Proliferation of Fake Timepieces

[Bristol Cavendish]

Geeze...the internet seems to be offering 'fakes' in just about any exclusive watch make these days. For roughly $200 + shipping anyone can own something that looks like a Vacheron Constantin (Patek Philippe or Rolex et al). Outside of consumers refusing to purchase this kind of stuff, isn't there any recourse amongst the manufacturers to cease this practice? Now granted, there will always be a certain number of phonies willing to buy these things in an effort to impress others but it appears the countless Chinese manufacturers of these fakes have no essential scruples other than making a fast buck in a seemingly growing superficial world. They are also doing this with designer fashion pieces as well.

Years ago there was a newspaper story about Rolex literally steamrolling a number of confiscated fakes...too bad they can't do this with the sleazy manufacturers as well.

[Java]

I would refer you to this post;

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=542


An update to which I am preparing as we speak.

[harb]

I would refer you to this post;

http://www.newturfers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=542


An update to which I am preparing as we speak.

A very interesting Thread to revisit.
I certainly look forward to the update, Tim.

[John]

A very interesting Thread to revisit.
I certainly look forward to the update, Tim.

Me too :)

[raptor]

and you can choose the mechanism you like swiss eta etc

[red herring]

A friend at work (not a watch guy) admired my JLC the other day and said he wants "something that looks like that, but way cheaper". I pointed him to a fairly simple Tissot quartz chrono with a black dial and black strap that he liked. Next day he came in and said he saw it on eBay "for a lot cheaper", which got me thinking--no, they wouldn't be knocking off quartz Tissots, would they?

Got on the net, and within 5 minutes saw the exact watch available from a couple of different "replica" sites. Amazing--the real thing sold for $275 on Amazon, and the fake was $120. Who the hell would buy this?

[Bristol Cavendish]

Good earlier post on this topic Java (Tim).

Just wanted to add one point here...it's one thing to make fine modern-day 'independent label' watches for consumer resale. It's another thing to make fine modern-day watches & then put fake, prestigious Swiss manufacturer's names on them.

Contemptable...but perhaps something to be expected of the Chinese business/manufacturing mentality. They also create passable Vuiton/Gucci knock-offs for a discriminating (albeit cheapskate) female customer base.

What's next...a fake BMW or Mercedes for $19.95?