To tell or not to tell?

[trugex]

I am new to the replica world, so I am glad that I found this site. After much flip-flopping between rep and gen, I have finally decided on going with the rep - in my case a sub. Although from reading some of the posts here, it will probably be the first of many.

My question is what to tell my friends and co-workers? Do I let on that it is a rep, or just let everyone assume that it is the gen?

[razorphish]

Honesty is always the best policy. Let them know (if you're asked) that it's a rep. More than likely they'll want you to hook them up.

KDS

[Zed]

Howdy trugex , Welcome to RG !!

[theapexseal]

I say that it depends on the person and the circumstances. I think that the "duping" factor is one of the fun parts of Rep ownership.. so I dont tell everyone. I do tell all my close friends for sure, and just as the post above states I have been asked by most consequently to hook them up. If I walk into a business meeting and someone says "nice watch" (and I know its a good passable rep) Im not saying anything.

[jaras]

I think the don't ask, don't tell is the best policy. I would not lie about a rep, I would never say that it is gen, but generally my goal is to not say anything at all.

In over 12 years of wearing a rep, I have yet to be "called out" or even directly asked if it was "real". I have gotten the nice watch comment a few times ... "Thank You" works really well. I did have an AD grab my arm at a party looking at my LV (when they first came out and gens were really hard to come by). She just smiled at me and said "You must know someone" ... to which I simply replied "indeed I must". I did not tell her that the one I knew happened to be a chinese rep maker, but it did confirm that even a seasoned pro cannot spot this quality of rep as reps at a quick glance "on the wrist". (I did not desire her to get to inspect it much closer however).

If anyone ever would ask "Is it real", I figure the proper response is "Why would you ask that?" and the odds are that is where the conversation would end with them leaving the question alone with their tail between their legs.

I also however, NEVER tell anyone but my closest confidants that my watch is a rep because then I know that it will be the main topic of conversation at the next party and that is really not my desire, although, as I think on it, it would probably be one of great interest to my associates in this economy.

[breitlingb1]

If they ask tell them its a rep.
If they dont ask, no need to tell.
Its no big deal to me.....and remember
most people dont know enough about watches
to ask you an intelligent question.

[theapexseal]

its all touchy...just like the topic of how many watches you can show certain people. Im 29 and have around 35 watches. Im also not living in a penthouse on southbeach and driving a ferrari. About half of them are high end reps. If everytime I see the same person I have another $3000 watch on my wrist it doesnt matter how good they are, someone will start to doubt. With relationships that matter as in business I try to narrow my rep wearing to only 2-3 that I could pass off and accentuate it with reasonable gens. I save the rest for my personal life

[Danny888]

It depends on whether or not you can "pull it off". On good reps that aren't ridiculously expensive like a sub, PO, stainless breitlings etc, I'd let people assume its gen. If its something crazy like an all gold daytona or a rose gold ferrari Pam, I rather NOT have people think its real. Its one thing to impress people and look financially comfortable and another to make them think you are filthy rich or spoiled.

Sometimes I apply this rule too. If you don't like the person, tell em it's real lol. Let them be jealous muahahaha

[hambone]

I always tell my friends what they are. The rest of the world, might say "nice watch", or "hey thats a Panerai", and I don't feel obliged to provide any information beyond that. With people you know, coworkers and friends, it is best to just be honest and marvel at the quality of the replication. That in itself is worth the price of admission.

[trugex]

I appreciate all the responses. I like the don't ask, don't tell approach, but I don't think it will work. I have several friends w/ Submariners that get asked all the time. Funny, I always assumed that they all have gens, but now I wonder?