Lucas

So, I was over in Shenzen this weekend. Interesting market if you compare to Beijing. All the watch dealers look the same. Thinking about standards I brought with me one of PAMs with swiss movement as a benchmark. Almost all dealers could go get quality reps once asked. It also seemed that they where all getting from the same source. So, for anyone going. Decide what rep you want and they will fetch it for you. Prices where about the same as the dealers here, even a little bit higher. I have been over 10 times in Beijing so I know my way around the markets, but these guys where tough and would not budge. So, don't expect to get a bargain. I buy because I sometimes like to feel and look at what I am buying before I do and not because of the price. Some correction to the note above that this is all done in 3 hours. That might be a bit optimistic. First keep in mind that you need to pay for Visa with Chinese currency, then Visa process takes about 30 minutes depending on how many there are. So, at least budget with 4 hours. And Hong Kong... time of my life. If you are thinking about it, go. Its a magical city like no other. /Luc

Great post Slay, I am going there this weekend. Any specific dealer you can recommend? Cheers Luc

Thanks. Does not hurt to check. ;-)

Hi guys, I am going to Italy on Thursday morning a thought occured to me; They are quite tight in Italy on the laws on copies. Browsing some articles I saw that fines have been given to tourists in the amounts 3.500 EUR to 10.000 EUR. I can understand they can grab a guy with a poor rep, since its easily spotted. But with the kind of rep we buy here, do you still think its a chance for me to get caught? Should I leave me reps at home. Any advice is appriciated guys. Cheers Luc

Hi guys, Long time since I posted something, so sorry for being a bit slow. Looking to buy a pilot but cant figure out which is more accurate. Comparing the pics below, am I right to assume that the 5002 is more accurate than the 5004? Is the 5002 below version 1 or 2? Cheers Luc

I have to side with Pug on this as well. I tried to justify my purchases with saying that it benefits the industry with me marketing it and what not. But I think it is correct approach to see it for what it is instead. There is no justifying buying a rep. If I get filthy rich I will switch to genuine, but now I just cant afford it and I really love watches, which is a dilema. thats my two pence

Hey mate, Dont worry. It looks normal to me too and I have bougt many watches. Should they ask, state that you sent it off for repair in Asia, and that it is now returned. Works for me. Cheers Luc

So your conclusion is that China is wrong in producing replicas, US has no double standards and yet you buy replicas. How do you justify that, father of Lucas. ;-)

When he patent it it was not obvoius. It was the groudn breaking technology. He is the inventor. However, they did not pay royalites during the durration of the patent either. He did not do it for tax reason, but for law suit reasons. Nevertheless, one of them does still own the right to the royalties and not one of the party got the royalty. They still used his idea to make money without paying him as the replica industry makes money without paying the watch industry. I still see a match of ethics and morals between the two. Good for you. If I get a son, his name will be Lucas. The thing is that I dont think that US has a straight forward approach.

Hey guys, If I understand the copyright discussion right the US Goverment is pushing hard to get China inlined with the rest of the world and not infringe on copyrights by Watch Makers, Clothes Manufacturers and more. To be consitent in their persuit for justice, US and other goverments hosting companies producing color computer screens and using the GPS satilite system should egnoledge the Patents by the swedish inventor Hakan Lans, who actually owns the right as he is the inventor. Companies are today not paying his royalities as there is an uncertanty if he ore his company owns the patent. (either way still him, right) http://egoist.blogspot.com/2005/03/inventor-hakan-lans.html The irony of this is that US and other contries are persuing China for creating replicas, while the contries themselves are ignoring the verry well standards that helped to create. I know this topic is a bit off, but when we see the watch industry close down parts of the forum because dealers are selling replicas, I would like to see Hakan Lans close down all computers using color screens ore shops selling computer screens of companies that has not paid is rightfully earned royalties. I mean come on... Be consitent and look at yourselves first before blaiming China. This is just one example. Well thats my two pence... Cheers Luc

Cool and verry disturbing at the same time.

Hey guys, Starting to feel like this thread is getting jacked. Hate to break up this party , but any chance of keeping the disucssion about the watch? Cheers Luc

Great stuff! I was looking for Aarons site!!! This was exactlly was I was looking for. You made my date, mate.

Hey, I know I have seen a post with military straps. Does anyone know were to find? cheers Luc

Thanks. Good point. I do like the proto more than the actual production watch. The downside with the rep is that it is missing the actual rattrapante pin, but I guess that has to do with the movements. cheers Luc