Replica to Check Sizing?
This might be a terrible idea, but I have a bit of a dilemma. I'm considering a watch purchase in the next few months. But I have a very small wrist, and I worry that the watch is too big.
Ideally, I'd simply visit an authorized dealer and try the watch on. Alas, this particular watch is so popular (and local ADs are so scarce) that an in-person trial doesn't seem feasible. I could have one delivered to my home, but the restrictions on returns (e.g. the watch cannot have been sized), though perfectly reasonable, definitely compromise my ability to evaluate it.
That has led me to consider purchasing a replica of the watch. It's one way to put an identically sized watch on my wrist, and it also lets me wear the watch around the house for a few days. That seems like a much calmer way to evaluate the watch than a few minutes with a hovering salesperson.
Obviously I would incur the cost of the replica, but that would only be a fraction of the watch's total cost. There's also the "cost" of supporting the replica industry, which I can't say I fully approve of. On the other hand, the replica wouldn't get any wrist time in public, and it could lead to a purchase of the genuine brand.
The alternative seems to be ordering online and hoping that the fit is okay. If not, I could sell the watch as used. But my loss in that case would potentially exceed the cost of the replica. And I'd rather not deal with the hassle of a private sale.
So, am I crazy? A heretic? A fool? (Don't worry, I've been called worse.)
Edited to add:
I should note that I’m distinguishing between “replica” and “fake.” Any replica that I would consider would be legal and have its own brand. I’m not considering a fake or counterfeit.
Loving watches of all kinds. Vintage and Modern. Luxury and Microbrand. Mechanical and Quartz, Smart Watches too. From Apple to Omega.
Definitely get the rep! I've purchased something like 50+ reps over the past couple of years - mostly as a) gag gifts for family and co-workers, and b) to try out a watch on-wrist to decide whether or not I want to buy the real deal.
Beyond that, as I've written elsewhere, fakes don't actually hurt the Swiss watch industry. Fakes actually help sell the genuine articles, which is why you never see the Swiss moving hard to crack down on Chinese fakes - exception was when NOOB and VSF factories in China created movements that rivaled / were nearly indistinguishable to Rolex movements, and marketed them at a public industry trade show!
So, definitely get the rep!
If the replica is branded like the real deal, no.
If not, I have no issues with it. Not that my opinion carries a lot of weight.
That said, replicas & homages are the only way some even get to pretend they are wearing the real deal.
Also, if an AD can't let you wear it for 30-60 min in store, they have that type of "return" policy and there's a dearth of AD's in the area, maybe they don't actually want to actually sell you the watch.
OTOH, the heart wants what the heart wants and sometimes logic means nothing.
In the end, it's all your decision, but I say go for the replica.
How impossible is it to get to an AD and try it on? Could you plan a weekend trip around it, or is there just none in inventory anywhere?
I would recommend trying to see the watch in person. Try on a few different watches and give it some more thought If this is even an option. It sounds like this is a significant investment for you, and it probably is worth seeing the actual watch on wrist.
I destroy replicas, the risk is too great someone will be fooled by them.
Replicas will often not be the same size, especially when dealing with chorographs. Personally, I would find a watch you like, and buy a similarly sized inexpensive watch with the exact dimensions. It will not be perfect, but it will give you a pretty good idea. It also mitigates any illegality.
Never buy a rep. Never.
This thread got me thinking so I searched “Tudor Pelagos Replica” and found one for $400. It looked ridiculously real. Why the hell would they leave five lines of text on it? They should have removed a few and it would be dynamite!
Take the test ride man, You'll be glad you did!! Before dropping big $$ you want to feel comfortable. I love the Speedy, but after trying a spect out homage I'm not AS obsessed with it because of the size, feel on my wrist. Hate to find that out AFTER I sell my kid for a $6000 watch. You can always use um to mod after
It can help you judging if the size is right for you but unless everything else is the identical, especially the weight, it may mislead you on how the real watch will wear on your wrist.
Buy the genuine article and flip it if it doesn’t work out. My two cents.
What’s the watch?
F**k replicas...
Since you mentioned when talking about a possible tryout that the watch could not be sized for the tryout that tells me it is on a bracelet. Bracelets hardly ever size down well to truly small wrist sizes. Just come to terms with the fact that bracelet-based watches are not for you, instead of spending thousands to find out the hard way, and replicas and homages typically do not spend a lot of effort to replicating the bracelet anyway.
You did not not quantify the smallness in your "very small wrist", but if that's true relative to the male population as a whole then do not go beyond 36mm dial diameters.
A replica/homage tryout is often a sensible thing to do (from a practical POV), but I do not think this applies here. It sounds like you are kidding yourself. If you get the replica you will find it does not fit well. But then you will argue to yourself that the bracelet is not quite the same. And then you will buy the real thing because you really want it. And it will not fit either. Mark my words.
People complicate their lives then spend all their time justifying why they do , its a common problem, my wrist size is 16cm thats it like a girls wrist , my sweet spot is 39 mm and 41mm at a pinch depending on the lug to lug . Before buying a replica , measure the lug width of your most comfortable watch then compare that measurement to the watch you desire to purchase . If it doesn’t fit then you will get sick of it trust me , I’ve stepped in the poo you wish to. Your decision your choices in the end , I am 61 and I don’t know if that counts for much these days but the one thing I possess is experience:)
I meant lug to lug sorry
It could actually wear differently with the real watch due to the quality and details. How small is your wrist and what is the watch if that's not a secret. And also if you can pull off an Apple watch Ultra as your bio suggests, then you can probably pull off anything. If only... tell me: is the watch that 46mm Breitling Superocean?
Replicas are bad news.
Get an homage that is similar, particularly in size — not only is that likely cheaper, it’s also ethical and legal. Plus, if it’s different enough, you then have two watches, and one you can wear in places you wouldn’t want to risk anything too nice.
Replica/fake is something I understand but maybe think about where that money goes after.
In a word, NO!
If you are looking to try on to understand if the watch will work for you, go visit your local Grey Market dealer, they will more than likely have the watch that you are looking for.
What watch are you looking to purchase??
There's so much info on the internet for proper Wrist sizing and appropriate watch case size for a certain wrist size. Just a little research and your good to go.Buying replicas are funding some terrorists groups, syndicates, and all the bad things and so on and on.
I wouldn't trust the replica to be dimensionally accurate. Better to find a watch you know fits you , measure the important dimensions ( lug to lug probably the most important) and the find the relevant specs of your target and compare .
I don’t think a stand in of any kind would ever suffice because it’s not the real thing - it’ll wear differently on the wrist. i think a weekend trip to the the closest biggest city w ADs is in order. Sit, talk, try on & make a watch weekend of it. You may discover something totally different.
100% get the replica.
For me, I don't think I would wear it much if it had the brand's name on it, but if not, I'm on board.
People love stuff like the Smiths Everest, MKII, etc.
If no one gets hurt then why not.
But if it includes leather then there's a very big chance the replica will be cat or dog skin from China so in that case I'd say no.
Maybe a better option is to just check the specs and get a similarly sized watch that you actually do like all then it's not a waste.
Lug to lug is by far the most important. Then just check the thickness is close and you'll get a very good idea of how the expensive one wears.
We need to clarify homage vs replica vs fake. I say only yes to homage. Absolutely no attempt to fool others or copy branding.
But I think homages are fine and legal. The major Swiss brands homage each other all the time. In fact, the Swiss got their start producing replicas of English and American pocket watches. They would even copy the names to fool buyers.
I ordered a Chinese date just homage. It's because I want a 39 mm oyster but it's discontinued. And I refuse to pay over retail for used. So I'll wear the 39mm homage until Rolex makes a 39 mm again.
100% get the replica.
For me, I don't think I would wear it much if it had the brand's name on it, but if not, I'm on board.
People love stuff like the Smiths Everest, MKII, etc.
There is a massive difference between homages and replicas. Homages are legitimate watches which have a similar design to an original piece. Replicas, in a word, are FAKE watches. I have no problems with homage watches. I have a few homages, some of which I have used to test out functionality, and some of which are just pieces of which I like the look, but can't justify the spend (looking at you, IWC fliegers)...
there is no wrong size watch as long as its comfortable for you. my wrist is almost 8 inches and wear a 33mm Tissot Powermatic 80 all the time. No one here can say what is rite for you but you. I tried all the sizes and styles cheaply with either homages or building them before settling on small which was a surprize.