Greetings to all

[Jumbie]

Just saying my hellos. Joined the forums recently and have been trying to read as much as I can on here and on Replica Watches Guide to educate myself about what to expect from a replica, how to best go about purchasing one and, perhaps most importantly, where I should make that purchase.

So thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences and "givin' me some learnin'".

***

Bit of history. I'd never, ever thought about buying a replica. Not that I have anything against the idea; it simply never crossed my mind. However, I've always liked Tag Heuers and Omegas.

My mother's 50th birthday was approaching and my sister and I decided to share the price of a gift and get her something nicer than either of us could afford individually. After agonizing for some time over what on earth the woman would like, we finally settled on a watch. And so, the hunt began. Without a specific brand in mind, we eventually settled on a Tag Link

http://www.tagheuer.com/the-collection/lin...w=WJ1319.BA0572

Priced the watch and then decided to shop around. Found it online for a much better price but, I was going to be traveling so I thought I'd see how much it would be through duty free. Was still higher than I could get it for online (grey market w/ 2 year store warranty) even after getting the guy to knock off a few hundred dollars. *sigh*

Before making the final purchase, I spent some time researching the store to make sure I wasn't going to regret the decision or get ripped off. During that search, I came across the idea of a replica. And so, while my darling mother deserves the genuine article, I definitely wouldn't mind one for myself.

Currently in my third year of professional school and I know my father's going to get me a nice gift when I graduate. Was planning on asking for a watch but, in the mean time, my US $127 Kenneth Cole watch that's served me oh so faithfully over the last approximately 5 years (and taken quite a beating cause I lead a fairly active life including wearing it the gym) is on its way out and I'm going to need to replace it.

So I've spent the last few days on here and the other forums looking into a watch for myself. Right now, I'm leaning towards either a Tag Link Chronograph (blue face) or the Omega PO 4th gen (or 5th gen from Wo-Mart). I know everyone raves about the newer 45mm Ultimate PO but it's probably a bit too much watch for me even though I'm a fairly big guy - 6'2" w/ a 7" wrist. Want to go with something slightly more discreet.

Quite frankly, I don't care if the watch isn't a perfect replica. If anyone asks, I'll gladly tell them. I can't afford a $3k watch in any case. Not with the amount of loans I have (heh, maybe I should ask my dad to just give me the $ instead of a watch and use it towards them). I honestly just like the look/style and I'm hoping that the watch will work (and keep time) for a couple of years.

Dealers I'm looking at are Paul (Wo-Mart), Andrew (TT), Joshua (PerfectClones) and Silix-Prime. Paul seems to have the best prices (cause of free shipping) although, from what I've read, Joshua and Andrew have better customer service.

So there you have it. More than you probably care to know.

Thanks again to all for what you've shared with those of us new to this game.

***

PS I've posted pretty much the same thing on Replica Watches Guide cause it really doesn't make any sense to me to write out basically the same thing. I hope that doesn't offend anyone for some reason because what I've posted about being grateful to all of you for your advice, pictures, etc. is true; both on this forum and over there.

[cornerstone]

Welcome Jumbie

You would have no problem pulling off the 45mm PO. I got the 42mm first for the same kind of reasoning, but the 45mm is fine. Okay, so the 49mm Railmaster XXL is beginning to push it...

I think Silix has some of the best deals at the moment, especially if you get a couple of watches and split the shipping. They also have watchsilix too with some less expensive non-ETA reps. Don't forget people like Narikaa and TTK as well - they have completely different suppliers from the Chinese drop-shippers, so often some very interesting wares.

[By-Tor]

Hi Jumbie. Welcome. There are some nice TAG Link reps available, you're on the right track... I bought one for mine and one for my girlfriend. If you don't trust (or need) the chrono, check out chrgod's review of the non-chrono Link. Excellent rep as well.

Edited May 13, 2007 by By-Tor

[Zed]

Howdy Jumbie

Zed

[Usil]

Welcome to the group.

Usil

[FxrAndy]

Welcome jumbie

[Jumbie]

Thank you all for the welcome.

Welcome Jumbie

You would have no problem pulling off the 45mm PO. I got the 42mm first for the same kind of reasoning, but the 45mm is fine. Okay, so the 49mm Railmaster XXL is beginning to push it...

Whoa, that's huge. Didn't even think they could make watches that big. I'm still up in the air about whether to go for the smaller PO or the 45mm.

Went to the store today to check them out in person and try them on but they didn't have the 45mm. The regular one looked pretty good though. I might be able to pull off the ultimate.

To tell the truth, I was originally 90% sure I was going to be getting the Tag, but the PO really started to grow on me the more I looked at it on my wrist. I put them both on to compare. The Link's dressier for sure (well IMO), but I could definitely see myself going with a PO with the rubber band for casual wear. heh, maybe I should demand an early birthday present from the girlfriend and get them both.

I think Silix has some of the best deals at the moment, especially if you get a couple of watches and split the shipping. They also have watchsilix too with some less expensive non-ETA reps. Don't forget people like Narikaa and TTK as well - they have completely different suppliers from the Chinese drop-shippers, so often some very interesting wares.

Thanks for the tip. Didn't even know about those other dealers although I've been trying to read as much as I can as time allows.

Unfortunately, I find myself getting confused every now and then and I honestly feel half-clueless about the different versions of the same watch on each site e.g. Silix has the PO called the "latest version". Normally I'd think that they're referring to the Ultimate but I believe I read somewhere in the forums that it's a different version. Wo-Mart is also selling the 45mm with the description of "latest 5th version". *sigh*

And then there's the confusion about the movement. I thought I had it down until a short while ago.

My understanding was the old 7750 = bad.

The new 7750 (7750b) = good/better as long as the seconds chrono was not at 6 o'clock

Swiss = best.

Then I read something about how there's an ETA 2824-2 that was Asian-made and not as good. To be wary of buying the 2824 cause you might end up with the Asian version.

So what about the ETA 2836? Is that one okay?

Sorry about the questions but I've honestly tried to read as much as I could yet I remain uncertain.

Hi Jumbie. Welcome. There are some nice TAG Link reps available, you're on the right track... I bought one for mine and one for my girlfriend. If you don't trust (or need) the chrono, check out chrgod's review of the non-chrono Link. Excellent rep as well.

Thanks By-Tor. I've definitely tried to read everything I could about the Tags.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you how awesome and helpful your reviews have been. I've read them all (as related to Omega and Tag) as well as your many posts in the various threads. And yeah, I even saw the one about the ladies Link. Congrats on a beautiful woman by the way.

Originally, I liked the non-chrono Link. But the chronograph's grown on me. No need for it, but it looks cool. I probably won't be using it so not worried about it breaking.

I also never swim/shower with my watches so that's not a concern to me either.

***

Thanks again to you all for the welcome.

[cornerstone]

Unfortunately, I find myself getting confused every now and then and I honestly feel half-clueless about the different versions of the same watch on each site e.g. Silix has the PO called the "latest version". Normally I'd think that they're referring to the Ultimate but I believe I read somewhere in the forums that it's a different version. Wo-Mart is also selling the 45mm with the description of "latest 5th version". *sigh*

And then there's the confusion about the movement. I thought I had it down until a short while ago.

My understanding was the old 7750 = bad.

The new 7750 (7750b) = good/better as long as the seconds chrono was not at 6 o'clock

Swiss = best.

Then I read something about how there's an ETA 2824-2 that was Asian-made and not as good. To be wary of buying the 2824 cause you might end up with the Asian version.

So what about the ETA 2836? Is that one okay?

It is confusing. For the 45mm, the most accurate reps have the 22mm lug width. For the 42mm, all the versions from the 4th gen onwards are good.

With the movements, it's easier when you split it down into chrono and non-chrono movements. The 7750 are the chronos, they are more complicated, more expensive, and tend to be more likely to have problems without servicing. Some members have sworn off chronos. Swiss chronos are very expensive.

Pretty much all the non-chrono movements are good. The ETA 2824 and 2836 (fairly interchangeable) are both excellent. The Asian 21J (Miyota copy) which is in most of the cheaper reps is also good. Recently in the cheap version of the Ultimate PO they introduced a 'ETA 2824 clone' which caused a bit of a ripple, it's not a clone of the 2824, and it's nothing to do with ETA. That's not to say it's necessarily better or worse than the 21J, but it was misleading and it has less of a track record amongst members here.

Cheers!

[b16a2]

Welcome to the board jumbie

[Jumbie]

Thanks for the welcome b16a2.

It is confusing. For the 45mm, the most accurate reps have the 22mm lug width. For the 42mm, all the versions from the 4th gen onwards are good.

With the movements, it's easier when you split it down into chrono and non-chrono movements. The 7750 are the chronos, they are more complicated, more expensive, and tend to be more likely to have problems without servicing. Some members have sworn off chronos. Swiss chronos are very expensive.

Pretty much all the non-chrono movements are good. The ETA 2824 and 2836 (fairly interchangeable) are both excellent. The Asian 21J (Miyota copy) which is in most of the cheaper reps is also good. Recently in the cheap version of the Ultimate PO they introduced a 'ETA 2824 clone' which caused a bit of a ripple, it's not a clone of the 2824, and it's nothing to do with ETA. That's not to say it's necessarily better or worse than the 21J, but it was misleading and it has less of a track record amongst members here.

Cheers!

Thank you for that. It's helped immensely.

Interestingly, I somehow managed to miss the Q&A section of this site; which I've since read through. However, your post gave me a good basis for understanding what on earth everyone was talking about.

I'm not quite there yet but I think I now have a fair idea of what the different movements are all about.