No sorry my mistake, he's a member of two fake watch forums and seems to have a range of fakes - how terrible for the OP that he could be mistaken with someone like that!
Near Henderson street? Yep, live maybe 2 mins away. It's a weird area, won't argue that. Soon as you get to the shore you're in trendy territory, but walk 5 mins in any direction and your up to your neck in neds. Everyone seems to coexist though. 16 years ago when I first arrived in Edinburgh you didn't go near the shore..
Whatever the intentions/motives of the OP (who really cares enough to get so wound up?) I do think it is an interesting question - and I say that as a watch enthusiast (the horror).
I don't own any fakes and don't ever see my perspective changing on this point as I appreciate the superior craftsmanship and heritage of the real McCoys, but to the great unwashed, people of the like who frequent forums such as this are a very niche consumer group. To most, a watch is just a watch and spending over £100 on a timepiece is a ludicrous concept. To those who buy fake clothing, handbags and all the rest, i.e. those who clearly aren't arsed about thinking through the moral implications of buying counterfeit goods, a fake watch is also no big deal.
I do think it would be interesting to know how many people started with a fake and ended up with the genuine article, as someone said earlier in the thread happened with them, the brave soul! Buying fakes is not a good thing, but later purchasing the real product is the best result that can come from the situation at least.
There always seem to be a rash of sweeping generalisations that are thrown about when this topic comes up. My favourite being the "fake watches are for fake people" line. I find that ironic because ALL of the people I have encountered in real life who have been wearing fakes have not hesitated to reveal they are not the real thing so I don't think they are 'faking an image' of themselves. Maybe people (enthusiasts) get so wound up with others wearing fakes because of the values they themselves bestow upon their real hobby: that the fake wearers are buying into an 'image' or cheating themselves into some social cache when in fact most normal people don't care what anyone else is wearing. This is not a dig but I wonder how many people who slam fakes and fake wearers, wear authentic running shoes etc. from corporations that make their money from poverty and sweatshops. I think even the purchasing of authentic goods can represent genuine ethical dilemmas that are worth thinking about if only people could be bothered.
I also find it amusing when people say that you're not a watch enthusiast if you dare mention the word fake. I am not a fake defender or wearer so I will say with moral impunity that I have visited fake forums. In purchasing pre-owned pieces I have not only found these forums invaluable research tools almost as much as studying the legitimate products upon which they are based to the point I could spot a fake of the watches I enjoy at 20 paces. Which is a great advantage to me as a collector. But I digress, some of knowledge (with regards to watchmaking/mechanics) displayed by the people on those forums is scary and as similar to any experts on here or any other legit forum I have seen. I think you can be a real hardcore watch enthusiast and enjoy fakes if you appreciate them as devices and not marketing tools, but those people are still strolling in the moral grey/black zone.
Most people I have encountered buy real and fake watches simply because they like the look, and I understand that. It doesn't make it right, but its pretty simplistic and superficial view of the world shared by many a moron.
I sort of get why someone would have a fake of a watch they like for knockabout. But if those same people genuinely appreciate build quality and reliability (in other products in life too), a fake junk watch that is poorly put together should make them cringe. I also don't understand why these fake enthusiasts spend so much good money to build 'ultimate fakes' even going to the extent of utlising real parts. If they're willing to go that far and we're not talking a £20 special off the beach on your hols, why not put that money to a well made genuine brand, like a Seiko, Citizen, Hamilton etc. or save the money towards a real piece? That's what I really don't get if the fakers call themselves genuine watch fans.
Of course the perfect rebuttal to these people is that if they are watch enthusiasts then why not just wear a homage - why do they have to have the logo of a real brand on their fake product? I imagine some do want to buy into the branding 'prestige' without paying the true price of admission, I don't know. To be honest I think its a question of knowledge and education. Some people do not understand why a genuine Rolex Submariner costs what it does, and sometimes there is no telling them. Also homage watches are something of a preserve of the genuine watch buying aficionados like us and many fake buyers probably don't know such types of watch exist.
Anyway, that was something of a ramble. I think it is quite possible to discuss fakes, any analyse viewpoints without condoning them whatsoever - people need not get their knickers in such a twist. Personally, I think it is an interesting topic because of the range of motives and psychology involved in buying/owning such a controversial item.
Bolton town centre is like watching a set from the hills have eyes , I've never seen so many hillbillies in one place.
I'd never consider a fake but I think the OP is imagining a mob mentality. The question was put to fellow enthusiast's what they thought and the overwhelming consensus was it was a really bad idea. That's not the same as a mob mentality.
Here is a great talk about fakes... worth a watch. No pun intended!
Interesting you googled a specific watch brand - I just googled "Mac83 replica watch" because how would you know what brand that someone you aren't likes? It was good luck that your choice of brand was one that the faker like. I tell you what is is a scary coincidence - his online history seems to start at about that the same time as yours! What are the odds of that. Also I'd watch out for that dude because I see one of the things he was interesting in finding out is how people on a real watch forum could spot a fake.
So can I wear a real Rolex in Edinburgh going for a short break soon.
?????
I think you should spend your time better than investigating online coincidences... try real life, I googled for Rolex as somehow when I think fake watch, Rolex brand pops in my head - go figure. I don't really need to explain myself to random people on the internet but I will in this particular case as I like this forum and don't want my name tarnished by someone who thinks they're smart working on a superficial facts. Person you're referring to on the other forums (two that I managed to find upon my 5 minute google search) seems to have joined both in 2013 which I think may indicate its the same person but could not be. I can't see anymore details as I'm not registered on either of the forums.
but being paranoid - you also joined TZUK in 2013 - it seems like your online history seems to start about the same time as the random user of fake watch forums - coincidence?
I'm surprised that this subject - possible reasons/excuses to buy and wear "replica" (=fake) watches - keeps popping up on this forum now and then.
After all, the joy of being a watch enthusiast is wearing the items we admire for what they are. How could anyone enjoy wearing a fake, when there are so many excellent genuine watches available for mere hundreds of pounds? They must be people who want to deceive people about their wealth or taste; in other words, fake people!
(I'll admit that about 20 years ago, before I became a watch enthusiast, I did buy two fake Rolex watches offered to me by a friend who came back from Hong Kong. I wore them sparingly until they were stolen from my house, by a burglar who was caught the same day but refused to tell the police were he had dumped them. I didn't really want them back anyway. I guess karma was a bitch, both for me and the burglar... As far as I know I have never owned a fake item ever since, not even a cheap polo shirt pretending to be from a famous brand.)
Fakes watches are for fake people.
They pass them off as 'real' and think that their 'AAA' '1:1' gumtree special is indistinguishable from the genuine article.
How I p'd myself laughing when someone showed me their fake '1:1' explorer II with polished centre links!!!!! never mind the 'orange' was waaaaaaaay off also!
The people who have never held the real item never realise how sh!t the fake is, and how far away from being even remotely close to the genuine item, I'd rather look at my phone to check the time than wear a fake.
You've caught me out - after setting up the Mac83 account on two fake forums, I the joined here at the same time so two years later I could draw attention to it in an elaborate plan. If that is the case we should get together because I see you like IWC and so does my Mac83 account, he has a fake one.
not sure what's that supposed to mean? Its not like I'm saying I love fake watches as some on here stipulate? Its a fact - was given a fake tag monaco couple of years ago, opened it up to see whats inside (its automatic, generic, non stamped movement I believe) and its been sitting in the drawer ever since.
Nevemind this has grown to a gigantic proportions from something that was a genuine question to group of people I thought are up for a discussion. I still think thats the case but some people just like to stir.
Never understood the fascination with fake watches. If you can't afford an expensive watch there are plenty of reasonable priced micro companies out there to choose from.
I've half thought about the possible merits of having a handful of fakes in a watchbox at home so that if Scrotes got in to rob the place they might find them and not look too hard for the others......
Mean? It doesn't mean anything. I was just showing the readers you've been open about your fake watch ownership in the past, right here, on TZ-UK.
Personally I don't have a fake watch in my drawer, in my cupboard, on my wrist, in fact anywhere and I wouldnt deal with anyone who did.
Any area you go in Edinburgh on a short break, probably mostly in the city centre, are perfectly safe. I wear mine all the time down in Leith and no one notices. As said, I wouldn't in westr hailes or sighthill but you kinda have to really intend to go to either of those places to end up in them. Way out from the city centre
On a side note, or perhaps, as its discussing the thread topic, there's is a parallel/precedent for this.
It isnt unusual for guitarists with valuable/hard to replace guitars to have replicas made that they'll play on stage, and I'm not just talking about the superstars, I know plenty of pub gig guys who have had something from when it wasn't considered vintage that no longer want to gig it.
Mind you, those don't tend to have the brand names on them.
Disclaimer: I'm not saying it's alright to buy fakes. I'm saying in other areas, certain circumstances allow a replica to be acceptable. In the all out fake stakes, the victim tends to be the bugger who buys a fake passed off as genuine.
Personally, I think it is a cracking idea; I don't see why it has to be just watches. I know if one day I can afford a Ferrari Dino there's no way I'll take it out on the road and risk some scrote trying to nick it or just key it. I'll leave it in the garage and go out in a Dino kitcar, probably based on a Vauxhall Astra running gear. And then there's my rather nice Turnbull and Asser shirts and Charvet ties, just asking to be ruined with hollandaise sauce, so when I go to the restaurant I leave them at home and put on a M&S shirt and Asda tie, nobody can tell the difference.
If you own flashy/expensive watch and are visiting an area where you'd feel uncomfortable wearing it, there is absolutely no logic in wearing an identical fake version. Wear an obviously cheap but decent watch, there are plenty to choose from and if you're a watch enthusiast you'll be happy to chop and change.
I am somewhat ambivalent over the issue.
I have bought plenty of fakes In the past.99% were the ones I had the original of. I don't wear those anymore or buy fakes anymore.
I have never tried to pass off a fake as original either on fora or in real life.
Other than the issue of trying to pass of a fake as original,there is the bigger issue of who manufactures the fakes and what other businesses they might be involved in e.g drugs.
I do have a problem with trying to pass off fakes as original . I am less judgemental if that's not the case.
But, I know I won't buy any more fakes.
Last edited by RAJEN; 11th January 2015 at 17:57.
I think the definition of a fake is that you try to pass it off as original - I mean, unless you attach a sign to the watch declaring it is a fake while you wear it surely the assumption would be that it was real?
Or do you mean homages? I do like a nice cheap homage for a beater - I've got rid of my bagelsport sub now but it was pretty good for £30. Nowadays I'd prefer an SKX007 for that purpose though my finances are such that I'd still be a bit annoyed if I lost it!
My own thoughts exactly. I sold off my mint Milgauss because I was paranoid of getting a serious scratch (you don't have to be a bricklayer or whatever to do that... It's easy enough to do in an office environment, I know through bitter experience) and I replaced it with a lovely 1984 Submariner that I am happy to wear anywhere within reason. At the moment I am looking out for a pre-loved Datejust or Aqua Terra for the same reasons.
Rob
Never never would I buy a fake. I wear my Seiko Pepsi as a beater it does it for me.
I bought a fake Tag 30 years ago. I'm not proud of it and dug it out of the drawer where it had lurked since the battery ran out - I was too embarrassed to take it to a jeweller (I know, I have since learned how to do that myself) - and have now consigned it to the workbench vice. It is now unrecognisable and will never risk being confused with a watch...