Watch is acceptable? (Genuine v Homage/Replica/Copy/Fake)

It’s personal choice and everyone has their own moral compass. Personally I wouldn’t encourage fakes as it’s illegal.

OK I'll start with a copy watch story. Whilst in Hong Kong there were copy watches everywhere. On weekends groups of people regularly hired junk boats for party's, on one occasion a person was wearing a fake Rolex, most of the people were professionals some who had spent big bucks on their "Grail" watches. This person got so much abuse and peer pressure he was compelled to publicly throw his copy watch into the sea! 😃

Personally I'm good with anything up to a fake.

If you want a watch that is a carbon copy of a daytona, go for it, but if you're trying to pass off the Shanghai Special for the real deal with the Rolex branding... That's beyond me.

If you like a watch but can't afford it, I see nothing wrong with getting the homage and being proud to have the design even if not the name.

Tony most likely it violates intellectual property rights but I am not sure if it is actually illegal to wear one. Apparently there are more copy Swiss watches in the world than real ones! (Not verified). It all depends on which country too, in Turkey apparently they have shops with big signs "fake watches!" so not all countries are so strict.

Fair call. Still not right.

Owning a copy is one way of deciding how you feel about the look of a watch but...

Not bothered about legality, but I wouldn't wear a fake, replica or clomage.

Many are with you on that Steve, is that because you think it makes the wearer seem "fake" or "untrustworthy," "cheap" or other reasons?

There’s nothing wrong with not being able to afford what you want when you want it. Save up, put a little away toward it until you can and it’ll mean that much more to you when you do buy it. Added bonus points for not having to tell yourself “it’s just as good as”. In that sense, homages are like vegetarian bacon.

I buy watches for the craftsmanship, quality, history etc and I wouldn't get that from any of the above.

For example, I bought a Seiko/Omega because I want a Seiko/Omega, not something that just looks like one. 😉👍🏻

Good points yeah let's not forget that Seiko's and many other watches are now copied. 🎯 They do say that "imitations is the sincerest form of flattery" so in a strange way having your watches copied shows your company has hit the big time. At the same time is an added concern for business owners.

I can't sea that happening.

Skilly more than a few beers get consumed on junk trips so things can easily "get out of hand."

Yeah I’m not a fan of fake watches. Homages and tributes I understand. Reissues are a bit of a grey area here too.

A fake watch feels like someone plagiarising a song and trying to pass it off as their own.

An homage or tribute feels more like doing a respectful cover song, with permission from the original artist.

Reissues feel a bit like a ‘greatest hits’ release. Sure it’s a little creatively bankrupt, but everyone knows the classics for a reason.

Well said John!

I couldn’t tell which was real or fake, especially with super clones now.

we all know it's not about just telling the time 😜

Concensus roundup so far:

Fakes are not acceptable to wear (especially branded ones, but it can be very hard to spot good copies/clones) and are likely illegal, immoral. Homages and replicas are more acceptable (especially if respectful to origins, non brand copying and with permission), the history, craftmanship and quality are key factors.

If you can't afford the watch if you really want a homage it is an acceptable compromise (for most but some refuse to compromise) some feel waiting and saving up is a good practice.

Our peers may judge us based on our watch choice, fakes are frowned upon. Clothes are said to maketh the man/woman I think we can extend that to include watches!

Probably missed a few details.

Must admit seen some great homage watches recently, particularly like the newish quartz hybrids. They use mechanical movements powered by quartz. So get a sweeping second hand, up to 5-10 years battery life plus high timekeeping accuracy wrapped up in traditional looking watches (not for purists, must admit have enough auto.s already unless streamline my watches held).

Any more points that were missed?

Fakes are potentially/most likely damaging the original manufactures/designers business but it can be difficult to enforce the law (Lack of original manufacturer action doesn't necessarily mean acceptance of illegal practices of unlicensed copying).

Fake watches are fake ..Don't want to get Jacked for nothing,but you wouldn't be out as much if ya live

Conclusion, this post was to guage what level of imitation watch is acceptable to Watch Crunchers, from genuine to fake. In general most watches which respected brand authenticity were deemed acceptable, watches pretending to be something they were not and with fake branding were considered unacceptable and most likely illegal.

Whatever floats your boat I own more than one homage and have no problem with them I believe a watch collection should reflect one's personality and interests or simply whatever they like

I mean "brands" like Parnis and Pagani Design aren't singular entities and actually refer to any of the likeness watches produced in their respective regions, for both the aforementioned ones it's Guanzhou. Guangzhou is also very well known for its manufactories of fakes and super clones, one can confidently assume they are all made in the same production lines in the area. 🍵

For me, if something has the intent to deceive by pretending to be something else, I'm not into it.

Not this crap again. Maybe search the subject before posting.

Counterfeits support organized crime, are theft of intellectual property/trademarks and their production and sale is illegal.

Cheesy, fake people wear fakes/counterfeits.

If you wear one and are proud of it, you cannot be my friend.

If you wear one and try to pass it off as real, you are a classless pretender who cares more about what others think than about being genuine.

I agree it's important to be authentic, whilst overseas was flooded with fakes. I also think its best not to support anything that undermines the authentic manufacturers I was interesting to hear others views on the broader issues. The interesting thing is in a strange way it has helped in the development of the Microbrands which often use similar movements to the "copy" watches. I think we nearly all agree to pass of a watch with fake branding as real is hollow and undermines the real brands. This post was not just about fakes but gauging opinion on homages/movie set prop.s. etc. Things aren't always as black and white as they may seem. Maybe read the post fully before commenting and being abusive. I'm new here so if this is repeat sorry. Apparently there are still more fake watches around than real ones so it is still an ongoing issue. Searched subject on Watch Crunch doesn't cover all the bases.

Yeah, haven't seen an "abusive" reply so far in this thread.

Being new to the internet is tough.

"Not this crap again" is abusive to me. It shows a lack of social awareness. Some people can use the internet for years and sadly still not understand basic standards of acceptable human communication.

The world, especially the internet, is very much not a "safe space."

Bring up a controversial subject, especially one that has been addressed as nauseam, and then expect people not to speak their minds? Seriously?

My take. I won't wear a watch that cost too much, because I can get quality that is perfectly acceptable to me in watches that cost a lot less. That is just my personal valuation of watches. I would not wear a "fake" Rolex, etc and by that a watch that pretends to be said brand right down to having said name on the dial. That is as pretentious and superficial as it gets in my opinion. It has nothing to do with fairness to said company or its fans or owners group I just think it's weak sauce for someone to be that silly. I will wear a watch that is considered a homage watch if it is of good quality and is attractive in its design. By that I mean I think the Rolex Explorer is a very pretty watch. I like the size and design. I personally am not gonna buy a Rolex Explorer because I just for me don't find the value in it for the price. I did recently find a homage watch that very much matches the design aesthetics that seems to be a quality watch and that was $90 bucks I was more than happy to part with. All that said to each his or her own.

I see watches with the word "chronometer" on the dials of otherwise acceptable homages. I couldn't wear it but it's not my business.

Obvious copies meant to deceive bearing luxury names pop up on AliX and on my news feed. They're pretty brazen about it too.

In a post made three days ago I suggested that I might use next years tax refund for an Explorer homage.😎

Almost immediately I started receiving ads for homages.😄