How many reps are manufactured usually

[sul]

Sry, title is not the best but I just wonder how many rep`s are usuallly produced

For example gen PAM249 production was 1936 piece but how many PAM249 ( or whatever model) rep

[abat]

That's a really good question and one I've always wanted to know the answer to. I suspect this kind of information may not be forthcoming though other than opinions and educated guesses.

[StormTooper4]

I'd be keen to know the production Stat's as well of some models.

You'd think someone here might know, but I think its still an unknown quantity.

[Pugwash]

We've been led to believe that at least 500 have to be made. Beyond that, I doubt we'll get an accurate figure as anyone keeping track is cataloguing their own criminal acts.

[Watchmeister]

Yes, we will never know. I do know that in general the minimum has always been 100-150 pieces for high end pieces (ignoring the $2,500 one-offs) and actually I have found that to be true with many gens (below $50,000 of course). I spoke with one of the owners of a jewelry store that has many exclusives from the gen manufacturers (Chopard, AP, Hublot, etc.) and the minimum order with them is 100-150 which they usually get in batches of 50. Then again the gens will be derivations of existing watches - different dial or materials, custom engraving, etc. But even that small a run in the rep world will often have follow-ons with the manufacturer having done all the set-up and sourcing. Or they will come up with the usual rep and dial variations. I do know that as we have seen reps grow in sophistication so have the required minimums. I have never heard of a $500+ rep have less than a 300 piece minimum in the last couple of years - even if it is a derivative piece of an existing model. Finally, if a manufacturer goes to the trouble to source a new movement from one of the movement manufacturers I believe the minimum on movements is closer to a 1,000 or more. This info is simply pieced together over the years from dealers/manufacturers both rep and gen and is mostly anecdotal so take it for what it is worth. And obviously I am not talking about the $50 Rolexes. God only knows.

[phaedo]

See I would tend to think it would have to be a much higher number - or we are getting a lot more exclusive product than the original, right? I mean, the fiddy as an example, they make just under 2,000 units a year of the gen, selling for $25,000 a piece; but our reps, even the super reps, you will pick up for under $500 for it. For a piece that has maybe 1,000 units produced a year? Sure, QC and the rest isn't as good, but it just doesn't make sense to be producing such low numbers. Especially when they are easily accessible, unlike the much more expensive gen.

[Pugwash]

but our reps, even the super reps, you will pick up for under $500 for it. For a piece that has maybe 1,000 units produced a year?

Firstly, which version of the Fiddy are you talking about? Every little factory in China will have a Fiddy, so they may only make 500 a year each, however it's most likely a lot more cases. The same fiddy case is used in these $500 superfiddies that is used in the $100 bargainfiddies.

What you have to remember is break-even is exceedingly low in China. You need a run of merely 150-500 super-reps to make it profitable on Chinese wages and economy.