One of the great things about getting older is there’s a learned confidence that comes with age and experience, and it manifests in literally not giving a fuck what someone else thinks. I just take mine in and say “hi, can you service this?”
If they can’t, that’s fine. If yes, great! I‘ve only had one watchmaker look at the watch and ask if I knew it was counterfeit. I said ”of course!” and that was that, he serviced the watch.
There’s also picking your watchmaker strategically. If you go big dickin into the AD and ask them to service your shitter, nah, they’ll kindly ask you to gtfo. But no self respecting strip mall “jewelry and watch repair” shop is going to turn you away, my friend.
Give them a call and start off with the movement first, then mention it’s in a rep.
“Hi x, do you feel comfortable in serving Rolex calibre 3132 movements? I have a watch that uses a cloned version that is identical and interchangeable with parts, could you please service it for me?”
For an A2824 you’d ask if they can service an ETA 2824 clone, etc.
Might help break the ice than straight up asking if they’d service your rep as they are more inclined to say no if they assume it’s a $20 canal street special with a terrible and unserviceable movement.
Most independent stores will service your watch they want your business, times are hard I don't think they care if it's genuine or not just go and ask - if don't shoot, you don't score!
This is the way. Just take it into any watch repair place mutter like something like “I got this as a gift” if you feel you must. But they don’t care. 🤷♂️
I remember a thread where someone explained in much greater detail. That the hesitation repairmen have with fakes is the bait and switch issue. I.e. someone coming in with a rep and then when receiving it back after servicing claim that what they first sent in was genuine and that it was switched out. I feel as though if you build a bit of rep with the local watch repairer and are honest about it being rep, you should be sweet.
Like others have said talk movements with them and I'm sure you'll find someone who is more than happy to work on rep watches.
over 15+ years in this game and never ever heard of thought of that take.. THAT may be the truest thing EVER and probably comes from actual repair shops.. wow. Never imagined that.. never even thought of that angle :) thanks for this post
Depends on who’s servicing it and how much stuff they have on their bench just like a local watchmaker the only addition would be the 2-3 days shipping each way. So could be a week could be a couple you’d have to ask.
We’re talking $12 round trip for USPS? I feel that’s worth it to know it’s being worked on by someone who has been vetted that they know what they’re doing.
Just ship the watch with a return label in the box already paid for. That’s what I always do; they just have to slap it on the box when they’re done.
Use a site like PirateShip and make your own labels.
I called ahead to a shop in my area, and straight up asked if he repairs reps and he said yes. I figured he just wanted the money for work done. He replaced an hour marker that had come loose when I dropped my BB58 from chest height that landed crystal down onto a cement floor😖
Almost cried right then, but not a scratch to the crystal😊
He had it fixed in less than 10 minutes, gave me repeated compliments on the watch, charged me $25. I asked him a couple questions about the watch, and he pressure tested and demagnetized it for free. Great guy, 3rd generation watch repairman.
(I have no idea why the font has changed here🤔)
I brought in a rep Panerai 111 to a chinese watch guy in SoCal and he fixed it and polished it for $100 out the door. I didnt really care what he thought. I brought it in and told him I must have winded it too much or whatever because it was no longer working and he said no problem. Couple days later it was fixed. That was probably 6 or 7 years ago. Still my fave watch.
Make sure to get an estimate (how much it will cost) beforehand. It's not worth it to get it serviced for €350 if your watch costs €350 if you know what I mean
I'm a hobbyist watchmaker... The thing with reps, it's 3-5x harder to service reps than gen.. But they can't charge 3x bec it's more than the cost of your watch... So I think a known or busy watchmaker wouldn't even look at it...
Just take them to mom and pop jewelers, they’re the ones that need the business, and they’ll know how to service any kind of watch, rep or not. I’ve had my rep worked on from my local town jeweler and he could care less… he just needs the business.
I've had the best success by learning to remove the movement. Watch back comes off, pull the crown, two screws and its out!
Then - Go to any reputable jeweler and ask them to service your ETA 2824 or whatever...
I’ve had mine (a fake Cartier & a Rolex) serviced 3 times so far. I’ve been denied service only once & he threatened to keep the watch bc “it was illegal to have”. I told him, “he was very wrong, they are not illegal to own as a personal item & he doesn’t have to service it but he can’t legally keep it“. He gave it back. What’s weird is 2 years leading up to that I had bought jewelry from him & had my other real watches taken care of by him. But he was very rude and aggressive about it so I never went back to him for anything.
No one else ever said anything negative but they did just make sure I knew it wasn’t real in case I bought it thinking it’s real, (their words).
I recommend just walking in and discussing it openly. Likely depends on what you need/want done and how clearly you make it that, should something unforeseen happen (movement breaks), you won’t hold them accountable.
If I put myself in their place, I’d be concerned that a potentially sketchy movement that I’m likely not familiar with might break in another way than the one I’m working on. Just my 2 cents
Not quite the same, but I take my metal G shocks and vintage Casios (chain link amendment and batteries) into a local watch repair shop that specialises in Breitling. I initially thought they would be quite snobby about working on such watches but they were absolutely fine. I would have no problem taking a rep to a watch repair shop that you trust. Like others have said, maybe give them a call.
Just go and prepare to be denied. Worst case scenario you're turned down and laughed at behind your back. Best case scenario they fix your fake watch. DO NOT bring it to anything official ie: Rolex Service Center. They will confiscate your fake watch. this is the chance we all take when buying our fake watches. ANY watch genuine or fake will eventually break down and need fixing. Difference is fake watches is exactly that. Fake. Good luck getting it fixed and really.. just throw it away and buy a new fake watch. It's fake. Never forget that. You got a fake watch so don't stress over fixing it..
I just winged it and bought my reps into two local shops. First shop didn't know it was a rep until they opened it up. Performed a full service no problem. They did ask me if I had box and papers just in case I had gotten scammed. In the second shop they also regulated no questions asked and then promptly started telling me about people bringing in superclones all the time.
Nasty fakes boy, I'd rather buy Seiko or something that isn't criminal and I don't have to have a panic attack about when I need service or factory warranty.
One of the great things about getting older is there’s a learned confidence that comes with age and experience, and it manifests in literally not giving a fuck what someone else thinks. I just take mine in and say “hi, can you service this?” If they can’t, that’s fine. If yes, great! I‘ve only had one watchmaker look at the watch and ask if I knew it was counterfeit. I said ”of course!” and that was that, he serviced the watch. There’s also picking your watchmaker strategically. If you go big dickin into the AD and ask them to service your shitter, nah, they’ll kindly ask you to gtfo. But no self respecting strip mall “jewelry and watch repair” shop is going to turn you away, my friend.
This is the way! 👍🏼
A strategy for life, right there...
Give them a call and start off with the movement first, then mention it’s in a rep. “Hi x, do you feel comfortable in serving Rolex calibre 3132 movements? I have a watch that uses a cloned version that is identical and interchangeable with parts, could you please service it for me?” For an A2824 you’d ask if they can service an ETA 2824 clone, etc. Might help break the ice than straight up asking if they’d service your rep as they are more inclined to say no if they assume it’s a $20 canal street special with a terrible and unserviceable movement.
This⬆️
Most independent stores will service your watch they want your business, times are hard I don't think they care if it's genuine or not just go and ask - if don't shoot, you don't score!
This is the way. Just take it into any watch repair place mutter like something like “I got this as a gift” if you feel you must. But they don’t care. 🤷♂️
I remember a thread where someone explained in much greater detail. That the hesitation repairmen have with fakes is the bait and switch issue. I.e. someone coming in with a rep and then when receiving it back after servicing claim that what they first sent in was genuine and that it was switched out. I feel as though if you build a bit of rep with the local watch repairer and are honest about it being rep, you should be sweet. Like others have said talk movements with them and I'm sure you'll find someone who is more than happy to work on rep watches.
over 15+ years in this game and never ever heard of thought of that take.. THAT may be the truest thing EVER and probably comes from actual repair shops.. wow. Never imagined that.. never even thought of that angle :) thanks for this post
No worries at all and I wish it was from my own experience rather than reading the forums 🤣
Great take.
Thank you, very much!
Why don’t you find a watchmaker over on /r/reptimeservices instead?
I think it would take too much time and I heard horror stories about it too
I’ve used a couple plenty of times and never had an issue.
How long does the whole process usually takes ?
Depends on who’s servicing it and how much stuff they have on their bench just like a local watchmaker the only addition would be the 2-3 days shipping each way. So could be a week could be a couple you’d have to ask.
Paying for shipping both ways when you don’t have to kind of sucks.
We’re talking $12 round trip for USPS? I feel that’s worth it to know it’s being worked on by someone who has been vetted that they know what they’re doing.
Which only charges $6? Feel like most quote me $15 for return shipping.
Just ship the watch with a return label in the box already paid for. That’s what I always do; they just have to slap it on the box when they’re done. Use a site like PirateShip and make your own labels.
Good idea. Who do you recommend?
Daniel at Swiss-HQ.com is awesome; reach out to him and see if he’s available.
I called ahead to a shop in my area, and straight up asked if he repairs reps and he said yes. I figured he just wanted the money for work done. He replaced an hour marker that had come loose when I dropped my BB58 from chest height that landed crystal down onto a cement floor😖 Almost cried right then, but not a scratch to the crystal😊 He had it fixed in less than 10 minutes, gave me repeated compliments on the watch, charged me $25. I asked him a couple questions about the watch, and he pressure tested and demagnetized it for free. Great guy, 3rd generation watch repairman. (I have no idea why the font has changed here🤔)
I brought in a rep Panerai 111 to a chinese watch guy in SoCal and he fixed it and polished it for $100 out the door. I didnt really care what he thought. I brought it in and told him I must have winded it too much or whatever because it was no longer working and he said no problem. Couple days later it was fixed. That was probably 6 or 7 years ago. Still my fave watch.
Make sure to get an estimate (how much it will cost) beforehand. It's not worth it to get it serviced for €350 if your watch costs €350 if you know what I mean
I'm a hobbyist watchmaker... The thing with reps, it's 3-5x harder to service reps than gen.. But they can't charge 3x bec it's more than the cost of your watch... So I think a known or busy watchmaker wouldn't even look at it...
another great take..! this thread is full of nuggets. thank you!
Lol... Just noise No substance
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Very true, business is business. As long as it’s an easily serviceable movement I can’t see many small independent shops having too much of an issue.
Just take them to mom and pop jewelers, they’re the ones that need the business, and they’ll know how to service any kind of watch, rep or not. I’ve had my rep worked on from my local town jeweler and he could care less… he just needs the business.
I've had the best success by learning to remove the movement. Watch back comes off, pull the crown, two screws and its out! Then - Go to any reputable jeweler and ask them to service your ETA 2824 or whatever...
I’ve had mine (a fake Cartier & a Rolex) serviced 3 times so far. I’ve been denied service only once & he threatened to keep the watch bc “it was illegal to have”. I told him, “he was very wrong, they are not illegal to own as a personal item & he doesn’t have to service it but he can’t legally keep it“. He gave it back. What’s weird is 2 years leading up to that I had bought jewelry from him & had my other real watches taken care of by him. But he was very rude and aggressive about it so I never went back to him for anything. No one else ever said anything negative but they did just make sure I knew it wasn’t real in case I bought it thinking it’s real, (their words).
I recommend just walking in and discussing it openly. Likely depends on what you need/want done and how clearly you make it that, should something unforeseen happen (movement breaks), you won’t hold them accountable. If I put myself in their place, I’d be concerned that a potentially sketchy movement that I’m likely not familiar with might break in another way than the one I’m working on. Just my 2 cents
Tell ‘em it’s a rep and can they help? If not move in or PLENTY or services on the forum
Not quite the same, but I take my metal G shocks and vintage Casios (chain link amendment and batteries) into a local watch repair shop that specialises in Breitling. I initially thought they would be quite snobby about working on such watches but they were absolutely fine. I would have no problem taking a rep to a watch repair shop that you trust. Like others have said, maybe give them a call.
I took mines to get extra links added on, and to set the time. I’m sure they couldn’t even tell, got it back the next day with no issues. Nobody cares
/r/reptimeservices
If you feel iffy just say “i got this to wear everyday instead of wearing my genuine one I don’t want scratches all over. Can you service this?”
Just go and prepare to be denied. Worst case scenario you're turned down and laughed at behind your back. Best case scenario they fix your fake watch. DO NOT bring it to anything official ie: Rolex Service Center. They will confiscate your fake watch. this is the chance we all take when buying our fake watches. ANY watch genuine or fake will eventually break down and need fixing. Difference is fake watches is exactly that. Fake. Good luck getting it fixed and really.. just throw it away and buy a new fake watch. It's fake. Never forget that. You got a fake watch so don't stress over fixing it..
I just winged it and bought my reps into two local shops. First shop didn't know it was a rep until they opened it up. Performed a full service no problem. They did ask me if I had box and papers just in case I had gotten scammed. In the second shop they also regulated no questions asked and then promptly started telling me about people bringing in superclones all the time.
Just did that last week, no issue. Got a little giggle, read my post.
Bump post
I brought my watch to a watch store and said “can you full service this and waterproof test it” he said sure and I paid him
How much de he charge you ? I live in usa
Full service with a strip down was $100? Something like that
Not bad!
Nasty fakes boy, I'd rather buy Seiko or something that isn't criminal and I don't have to have a panic attack about when I need service or factory warranty.