Tell the truth or tell lies

[Packard]

What do you say when someone notices your high-end watch? Do you confess that it is a copy? Or do you lead people on to beleive it is real?

Do you have different criteria for friends and family as opposed to strangers?

[alligoat]

It all depends on what they say. And to tell you the truth, people rarely comment on the watch I'm wearing, rep or real. I did see a young sales kid in West Marine wearing a blue dialed SFSO this weekend. I said, "Hey. I like your watch, have you been down 6000 ft yet?" He just smiled and said, "I doubt I'll ever get that deep!" Who knows if it was a rep, it looked good, and I liked the dial. But it is kinda rude to ask someone if their watch is a fake, or real. tacky, tacky.

You could always just say thanks and leave it at that. My friends know I do collect watches, but other than my watch friends, the rest could care less, so I typically don't say anything. And if I'm concerned about being called out, I'll wear a gen, or at least a very good franken.

If you're worried, just tell them your rep is a beater, you didn't want to tear up a good watch. That's when I wear my reps most of the time anyway.

[Guest Carl]

I have worn reps for years and I have never been asked.

Carl

[Jkay]

I just say thank you! And if they ask about the brand, I'll tell them it's a rep. If the first question is "how much was that watch?!" I just smile since it's a semi-rude question to begin with. If they persist, I say it's "normally" a $5/6K watch but this one is a replica. And then I point out the good features of the rep I'm wearing.

[emuozz]

I was asked twice and I was wearing a gen on both occasions... isn`t it kind of ironic?

[dbutlerman]

Most people don't ask...the only people who have asked are close friends. I am honest with them but then I go on to point out how good the rep is and what few flaws it has... I've never had a stranger ask anything about my watches...

[maxman]

99% of the time people say " nice watch" 99% of the time I say "thank you" It really Is that simple for me. 99% of the time It's that one % thats a pain In the azz. Mike

[Packard]

I was just curious how others handled this. I had a Rolex replica years ago (I had to stop wearing it because the gold plating wore off--a piece of junk), and people would ask about it. Rolex was less common in the 1980s than it is now.

With my family I quickly mentioned it was a replica as I didn't want them to think I was squandering my vast fortune on trinkets.

With strangers I would say, "I prefer not to discuss my financial indescretions" when they got too curious about the watch.

[TeeJay]

I was just curious how others handled this. I had a Rolex replica years ago (I had to stop wearing it because the gold plating wore off--a piece of junk), and people would ask about it. Rolex was less common in the 1980s than it is now.

With my family I quickly mentioned it was a replica as I didn't want them to think I was squandering my vast fortune on trinkets.

With strangers I would say, "I prefer not to discuss my financial indescretions" when they got too curious about the watch.

*adds that to list of phrases to use in future*

[alligoat]

"I prefer not to discuss my financial indiscretions."

That is a good one. Kind of hints at the fact that you might have spent too much money on a gen, or did you get ripped off buying a fake! It should stop the obnoxious questioner at that point, hopefully.

[Guest HaloArchive]

Person: Is your watch real?

Me: Are your shoes real?

Person: (Does the o.O face)

Me: Walks away

BTW, I remmeber seeing that by someone in a different thread a long while back on this subject matter.

Cheers~

H

[Chronus]

"I prefer not to discuss my financial indiscretions."

That is a good one. Kind of hints at the fact that you might have spent too much money on a gen, or did you get ripped off buying a fake! It should stop the obnoxious questioner at that point, hopefully.

Great one!

[Chronus]

Person: Is your watch real?

Me: Are your shoes real?

Person: (Does the o.O face)

Me: Walks away

BTW, I remmeber seeing that by someone in a different thread a long while back on this subject matter.

Cheers~

H

The better version of that one was:

Woman: Is your watch real?

Me: Are your boobs real?

[Member X]

The better version of that one was:

Woman: Is your watch real?

Me: Are your boobs real?

*Slap*

Corrected lol

Although I like it - it gets the point across that it's rude to ask such things, while potentially getting lucky through sheer cheekiness

Edited July 1, 2009 by Member X

[BROM]

I have only been asked one time and it was by one of my good friends that also likes watches, so I handed him my BCE and asked what he thought. He said wow aren't this like 5k and I said for a genuine maybe but not for this one and he started laughing.

That was the only time and if I ever get asked I will probably go about it the same route see what they think and suprised them when I say it is not genuine.

[Packard]

A co-worker came to work wearing a Rolex. I said, "Andrew, I see you got a raise."

To which he quickly replied, "No it is a fake."

In this instance I did not ask the price or if it were real or not, but he quickly got defensive and said it was a fake.

I think, just like the Tae Kwon Do practitioners do, it is wise to rehearse your moves beforehand so as to position yourself as well as possible.

Andrew could have said, "I'm a keen negotiator."

My reaction would be: Did he negotiate a raise? or Did he negotiate a great price on the Rolex? Ambiguity is often your friend.

[freddy333]

Only (new) friends will generally ask about a watch & I always say 'rep'. This of course causes uncontrollable giggles from my long-time friends since they know I am usually wearing either a gen-powered franken or a gen.

I do not know why (since, in my quarter century of collecting watches, I have only ever had 1 stranger - a waiter - ask about my watch), but this has to be 1 of the most frequently asked questions by newbies. Some people must travel in very suspicious circles.

[TeeJay]

Only (new) friends will generally ask about a watch & I always say 'rep'. This of course causes uncontrollable giggles from my long-time friends since they know I am usually wearing either a gen-powered franken or a gen.

I do not know why (since, in my quarter century of collecting watches, I have only ever had 1 stranger - a waiter - ask about my watch), but this has to be 1 of the most frequently asked questions by newbies. Some people must travel in very suspicious circles.

I don't know, I just wonder if people might think that they're going to get called out as soon as they strap on the watch, as if it comes with a self-levitating neon sign which constantly hovers above them saying "Fake watch!" I think once people get that first decent rep, and realize that they don't illicit suspicious questions, rather compliments, they begin to relax about it all

[freddy333]

It is true that alot more people look at watches (& decide whether they think the watch is real or not) than will ever say anything. So, while it is very rare, in my experience, for a stranger to comment - good or bad - about my watch, I am aware that most people are thinking about it (sizing me up against my watch - do I look like I could afford the watch I appear to be wearing).

[Guest HaloArchive]

What kills me is seeing that upper teen/early 20's kid wearing a rolex or a breit and they act all poesur about it as if it is real. Maybe in Beverly Hills.

[dluddy]

I have never had anyone ask about a watch I was wearing, EVER

[Jkay]

I have never had anyone ask about a watch I was wearing, EVER

That's because no one knows wth a Panerai is.

[mingray]

I Was asked...when wearing my B&R by a complete stranger....is that a british rail watch??!!!...

I didnt know what to say

[chronoluvvv]

I Was asked...when wearing my B&R by a complete stranger....is that a british rail watch??!!!...

I didnt know what to say

ROFLMAO !!!

other than that i'm w/Packard on the principle of ambiguity & indiscretion

[FWATCH]

I only remember one person asking about a watch I was wearing. I just said "Yeah, it's a fake. Made in China. Isn't that incredible?" And then they wanted to have a closer look.