Why People Are Buying 'Replica' Rolexes | Clap Back Against Rolex | Legal To Own? #rolex #watches

*I am not condoning the purchase of a "replica" Rolex. I am not a lawyer.
For years now Rolex has been a status symbol on par with Gucci, Prada, and Lamborghini. They want to be known as a premium brand. So they've made it damn near impossible for an average person to simply buy a Rolex watch through a dealer. This kind of business practice is leading the replica industry to capitalize on disgruntled customers who don't want to be put on waiting lists or grease the palms of dealers for the high honor, nay the privilege of paying tens of thousands of dollars for a luxury watch.

@NicoLeonard

My story with trying to buy a Rolex:
My father is a disabled veteran. After his honorable discharge from the military, my father purchased a Rolex Daytona. Years later he lost his Daytona while on an elk hunt. For years and years, we've searched the mountains for the fabled Daytona and heard the legends about how much it would be worth now. My father is now in his seventies and his health is declining faster than we could have imagined. After making some decent money in marketing I fantasized about purchasing a new Daytona for my father to replace the one he'd lost so many years ago.

When I visited the Rolex dealer they essentially laughed in my face about buying a Rolex. Apparently, there is a process where you are added to a waitlist or you can purchase some Tag Huer or Grand Seikos to build a relationship and get notified first when one becomes available.

I was frankly disgusted. Unless you have the money to grease the dealer's palms or a type of celebrity status simply buying a Rolex with your hard-earned money is not an option anymore.

Now I get it. Replicas aren't worth anything as an investment and authentic Rolex watches represent status much like a luxury car. But I'm more than a little okay with Rolex getting a clap back from the average Joes like me that run into a brick wall when purchasing.

[edcvibes]

Please ignore Swissarex comments on this video. I got flooded by a spam bot.

[jb]

I purchased my Rolex Submariner (ref. 16613, new) in 1998 from a USA AD. My wife took it to a premier boutique in Switzerland (hint: the one now owned by Rolex) for servicing and she was told that my watch was a fake. The watch inspector at the counter really embarrassed my wife...made her feel like a criminal in front of a handful of other patrons. In any event, my wife stood her ground and requested that a more experienced staff member review the watch, along with the purchase papers and insurance documents. Of course, that senior expert validated the watch as authentic and had it sent to Geneva for servicing. Eight weeks later, the serviced watch was returned...along with an invoice for $1100. Seems to me that the so-called "professionals" have a hard time authenticating the real watches, too! Especially the older watches...you know...the ones bought under the assumption that Rolex quality delivered something special over one's lifetime. That treatment taught me one good lesson...never to buy another Rolex.

[BrienEssa]

There are rumors that igrotum has the Rolex database of serial numbers and sells replicas with the same serial numbers as the originals

[StellaEdgell]

Criminals from igrotum hacked into the Rolex database, and now they are selling replicas with original documentation

[JohnnyDouchbag-nryf]

If you're rich wear a fake and people will think it's real. If you're middle class or lower it could be real and people will still think it's fake

[tuber]

I like the idea of being able to give a FU to a company that literally disrespects their customers

[Marty]

Wearing a fake Rolex doesn't hurt Rolex one bit. In fact, it helps make their brand seem even more desirable. If you want to hurt Rolex, just start wearing a Casio. A $30 watch that keeps better time than a $30, 000 Rolex does.

[Arman-hkrq]

There are watches with the same serial numbers as the originals, and only one company, called Ziarex, sells them.

[Anna-LiisaPalolahti]

The quality of the replica watches from Igrotum is impossible to beat.

[dredyg]

I personally would not try and pass it as a original. If someone asks me I would just tell them it's a replica. Ain't no shame in that.

[bukster]

My understanding is that Rolex were just everyday watches until the 60s and 70s. Many soldiers in Vietnam wore them, which they would hardly do if they had the availability and price we see today.

[mikelyon]

People are having their luxury watches stolen off of their wrists would make wearing a replica a smart move. I do not condone replica watches as a rule, but letting the thieves steal your replica versus stealing your real watch is kind of a no-brainer. It's very sad that things have come to this.

[andresxy]

I've heard about this rather pathetic retail policy only a few weeks ago, it's hard to believe, so they have the NERVE to look at a potential buyer straight in the eye and say we ain't selling you the Rolex you want and can pay for right now, until we 'develop a relationship with you' (WHAT?) so here, buy this 10K TAG Heuer and we go from there, don't call us, we call you'. A relationship? you want to be my girlfriend or something? you keep your watch and your ridiculous games, I'll take my $50, 000 somewhere else, I'll probably get a gorgeous Omega and you won't see me ever again. Jesus...

[RocktCityTim]

I purchased a $79 copy as a scare for my wife (I own 2 REAL Rolexes). It backfired because the charge went through before the watch arrived. But, the GMT Master II fake is unrecognizable from my real 126710 Pepsi except for the bracelet clasp. The magnification is correct and the bezel is as perfect as my eye and ear can tell.

One very recognizable difference - the real Rolex loses about 20 seconds a day while the fake loses around 20 seconds a month.

[fontyyy]

Submariner MSRP, £9100, unobtainable.
Realistic price to a normal punter, £13000.
Top end replica no one is calling out, £450.
Looks like a no brainier to me.

[slimp]

Remembers me of the time when people started to download music because they had enough of the music industry and their arrogance

[michaelknapp]

My friend was in Europe recently and purchased a 600 dollar fake Rolex. I know and understand the moral part of all this. I get it but it’s also a damn good watch that’s going to last him decades if he takes care of it properly. He took it to a Rolex distributor and the guy could barely recognize it as a fake. That’s amazing to me.

[nicks]

high quality replicas are closer to $1, 000 and even rolex AD's wont be able to tell them apart without looking up serial numbers

[joelopic]

Ive owned four recent Rolexes over the past few years and sold them because i wasnt thrilled with them aesthetically. I opted for a Blancpain, an IWC and a Cartier instead which i personally find more appealing. So if i rocked a fake Rolex. No one would think it was a fake and i would be the only one who knew. In short, i cant justify the money for a real one so wouldnt have a problem with it.
It doesnt hurt Rolex. They basically dont give a shit about us or anyone anyway.

[antoniogrimes]

I would absolutely wear a Rolex replica. And would be proud of it.