teddy boy

Bluefakes and all their companies are a complete scam, period. The specs on their watches are non existant, and they grade their replicas. Just try calling their 1-800 number. You will be lucky to get anyone on the phone at all. If you do, it will be some idiot named Chad. Ask him a few questions about reps. He doesn't know jack. There are multiple people that got scammed by these guys, and that is a fact. Hundreds of people for that matter. If their financial institution knows they are commiting fraud, and have frozen their accounts, that is something to be said. Teejay, it is funny how you are one of the biggest bashers of the cartel but defend rep companies that sell $800+ watches. I have yet to see 1 legitimate claim of a good dealing or satisfied customer with bluefakes. They are 0 for 7 with the BBB and all their requests to have dispute resolutions turn unanswered. I dare you to buy a watch from bluefakes.

IMHO the reaction to the post that started this thread is the assertion that if you got a good watch but just paid too much for it, then perhaps it's not really a scam. Those of us who responded believe that if you make up a watch movement to claim your product is better and create a fake ratings site, that you are actually scamming your customers. I stand by that assessment. So far as posting pictures is concerned, I'm terrible with a camera. I'm going to get my wife to take some pictures of my new white dial ingenieur, maybe I'll ask her to photograph my sub too. But as someone already posted in this thread, By-Tor's review of the noob sub pretty well establishes the point that you can get a comparable watch in terms of appearance for alot less money.

Has anyone ever actually purchassed a watch from sites like these? If so, what was the quality like? I bought my Submariner from Eurofakes/RareReplicas last year for about $800. Now, I'd be the first to admit that pricewise, there are much cheaper watches available. But. The quality of the watch I got was excellent. When it comes to 'passing', it has every feature of a gen, from the number of clicks in the bezel rotation, to the ring on the inside link for tripping the diver's extension

, to the engraving between the lugs. As far as I have been able to tell, every detail has been correct. Now, if these sites are shipping out utter garbage, then fair play, call them out and shame them. But. If it's just a case of the price is high, suck it in. No one wants to pay top dollar for garbage, but, there's a difference between paying for garbage and getting something that is virtually indistinguishable to the gen fresh out of the box with no mods at all... Are their prices high because they are con artists, or are their prices high because their product is good? Quite a difference...

This was what my $800 got me (only mods ever performed, was swapping the bracelet for the NATO strap, and replacing the bezel insert as the original got damaged through wear)

So the fact that they advertise a 27 jewel eta movement that doesn't exist is ok with you? Or the fact that they state that anyone claiming to offer watches with eta movements for less than what they charge is a scam artist (when we all know you can buy said watches for $200 or even less)is ok too? My black sub looks pretty much identical to your's and I paid $225 for mine. That's not rubbing your nose in it, but simply to point out that charging someone $800 for something that can be sold for $225 while claiming that anyone charging less is a rip off artist is unethical.

Gosh, I almost forgot. It's ok to create a fake ratings site to dupe customers into thinking that they're safe in purchasing from your site because other customers have given you positive ratings?

I'm glad that you're satisfied with your watch and it's good that you're not bitter about the price. But suggesting that what they do is ok sort of misses the whole reason that this forum exists.

From the wear on the bracelet and the seller I would venture to guess it was genuine. You never can tell these days with the accuracy of this rep.

Thanks.

I realize that these pictures are not the greatest, but does this super ocean look like a gen? The thing that bothers me most is that the date seems misaligned in the window. Could someone more experienced take a look?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=180107539774

Yeah I can get but the problem is that you need a min buy of $100 with all my sales so you will need to be prepared to buy a few sets.

Ken

Ken, how can I found out the handbags that you can get. I'd like to get something really nice for my stepdaughter. Thanks in advance.

Well, I just got in my Hublot Big Bang w/Ceramic Bezel today from Andrew. I was in eager anticipation peeling back all the bubble wrapping and protective film trying to catch a glimpse. When I got it opened, my eyes were in shock. What a beautiful stunning piece of art. The details of the watch literally sets a new standard for reps. After spending a good chunk of change for this thing, I was worried it would not live up to the hype. Well, I was wrong. This watch has exceeded all my expectations and more. I compared this thing to the gen on Hublot's website, and this watch is very accurate. The brush and polished SS case is very high quality. The dial has a checkered ceramic look like the gen. I was not sure if spending the extra for the ceramic bezel was worth it, but it adds such a distinctive character to the watch. The strap is very comfortable and very easy to adjust. I was worried about a stinky smell of the rubber strap on my wrist, but after 12 hours of wearing this watch, no rubber smell whatsoever. The display back has the same look as the original with the spiral carbon looking rotor. It looks fantastic for an Asian 7750 movement (I just hope the reliability will stand up to the looks), much nicer than my Mont Blanc Timewalker. The verdict is that despite the heafty pricetag for a rep, I think it is worth any penny and my new favorite watch. :thumbsup:

Stunning is a very appropriate description.

Thank you.

I tried to access Josh's site and was taken to a page that said that his account was suspended.

White dial exists in a mid-size Gen for now. My guess is not to distant future they will have it also in 42mm.

The white dial a few dealers carry looks nice...

I took some pictures of the inge, they're good enough that you can probably tell that it's a watch. If I didn't tell you which watch and asked you to name it, you'd have a slightly better chances of correctly identifying the winning lottery numbers before the drawing. My wife is grading papers right now and maybe all weekend. When she's finished, she agreed to take some pictures for me. TIn her mind, this confirms her opinion regarding my mental stability.

Well , let me say this...

I got my Tag after high school. It's a great watch. Deep down, however, I always wanted a Rollie. My great-uncle has one, my uncle has one, but I don't. I couldn't scrape together $3000+ for one, so I kept wearing the Tag. Eventually, I stumbled upon the world of reps. I bought a cheap auto Rolex in Mexico and thought it was awesome. From there, I found the original RWG, and got directed into the world of high-end reps. I got fascinated by the mechanical movements and the different brands, Rolex, Omega, etc.

The interest in me has never been the accuracy of the watch, but the "style" of it. I like utilitarian, stainless, tool watches. I don't care for gold or diamonds. I like to putz around with them. Make sure I can swim with them.

It's the same with my car. I drive a 1957 Volvo 444. My wife drives a 2006 Montana. I like to change the oil in the Volvo and adjust the drum brakes. My wife thinks I'm crazy, too.

Anyone who belongs to the forum whose wife doesn't think them crazy, please raise your hand. I know that my wife thinks I'm crazy about watches and bicycles. but she also considers me harmless enough.

Now, we're talking! I only do road biking, and I never do it for commuting. I appreciate the sport of cycling, and it is great exercise.

I have two road bikes.

One is a Colnago Extreme C. This is the commerical version of the bike used by the Rabobank team back in the 2005 tour de france.

I also have a Trek 1400 2006 version. I think this is the best value road bike out there.

The Colnago is absolutely gorgeous. Can you believe the paint job on that thing? My first "good" bike was a Colnago, Columbus SL. I hit a brick in the road around dusk (never saw the brick laying there) and bent the downtube. I wanted to cry. I've never been on a mountain bike. I have nothing against mountain at all, it's just that when I started riding there was only road. Have I appropriately dated myself?

My story relates to a night I was at the mall and walked by the store that sells Rolex, Breitling, Tag, and one or two other high brands. The company carries Panerai but not at this particular store. I was wearing my rep Pam 029 and dressed like a complete bum. I was looking at the glass display case windows that you can see from the mall, I wasn't even in the store. A salesperson saw the Pam on my wrist and actually came out into the mall to ask if he could help me. I'm betting that better dressed but with no Pam and he wouldn't have given me the time of day.

White face is Phantasy, no?

I have the white face on my wrist and I really like the look. My pam 029 obviously has a black face and I wanted something different.

I have a vintage Accutron I no longer wear; it only needs a battery. Is there possibly a buyer out there?

Finding a buyer for an accutron depends alot on what you have. Is it a 214 or a 218? The 214 models are generally worth a bit more. Is it anything special (e.g. spaceview, astronaut, assymetric, rr approved etc). I would have to say that accutrons are not exactly "hot" right now.

It depends on why you bought the replica. If you bought it as a consumable, disposable item, then ride on. If you bought it as a precious piece then put it under glass.

You cannot expect any level of genuine quality performance from replicas. I have had more reps fog from sweat than any other reason. If it's a keeper, wear it well and carefully. I'm something of a white glove collector. Whenever I do anything remotely threatning I don't wear a watch. My Dad, on the other hand, owns a Girard Peregeaux that he wears painting the house. It's the Ying and Yang thing!!!

Thanks for all the replies, you really have helped me make my decision. I'm going to wear it on at least one group ride with the submariner guys. After they've admired my Inge and oohed and aahed, I'll fess up to the watche's true origins. It will be interesting to see if any of them come clean on their watches being reps. I would be willing to bet that at least one of them is wearing a good rep but would also bet that none of them own up to that fact. In any event, I've got to wear the Inge to see their reatction. After that it will be the white glove treatment as crystal puts it. I really like the watch, I have a good watch maker who works on my reps at a reasonable fee and I know that with care it will last a long long time.

As an aside, I'm amazed at all the cyclists who posted on this thread. I'm a twenty six year cyclist. I own four bikes: a 94 Schwinn Paramount (last year the real paramount was made, Reynolds 753), an Eddie Merckx titanium AX with bi-ovalized tubes, a Trek 5500, and a Guru New Steel. All but the Guru were made in America, the Guru is, of course, Canadian made. If you had told me even 15 years ago that I woud own 4 bikes I wouldn't have been surprised. If you had told me that all would be made in North America, I would have been astonished.

Thanks again for the views on wearing the Inge, I have my answer now.

Well I think, since everyone is offering their thoughts, that what the heck did you buy the rep for if not to wear in places where you wouldn't want to risk a gen. I've gotten my rep wet with "hand washing" level of water and never had a problem. If I get it mucked up, I just make sure everything is screwed in or down and rinse it in running water. Never had a problem with any of the Rollies or Omegas that I have. If it isn't a screw down crown I might not risk that. The worse that can happen is that some moisture gets in the watch then you have to send it to get serviced--or toss it and get another.

These are banger watches for me and if ones bites it, I just am thankful that I wasn't wearing any of my gens. It kind of defeats the purpose of owning a rep if you are going to treat it like a gen. So wear the Ing. If it is really important to you, send it to one of our repair guys and get it waterproofed. Not much difference between one that is pressure tested and one that is not. Probably a new gasket, some silicone lubricant, and, depending upon the model, maybe something to address the crystal mount.

...just my opinion.

Very interesting point. I've spent my whole life trying to save the good stuff for........?

I'm going to mull this one over a bit. I really like the Inge and wouldn't want to ruin it, but then what you say does make sense. If I ruined my 1930s mint gruen curvex or my absolutely breathtaking Hamilton Gordon or any of a dozen other gens, now that would be a tragedy.

/Tim

That's a very good question and initially one would have to say no as the chance of any sweat entering the watch is very slight, however there are other considerations for example cyclist can and often do find themselves many miles from home when they get caught in a weather change, there is also the chance of water from a previous rain fall being sprayed up by passing cars entering the watch and finally there is the effect of your sweat and the composition of metal on your case back which could cause skin irritations or acid etching to the watch itself.

In short I would be inclined to purchase a cheap sports watch for riding and use your reps for situations you can control.

Ken

Thanks for the advice, I'll follow it. I have an inexpensive timex indiglo but sometimes ride with guys who wear their rolex subs. I assume that their's are real, but have no way of knowing. I was really looking forward to wearing my new inge on a ride. I would have eventually told them its origin, but only after having them ooh and aah over it. Then, of course, I would point out that you can get reps of their subs for about the same money that I paid for my inge, and maybe even a little less.

I am a cyclist and I always wear a watch when I ride. I wear a watch first of all because I'm a watch guy and wear one except when I do two things. One of those is take a shower (soap isn't good for them even if they're water proof) and the other we don't talk about. I also wear a watch when I ride to know how much more time I have to enjoy the wonderful sport of cycling.

My question is, will a rep stand up to the salt and other minerals in my sweat? I wouldn't wear a gold plated watch to ride as the minerals might erode the plating. But how about a stainless model? My reps are supposed to have 316 quality stainless, I have no reason to doubt this fact as the overall quality of these reps is quite good. Is the best guess that these will stand up to a good saturation with sweat?

I just got my new inge, white face, non-chrono. It is a very substantial watch. I'm absolutely thrilled and would like to thank all those who helped me with my Inge vs. Mark XV internal debate. I think I picked the right watch (although the Mark XV is also a great watch) because I don't have anything remotely like this in my collection. It's big and heavy and appears substantial on my wrist. The quality appears excellent, the only concern is the length of the bracelet. I only had to take out one link whereas normally I would have to take two. Although the bracelet length obviously wasn't a problem for me, it could be for people with large wrists as I consider my wrists to be average or a little less than average in diameter.

I'll post pictures if I'm able to use my wife's digital camera well enough that you can actually tell what I'm photographing.

Needless to say, I'm a happy boy!

If my watch left Shangai People's Republic of China, does that mean I've made it through customs?

http://images.google.com.tr/imgres?imgurl=...GLJ:en%26sa%3DN

DFor your consideration...

<a href="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c59/kuvarsit/ORIGINAL/OMEGA%20300M%20VINTAGE%201967/a300m-9.jpg" target="_blank">

</a>

Thanks for the link, I will forward this to my friend.

Many of the SM300s are Frankenwatches rather than outright fakes. Cobbled together with all sorts of different gen and dubious parts from the cheap bin. Usually they throw in an inaccurate, but gen movement, to fool the masses. Depends on the popularity - of which the 300 may be the most sought after.

What you're saying would have been my suspicion. It's not so much that there are reps of these watches but rather watches that were cobbled together from different model watches of the same gen manufacturer.

A friend of mine keeps pointing to vintage watches on ebay that he thinks are in too perfect condition and claiming that they must be reps. My response is that other than reps of some very specific models where the original sells for tens of thousands of dollars, I know of no reps for vintage watches. The watches we're talking about here are things like Omega Seamasters and Constellations from the 1950s and 1960s. My argument is that there isn't a big enough market to justify producing reps for these type watches and that the originals don't sell for enough to justify copying them. Does anyone know if there are reps of the 50's-70s omegas and such?

I first heard about this from my wife who is a marketing professor (I'm an economics professor) with regard to renting very high end hand bags. The idea was that styles change so often that women might prefer to rent rather than own, even if the rental charge was substantial. Renting a watch, on the other hand, makes less sense as styles change much more slowly. My wife and I are contemplating doing some research on the replica market and discussed this rental idea in that context.

The optimal number of watches is one less than the number that would result in a divorce. Only you know whether she's really serious, but if she's just threatening you're still under the optimal number.