LordRasta Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Remember that very first rep? Of course you do, so tell us your story. Here is mines... I waited all day for the mailman and of course he showed up when I was in the shower!! I broke many speeding laws getting to the post office, only to be told that I would have to come back the following day because they needed to sort the packages that came back.. ugh. So the next day I show up at said post office and the line is out the door. I FINALLY get my turn and the clerk disappears in the back for 20+ mins. I'm to this day convinced he stopped at a vending machine or something. He struts his a$$ back out like on vacation and I FINALLY got my first rep watch! I didn't even make it out the parking lot before tearing the package open and wearing it immediately. The funny part of this whole story??? I don't even wear that watch anymore! It was some sort of Patek with a cheesy black leather band. Not my best rep by far but she was the first and I remember her fondly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16a2 Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 My first rep was a Breitling Navitimer. It was the one watch (still is) that I want in gen form. When I first received it I couldn't believe how good it was, I literally never took it off! How reps have moved on, and now I suppose the 3,6,9 Navi doesn't stand up to our new... cough cough super reps cough cough..., but it will always be my first rep, and my all time favourite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Great idea LR. I really want to share all these stories...reminds me of "the first time" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordRasta Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Great idea LR. I really want to share all these stories...reminds me of "the first time" You don't count. Your first rep was probably a super rep before we called them super reps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephane Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 You don't count. Your first rep was probably a super rep before we called them super reps. Oh no: My first rep was a [censored] one I guess (will try to shoot pics tomorrow) But my first time was great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fijikid Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 So the next day I show up at said post office and the line is out the door. I FINALLY get my turn and the clerk disappears in the back for 20+ mins. I'm to this day convinced he stopped at a vending machine or something. He struts his a$$ back out like on vacation Gee, LR, we must go to the same Brooklyn P.O....oh wait, they're all like that! (but maybe we do) Anyway, to answer the call of this thread, I was getting Rollies on Canal Street when I was in high school 20 years ago. I would get 'em fogged and just throw 'em in the oven for a little bit to get the moisture out. I think I paid like $20 or $30 for those pieces of sh*t. My first real rep was a Davidsen PVD Panerai: Indeed, the waiting was pregnant with expectation (that it'd disappear before it got to me!) and when the USPS package delivery guy rang my bell, I was very excited. While it hasn't created an avalanche of money poured into reps (I tend to collect gen vintage divers), I did also pick up an MBW 1680 from Mezzanine here on the forum that I am wearing as I type this. Two great ones have me pretty satisfied...though I would love a vintage GMT or Steve McQueen...alas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I spent about 4 weeks reading up on this forum before taking the plunge. I really came here for a fake datejust, but was overwhelmed by the choice on offer from the dealers. I ended up buying an ETA Seamaster from Joshua. A good choice I think. A solid rep, that is still going strong a good 2 years later. Who knows, if I had bought an Asian 21J version that packed up 2 weeks later......... I may not have the addiction I do now!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I posted info on this in 1 of the previous threads on this subject. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 The first rep I bought, was my Submariner: I bought it from EuroFakes, and, despite getting my pants pulled down over the price, to the tidy sum of $800ish, I did receive, within 3-4 days, a rather nice Rolex Submariner. What made me buy a rep rather than a gen? Well, I had the cash, and was thinking about buying a gen. At the time, I was wearing this: I tended to buy a new watch every year or so, and figured that it was time I simply bought myself a nice watch to keep, and, as the Submariner was synonymous with Bond, I figured that was the watch for me. So, I went into an AD, tried on the Sub, and was just totally unimpressed. It had a flimsy bracelet, and was lighter than my Casio. No way I was paying the price tag for something I wasn't even impressed with. But, trying it on did confirm that I liked the look, so I hit the net, found EuroFakes, and put in my order. The remainder of the cash, I used to go on vacation When the Sub arrived, I was really happy, and wore it solidly for quite a while, until, reading the excellent comparitive review between the Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster 2254.50, I decided that I'd rather have an SMP, and, this time, found much cheaper sources for my watch As this was just before Casino Royale was released, I opted for the Planet Ocean instead of the SMP, and that's how I got into reps It goes without saying, that my Sub hasn't seen wrist time in quite a while, as, having gotten used to larger watches, like my 127, it just feels too small. It still has a place of honor though, as my first rep (first expensive watch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pix Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 That was my first time : http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=18107 The bad experience I had with these *#!*!! had 2 positive side-effects : - it led me to RWG1 and RWG - I was refunded thanks to the credit card insurance and got a free watch, which I however sold in the meantime, as it was far from my expectations. I never imagined how good a replica could be. And now, with a bit more than one year of history, I wonder how I came to buy this crappy Montblanc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek001 Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 I've been on the rep forums for 4.5 years now, hard to believe....anyway, before that I was logging on to Timezone and PMWF (Poor Man's Watch Forum) daily. I bought a Rolex DJ and a UN 1846 Chronometer, then I started buying Poljots and Seikos, buying expensive watches was too stressful, difficult to make up one's mind and be happy. A lot of my collection up to that time ended up being homages of expensive watches anyway. One day I was looking at a PMWF member's online collection and I saw he had some reps. I decided to PM him, asking where he got them and he directed me to RWG One and it was downhill from there. I was in horology heaven. My first rep was an electric blue Seamaster from Sean, with the silver bezel, just gorgeous. I still have it. My second was a Roadster from Eddie Lee, I was one of his earliest customers, as I remember asking him (now) embarrasing questions about his ability to deliver product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corgi Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 What a fun idea... here's my story: The first rep I ever purchased was from Joshua. It was the ultra noob super tacky Rolex Full-Gold Day-Date. The watch arrived after about a week and a half wait. I was surprised to find he shipped it with a courier, FedEx, since most of the forums pressed against doing this. I had to go to the post office to get the envelope since I wasn't at home during delivery. When I finally arrived I carefully unwrapped the packaging, which was really great as I recall. The watch took my breath away - no other replica has done that since, none... I had tried the genuine on at a local AD a few days prior and never believed I could ever own a timepiece of such magnitude. I couldn't stop looking at it. Remembering the instructions I had read on the forum, I gave it a few shakes and it sprang to life! It was my first non-quartz watch... I was very impressed. I wore the thing absolutely everywhere - and it looked good on me too. It had inaccuracies and some speckles of dirt on the hour markers... but I didn't even notice until I became more deeply involved with the hobby (imagine). It was delivered September 17, 2006. In December of this year the watch malfunctioned and the hands slipped. I didn't wear her much regardless, but it really was depressing when she died... that watch made me so happy... we were best friends you know. At least I'll always have the memories... and some really great photos too! "Corgi's first wristshot" (September 18th, 2006.) "Marble Throne" (October 1, 2006) "Head On" (October 21, 2006) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 ah my first time..........err piece Like many I found myself at these boards after stumbling through a lot of outside scam sites, almost pulled the trigger a couple of times but there was always that 'Something doesn't feel right' feeling. Anyway as luck would have it before being forced to make a decision I landed on the old RWG site and the rest as they say is history. I guess if one of my friends was to describe me the first thing they would say is "Ken is an avid reader" everyone that knows me would rarely see me without a book or a newspaper in my hands and so was the case when I landed here, my dream watch at the time was a blue face Rolex Sub (never did get around to buying one) but three weeks after arriving I was still reading everything on the site (and occasionally bumping very old threads ) but then a very senior and highly regarded member D.L.Gates held a benefit auction with the proceeds going half to the board and half to his mothers retirement home, so I bid on and won my very first replica watch. And the watch in question? She's sitting there in my avatar. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave123 Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 (edited) Hmm,kind of similar to Corgi...on the watch anyway.... I had a gen SS Rolex,i was looking to buy a used Presidential,i typed 'gold Rolex' into google and i think the second hit was RWG1... I had a laugh at the fact there was a forum online about fake watches as i had always pictured flea market junk i had seen before,when it came to reps. I joined out of curiosity and was reading all these rave reviews about reps and especially noticed Josh as the dealer of choice,so i bought a rep gold DD for fun really,still expecting junk.... Amazingly enough,it was a great rep,i couldn't believe it....i showed it to my dad and told him it was a gen (he has a gen TT DJ) and he looked it over and was all shocked that i bought this expensive watch,convinced it was gen.... He was so amazed when i told him it was a rep,i gave it to him....he has worn it mainly since (14 months?) and rarely wears his DJ..... Ended up buying around 20 watches my first month (i think we get carried away),found the Breitling brand,got rid of my Rolex.....bought around 40 reps now in total,decided that the fact that they are fakes does bother me,bought my gen SA and here i am today... I have my rep BCE (one of the 6 or so i have bought,lol) as a kicker watch,and my rep 127 as i like the ostrich strap i have for it,good watches for rainy days or when at the BBQ.... The best thing about buying reps is that it helps you decide what you really like in a watch without spending gen dollars first... The forums are great,spend to much time on them,especially RWG1 as its where i started,get alot of pm's from new people to the 'hobby' on other forums,enjoy passing along anything i have learned thus far... Really look forward to the RWG watch arriving,that will be a keeper,it has some meaning..... Edited April 9, 2008 by Dave123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cats Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 This is my first rep which i imported directly from a factory in China It came straight out of the box the way it is pictured. Even with a correct stamped Unitas movement. Carpe Diem, Cats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted April 9, 2008 Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Well lets see... My freshman year of my undergrad University I discovered skeezy bars and attractive co-eds.... needless to say I wasn't going to wear my gens that I got for HS graduation out to any of these bars! My roommate came up with a novel solution: Get a fake. Well, I still have that fake (it's back home) from replicahause.com and it is, quite honestly, one of the shittiest things I've ever seen. My favorite part of it (Standard Submariner, btw) is that when it moves, you can hear what sounds like (and may be) a ball baring rolling around inside the case... Ah to be young(er) and foolish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicale Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 I was lucky enough to stumble upon TRC / RWG in early December and a few weeks later had read about as much as I could. Ordered a Swiss SOSF just before Christmas and got it in January after the shipping delay. Have never been so stunned by a watch in all my life. I still marvel when I look at it - it will be amazing after the superlume is complete! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Great thread idea LR. I was tired of my cheap Quartz watxhes. I had recently inherited my Dad's 1950's Air King Precision and had been wearing it faithfully. I even had a new acrylic crystal and jubilee band installed at an AD after which I got sticker shock After a while, I was stupid enough to wear it swimming and eventually it took on water and I needed to get it serviced. That and the desire to replace it with a new Daily beater led me to crave a Sea Dweller. After months of searching and shopping all of the internet sites, I stumbled upon the original RWG and TRC. Joined in November 2004. This led me down two paths....I met Tommy Daytona who was my first Cyber watchsmith and I entrusted him to repair my genuine Air King. I also discovered the one and only Eddie Lee and acquired my first rep. It was the best of the best at the time. The TW Best 16600 SD Having resisted for long enough, I was soon bitten by the Panerai bug so I decided to part ways with the SD and it is now owned by the master himself...Ziggy. The Air King Precision today: The TW Best SD: When TommyD dissapeared and I had a rep in need of repair, a boardmember who had been studying watchsmithing for some time and I struck up a discussion. He decided to take on some work so I sent my defective watch up to Canada....the rest, as they say is history After achieving Powermax status with over 2,000 posts on the original RWG and now registering over 2,000 posts here this week, I am much smarter about it but still obsessed with this hobby. I have met some fantastic new friends across the globe and feel a part of a community that I can be proud of - just look at what we did for POTR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordRasta Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 My apologies to freddy333 and Pix, I did not know this topic had been discussed previously. Excited over my new winder, it got me to thinking where I started with reps and where I am today. If I can find ol' rep #1 I'll post a pic. Great to see the stories and I'm proud to be part of a great community. Thanks Admin and Moderators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pix Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 LR, I'm not sure that was discussed before. I was just linking to my old testimony regarding a scam : Replica-watch-town... It seems I stuck with Montblanc watches, as my second purchase, from Andrew this time, was that one : Somewhat better than the first, cheaper...but still a bit crappy... And that's where I am today Thanks to the Community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 For anyone who has been around long enough to know the name, this will be amusing..... ReplicaLord. Back then TRC was the only game in town (we're talking pre RWG1 days), and ReplicaCenter was a scam site that provided phony ratings for replica websites that were all owned by them. Well I sorted through most of the nonsense and gave "the Lord" a shot. I actually talked to this legend on the phone and recall that he was probably from Crooklyn and had a very thick "accent". Anyhow, I did receive a watch (back then the talk was about whether or not you'd actually receive something after ordering)... I think it was a Datejust or Day Date, and it was about as bad as you can possibly imagine. I was a bit ahead of my time back then I stuck an ETA 2824 in it, but could never get the overlays to line up quite right and it didn't really matter because the whole thing looked like crap anyhow. I do still have the watch, and will never give it up. Shortly after that I purchased another rep from the much maligned Natalie, and it turned out to be a great piece which I also still have - a 1:1 (before its time) Cartier Roadster. A great rep, actually. It only needs an accurate date wheel to be nearly perfect. But now that the XL versions are out and pretty much all you find, I'm not sure I could find a DW for this one even if I wanted to. Anyhow, from there I went on to purchase several other reps from Natalie, all of which were sold or traded to guys like Star on the old TRC. Good times. In fact, I think Star still remembers my old nick from those days and some of the inciting of TTK I used to do for kicks. This of course is strictly the first time buying a "high quality" rep and doesn't count the many street corner reps purchased starting in probably high school... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 My second was a Roadster from Eddie Lee, I was one of his earliest customers, as I remember asking him (now) embarrasing questions about his ability to deliver product. Heh, yes of course!! Back in the day accuracy took a back seat to delivery of product!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted April 10, 2008 Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Remember that very first rep? Of course you do, so tell us your story. Remember it? I sold it to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordRasta Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Remember it? I sold it to you! hahahahaha! good one Pug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordRasta Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 For anyone who has been around long enough to know the name, this will be amusing..... ReplicaLord. Back then TRC was the only game in town (we're talking pre RWG1 days), and ReplicaCenter was a scam site that provided phony ratings for replica websites that were all owned by them. Well I sorted through most of the nonsense and gave "the Lord" a shot. I actually talked to this legend on the phone and recall that he was probably from Crooklyn and had a very thick "accent". Anyhow, I did receive a watch (back then the talk was about whether or not you'd actually receive something after ordering)... I think it was a Datejust or Day Date, and it was about as bad as you can possibly imagine. I was a bit ahead of my time back then I stuck an ETA 2824 in it, but could never get the overlays to line up quite right and it didn't really matter because the whole thing looked like crap anyhow. I do still have the watch, and will never give it up. Shortly after that I purchased another rep from the much maligned Natalie, and it turned out to be a great piece which I also still have - a 1:1 (before its time) Cartier Roadster. A great rep, actually. It only needs an accurate date wheel to be nearly perfect. But now that the XL versions are out and pretty much all you find, I'm not sure I could find a DW for this one even if I wanted to. Anyhow, from there I went on to purchase several other reps from Natalie, all of which were sold or traded to guys like Star on the old TRC. Good times. In fact, I think Star still remembers my old nick from those days and some of the inciting of TTK I used to do for kicks. This of course is strictly the first time buying a "high quality" rep and doesn't count the many street corner reps purchased starting in probably high school... I remember RL and I am in no way affiliated with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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