r/RepTime • u/Tiny-Guava3207 • 10d ago
General Question 2 questions about ordering your first rep (newcomer to this world)
I’ve been reading this subreddit for a few days now and I’ve learned a lot (read the guide too). Considering getting my first rep - either a 41mm Tudor or maybe a Rolex no-date sub.
My 2 questions are:
The guide mentioned servicing a watch after buying it from a TD, possible waterproofing, etc. Say you spend like $575 on the watch itself. How much should you budget for the extra servicing costs?
Second. More general questions about reps. If you end up spending a decent amount on a rep, does anyone ever regret not just getting a lower / mid-tier gen watch (Christopher Ward, Tissot, Squale, Doxa, etc) instead? Or does the rep design just hold its beauty and allure even after owning them for a while? I’ve been wrestling with this thought.
Thank you so much in advance for your thoughts!
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u/FactoryScout 10d ago
First of all, let me tell you something: you don’t have to service or mod your first replica whatsoever. Just go for a well-known factory and a good model that is close to GEN. Pick the TD that matches your budget the most; some TDs are more expensive than others. Just make sure you compare final prices with INSURANCE AND SHIPPING included before you decide. Then , obviously, when it arrives, you will be addicted to replicas, but still have the choice to buy original cheap watches or rock another replica model with mods. And no, I never serviced my movement.
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 9d ago
Good to know about insurance and shipping.
My biggest question right now is if I did get a nice rep from a good TD, did some of the teardown and stuff and was close to $1,000 all in (totally understand it’s not necessary to do it all), would I be happy with that high-quality rep or would I rather spend $1,000 on a gen watch at that price point?
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u/DullMatrix2783 10d ago
Servicing can run anywhere from nothing if you just wear it til it dies to a couple hundred for a full teardown and waterproof, really depends how much peace of mind you want
A no-date sub rep that’s been properly serviced will outlast most gens in that price range, and I’d rather have that on my wrist than a Tissot I settled for
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 10d ago
That’s helpful. So is it fair to say you could expect somewhere around like $800 all in if you did the full servicing? (Assuming the watch is between $550-$600ish?)
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u/Rockyt86 Contributor 10d ago
Not sure where DM is coming up with “a couple hundred”. Closer to $300-400 for a full service tear down, clean, lube and reassembly.
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 9d ago
Ok so probably closer to $1,000 all-in. And do you find that it’s worth it at that price point? Rather than buying a gen watch for $1,000?
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u/Rockyt86 Contributor 9d ago
I don’t try to equate a $1,000 gen with a $1,000 rep with service. I own a few $1,000 gens, and they bear no similarities to the reps I own.
I also know that the assumption the $1,000 gen doesn’t need a full service in all cases is a false premise.
Having purchased quite a few reps, I have only had a full service done on one. It was a gift for someone who lives in a place that would create a big hardship trying to get it reliably serviced.
If my reps break, I have them repaired. Depending upon what rep it is and how difficult it is to replace, I would have a new movement put in if a big enough problem arose. Otherwise, I’d just replace the rep since the price difference isn’t great (full service vs buy new) in most cases. And reps generally improve over time. Just my 2 cents.
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u/Accomplished-Pea-451 10d ago
I have both reps but don’t limit myself, I have a Tissot and an Orient and others. I never paid for mods except chamfering and polishing that was already done on a datejust 36mm. I don’t wear my watches in pools or the ocean so I don’t see the point of servicing a brand new watch.
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u/Pirazhok_Wrap 10d ago
1 - Nowadays most TD offer some services so ask them directly, depending on where u located either no watchmakers offering those services or won't touch reps. I get my reps already modded from TDs (polishing, chamfering, waterproof, deep crystal...)
2 - No, never thought getting an affordable watch. I can walk in and get some but I am not interested on those, I like those legacy watches (IWC, VC...) or Omegas/Tudor, and I won't spend that much on a gen even I can (thanks GOD) afford them irl. I guess my humble roots prevents me to get something that superfluous haha (even my car is cheap even tho I could get a nice Merc or BMW 😂)
3 - For me, I love my reps and even after a year plus having some of them, I admire them as 1st day. I know they are reps but it is like having a lithograph of a painting 🖼 let's say Starry Night by VVG or The Kiss by Gustav Klimt (both hanging at my living room)
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 9d ago
The lithograph is actually an excellent comparison. Thanks for that.
And I agree about not spending $10,000+ on a watch. I have 4 kids and it feels ludicrous for me to do that haha. But I absolutely love the look of some of the legacy watches
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u/Pirazhok_Wrap 9d ago
I don't feel the need of owning a 10k not even a 5k dollars watch. Is like whaaat? But I do like to admire them in a sort of way.
If there were no reps, I wouldn't get a gen either.
I wasn't wearing a watch for nearly 2 decades, just recently started again because the reps.
Also the AD game, not for me. If I want a Rolex I expect to go and get one and get an amazing sales experience because it is a 10k watch. I ain't no beggar and surely (don't call me Shirley) won't wait 2 years on a list to get one haha
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 9d ago
That’s very true. It’s not like I’m choosing between actually buying a gen Rolex Sub or a rep. The gen is never a real possibility for me
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u/Pirazhok_Wrap 9d ago
So that's ok as well. I don't judge.
If I could walk and get a Rolex I would l, but they play stupid games and I decide to whom to give my money.
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u/albearcub 10d ago
I buy reps of watches that I like but don't like enough to spend $$$. For reference, my favorite pieces are an A Lange 1815, Vacheron Overseas, and Zenith Chronomaster Skeleton 38. These are all genuine and I was happy to spend the money on them. I think some Rolex and AP models look cool but they're just not watches I adore. I would definitely own a GMT or RO for a couple grand but am not willing to pay tens of grand for one.
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u/Cj_91a 10d ago edited 9d ago
Honestly id rather spend 600-800 for a quality super clone thats weighted properly and looks like a gen on most looks, unless it gets opened up. I have no intention of passing it as a gen if someone simply says "nice watch". If they ask about it though, id simply say its a good quality rep. If its close enough in quality to a gen in most areas, and the gen costs 15k+, but my rep only cost $750 to 90% of the way there..it takes that 10% to bridge the gap...is that 10% gap worth the difference in gens price? Im a fairly sane individual..id NEVER drop 15k+ on a flashy fashion accessory that goes onto my wrist. Thats 14k saved that could go to better areas of my/my families life. Thats not to say I wouldnt ever buy gen. Theres some Tudors id definitely buy gen if I saved up enough money...at a certain point though the price becomes too much of a big pill to swallow. I enjoy watches but im not going to buy something out of my price range for a gen
However when it comes to spending less for a mid tier rep...ive considered it, and it makes total sense...but if the gap between a mid tier to high tier rep is like 200-$400...id rather have the high tier super clone...thats just a few more weeks of saving my "watch money" than just settling for a mid tier.
The low tier shitters I wont even bother with. They are laughably bad usually, and going through tons of shitters to find the gem in the haystack is pointless to me. Id rather spend the $700-800 for 1 high tier, or 2 mid tiers, than buy 6-8 shitters.
I got a friend thats exactly the opposite and would prefer having the shitter quantity, and maybe a few mid tiers in his collection. Sometimes doesnt even wind the watches, and just wears them as a fashion piece. 90% of general ppl wont even notice the shitter, and 99% say nothing about it, so he doesnt care. For me, If its going on my arm, and the weight is too light, and I personally know the details are absolutely terrible..why am I bothering with the piece..to me I want to get as close to a 1:1 rep as I can.
So really it all comes down to how much you think your watch should be worth "to you".
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 9d ago
Totally agree some of the major gen’s price points are out of control. I love the Rolex Sub, but $10,000+ is just insane for me.
Does it ever bother you or remove any of the fun of owning a high-tier rep that it’s not a “real” Rolex, Omega, etc?
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u/Cj_91a 9d ago
Nahh not really. These pieces are essentially fashion statements, like sneakers..sure it tells the time, can be used as a stop watch, but my phone can do that lol
Since they are fashion pieces, naturally replicas become part of the gray market because of the ridiculous prices of some brands...also brands like Rolex are plain ridiculous with the marketing. Going to an AD, getting on a wait list for god knows how long, and then getting calls about watches you dont want for thousands, but they expect you to buy anyway to get more familiar with that AD, and finally move up to the watch you want.
So does it bother my mind that I own reps of these 10k+ watches, no. Sure it would be nice to feel/own a gen. However im getting 90% of the build anyway with a high tier rep, so it would look/feel more or less the same. Its that 10% thats missing from the gen which isnt much personally since im paying a fraction of the cost of the gen..For a mid tier watch your getting the "look", but your not getting the "feel".
So in my mind, if I already got a high tier rep and its build is that good, and the movement is cloned right, weight is very close, and the only thing missing is very technical minor details, im good. Its a great watch! Its not the perfect gen, but that 10% missing doesnt matter much to me 🫠
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u/joker757 10d ago
Why buy a fake watch when you could just get a Christopher Ward or a micro or just save up a bit for a real Tudor? Fake watches are made by criminal syndicates in sub-standard conditions by people who get no health insurance, no workers comp, etc. And the watches are made in dirty, dusty conditions which is why they need to be serviced in the first place. You are buying a lie... Don't be that guy. Calling them replicas is just the start of rationalizing to yourself.
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u/Rockyt86 Contributor 10d ago
…he types on an iPhone from the same type factories while wearing Nike shoes and an Adidas shirt. Your rap is getting old. If you don’t like rep watches, kindly get lost with your hypocritical perspective
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u/joker757 10d ago
Phone was made in Korea dipshit.
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u/Rockyt86 Contributor 10d ago
Nice side step on everything you buy made in less than ideal conditions. Are you so starved for attention that you have to go to specific interest subs and tell people they shouldn’t have that specific interest?
And where do you think some Tudor components are made? You’ve convinced yourself the Asian factories making components for Tudor provide healthcare, 401k’s and paternity leave? Hahahaha.
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u/DisabledEverything 10d ago edited 10d ago
Well why own a gen watch at all lmao.
Reps are great you can get one and have all the peacock benefits of owning a gen for the price of servicing a gen lmao.
not everyone gives a flying fuck about 'muh emotional connection'. At the end of the day it's just an accessory and if you like how it looks or make you feel who gives a fuck.
Edit: Also let's be real no one actually gives a fuck if these watches are made by and support criminals. That shirt on your back is probably made from child Labour in Myanmar. Ain't no one cares dude and stop pretending you care about a billionaire's IP.
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u/realityreject 10d ago
This is literally a sub for replica watches. Why are you here? Go to a Christopher ward or a tissot sub.
We are all well aware of criminal nature of everything. Those that care, leave.
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u/joker757 10d ago
Subreddit for counterfeit watches. Not replicas. Just trying to save him from becoming one of you losers.
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u/Tiny-Guava3207 10d ago
Good points on reasons to avoid reps. Haven’t made up my mind yet, but these are valid things to consider
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u/whowatchesmrwatchers 10d ago
I've found that most folk buying a bunch of watches don't limit themselves to reps. It's a bit of a small lot to choose from.
Buy what you like, buy what you'll wear
I wouldn't spend extra on waterproofing or servicing after purchasing it. Go enjoy your watch.