How Much Have Reps Improved Over The Last 18 Months?

[Raijor]

I am new to the rep collecting world and new around here. The reps that I have purchased include an LV SUB which has been received and SS YACHT-MASTER I am waiting for. Both are from Andrew at Trusty Time. The LV SUB is amazing for a $188 U.S. watch. I have read about the differences between the current Rolex reps and the Gens and that has led me to wonder when reps began to get so good. I remember seeing the old quartz Rolex watches in the 80's which were easily seen as fakes but nothing between then and now. Does anybody have the history to share some of the evolution of the rep? Thanks in advance for your time.

[stac]

I think a true history with pictures would be a real cool thing. I would love to have all the cheap reps I've owned over the last 25 years...the whole collection would be absoluetly worthless and at the same time priceless to collectors like ourselves

[crystalcranium]

My first rep was a President Green Gold Quartz in 1985. As maligned as it is, when the Chinese came out witha 7750 copy that started showing up in replicas and we got actual working chronographs, that was the Holy Grail for me.

The curve that represents accuracy and indistinguishability from genuines continues to get closer to the ultimate. The curve of mechanical reliability lags behind.

[robertk]

Probably, the biggest improvement comes from the manufacturers no longer relying on pictures but actually copying from the real watch. That seems to be a recent transition. The other is the improvement in movements available.

[jonthebhoy]

Lots! (sorry dashing out)

JTB

[morgan]

Along the same thread.. I'm curious about the manufacturers that are producing these incredible reps. They must have very sophisticated equipment and experience to make these so who the hell are these people and why don't they just design their own brands and sell them to the world? Not that I want them to stop supplying me w/ great reps but I just wonder if they are in some basement full of million dollar manufacturing machines spitting out panny's and rolex's? What's the scoop?

[robertk]

They already do make their own brands. It seems that there are 100's of different brands being made in China. Low cost and no name brands that are primarily sold in Asia. Some of the China experts can probably fill in more on the subject.