The fake Rolex problem

The fakes one are getting better and dont need to get a call from the AD. Frankly I am not pro fakes but what Rolex does need to be tougher a lesson about being humble!!!

That is a very valid point and a topic of much discussion. There is no right answer. Only the right answer for you.

I'm not an advocate for fake watches but it makes me chuckle a little bit each time I see "watch experts" on YouTube praise how shockingly close fakes are getting and how they are now impossible to tell apart without a magnifying glass or carefully comparing the brushing on the movement side by side with an original...

If a $600 clone is indistinguishable from a $10.000 original even for educated watch professionals, maybe we should question why ages old designs still cost $10.000 and keep going up each year. 🤭

I have never worn a Rolex for that reason. Its a status thing for many people. There are so many other good pieces that are a great combination of functional art, jewelry, and store of value. Sounds like you should go grab a 300-500 good microbrand that you like

If you like it, who cares what people think about it? That there are a lot of fakes out there would not deter me if I could own the real thing and appreciate it.

Well, look around WatchCrunch and you will see that there are tonnes of people with genuine Rolex timepieces.

Secondly, just because everybody jumps off a cliff, would you do the same? Sure, you look at VSF Submariner and, unless you take it to a professional watchmaker and have it looked at under a microscope, it is extremely difficult to tell the difference when compared to the real one.

Thirdly, most Rolex (genuine piece) purchasers attain such piece in commemorating a milestone or achievement not necessarily to flex. Relevance of this is you would consider buying a "real" Rolex - paying some serious cash compared to a fake - to remind and at the same time give yourself a pat on the back of your achievement.

Buying a fake is, in my personal opinion, essentially degrading yourself trying to show (and/or hide) others of your insecurity. Of course, there are exceptions, such as to buy for (1) fun or (2) curiosity or (3) to critically compare between a real Rolex but otherwise falls under the category of fooling yourself.

How, exactly, are you able to discern that people getting out of expensive cars are wearing fakes.

Well the thing is nobody will actually think you’re wearing a fake watch. Why? Because nobody cares about your watch. As long as you make peace with the fact that it’s the most faked brand than I don’t think that your assumption of others’ opinions should matter.

Here's my perspective:

1. Buying fakes surpports criminal activity. While you may consider copyright infringement ads a victimless crime (it isn't), the reality is that counterfeit watches is likely part of a broader criminal enterprise.

2. You are diminishing your enjoyment of the hobby. Buying and wearing a fake Rolex may be a shortcut to status for non watch enthusiasts but if you are someone that is part of the community you will always be aware that someone will call you out. This makes it less likely you will engage with the community and this will reduce your ability to engage with said community.

3. It's wasteful. First the quality is probably not there and if you ever need it serviced than unless you do it yourself you risk having the watch destroyed by said watch maker.

these are off the top of my head. honestly if you love watches than owning fake watches iesj counter intuitive.

If you go with a solid gold Rolex the weight difference alone should quickly distinguish what's real. So, problem solved you just need to fork out a lot more money - easy peasy.

I hit a nerve with this one! 😅 Just to make my point of view more clear: I was brought up in a family, were Rolex watches were regarded as vulgar. When I fell down the pit of real watch enthusiasm, I realized that not all Rolexes (Rolexei? Rolexezzez?) are vulgar. They make some exquisite time pieces. But I think they are seriously overpriced. There are watches more entertaining to look at for less money. There are watches better made for less money. There are watches more accurate for less money. What makes Rolex special is the brand. And if the brand name is so undermined by the flooding with fakes, all that is left as a buying incetive for me is the value retention. 😕

Your family taught you well about Rolices.

Ahem.......the correct, Swiss approved plural form of Rolex is Roleppopotami.

This is the van my mentor drove. With millions in the bank and quite the Rolex collection. 🤣

This is why I give my money to microbrands I want to support. I also enjoy something not many others will have. As enthusiasts, yes, many will have heard of these microbrands, but the populace at large won't have heard them. They just have to satisfy me.

It depends if you are buying a watch for yourself or just to try and impress other people.

I basically see a Rolex in my city at every corner. I assume most of them are fake. To be honest that wouldn’t bother me at all. I’m not wearing watches to impress others. I wear watches only for me and not for others. That’s the way it should be.

You should not care if anybody thinks it’s fake.

Why would you care what "everyone around you will assume"? If you like a Rolex and if you can easily afford it, then just get it and enjoy it. If you find the recent models "vulgar", look for a vintage one (Rolex Air-King Ref. 5500)- no one will recognize it as a Rolex and no one will accuse you, of it being a fake 😀

There is a big difference between seeing someone with a fake Rolex, and owning one. You might see a person with a fake and feel it's almost as good, but these watches fall apart long term. The movements don't last, keep bad time and are cheap, gem sets fall off with the smallest knock, the buckle becomes difficult. Leaving aside ethical reasons, these things are only designed to last long enough for the seller to get out of sight.

If you want a real rolex and you can afford it, go for it. The other people thoughts shouldn’t be important. It’s what you think abd know ehat is important.

Being able to affoard one is not really the issue. Will you ever get one from the AD? That is the real problem.

I think the most important factor of owning a real Rolex is your own perspective, you know its real! Don’t think that there’s a lot of people here that just buy a watch to impress others😀

Well, maybe you have to be patient too..😅😅

I’ve read that there are as many fake Rolexes out in wild as real ones. And probably you would wear fakes more casually. You are exposing yourself to a potential watch robbery, the criminal thinks you have a $10k on your wrist?

1% of people will assume any Rolex is a fake and 99% won't give a f*ck what it is.

Right. If you care what other people think about your watch, then this would be a problem. Fakes are illegal, so I wouldn't buy one and I don't like pretending to have something that I can't really afford.

There are so many affordable options with exciting designs that I don't see the point on getting a fake.

This is why I only like homage watches that are clearly different from what they homage. Ix&dao is a perfect example, I would never buy their serica homage as it is just a copy but I would buy their bronze fume dial pelagos.

There is a right answer to the question.

Not only is it imoral as you’re essentially helping a copy cat steal from the designer but fake watches almost always support criminal enterprises that are associated with much more nefarious operations than just fake watches. (This is well documented just google it)

So not only is it immoral and illegal but also immature. In the case you can’t afford it now, it’s either the inability to delay gratification. If it’s the case you won’t ever be able to afford it, it’s the inability to appreciate without owning. Both immature.

Bottom line, fake people wear fake watches. Yeah no one is ever gonna call you out wearing a fake watch but lots of people will know and respect you less for it….

It’s entirely personal, you’d buy the Rolex if you wanted to, or the fake Rolex if that’s your preference. I have a real one because I want to keep it forever and hand it down to someone, which isn’t really possible with a fake. If you just want to wear something nice and this is a transitory interest, just get the fake who gives a fuck. Anybody who has a strong opinion on the morality of watches is extremely lost in decadence and has lost sight on what matters in life. They’re just bracelets, so do whatever makes you happy. Life is too short to care about something this trivial.

The way I look at it is similar to many in this discussion. A fake watch is by definition an illegal piece. If one knowingly buys a fake, then one is supporting illegal activities. Also, we should think about who is being exploited to build these fakes. I would not be surprised if we find out that many use child labor.