Dilemma

[txrob779]

I am kinda suffering here. I have enjoyed collecting watches for years. I have to admit to you guy's that before I had some financial sucess, I bought a few replica Rolexs, Tags and even some Omega's. Not really to FAKE anyone out but more to just enjoy a variety of timepeices untill I decided WHAT to spend the real money on. Most of you have read my threads on my heirloom collection. I have and love the Hamilton, the vintage Seiko autos and my newest aquisitions the 1979 Waltham and the 1969 Timex Electric. More and more family watches keep coming in from various family memebers. For a long time I wore areally GOOD replica 16610 and spent a lot of hours in the replica boards. My wife even wore one was well. My first Rolex was the 1603 1977 non quick, I paid $1800.00 for it. When I got that genuine watch I wore it daily and the reps definatley went to the way side and I wore the gen 1603 proudly. The watch I always wanted was the 16610, for 10 years I have wanted this watch. When I did finally walk into the AD with a $15,000 line of credit and bought that BRAND new 16610 I was giddy as a school boy. The dream finally come true. I sold my $400+ modded 16610 replica, sold my wifes replica, sold the Tag rep too. I traded my 1603 for my wifes DJ and damned if she did want her genuine DJ to look like the ETA based rep I bought her 1 1/2 years ago, ss with a white dial. So here I am, spending hours talking to you all with $8000.00 of genuine Rolex's. $3000 genuine Omega PO, $600 Tag S/el and all my heirlooms and other watches. The problem is I have 12 or 13 watches that don't see wrist time anymore. I have this bummed kinda feeling now, like finishing a good book or finishing a car project. Now that I have reached the top, there is nothing to push for. I feel kinda empty about my watch passion. The only watch I feel like wearing is my $5000 16610, why would I wear anything else. The safest place for the Sub is on my wrist. I know you guys ripp the reps(fakes) and such but I learned a lot about timepices from those rep boards. I reached a place where I said F it. I had OCD so bad trying to build or buy a rep so close no one could tell that I was consumed with the quest. I credit my wife who said " Rob, honey, your killing me. Go to the AD and buy the real deal, your dream watch and be happy. Your never ever going to be satisfied untl you do. When you do though, I want one too...." .

Does anyone else ever reach a this point with collecting. Where it feels like the journey is over? That bummed kinda empty feeling? I am really glad to be here and really glad I spent the $$$ to join the ranks of Rolex owners, I have loved the brand, the prestige it brings. I have not posted about my previous life as a replica collector because I wanted to have some post time here before I disclosed that to you all. The shill that was trying to sell the fake that ya'll found registered on a rep forum led me to post this disclosure. I would hate to be outed by someone who may not know me and think I was trying to fake ya'll out because of the replica boards I used to patron.

Thanks for having me here, the promised land if you will.

[Rockrolex]

Confession is always good for the soul, Rob.

I hope you feel better. I know I do.

Not sure you've got an empty feeling. More like satiated for the moment. Right now you feel you've got everything you need. But don't worry, that feeling will change. I've felt the same way. But I continue to look out for what might be the next purchase. There's always something out there that may catch your eye when you're least expecting it. That will be a GOTCHA moment. For now, though, be happy with what you have and enjoy them.

[EvEr34]

I'm confused...do you own a real one or not?? I think so but it's a hard read

[karmatp]

I have a sneaky suspicion that the itch will come back in the future. Something new will come out that you must have for sure. Today is my first day on this forum, (I just introduced myself down below), and I have reached a point in my life were I am totally satisfied with the watches that will actually get wrist time. I wear a Marathon SAR for work, it's a great beater watch that I won't shead a tear if it get's a scratch or a ding. When I come home I throw on a 14060 sub. and wear that everywhere else I go. Now I have some really nice mil. watches that are in the drawer, I love them but their are still some on my list that I have to have, so in that regard, I'm not satisfied. That is basically were the "hobby" aspect comes in for me, not necessary but I dig them. Until a couple of weeks ago, I was still looking for my perfect " hanging with the family watch", then I went to my local Rolex AD and a Panerai AD. I tried on many watches, but the non-date sub. won by a mile for me. I came immediately home a posted my Sinn U1 for sale, which I was wearing daily because I knew it would never see my wrist again with it's new competition. As far as fake watches go, I would never wear one and it is so frustrating to me to be in the market for a particular watch, only to have to shuffle through endless counterfeits to find a original. That is why I went straight to a AD for my latest purchase. I was taken a few years ago on a nice British mil. watch, I was so excited and ended up so heartbroken to know I just got screwed. The way I look at it is by purchasing one, you are supporting them, and you may know that it's a fake but the next guy might not, and that is really screwed...

[Floridadogg]

My biggest objection to replicas is that you get no more than $200 worth of merchandise for prices in excess of $1000. You really never know how bad you are getting screwed until the POS stops running. Why bother? I saw some great looking Invictas and Seikos at Sams Club yesterday. I will buy one of those for wear to places where I don't want to lose or damage my Rolex.

[txrob779]

Thanks, I feel cleansed and a lot less dirty. Like a cheating husband LOL

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Great post, Rob, and don't feel bad about having had fakes.

After all, you "saw the light" and we all appreciate your posts (I for my part do, that is!)

[Seadweller]

You can cheat the examiner, but you can never cheat yourself.

[EvEr34]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

Great post, Rob, and don't feel bad about having had fakes.

After all, you "saw the light" and we all appreciate your posts (I for my part do, that is!)

Ok I guess it was an easier read for some of you.

Rob, congrats on your watch and no judging here. Take care

[txrob779]

I own 2 genuine Rolex's presently. A new Z 16610 bought from Jared and a pre-owned ladies 6917. I traded a 1603 DJ for my wifes DJ. the 1603 was my first genuine Rolex. The replica's I owned are all sold or given away.

It is a misconception about the $1000 replica. If someone Google searches for FAKE they get these scam sites. Most of the hard core rep buyers get their watches directly from dealers in China for around $200. I really don't want to talk much more about that if you don't mind.

The point of the long post was (sorry if it was unclear) was just to get it off my chest about the past collections of replicas. Thats all.

[EvEr34]

k cool with me. Again congrats on seeing the light

[Seadweller]

Some fake things are great..............like breasts.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by txrob779

The point of the long post was (sorry if it was unclear) was just to get it off my chest about the past collections of replicas. Thats all.

Quite okay, Rob, and this is also how I understood your post






































AND NOW GET DOWN AND GIVE ME 50! ONE-HANDED!

[OysterDavid]

Originally Posted by txrob779

I am kinda suffering here.
Now that I have reached the top, there is nothing to push for. I feel kinda empty about my watch passion. The only watch I feel like wearing is my $5000 16610, why would I wear anything else. The safest place for the Sub is on my wrist. I know you guys ripp the reps(fakes) and such but I learned a lot about timepices from those rep boards. I reached a place where I said F it. I had OCD so bad trying to build or buy a rep so close no one could tell that I was consumed with the quest. I credit my wife who said " Rob, honey, your killing me. Go to the AD and buy the real deal, your dream watch and be happy. Your never ever going to be satisfied untl you do. When you do though, I want one too...." .

Does anyone else ever reach a this point with collecting. Where it feels like the journey is over? That bummed kinda empty feeling? I am really glad to be here and really glad I spent the $$$ to join the ranks of Rolex owners, I have loved the brand, the prestige it brings.

Thanks for having me here, the promised land if you will

I dunno' Rob...are you looking for absolution...forgiveness...acknowledgement??

You know, it actually takes a fair amount of spare time or free time and a certain dedication to spend the time on these boards for any length of time and probably the vast majority of us readers really don't care what your pre-life is or was.

All it takes to participate here is a genuine interest in Rolex watches, the time and effort to either read, post or both and a modicum of civility and avoidance of rudeness.

None of your postings that I can recall demonstrate any preaching, scolding, rudeness, sanctamony or other anti social behavior. So what if you've owned other watches that happen to be fake? You're not extolling the virtues of replicas on this forum. You're not trying to pass youself off as a Rolex owner with the knock-offs. You're not bragging about your fake collection.

As far as I'm concerned, you're just a participant on this particular web forum and your thoughts and comments are welcome. You don't offend anybody and you're not obnoxious. So, what's not to like?

I for one don't care what you've worn on your wrist in the past. I don't even care what you wear in the future. About the only rule on that issue is I probably don't care to be reading about phoney Rolex's being passed off as authentic. Be glad and grateful you've got the ways and means to play around with this hobby/obsession. The fact that you're here and can do this indicates just how lucky you are in relation to what many others on the face of the earth have to deal with day to day.

Celebrate your Rolex ownership and enjoy the experience.

[lostsub]

Rob,
All I can say is, you are at the base of the mountain right now. There is a a mountain to climb to reach to the top. Rolexes are worst than cars, the addiction will come slowly and in time you will want to get another or flip your watch for some others.
There are reasons that others owned more than one Rolexes, and soon you will understand and become a multiple owner as well.

You said it yourself: Everything is bigger in Texas, so will be your collection.

[Downing]

Wow, Rob, you really put some time and effort into chasing the perfect fake.

Now that you've got a Rolex, relax and wear your watch in good health my friend.

[Tools]

They got forums for replica owners ?


Well, anyhow, glad you're here to contribute...

Ya know, there ain't no 12 step program for Rolex addicts....

[txrob779]

Originally Posted by Tools

They got forums for replica owners ?


Well, anyhow, glad you're here to contribute...

Ya know, there ain't no 12 step program for Rolex addicts....

Yes there are.....several in fact. Thousands of members...scary

[KJacques]

Originally Posted by lostsub

Rob,
All I can say is, you are at the base of the mountain right now. There is a a mountain to climb to reach to the top. Rolexes are worst than cars, the addiction will come slowly and in time you will want to get another or flip your watch for some others.

I don't agree. It is possible to be completely content with a watch and have no interest or desire for another. Even though I appreciate the Rolex watches I have, I'm not a collector, rarely visit AD's and when I do, I suffer no "Rolex envy". In fact, models such as the daytona or yachtmaster and just about anything in solid gold still leave me completely cold.

I have my own passions, but except for certain euro sportscars and photography equipment, few of them are materially based. I also know that these are my passions and don't expect for anyone else to either understand or share them. Everyone's taste are individual.

[Downing]

Originally Posted by KJacques

I don't agree. It is possible to be completely content with a watch and have no interest or desire for another. Even though I appreciate the Rolex watches I have, I'm not a collector, rarely visit AD's and when I do, I suffer no "Rolex envy". In fact, models such as the daytona or yachtmaster and just about anything in solid gold still leave me completely cold.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you have an Air-King, an Explorer and a Sea-Dweller. And if you ever went blingy, you got a TT GMT.

How'd I do?

[Letsgodiving]

The SD was the watch that I had always longed for and I got it about 2 months ago. I am not a flipper and could never give up any watch to finance another. I have this weird connection to inanimate objects so I can't give them up.

After getting my "Grail" watch I didn't feel down but I did wonder where do I go from here. The more I learn about watches by hanging around here and the more watches I see (some of them not even Rolex ) the more I want. My list is growing at a scary rate. I think your feelings of being bummed will pass b/c there really are so many great watches out there.


Btw, welcome to the promised land.

[txrob779]

Your right. You have NO idead how close I came to getting the new GMTII. The AD had a SS black right there next to the 16610 and I was trying them both on. It looks awsome too but that 16610 was THE one I had wanted soooooo long I had to get it.
I can see myself wanting,

SS DJ with black dial
TT Black New GMT II
Panerai 048 (I think that is the model)

I want to get my wife a

SS Midsize Yachtie w/ white or MOP dial
A Cartier of some kind

[txrob779]

Maybe we could start one....

Step 1 We were powerless over Rolex's and our credit cards have become unmanagable
LOL


Or Powerless over WIS LOL

[Tombstone]

You should never feel bad about the past. When I was 16 I had a fake Rolex because there was no way I could afford anything else at the time. When I hit 18 I had my first real Rolex.
Now I have a few Rolex watches and I feel blessed to be at that position.

[EvEr34]

Originally Posted by Tombstone

You should never feel bad about the past. When I was 16 I had a fake Rolex because there was no way I could afford anything else at the time. When I hit 18 I had my first real Rolex.
Now I have a few Rolex watches and I feel blessed to be at that position.

Can tell you one thing...at 16-18yrs old, rolex's were the furthest thing from my mind. And when I say furthest i mean like real far

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by txrob779

Does anyone else ever reach a this point with collecting. Where it feels like the journey is over?

Nope. There's always another interesting piece just around the next corner. Could be a Rolex or a Timex, but it'll be worth a look.

[Mrdi]

Forums for replica owners.
Yes.
They are very highly selective in choosing their members.
The quality of the replica determines your status
and the forum in which you may post.
Pictures required.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

Forums for replica owners.
Yes.
They are very highly selective in choosing their members.
The quality of the replica determines your status
and the forum in which you may post.
Pictures required.

I am amazed at this.....

If it's really good ....How do you prove it's a fake ????

[Downing]

Originally Posted by Tools

I am amazed at this.....

If it's really good ....How do you prove it's a fake ????

They probably just take your word for it.

[Rawhyde]

If you join a replica forum and the members find out you have a genuine Rolex, do you get flamed?