I really don’t see why people purchase replica watches, these infringe on intellectual property, create a black market and really offer nothing to the industry. These manufacturers steal original designs and then produce low cost and low quality watches with little to no value.

Individuals purchase replica and fake versions of established brands that represent quality, craftsmanship, success and luxury – a replica, counterfeit or fake watch conveys none of these attributes and qualities. This particular example is the Steinhart GMT (coke) that is a direct rip-off of the Rolex GMT design that will set you back €490.00 or about $770 AUD. A chronograph based on the Omega Speedmaster design will cost you €980.00 ($1540 AUD). Sure they are cheap, but that is what it is, a cheap knock-off.

I would argue that if you are willing to spend that type of money on a watch then that money would be better spent on an original timepiece created by an designer and creating their own piece of history. To be fair, a Steinhart isn’t a fake per se, it is a homage watch taking the design of an iconic timepiece such as a Rolex GMT, Omega Seamaster or Rolex Submariner. As their watches bear the Steinhart name on the watch and don’t try to pass it off as a Rolex design.

I think they are pretty much on the edge in regards to design, one would think they they would be better off designing their own watches and marketing them accordingly. Steinhart’s distribution chain is centred around internet sales with no dealers but hey now have retail premises. If you look at a brand such as TW Steel, they advertise heavily online whilst minimising traditional advertising methods. At least TW Steel is an original brand, they market well for for market and they produce ok watches for their clients.

Their niche is over-sized watches and they have retail outlets, dealers and marketing for their original designs. Whilst I’m not about to race out and purchase a TW Steel watch anytime soon, I do respect their success. Not so with Steinhart, they are just a rip-off of an iconic design. I wonder how they would react if a replica watch mob would start producing fake Steinhart watches and undercutting their sales? A company should protect their intellectual property, it was their design.

I suspect they would be less than impressed and would take action. Still, plagiarism is plagiarism and can’t be defended. I really dislike knock-off products – it offers no originality. The original Rolex GMT known as the Pepsi for its blue/red bezel was the created after Pam-Am executives approached Rolex seeking a watch design for its international travelers featuring two time zones. This is what innovation is, they came up with something that the client requested, I have to respect their design engineers and stylists.

One time zone being the office back home and the time at their destination where they were conducting business is important, you can’t be late for a meeting because you got the time wrong. The Coke version was based on the Black/Red bezel colour and thus a derivative of their original design. There are numerous watchmakers producing a GMT version of their standard watch, just an upgraded movement to account for two time zones, that is good. What I don’t find so appealing is the style of the Rolex GMT, the bezel, the jubilee bracelet and the case, just come up with your own variation.

I would suggest people do a little research and make their purchase based on an original design and support up and coming or even established businesses. Micro brands are interesting as long as they have produce original designs. For me, this has nothing to do about price, you can still make an affordable purchase than could be a Hamilton, Seiko, Citizen, Mido or Tissot. I just believe in supporting original design and not plagiarism. I would purchase a Casio over a Steinhart, they are in competing markets and the style of Casio makes for a interesting watch that is utilitarian.