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Old 20 March 2008, 04:51 AM   #1
Solar
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Grand Bazaar Istanbul and replicas

Yikes!

In the Grand Bazaar and saw a number of replicas, or reps. Some of them are sold in small out-of-the-way shops, and the sellers are upfront about it, and others are sold in more elaborate jewellry shops where the display set up, lights etc makes it look like the Rolex is authentic until you notice the quartz tic of the second hand.......

The cheaper reps are about $200 USD with Japanese movement, not great plating on the gold models, and the better reps with reportedly ETA movements, better plating and more water resistance are about $700 clams!

It was interesting to see so many reps in the flesh. You can really spot them in the flesh, the weight, the bracelets, etc etc just like The Rolex Report details. I've seen some pretty impressive looking replicas in photos and used to think I could be taken in, but after seeing even the more expensive reps in person, well, anyone on this forum would never likely be taken in, those reps were pretty obvious, even the more expensive ones.

So, I spent too much on gold earrings and some gifties for the wife though, but I figure I may as well pump some money into the local economy!

I didn't bother with any pix of the reps, why would I? They had the Daytonas with the engraving on the caseback, the crappy bezeled Subs and the DDs had horrible clasps...

I will try and post some pix in the non-watch part of the forum when I get back, no image file manager here. This is an amazing city with great sights and beauty, and those are the images that deserve to be posted.

Best,

Chris
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Old 20 March 2008, 06:56 AM   #2
Defiancekofb
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Hmmmmm how do you determine the $700 clam watch is of better quality than the $200 clam one? For all you know they all could be the same $50 Chinatown watches just sold at higher prices to sucker tourists?
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Old 20 March 2008, 07:07 AM   #3
Welshwatchman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Defiancekofb View Post
Hmmmmm how do you determine the $700 clam watch is of better quality than the $200 clam one? For all you know they all could be the same $50 Chinatown watches just sold at higher prices to sucker tourists?
Indeed.

I believe the technical term for both of the classes of watches is "shite".
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Old 20 March 2008, 03:41 PM   #4
Solar
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The seller said that the more expensive one has an ETA movement, and the cheaper one a no-name Japanese quartz movement. You could see the difference beween the two, but my main reason for posting this is to illustrate that for those of us who love Rlex and know the brand, even the "good" fakes are easy to spot.

I've just never had this much exposure to fakes before. And yes, they are "shite", without a doubt.

I'd always try and reason with someone thinking of buying that they should save the 200-700 dollars and put it towards a nice, well cared for used Rolex. I mean, the salesman was saying that the good fake would last 10 years, so figure about 2-3 years at best.

Just buy a real branded watch with an ETA movement!

Anyways, just my two cents,

A facinating country here of rich colour and history, people warm and friendly, a definate must-see.

Best,

Chris
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Old 21 March 2008, 09:06 AM   #5
stevemulholland3
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I prefer to call it constantinople...
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