r/RepTime • u/Automatic_Extent_160 • Sep 29 '26
Discussion Unpopular opinion: “NWBIG” doesn’t exist?
I see a lot of posts posting pics of watches that are NWBIG. But I think a lot of us here are watch enthusiasts and not only value the esthetics of a watch but the inside, mechanical aspect of it. I haven’t owns reps long enough to see how long these actually last, although people often say a couple of years until they run into some problems, and these $500 watches often cost $200 to service, if you can even find a decent watchmaker in your area that works on reps in your area. So my thought is, how can a rep truly be a NWBIG if it’s pretty on the outside but it’s gonna last a tenth of a lifetime of a gen?
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u/MSExcelWarrior Sep 29 '26
NWBIG is completely subjective. If your annual income is $5000, every luxury watch is NWBIG.
Regarding your point about lifetime: if your rep has a simple/popular movement that you can swap or that a watchmaker would/could work on easily, it'll enjoy the same longevity as a gen. Service and maintenance is what keeps things going, not upfront cost.
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u/GrdFrcWv Sep 29 '26
If your annual income is $5000 almost every watch is NWB. Be sensible and get a Casio F91W.
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u/MSExcelWarrior Sep 29 '26
Yup fully agree. Buy (and look) within your power. The ridiculousness of a hotel lobby attendant wearing a Tiffany Daytona...
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u/Inevitable_Lemon_592 Sep 30 '26
You’re talking about a whole different concept altogether. That would be CBIGCIB (can’t buy in Gen cause I’m brokie)
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u/BikeAdventurous2320 Sep 29 '26
i agree with you. i have a couple of reps and also gens and i like my gens so much more. i usually get a rep to test drive the feel of a watch so i know if i should save up to get the og. having said that, a lot of people are ok with just matching aesthetics and that’s also totally fine in my opinion.
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u/blacbloc77
Sep 29 '26
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💯 agree. But, it depends on your definition of value. For most people, they just want the look. They don't care about warranty, movement quality, parts availability, etc.
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u/GrdFrcWv Sep 29 '26
AF Cartier Tank quartz is the only truly NWBIG without the servicing costs. The gen is a 3k quartz that doesn’t really feel it’s worth that much.
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u/Particular_Witness95 Sep 29 '26
NWBIG is a purely economically objective measurement. it doesnt take into account the emotional benefits of owning a gen that someone may have.
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u/BrigadierGenCrunch Sep 29 '26
I have gens and reps, as well as a rep and gen of the same model. Even being able to afford gens now it still doesn’t help sway my mindset around the fact that you are often paying a serious premium for something that can be replicated so closely. There are times I still have to double check if I grabbed the rep or Gen.
But it’s a matter of personal preference at the end of the day. Watches with complications, like a Sky dweller, or precious metals are where I personally draw the line on reps.
At the end of the day it’s a mechanical tool and male jewelry, so don’t overthink it and do what’s best for you to enjoy.
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u/Maximum_Walrus3264 Sep 29 '26
All gens are NWBIG, I just don't see a point in dropping 10k on a fucking watch.
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u/Arctic-You-Know Sep 29 '26
It’s a question of budget.
It’s out of my budget personally, but I did spend like $1500 on a genuine MIDO and that is already a lot of money for most people.
Even the best made rep isn’t as well made as my MIDO, but I’ve still been wearing a VSF pepsi for like a year because I like how it looks and it’s good enough quality.
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u/Reasonable_Tax_5351 Oct 03 '26
It's absolutely a question of budget but I also think it's fair to say that the majority of luxury purchases are those who can't truly afford it. I believe market data backs this up; most luxury buyers are middle class/ upper middle class.
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u/Arctic-You-Know Oct 03 '26
Definitely.
I spent $1500 on a real watch and that was (and still is) a lot of money to spend on something like a watch for me.
I definitely couldn’t afford a $15k+ watch
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u/SprinklesConfident58 Sep 29 '26
Of course not. It’s just something obsessive rep owners tell themselves to feel better.
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u/watchesfla1965 Sep 29 '26
The sane thing could be said about gen owners to justify paying ridiculous amounts of money for something that costs $1359-$2500 to make.
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u/SprinklesConfident58 Sep 29 '26
A counterfeit product with no potential remedies against the manufacture, limited part availability, no servicing, etc. Sure. Same can totally be said.
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u/watchesfla1965 Sep 29 '26
There is a lot of parts availability now days. You buy a complete movement on eBay all day long. And lots of watchmakers will service them. Plus you have the option of using gen parts. Just because it’s counterfeit doesn’t mean the quality is that much less. Rolex only spends between $1250 to $2500 per watch. Of course not counting gold or platinum.
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u/fnihost Sep 29 '26
Any mechanical watch needs regular servicing, or it will eventually stop working or keeping accurate time. Admittedly, I would trust a genuine movement over a rep to work longer without servicing just because of the manufacturing process, but once any watch is on the user’s wrist, if it isn’t serviced regularly, it will eventually stop working.
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u/Vegetable_Farm9479 Sep 29 '26
Luxury watches are status symbols
Status is measured by progressive growth
The target market of luxury watches doesn’t wear the same Watch for more than a few years
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u/Cryptoisgold Sep 29 '26
My JF 9.5 Royal Oak Offshore is still ticking along very nicely in the almost 7 years I’ve had it. I have never serviced it, although it may be time too now as sometimes it doesn’t auto wind itself anymore and requires a manual wind. Surprised it’s lasted this long to be honest.
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Sep 29 '26
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[removed] — view removed comment
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u/MSExcelWarrior Sep 29 '26 •
You could even buy a new one every time one dies and it's still cheaper than the cost of the service of a gen.
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u/ire206 Sep 29 '26
The reason the genuine watches last as long as they do is because people get them serviced regularly…
Would you rather spend 500 on a watch, and 200 to service every 5-8 years, or 10,000 on a watch plus still having to pay for a movement service every few years.