Canal Street Rip Off's getting better

[scrapmetal]

I was surprised by the improvement in the knock offs found on canal street. Keep in mind that price reflects the quality of some of the materials used in the watch, nevertheless I can't help think that the factories are also making watches for other companies such as Invicta, Orient, Croton, Renato, Swiss Legend and even Seiko.

The knocks offs are automatic movements with clear back cases (albeit chinese made movements) and with time (no pun intended) they will get better.

I am not suggesting for one moment that we should buy knock offs but merely pointing out how much they have improved recently and keeping the costs low.

Anyone seen the improvement in these watches and think they are of the same standard as other "reputable" watch companies selling automatic movement watches made in china ? It reminds me of Japanese made products...many years back it was considered low end, now "Made in Japan" means quality and demands a premium.

PS I have been so tempted to buy some but never been able to pull the trigger because I don't want to wear a knock off and caught out by friends...it just seems to be in poor taste.

[Knight Watchman]

Welcome to our forum Scrapmetel.

Orient and Seiko make all of their movements and watch parts in-house; nobody else makes watches for them.

I have no use for replica watches or knock-offs (homages are another story), and we don't condone the purchase of them here. To buy them is supporting organized crime.

[boscoe]

People who make knock-offs, knock off people!

[duke6j]

I've been to Canal Street several times, but I like the real thing better than the knock-offs. Nice place to shop and walk around.

[scrapmetal]

thanks for the welcome !

I also don't condone replicas but the only difference between a fake rolex and an invicta divers watch is the "branding". Both rip off Rolex, one just uses a different name (with subtle design changes) and the other doesn't.

My point is that fakes and non fakes come from the same factories and have the same quality control. Makes me want to start my own legitimate watch company with original designs.

PS. You guys do crack me up..."People who make knock-offs, knock off people!" and "To buy them is supporting organized crime" that is too funny. Even though I am sure you mean well, I really don't think organized crime are going to get into the replica watch business on Canal street. Besides the cops on Canal street turn a blind eye or actually buy them (which in a sense does support your organized crime theory).

[Knight Watchman]

scrapmetal said:

thanks for the welcome !

I also don't condone replicas but the only difference between a fake rolex and an invicta divers watch is the "branding". Both rip off Rolex, one just uses a different name (with subtle design changes) and the other doesn't.

My point is that fakes and non fakes come from the same factories and have the same quality control. Makes me want to start my own legitimate watch company with original designs.

PS. You guys do crack me up..."People who make knock-offs, knock off people!" and "To buy them is supporting organized crime" that is too funny. Even though I am sure you mean well, I really don't think organized crime are going to get into the replica watch business on Canal street. Besides the cops on Canal street turn a blind eye or actually buy them (which in a sense does support your organized crime theory).

This is simply not true. No legitimate watch company makes fake or replica watches. You might be confusing fake with homage:
If this is what you want, but can't afford it:


Buy this instead:


Or this!:


There is nothing wrong with copying the style of another manufacturer's watch (homage); that is the biggest compliment and form of flattery you can give to the originating manufacturer. But once you lie and put the "other" manufacturer's name on the watch, that is fraud, criminal, and you can be certain that organized crime is involved.
A booth at a fair near where I live was selling boot-leg DVD's while many cops looked the other way. That was, until someone complained. The sellers were then led away in hand cuffs and are now waiting trial on federal charges.

BTW, the quality control on replica watches tends to be pathetic; there is no quality control. And do you really think a criminal will honor a warranty?

[Datsun240Z71]

I agree with Knight Watchman. 100% right on all counts.

If it has a name on it which it is not... it's a fake. Period.

[Houston]

Welcome to WTF Mr Scrapmetal - like that name

Sir K has a point. No legitimate, self-respecting company would risk passing off a product with the name of another company where the intent is to mislead and indeed profit from the deception. I'd say a substantial proportion of knock-offs originate from the PRC and regions where intellectual property rights are not accorded their due level of respect and thus protected. Passing off an item purporting its' true nature and quality , meaning making fakes is indeed a crime, be it out of the back of one's yard or in a factory in such region as mentioned above. In the end everyone loses and the consumer in particular since fakes impinge on the continued longevity and development potential of legitimate businesses and level of customer care they are able to provide.

Homage is a different thing altogether and I can assure you that neither Seiko, Steinhart, " Yellow Cheese " nor Alpha would make watches and stamp Rolex, Omega or any other name which could mislead.

While the ability for a rogue trader to pass off a replica may have improved since their early beginnings, the quality surely is as suspect and the after sales support, non-existent.


Look forward to talking further.


Be well friend


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[JBHII]

scrapmetal said:

thanks for the welcome !

I also don't condone replicas but the only difference between a fake rolex and an invicta divers watch is the "branding". Both rip off Rolex, one just uses a different name (with subtle design changes) and the other doesn't.

My point is that fakes and non fakes come from the same factories and have the same quality control. Makes me want to start my own legitimate watch company with original designs.

PS. You guys do crack me up..."People who make knock-offs, knock off people!" and "To buy them is supporting organized crime" that is too funny. Even though I am sure you mean well, I really don't think organized crime are going to get into the replica watch business on Canal street. Besides the cops on Canal street turn a blind eye or actually buy them (which in a sense does support your organized crime theory).

Hi Scrapmetal,

Welcome to WTF.

It is a little know fact that because the profit margin is so high in fakes, (in some cases higher than narcotics, prostitution, and other endeavors typically embraced by organized crime) that criminal organizations (and in some cases terrorist cells) have been linked to the counterfit watch, jewelry, and hand bag markets.

[scrapmetal]

Once again thanks to all for the welcome

I know when I am beaten though I just want to say that I would not and have not ever bought a fake watch (or anything else for that matter) except for all my diamond encrusted bling bling ;D

[Houston]

Out of curiosity, where are you from anyway Mr Scrapmetal?

If you don't mind saying, that is.


Have a good day


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

[Shepherd Seph]

cafezinfandel said:

Welcome to WTF Mr Scrapmetal - like that name

Sir K has a point. No legitimate, self-respecting company would risk passing off a product with the name of another company where the intent is to mislead and indeed profit from the deception.
Homage is a different thing altogether and I can assure you that neither Seiko, Steinhart, "Yellow Cheese" nor Alpha would make watches and stamp Rolex, Omega or any other name which could mislead.

ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

But, which of those companies actually run their own dedicated factories in China, and which ones just contract out to the factory who give the best bid/quality reputation ratio?

I still think there is a good chance that any watch assembled in China has a decent chance of being made in the same factory as genuine, 100% "replica" timepieces.

[Knight Watchman]

Other than Alpha, none of the homages mentioned and pictured above have any factories in China. I can assure you that neither Seiko or Steinhart make replica watches! Now Alpha on the other hand........ ;D

[boscoe]

Hi Scrap!
I used to be a journalist for the New York Post - both when it was on South Street (by Catherine in Chinatown) and when it moved uptown on 6th Avenue.
That's by way of background to give what I'm saying a bit of street cred. It ain't heresay. It's from the cops and the police logs.
The Canal Street knockoff business is, indeed, run by organized crime. Various street gangs and older "merchant societies" aka tongs control the trade. They smuggle everything, including people. And some of the brand name hangbags are manufactured in basesments right off Canal Street by what amounts to little more than slave labor. (It's an underground warren of interconnecting tunnels, secret doors etc.).
Knockoffs/fakes are not to be confused with the cheap Chinese made watches also available there. And the stuff on Broadway (wholesale) is generally legit, by the way.
But there is a serious link between counterfeit items and organized crime here in the US and overseas. Google it. You'll be surprised at what you find.
Glad you joined!

[scrapmetal]

cafezinfandel said:

Out of curiosity, where are you from anyway Mr Scrapmetal?

If you don't mind saying, that is.


Have a good day


ZIN
Not usually shaken nor stirred ;D ;D ;D

Hi Houston,

I am from Australia, so G'day mate