: Actually I have no problem with fakes. As long
: as they remain fakes and don't get passed
: off as real (especially if they are being
: re-sold)
nobody likes that except the scammers who steal peoples hard earned money. so your not alone here.

: 1) To many people a watch is form first,
: function second. A watch IS a piece of
: jewelry, and I know that (at least
: personally) I see a lot of watches that,
: reguardless of what movement is inside, is a
: beautiful watch. A lot of these watches are
: so far out of my price range that I could
: never buy a real one. So I understand why
: people want to buy a fake, if it is just for
: the pleasure of looking at a beautiful
: object on their wrist. I don't agree with
: buying it to pass off as real.
while the fakes have come along way, or maybe better i say some of the fakes, they are still not and will never be as beautiful or as high quality as the originals they copy, sorry.

: 2) Now a days many fakes are made pretty darned
: good. In fact, I've got a confession, I love
: watches, I spend lots of money on watches,
: but I own a fake. I have a fake Patek
: Phillipe. Visually it is a superb watch. I
: bought it because I wanted a dress watch
: with a nice leather band that was
: understated but classy, to go with a couple
: of suits I own that I wear brown shoes with.
: A pretty specific need to spend thousands of
: dollars on. This watch suits the purpose to
: perfection. The fact that the watch has an
: ETA 17 jewel automatic movement is just a
: plus. In fact I have had zero problems with
: the watch. It cost me $200 in total to get
: the watch, and I feel it was worth every
: penny. (as a side note, my Daytona costs me
: almost that much every year to keep going,
: and still doesn't keep as good a time as the
: fake. Heck my mothers Cartier has gone
: through 3 movements and spent more time in
: the shop then one her wrist in the past two
: years. Just because it's real doesn't mean
: it's good, and just because it's fake
: doesn't mean it's bad) I have little doubt
: that it will last much more than 2
: years...And yes when anyone asks me if the
: watch is a fake I happily say yes it is.
uh... because it is a fake does mean it's no good period. why, because it's a fake. the examples of reals failing, you give above are the exception to the rule. there are far more fakes that fail than originals. simple reason quality control, fakes have none. a part of the reason they are so cheap.

: On the other hand I would NEVER sell the watch
: as a real one (not that I'm in the habit of
: selling any watch). That in my mind is
: fraud, plain and simple. But if you're going
: for aestetics and only aestetics, realizing
: that what makes the watch tick is an
: inferior movement, and that you are hurting
: the watch industry as a whole I don't see a
: problem with people having fakes.

i would hope you wouldn't. there is one major problem with people having fakes. they are ILLEGAL as they break copyrighted trademarks. this is the equivalent to stealing. by buying a fake you are an accomplice of sorts. if you can't see why this is wrong ethically and morally i can't help you there.

besides that i find it quite embarrasing and of low character that someone would try to fool others into thinking they have a real on their wrist. if it is designs and beauty that you and others are after there are plenty of legitimate brands out there that are quite affordable and quite beautiful. let's be honest it's the name people are after with fakes. if it was just designs, people would buy the legitimate brands and be able to wear them with pride, and we would never have to have these ridiculous discussions.

j.h.