Why don't we work on replica watches?

Here's why spending money on a replica watch probably isn't worth it in the long run- and why we stay away from them.

Close up of the Breitling Superocean detailing the precise engineering.

The fake watch industry has grown to an estimated value of $1 billion, so its no surprise that we often come across them. Today the fakes are getting closer to their legitimate counterparts and with some of the better clones the only way to be sure is to open the caseback. If this is the case then you might be asking what is the problem with buying them?

The first and most obvious reason is the difference in quality. The sharpness of the case to the finishing on the mechanical components, once under the loupe it is easy to see they are behind the genuine watches of Switzerland (or Germany if you prefer Glashütte and A Lange & Söhne). This difference in quality may not make a difference to most fake watch owners, but this drop in quality can often lead to mechanical problems with the watch. Whether that means it has timekeeping problems or completely fails to work. Now the second reason follows the first, there is no warranty with a fake watch so these mechanical issues, whether they happen on the second day of ownership or second year cannot be rectified from the place of sale. There is no chance of the watch being sent back to factory for repair.

Although there are fakes out there of the Rolex 3235 movement, the factories are still unable to copy the design of its free sprung balance and micro-stellar balance wheel screws. And although there are already copies of the Omega in-house 8500 calibre, the Chinese factories are yet to conquer the design of the infamous co-axial escapement. These are dead giveaways when it comes to identifying fakes. These are integral parts that make the genuine watches the luxury they are and in our opinion why they are worth spending the extra money on.

Our Policy on Repairing Fake Watches

We would like to clarify our stance on servicing watches that are not authentic. Our policy is to refrain from working on fake watches due to several significant issues:

1. Quality of Materials

Fake watches are often made with inferior materials that can lead to further damage during the repair process. This can compromise the integrity of the watch.

2. Engineering Challenges

Our watchmakers are trained to work with genuine timepieces. The mechanisms in counterfeit watches can differ greatly, which can create complications and make repairs difficult or impossible.

3. Warranty and Liability Concerns

Repairing fake watches can pose legal and ethical issues, including warranty violations and liability concerns. We prioritise our reputation and the trust of our customers.