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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Written by Richard Brown
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Page 1 of 3
General Questions
 Q: What is a replica watch?
A: A replica watch is a functional or partially functional copy of an
original watch design created by a famous manufacturer. In my opinion a
watch that doesn't function (is a prop) should be defined by the term
"fake."
Q: What are "Swiss" replicas?
A: The term "Swiss" refers to the quality of the watch, usually
indicating that the movement is made in Switzerland. This movement is
typically made by ETA (http://www.eta.ch). "Swiss" quality replicas are
some of the best in the industry, and tend to use similar materials
that were used in the original watch.
"Swiss" replicas tend to cost more than other examples, giving their
manufacturers more leeway to use more expensive materials in their
construction. Swiss replicas will use sapphire crystals and higher
quality dials.
Note that "Swiss", "Japanese", and "Asian" in reference to replicas are
broad terms covering a lot of ground. A "Swiss" watch may be of lower
quality than a "Japanese" example; since there is no quality control in
the manufacturing of replicas quality varies greatly from watch to
watch.
Q: What are "Japanese" replicas?
A: The term "Japanese" replica refers to the quality and origin of the
movement in the watch. "Japanese" movements are usually of lesser
quality than the Swiss movements, but are also less expensive. This
means the overall cost of the watch is less than Swiss replicas.
"Japanese" replicas also typically use inferior materials in their
construction compared to the original watch.
"Japanese" replicas are more common, and are easier to spot because of
the shortcuts taken in their construction. They will use sapphire or
even mineral glass crystals, and typically a poorer attention to detail
than the higher end models.
Q: What are "Asian" replicas?
A: "Asian" replicas are made of very inferior materials. They are easy
to spot as replicas because they are lighter and flimsier than the
original. "Asian" replicas are common items in Chinatown, and can be
purchased for around $30.
"Asian" replicas are what many people think of when the term replica
watch is brought up in conversation. They are cheap imitations of the
original mass produced for tourists. These watches will use cheap pot
metal cases plated over to imitate stainless steel. Also glass and
plastic crystals are common. Even plastic parts in the movement have
been known. There's little difficulty in spotting a replica of this
quality; they don't look like five thousand dollar watches.
Q: What is "triple" and "single" wrapped gold?
A: Solid gold is too expensive a material to make replicas from. Most
"gold" replicas instead use some time of gold plating to emulate a real
gold watch. Normal plating puts a single layer of about 2-4 microns of
gold plating on a watch; this is enough to give a gold look to the
watch, but the thin plating wears off over time. "Triple" wrapped
watches simply means that this plating process is done three times,
giving a very thick coating of gold to the watch. This coating is thick
enough that watches with "triple" wrapped gold plating can pass for
solid gold watches in tests. This coating also resists fading very well.
Another theory is that this term is a marketing ploy developed by
replica dealers online. There is no evidence that this multiple plating
is done; the best guess is that a thicker coating of gold is used on
the higher end watches than on cheaper models.
Q: Is all stainless steel the same in replica construction?
A: No, some cheaper Asian replicas actually use stainless steel plating
over a pot metal core. This can wear off just like gold plating can. It
tends to be very shiny and looks "fake." Some Japanese replicas use a
cheaper quality of stainless steel in their manufacturing process. Most
Swiss replicas use 440 Stainless, which is the same quality of metal
that some of the original manufacturers use. Not using the proper
materials can mean that the replica can feel light in comparison to the
original. Some low-end replica manufacturers use weights inside the
cast to try and match the original watch.
Q: Should my metal watch band have pins or screws in it?
A: It depends on the model, but most original watches with metal bands
have screws in the last links of the band to allow it to be sized for
the wearer. Some early Rolex models used rivets, but all of the current
models have screws in the band. Cheaper replicas use pins in all cases
because it's less expensive.
Omega is a manufacturer that uses pins in their bands.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 August 2007 )
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