, and co-workers. Amongst over-educated, law-abiding, highly-conscientious over-achievers, getting a fake Rolex is what passes for “edginess.” Everyone LOVES the fact that it’s fake, and loves wearing it out ironically, and telling everyone they know that they have a fake Rolex… “Check out this awesome fake! It’s heavy, right? Doesn’t feel fake, right?”

But, would I ever wear a super clone Rolex myself? Hell no! I don’t want people to see my watch and recognize it. I don’t want randos off the street coming up to me and creepily whispering into my ear, “Nice watch, dude.” 

If anybody ever asks me, “What watch is that?” because it’s sparkling like crazy, I say, “Oh, it‘s a Seiko,” and the muggle thinks that I got a $20 quartz on my wrist, which fits with my grubby t-shirt and shorts. And I’m the only one who knows that I got a Zaratsu-polished case.

Here’s the thing: I bought a real Rolex off Chrono24. And you know what I discovered? If you blind-folded me and threw it into the drawer alongside all the Chinese super clones, no way in hell would I be able to tell which one is the real one! Sold it on 3 days later. 

So, totally, you should buy a super clone if you want one. Why not? 

But, it ain’t gonna do anything for you. It sure as sh*t ain’t gonna substitute adequately for the real thing. Most people who buy a real Rolex do so in order simply to reward themselves for a job well done: “Hey, great job on that promotion,” or “All right, buddy, you successfully conned a gal into marrying you and having children with you!” Getting a fake Rolex ain’t gonna commemorate any occasion or be meaningful in any way. All you get is a hunk of stainless steel that’s got a pretty boring design. 

So, my opinion is: Absolutely get a fake if you like fakes and will have fun wearing a fake watch. When I get together with my co-workers for drinks, we all wear our fake Rolexes together and laugh about our awesome fakes and other people ooh and ahhh over how good the fakery is. But, if you want to commemorate something and feel something special… well, why would you fake that?

Buy a Steinhart or any other homage. They will be well made and give you years of service. Even a Steeldive or other Chinese homage are decent watches.

Buying a fake simply because it says Rolex on the dial is bush league.

Ah, most likely not. I can understand your frustration but I'd still never consider a replica. In the end though, it's your money.

Where is your AD?  I think many would like that experience!

I’d get a quality homage, or something from a different brand. 

I don’t care about trying to fool anyone.  I like the palm motif.  I would be willing to pay the MSRP, even though I think it’s overpriced at MSRP.  The main motivation to consider a super clone is that I will never, ever pay $15k on the scalper market for an overpriced $7200 watch.  Ain’t gonna happen. So, since Rolex market is what it is and I merely like the watch, I’ve been driven to consider this alternative.

My interest is the palm motif dial. Haven’t seen that anywhere else.  I’d prefer to be able to buy the original, but doing so is impossible as far as I see.

Oh, then totally get it! Chinese super clones are all good. Effectively the Chinese replica manufacturers operate within well-specified Chinese government guidelines. They ain’t like the Sinaloa Cartel or whatnot. They’re normal business people who are operating with full government approval - China has a different take on IP, much the same way the US turned a blind eye to IP violations early on in our economy’s development. 

If you get a good super clone, literally, there is NO WAY to tell the difference between it and the real deal, unless you’re a watchmaker yourself. 

Thank you so much for your input and experience.  I’m still in the considering phase.  I’d prefer to just be able to walk into an AD and buy an original. But that’s never going to happen.

Rolex just keeps the name Milgauss for historical reasons. The Milgauss is way more antimagnetic than that as are all other Rolex.  As far as I know, not 15k gauss like Omega, but not 1k gauss or less either. 

I have to agree. I finally bought a Rolex Sub, five digit, 14060M. I love the watch but do I think it is worth 10-12k? NO. I mean my Tudor Sub and Pelagos I feel are just as good of quality. I've had the sub for a few months, but am thinking about selling, merely because (I paid $9k) that that is a lot of money to tie up in one watch. Would I buy a replica/homage? The original question...NO. I've owned a few Seiko's (SPB 143, etc.) and feel that for the money Seiko is a great watch. 

Just received this. Rolex prices are just unattainable (or unjustifiable) for the common man!

I got the GMT (pepsi).  I was tired of waiting (3 years and counting) on the list for the big bro and actually like the aluminum bezel and smaller lume plots better (because I like the look of the ones from the 60s-70s more).  They are readily available now so try one on (that's what did me in/ I had to have it after I got it on wrist).  They are a bit beefy but so am I.  I love mine.

Awesome!  Have you had any issue with the date wheel?

I also put one in my Ali Express cart. 😎

I like this. At least if you get mugged wearing a homage, they can see your troll face as they run away with their loot

I considered it, but I knew I wouldn’t be happy long term

No. Not just because it hurts the industry, but because delayed gratification makes finally getting the thing you've always wanted feel even more special when it finally happens.

Definitely homage, not replica.  Rolex prestige is something you buy.  I don't look good wearing prestige.

This topic on replicas is interesting. The quality of fakes continues to get better and they obviously target the high end watches.

https://luxurylaunches.com/watches/spotting-the-fake-of-patek-philippe-nautilus-5711.php

Some watches are very hard to fake due to complications and other non cosmetic features... other watches are not even worth replicating. I was thinking...which watches do you all own are likely immune from being faked?

Seeing the quality of the super clones, even just in YouTube videos, I think any watch not bought new at aa AD or boutique is potentially a fake.  I used to think that Ball was a brand that was unlikely to be faked, mostly because they can be found grey market at deep discount.  Nope, I did see replica Ball watches online.  So there’s no way I’ll consider buying something as high profile as Rolex or Omega outside an AD.  It’s just too risky.

Back in the day,late 80s/early 90s we used to buy them in tenerife off what we called the lucky lucky men,it was common place to see people in the pub with a shiny rolex fake to go with their tan. I only bought them once,a pair to sell at a modest profit(yes I had aspirations of being the first rolex scalper) unfortunately mates threw me in the pool on the last night and they filled with water,damn fakers less than 3 foot water resistant, never again. So they're copying an iconic brand,using a quartz movement, in a cheap case,looks reasonably similar to the real thing,and turns your wrist a different colour,mmmm so glad they don't do that any more🤔😆

Exactly at least I can bleed and laugh that they stole a 50 dollar Invicta watch. 

I’ve bought homages to see if I will like the style/size of the actual watch I am interested but not replicas.