Where's Your Head At?: I'm Calling You Out

[Posh]

Okay, I would like to get some greater understanding, clarity if you will, on a topic that has come up quite frequently. I really am trying get it clear in my head.

I know there is a market for very high-end fakes which are made specifically for people of means, places like Jewelry and Watch spring to mind because they're well-known to many in the hobby for some of their grander creations. I know the buyers of these items tend to be people who very well could afford the real thing but for one reason or another prudently choose not to part with the money. I know this from my dealings with the people I know personally, my mother being a prime example.

She owns a solid gold DateJust that a friend of hers sourced for her from a jeweler in Hong Kong when the friend was last there (they are available but not to the general public). It's a fake but it's not a Canal Street special by any means. She'll never be called out on it unless it is opened. But her watch is certainly not the norm as far as replicas go as she didn't piece together the watch out of parts purchased from the far reaches of the Internet. So there are wealthy people who want "the best" replicas because their situation may in fact dictate having undetectable replicas. But that's certainly not the case for the majority.

So that begs this question: are all these frankens being built to keep people from being called out? And if so, are they doing it to stop anyone from being able to do that to them? We know that most people know nothing about fine watches or haute horology so what is the point? I get the personal satisfaction thing but it has to be more than that. I figure it is about preventing people from thinking the watch they have is fake but maybe there is something I'm missing beyond that. And so many people spend good money on their replicas and the watches still aren't perfect!

What's everyone's take on this? Perhaps the people who have spent major dollars on modding can illuminate me, people who've spent more than $1,000 and have modest incomes, incomes that don't approach being able to afford the genuine of the watch being modded. This would mean were someone to know anything about luxury goods, in this case watches, they'd be able to deduce your watch is fake from just knowing that.

I don't know. I guess I'm asking two questions regarding being called out and modding. Is one the result of the other? Does correlation imply causation? Why do fools fall in love?

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!

[sneed12]

What's everyone's take on this? Perhaps the people who have spent major dollars on modding can illuminate me, people who've spent more than $1,000 and have modest incomes, incomes that don't approach being able to afford the genuine of the watch being modded.

So, well first of all, I don't know that there are a whole lot of watches out there that are "beyond the means" of the average middle-class American.

I just took a look in my watchbox, and the only rep I have that stretches credibility is the blue ceramic Submariner (which only comes in white gold) and my blue Day-Date (the gen is solid platinum). Everything else I own is a $10k or less watch, and while there is certainly no way I could afford two dozen of them, let's face it, $5k for a Submariner or $3k for a Seamaster simply isn't that much money. If someone chose to make buying that watch a priority and saved carefully, it would be affordable on almost anyone's income.

This would mean were someone to know anything about luxury goods, in this case watches, they'd be able to deduce your watch is fake from just knowing that.

On top of that, making assumptions about someone's "stuff" because you know their salary is sometimes wrong.

I just graduated from grad school, for the last 5 years I've been making less than $20k, but I drive a Porsche and I have an apartment in Switzerland and a condo in Chicago. (I work two side jobs as an independent contractor, plus I have some money saved up from my previous life, I used to run a car dealership, plus I have a signing bonus in my pocket from what will be my next job.)

I don't know. I guess I'm asking two questions regarding being called out and modding. Is one the result of the other? Does correlation imply causation? Why do fools fall in love?

I can't answer the calling-out part, although honesty compels us to admit that no one reps cheap watches (honestly, I don't understand making a Fortis rep for example).

I got into the rep hobby because I wanted a Submariner (how many of us followed that path? ), simply because it was iconic and I like watches. At the time I owned several Seiko divers that I had modded/customized.

Modding Seikos was fun, and it taught me a lot of basic skills, but I didn't REALLY start modding until I got into reps. The reason is, now we have "goalposts." What's a custom Seiko supposed to look like? Well, it's supposed to look like whatever you want it to look like. But a rep Rolex is supposed to look like the gen. You have a goal to work towards. Every mod is a step down a path that leads you closer to gen.

For me, that's the fun. I don't really do Seikos anymore, I'd much rather spend my time and effort on reps.

Hope that answers part of your question.

[sefl]

Sneed,
You're a smart guy. Good observations.

No wonder they let you play with the coolest f----ing toy on the planet.

[relaxman]

First off to me this seems like a kicking a dead horse topic but here goes. Let me start this buy saying my gen collection to date includes : Breitling for Bentley GT, Rolex sub Serti, Rolex GMT II, Rolex GMT ceramic, Rolex 50th green sub, Rolex GMT 16753, Rolex DateJust two tone and Maurice Lacouix calendar retrograde. My Reps include Pam005 and a Breitling heavily modded SA. To me this has nothing to do with being called out but for me just the fun of putting together a neat watch through the help of the great peeps I have meet on these boards. I belong to every watch forum out there but have never had the enjoyment I receive from the very knowledgeable peeps I have meet on the rep forums. Maybe I don't understand what your question Is but to me the bottom line is who cares how you decide to spend your hard earned money be it a modded rep or Gen

[Posh]

It's a start. I seek to understand. I know fairly well what motivates the buyers of genuine luxury goods but Sneed and Relax, again, turned that on its ear.

So, Relax, you buy replicas and then mod them because you like the people on the forum? Does that mean you don't care if the watch passes for genuine? And saving the money is not a priority whatsoever (which it appears not to be since you can afford many gens)?

And, Sneed, you do it because you want to see how close you can make the fake look to the genuine if it is not accurate?

It's given that you both like watches so there's no question about that.

[realreplica]

Building frankens has often (for me at least) more to do with the pursue of perfection while learning a new skill. You can open up and destroy a $300 rep but you're not going to do it when you've payed $6000 for a watch (perhaps because its perfect, but that's one of the reasons I don't buy gens anymore).

I've only built a couple of franken watches, I've built a Omega Planet Ocean for a friend and my Super Avenger, on my SA I'm into it almost the same amount of money as a used gen, however there are 2 crucial differences, one is I spent it in parcels and didn't have to tell the better half I was spending $2k on a watch when I have over 30 of them, and secondly I had the pleasure of putting it together for the most part and learning new things in the process. Win Win situation for me and although I don't have the papers (I do have the gen box), I can say that I've built the watch I'm wearing and that gives me much more pleasure then anything else.

To be called out, well 99.9% of the people don't even know what a Breitling is and the other .1% lives here so doesn't cross my mind. If I do, it doesn't bother me the slightest.

[exelonman]

I only mod a rep watch to prevent being called out.

I have a coworker and 1 client who are educated watch collectors. I never tell them what I'm wearing is a gen, but I do not offer up the fact that is a rep. I would never try to sell a rep as a gen.

I could afford gens, but have spent most of our "extra" finances over the last few years adopting 2 children. I still want to wear nice watches, but no longer want to invest that amount of money.

Make sense?

[Posh]

Building frankens has often (for me at least) more to do with the pursue of perfection while learning a new skill. You can open up and destroy a $300 rep but you're not going to do it when you've payed $6000 for a watch (perhaps because its perfect, but that's one of the reasons I don't buy gens anymore).

I've only built a couple of franken watches, I've built a Omega Planet Ocean for a friend and my Super Avenger, on my SA I'm into it almost the same amount of money as a used gen, however there are 2 crucial differences, one is I spent it in parcels and didn't have to tell the better half I was spending $2k on a watch when I have over 30 of them, and secondly I had the pleasure of putting it together for the most part and learning new things in the process. Win Win situation for me and although I don't have the papers (I do have the gen box), I can say that I've built the watch I'm wearing and that gives me much more pleasure then anything else.

To be called out, well 99.9% of the people don't even know what a Breitling is and the other .1% lives here so doesn't cross my mind. If I do, it doesn't bother me the slightest.

Wouldn't it be easier (and less expensive) to make a sterile or homage watch? I imagine you could've honed your skills just as well on something like that. But you chose the Breitling brand or Omega to build a watch. Why is that?

I only mod a rep watch to prevent being called out.

I have a coworker and 1 client who are educated watch collectors. I never tell them what I'm wearing is a gen, but I do not offer up the fact that is a rep. I would never try to sell a rep as a gen.

I could afford gens, but have spent most of our "extra" finances over the last few years adopting 2 children. I still want to wear nice watches, but no longer want to invest that amount of money.

Make sense?

This is the what I was expecting to hear but believe me when I say I'm surprised that you're the only one to say it. Camaraderie was one I would never have guessed. But I guess that is an element of it.

And spending the funds on having children is very heart-warming and noble. I'm glad you had the money and you still got to look good during the whole process.

[Tressles61]

After being a part of this community and knowing what I know now I would not spend the $$$ for the real thing... well maybe if I was a multi-millionaire. Also, taking a replica and modifying it into a distinctive piece of art is also pretty rewarding. That B&R sneed did awhile back was awesome!

Quite frankly, watch brands like Diesel, Invicta, or Timex just don't do it for me. All the really awesome watches are the high end expensive ones. I was wearing a Seiko when I found the watch forums... Now I'm hooked on replicas.

I mean come on... How could you say no to this?

[Jennerate]

i assumed everyone was just trying to make sure that the watch couldn't be called fake. i live in a constant state of paranoia about it myself. does the person looking looking because they like the bag or are they trying to figure out if it's a fake. i just got my husband to start wearing rep watches and he's a little self-conscious about the one he has now. i would hate for him to start buying all those gen parts to throw on it on the slight chance someone has hawkeyes and can see a flaw from yard and yards away. modding and all that would just mean less watches for him. these watches are really good and i don't feel it's neccessary on most.

[elvis]

posh, are you going therapist on us now? i really like the question though. makes me think for a minute. and all the answers have been great! deeper than i suspected. but i can see the truth in all of them. i think for myself it is a combination of these things but 95% is the pursuit. and i think a lot of men are like that. they do it because it is there. it is in our nature. its why Sir Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest. and the later was quoted as saying ''It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves"

[sneed12]

And, Sneed, you do it because you want to see how close you can make the fake look to the genuine if it is not accurate?

Yes.

In fact I was thinking more about it today. I don't usually use gen parts in my builds except for dials. Gen inserts are pretty standard upgrades for Rolex reps, but honestly I'd rather install a WM pearl in a JO insert than use a gen, despite the fact that the gen is obviously more, well, gen-like. The one I build with my hands is more fun.

[narikaa]

I can understand the pursuit of perfection as an artistic goal

But doubt that it has a strong a following as some would have you believe

I'm more in favour of OCD, anal retentiveness/trainspotterism, or the 'Jeremy from accounts syndrome' as a more realistic diagnosis



.

[kbh]

I love making reps as close to gen as possible. It's more of a game and, particularly with Rolexes, I don't see it as being a money losing hobby. There is a great resale market for either the completed watch or reselling the parts, such as bracelets, dials, cases, etc. In fact, I just bought another vintage Rolex bracelet off the Bay yesterday.

I'm not really a fan of the idea of spending thousands on a Yuki or Jewelry and Watch type build either, but to each his own.

I don't think for me, it's ever been so much to fool other people on the street as it is to impress forum members. I like the forums, forum members, and the fact that they appreciate a nice quality build. It's nice to get compliments from other watch enthusiasts, particularly collectors of reps. Plus, I don't think of the really good ones as reps. I think of them more as gens with some aftermarket parts.

In the real world, I learned long ago that almost no one ever pays any attention to what watch you're wearing.

[sabretsubasa]

Rep are like this 90% of the quality for 10% of the price. That is why the super reps exist. I wouldn't mind paying 20-30% of the original for 90+%

[devilva]

I have had a franken built for me by BK so it wasnt a labor of love as most franken builders seem to do it as a hobby for themselves. For me it was to try and get the most accurate rep possible that I can look at it and be proud how much like its Genuine brother it can be at only 20% of the cost. I dont have to look at it and see how different the pearl is or how bad the rep crystals are etc... I can just wear it and enjoy it and not see any flaws at all.

With the other reps ive had, in the begining its the honeymoon period but after awhile the first things you see when you look down at your watch (besides the time ) are the flaws. These highly modded frankens ensure as few flaws to look at as possible. I have no problem telling anyone its a replica/franken if they ask but the work done on it was purely for myself. Not to try and make it harder to be called out or whatever.

[G. Willikers]

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about this lately so I'm kind of thrilled this came up. Since joining last year my interest in the hobby has only really heated up over the last couple of months- I went from 0 to 60, fast.

So far, everyone who has posted to this thread has hit on at least one of the motivations behind my interest in the hobby from the crazy attention to detail, the camadarerie, the game, the goal posts, opportunity to work with my hands; all that stuff is there for me too.

To expand a bit on my individual experience so far (get a sandwich?):

At first I started out with a few budget reps (which are a whole lot of fun) and have been progressively setting my sights higher. Modding didn't really factor very highly in my decision making process and the notion of building any kind of "franken" was just a flight of fancy. One of the reps I purchased was of a Rolex Submariner (Werd to the Narikaa noobmariner sale!).

A number of weeks ago I was taking a bus between work locations and the bus stopped at another one of our offices on the way. Onto the bus got one of our senior engineers, and it ended up that we were seated across the aisle facing each other. I recognized him, but I don't think he recognized me out of context which was deliciously awkward but fine by me- because I was busy staring at his watch. He was wearing some model or another of a Rolex Submariner (I was wearing a Seiko 7002 that afternoon). It looked pretty worn, had a domed crystal. The thing about it which kept me staring, was that although the distance from my eyes to the dial of his watch was probably between 6-8' I could see how smooth the sweep of his seconds hand was. When I got home I put my rep sub on something and sat approximately as far from the watch as I had been sitting from the one on the bus. Granted, I was sitting on a stable floor and the watch was on a stable surface (not being jostled around by the bus), but I could see the stutter in the movement of my seconds hand. At that moment, the seed of interest in modding was planted.

I'm not afraid of being called out. In fact, if you call me out I would love to discuss at length why my replica is, in its own right, cooler than a gen. And with that, I want to be able to confidently tell you that my fake is a really GOOD fake and why.

My take on adding gen parts/movements to a rep isn't that it makes the piece "closer to gen", but rather "a better replica"; I suppose this loops right into pursuit of perfection and attention to fine detail. Maybe I would be less likely to be called out, maybe I wouldn't. I think the general consensus is that nobody but us is paying attention anyway.

I don't necessarily want to "fool" anybody with my reps. By that, I mean if someone's eyes bug out with envy when they see my watch and they care to comment on it, I'm going to fess up immediately that it is a fake. However, I am not above using one as the right superficial tool for the right superficial job if superficial interactions require some posturing in the workplace- to stand my ground in my big-boy pants and know with confidence that mine is a contender at a glance anyway. If you know what I mean.

Having said that, I have generally kept my interest to replicas of watches I can "pull off." I sloth around in jeans and a t-shirt a lot so rolling into the office with gold and glittery minerals would be a clear indication that I'm pimpin' on the side and people would talk. I could certainly afford some used gens over time if I were more financially organized or patient, which I am not. Yesterday I wore three different replicas at different times during the day- can't do that with two gens. Of course, this presents a whole new problem- being seen at different times wearing several different expensive watches... where'd all THOSE come from?

Posh, I think you commented (maybe that was someone else) in a thread some time ago (or more recently) about how much a Rolex Explorer cost in the 70s (I think) vs what it costs now, and that the watch is still pretty much the same $500 watch (I think that was the gist of it), and basically we are paying for the brand. so maybe in some small way, modding a rep with gen parts or building a watch from scratch with gen parts is a way to "stick it to the man"?

To be honest, I've already had my eye on some rather expensive used Rolex movements which I should have absolutely NO business owning because it's absolutely financially stupid and irresponsible. But I'm looking pretty hard. I've already got parts in the mail for projects I may never even start and I'm burning money like calories and losing sleep over reading this forum.

So to conclude, so I don't start talking myself in circles and confusing myself, I think I am still trying to understand it myself. I firmly believe that I am prepared to waste all kinds of money on modding and "frankening" simply because it's AWESOME(!!!) and I like awesome stuff.

At the end of the day, if I get called out it's no sweat, but there's cherries on it if I get to say "yeah it's fake but it's a pretty darn good one."

[kruzer00]

Said somewhat tongue in cheek but still seriously, I would suggest the following. For a number of people (myself included) it comes down to this:

- You've bought the reps for a few years. The excitement is gone. You have one of a thousand fakes. And in reality if you spend a good amount of time in the company of folks with gens you do live in fear of being called out - no matter how remote the possibility.

And folks can't give me the crap of they don't care about the brand and publicly acknowledging they buy fake watches. Virtually every watch is available in an unbranded Chinese version complete with warranty. So if you are wearing a branded rep you are trying to fool someone. Get over it.

- Buying a gen can become equally boring. I don't begrudge anyone for doing it and when I can I do it for watches I believe I want to keep for a lifetime. So I don't think people are silly for paying full price. A rep is not a gen and it never will be. But at the end of the day the gen is all about affordability. Either you can or you can't. And in my own experience they can be every bit as difficult to get your money out of as a rep. And it is a lot more money.

In fact I maintain that all things being equal if you think you may lose interest in a watch in a month or two - buy the rep unless you really don't mind throwing your money into the fireplace. In the short run the rep market is a much more liquid market other than really collectible gens. It always amazes me the prices people pay to know they are getting a watch that works, to avoid customs, etc. But they do and you should avail yourself of that opportunity if you have the stomach to deal with selling.

- Building a true high end franken (gen dial and other gen parts is where my definition begins) is a whole lot of effort and can be stupid. But for many the effort is the fun. I have made many interesting acquaintances and even close friends chasing the dream. Most of those friends could readily afford some or all of those frankens so it ain't about the money - or maybe it is since you couldn't afford the same number of watches. But in any case it is often about the process as well as the end product. And as for liquidity as long as you don't sit on a watch for years until better reps come out or the brand is no longer popular you generally can get out of the watch if you tire of it. Out of 14-15 frankens (that I concluded I wanted out of) over the years I have only lost real money on 2 or 3 projects. I don't make money on them either out of principal but at least in a number of cases that is my choice. And that is true for a number of the other folks I am close to and do these projects.

So there you go. There is the counter argument.

[thetechnocrat]

+1 to that.

[Posh]

After being a part of this community and knowing what I know now I would not spend the $$$ for the real thing... well maybe if I was a multi-millionaire. Also, taking a replica and modifying it into a distinctive piece of art is also pretty rewarding. That B&R sneed did awhile back was awesome!

Quite frankly, watch brands like Diesel, Invicta, or Timex just don't do it for me. All the really awesome watches are the high end expensive ones. I was wearing a Seiko when I found the watch forums... Now I'm hooked on replicas.

I mean come on... How could you say no to this?

That's a handsome timepiece! Thanks for the perspective.

posh, are you going therapist on us now?

It is kinda like that. I always like to know where people are coming from and why they do what they do. Trust me, I get this same question at home when I start asking questions and wondering why. I want some insight, dammit!

I can understand the pursuit of perfection as an artistic goal

But doubt that it has a strong a following as some would have you believe

I'm more in favour of OCD, anal retentiveness/trainspotterism, or the 'Jeremy from accounts syndrome' as a more realistic diagnosis.

For some strange reason, I immediately thought of Elliot Smith. And I thought it did have something to do with some of the folks having some OCD qualities.

I love making reps as close to gen as possible. It's more of a game and, particularly with Rolexes, I don't see it as being a money losing hobby. There is a great resale market for either the completed watch or reselling the parts, such as bracelets, dials, cases, etc. In fact, I just bought another vintage Rolex bracelet off the Bay yesterday.

I'm not really a fan of the idea of spending thousands on a Yuki or Jewelry and Watch type build either, but to each his own.

I don't think for me, it's ever been so much to fool other people on the street as it is to impress forum members. I like the forums, forum members, and the fact that they appreciate a nice quality build. It's nice to get compliments from other watch enthusiasts, particularly collectors of reps. Plus, I don't think of the really good ones as reps. I think of them more as gens with some aftermarket parts.

In the real world, I learned long ago that almost no one ever pays any attention to what watch you're wearing.

Impress other forum members? That's a new one. Okay, Kbh. I hadn't really thought that would be a motivation. It is the high fives and accolades after showing off the finished piece for you then. Hmmm . . .

I have had a franken built for me by BK so it wasnt a labor of love as most franken builders seem to do it as a hobby for themselves. For me it was to try and get the most accurate rep possible that I can look at it and be proud how much like its Genuine brother it can be at only 20% of the cost. I dont have to look at it and see how different the pearl is or how bad the rep crystals are etc... I can just wear it and enjoy it and not see any flaws at all.

With the other reps ive had, in the begining its the honeymoon period but after awhile the first things you see when you look down at your watch (besides the time ) are the flaws. These highly modded frankens ensure as few flaws to look at as possible. I have no problem telling anyone its a replica/franken if they ask but the work done on it was purely for myself. Not to try and make it harder to be called out or whatever.

So for you it's to fix nagging flaws that you can't ignore. This probably dovetails a little with what Narikaa was saying.

Rep are like this 90% of the quality for 10% of the price. That is why the super reps exist. I wouldn't mind paying 20-30% of the original for 90+%

I somewhat agree. But for 30%, it better perform very, very closely to the original. That's getting suspiciously close to pre-owned gen territory for some watches, don't you think?

At the end of the day, if I get called out it's no sweat, but there's cherries on it if I get to say "yeah it's fake but it's a pretty darn good one."

Thanks for giving us a peek into the recesses of your mind! For you, it's all about being able to say: "Look what I did for $600!" You like being able to say I got nearly the same watch as this other person and spent only X dollars. And maybe you relish the chance to point out that it's a rep because then you get to pull a Nelson Muntz and say: "Ha HA!"

And folks can't give me the crap of they don't care about the brand and publicly acknowledging they buy fake watches. Virtually every watch is available in an unbranded Chinese version complete with warranty. So if you are wearing a branded rep you are trying to fool someone. Get over it.

-

This is what I thought as well. There are unbranded ones that are essentially the same but without the logos. But that's no fun, is it? One may not want to give out the impression that they are wearing a gen but if it gets them a slightly better table at L'Avenue in the Waasland Shopping Center, then they wouldn't turn it down. But everyone is different.

I hate posting financial stuff online but this post calls for some perspective...and I was inspired by the few posts directly above mine. Below is some serious "food for thought":

Hopefully I don't come off as an a**hole here, but here goes. I am in the rep game personally because of ...priorities and saving money. I was lucky enough to start and sell a few businesses in my 20's, so I can comfortably buy a couple gens each year without feeling it. Regardless, you literally can't put a price on cash in the bank. Life, and the need for cash down the road always comes to bite you in the a** without fail. I have turned my last 4 gen purchases into $93k in six years by buying reps and investing those saved gen funds. I would be a hipocrit if I didn't cop to the fact that I spend big money on properties, vehicles, and wear an expensive Spring Drive. But at some point priorities have to come to mind, even when you have money.

I'm never content and my bad habit of constantly buying and selling gens was wasting a ton of cash, especially considering reps today are 95% accurate. I passed on buying 4 gens six years ago, bought the reps and invested that $20k in gold. I bought 44 ounces of gold at roughly $452/ounce, for a total of 44 ounces. I have not touched the account in 6 years, and as of last week, that account (solely funded by that gen money years ago) topped $93,175. Put in perspective, when gold went up a measly $8/ounce the other day that account made me $350 while I sat on my couch...food for thought.

I can't help but shake my head when I read about people who buy a gen (or spends thousands on some reps), yet have no real cash in the bank and are living month to month. Don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in doing what makes you happy and if it's watches-go for it. But if you can live without that next rep or gen purchase, invest it in gold via ebay tonight. That small investment will either buy that actual gen in a short amount of time, or help secure your future possibly...both good. As Posh says...save money whenever possible on anything you can. My feeling on that motto goes one step further because if that saved money is invested...you never know where it will take you! Hopefully this post didn't come off as me preaching or offend anyone-just my reasoning of why I'm here which may benefit someone.

This is great. You took that same money and turned it into gold, literally! You can afford to buy the gen of the watch you didn't several times over. I'm thoroughly impressed. Cash will always be king.

[gaizka]

[SIZE=3]What's everyone's take on this? Perhaps the people who have spent major dollars on modding can illuminate me, people who've spent more than $1,000 and have modest incomes, incomes that don't approach being able to afford the genuine of the watch being modded. This would mean were someone to know anything about luxury goods, in this case watches, they'd be able to deduce your watch is fake from just knowing that.

SIZE]

This is a great point. there is a danger of your rep being called out because it doesn't match the rest of your lifestyle. If you are a waiter and you own 6 Panerais, something doesn't jibe and the same goes for the "blue collar" worker who owns LE AP that retails around $45K-
as for those who can afford but choose not to, I think the answer is complicated and unique to each person...could be they are are hyper sensitive to cost/value, are extra thrifty or just not enamored with the genuine article.
Do we scrutinize people who have copies of famous artworks at home? or women who choose breast implants? and how about all the clothes that "copy" current designers selections?
I feel sometimes these detailed questions take out the one huge factor that I personally get and I know others do as well, and thats the fun of it.
Plain and simple, I enjoy the hobby and I don't dwell on the minutia of why.

[The Dude]

1) I like watches. If all my reps were gens they'd be worth well over $100,00. I can't afford $100 k in watches, but can afford a few grand worth of reps.
2) I like the feeling of "getting one over"; if I can have a great quality rep that costs 20% of the original, I win twice. I have the watch I want and the money saved is in my pocket, not some LVMH or Richemont exec's.

[IMAC]

Interesting question, Posh. It delves into the realms of why we buy or build what we buy or build, and what we think our purchases mean to someone else...
I am like most, I guess - I have a collection of gens and reps, with most of my reps being of Panerai and Omega. I have loved watches for most of my 53 years on the planet, and people who know me tend not to ask me questions about "rep or real" because I never really discuss the matter. If I was to be asked - I would offer up nothing but the truth.
For me - the question is not therefore about being called out. It is a question of personal taste, and the sheer fun of having some interesting pieces on my wrist, without blowing the budget. It is a hobby for me - not a money-making enterprise. Like others, I also have a life, with a real mortgage, real clients, and real responsibilities which take up the bulk of my time. My life will never be overtaken by my watch hobby, and I will always prioritise my family over everything else. I consider myself lucky that I get to participate in the world of luxury watches at AD prices when I choose to do so, and at a fraction of RRP otherwise. I am looked after by the various ADs here in Australia, and yet I would still rather talk the intricacies of watches and watchmaking with the rep forum members here and elsewhere because there is no "snobbery" involved in being a person who enjoys their reps. Heck - I even give my local independent watch-maker a giggle every time I go through his door with a rep that needs some TLC!
I do find it interesting that some will pay close to gen money for a rep, but then again, it is probably all about the passion, and the appreciation of what we create, or have created for us, I think.
When I look at a grail-build 201/A with an FGD dial lumed by some of the great people on the forums I see a watch that I want to wear, and I am building exactly that watch as we speak, from parts gathered from around the world, and with no intention of buying a gen of it. There is sometimes very little that is special about buying gens (I have done it many times - Panerai, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, Seiko, AP and others), but when you have on your wrist something that has a little bit of YOU invested in it - be it through "frankening" or "modding" or whatever - I think you might agree that it creates a closer association between the wearer and the timepiece, and becomes more something "from" you, rather than just "for" you - something in which your input made a difference, and of which you can be proud.
I have learned a great deal about watches by reading the various fora, and while I could probably call out many people I see in the street, I never will. No fun ruining someone else's day, I say.
I will continue to buy, build, learn, and enjoy the game ~ and I sincerely hope that you do, too.
Great Q, Posh.
Cheers! IMAC

[Posh]

This was really enlightening. I liked hearing about all the different perspectives as it seems that everyone appears to be on all sides of it.

I know it's just me being nosy.

[rovin]

I think there's an element of "I don't want to be called out". Certainly is with me, anyways. There's no way I'd wear an totally inaccurate rep. I am a brand ****, but not one who wants others to know that I didn't pay the coin for gen. Which is why I'd never bother with a homage. Call me shallow? Luckily I am in a position that no-one would suspect I have not bought gen and I also don't rep beyond my pay grade. I'm doing well, but I'm not doing solid gold AP ROO well.

I own a few gens that I bought new: Pam 312 (gen movement got me), Breitling Avenger (polished numbers on the dial got me), Glycine Lagunare 1000ft (these are unique) and some Russians. Then I've also a few Breitlings I bought used.

The reps I've bought are of watches I like, but don't love. Take the Omega PO 45. I like it, but not enough to spend the gen price. So I decided to get a rep one. Subsequently I have gone mad on gen parts and structural case modifications that have required the purchase of a lathe, threading equipment, etc. I've spent more than I would on a gen, but I am enjoying that a hell of a lot more than walking into a dealer and throwing my Amex at it. That and the gen ain't all that anyway.

The second is a ceramic sub. Using another members experience, I am following them in parts swapping and custom building for the enjoyment of it. And who the f*k pays $10k for a stainless steel watch with only a date function in it anyway?

That being said, I just bought a brand new AMG Mercedes ML, so it's all relative..... But I did haggle.......