File photo for reference only

 

In a tale that underscores the pitfalls of counterfeit goods, a friend's recent purchase of a fake Rolex watch in Hong Kong quickly led to disappointment. As soon as he landed in Hanoi for work, he noticed the watch's hour hand had fallen off. By the time he reached his home in Ho Chi Minh City, the minute hand had also broken. Deciding against wearing it, he tucked the watch away in a drawer to avoid future embarrassment—a sentiment echoed by others who have experienced similar letdowns.

 

This anecdote finds resonance with a story shared by another buyer who paid VND6 million (US$230) for a Rolex replica, touted as indistinguishable from the original. Unfortunately, the watch broke during a wedding, leaving the wearer embarrassed. These experiences highlight the allure and hazard of counterfeit luxury goods.

 

Readers chimed in with insights on the value of authentic quality over counterfeit status symbols. One reader, dongdnvt, summarised a pragmatic approach to personal style: "Men usually carry only four essential items: a watch, a wallet, a belt, and shoes. And remember, do not use counterfeits. As long as it is good quality, there is no need for an expensive brand logo."

 

Another reader, Hoi tham, tham Hoi, expanded on this notion, advocating for the merits of lesser-known, high-quality products: "Major brands bring prestige and symbolic value, but many products without big names still perform well at a reasonable price. Investing in excellent materials and design, unbranded companies often offer durable, stylish items that serve long-term practical needs."

 

Such perspectives reflect a growing awareness of the true value offered by genuine goods. Opting for authenticity over ostentation provides not only peace of mind but often greater satisfaction in the long run. As these stories show, the embarrassment and financial waste associated with counterfeits can be avoided by choosing quality, regardless of the label.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-06-12

 

 

I fail to believe a $230 copy fell apart so easily. I have owned copies that I have bought to see if I liked the original and people can't tell the difference between them and a real one. When you start getting up to ones at 1-2000$ then only a good watch maker will be able to spot the difference. Some people just refuse to pay $10000-50000 for a Rolex that cost a few thousand to make .

28 minutes ago, ronster said:

I fail to believe a $230 copy fell apart so easily. I have owned copies that I have bought to see if I liked the original and people can't tell the difference between them and a real one. When you start getting up to ones at 1-2000$ then only a good watch maker will be able to spot the difference. Some people just refuse to pay $10000-50000 for a Rolex that cost a few thousand to make .

You wouldn't get a Rolex for $ 1-2000. 

Starting from 5000 you're advised to buy from a reliable Dealer, preferably an authorized retailer.

Btw, all inner parts of a Rolex got numbers imprinted. Compare it with officially data you'll see if you got a real one in your hands.

52 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

You wouldn't get a Rolex for $ 1-2000. 

Starting from 5000 you're advised to buy from a reliable Dealer, preferably an authorized retailer.

Btw, all inner parts of a Rolex got numbers imprinted. Compare it with officially data you'll see if you got a real one in your hands.

He's referring to fake Rolex in the 1-2000$ range.  

Not real ones at that price.

 

Bob has several fakes anqd may be able to point you to source for fake rolexes. 

19 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

He's referring to fake Rolex in the 1-2000$ range.  

Not real ones at that price.

 

Correct 👍

The actual value of a Rolex to make is also $1-2000 

Had an Explorer II for a while.

A decade later I sold it for a profit.

The Roller was a certified chronometer. This allows a daily deviation of  -4 to +6 sec a day.

 

Years later I bought a fake off the street in Bangers.   Perfect copy and It kept better time, but the band eventually stated to show wear.

 

 

 

The " Gold Rolex " were for sale outside a shop at the top end of Sukhamvit many years ago.at 2500 baht before the crackdown.Wonder if they still are ?

I prefer the Omega Seamaster over the Rolex.

50 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

He's referring to fake Rolex in the 1-2000$ range.  

Not real ones at that price.

 

No. Wrong.

"Readers chimed in with insights on the value of authentic quality over counterfeit status symbols"

I have just ordered a Casio on Lazada. I hope it's not fake.

9 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

I prefer the Omega Seamaster over the Rolex.

Me also. Had chrono seamster I wore daily doing painting , cleaning , varnishing etc around the house and it was bulletproof. Very comfy watch but was expensive to service at omega as I paid 26000 bht for a service. Although it did come back looking like new 👍

I've had a few "Genuine Fake Lorex" over the years, always the automatic Submariner. if they keep going it's usually the plating that wears off.

 

One memorable incident in Hong Kong.

Pete a workmate and long time friend, wandered into the office sporting a Submariner.

"That's a nice fake Pete" 

"It's a bloody real one"

 

2 hours ago, ronster said:

I fail to believe a $230 copy fell apart so easily. I have owned copies that I have bought to see if I liked the original and people can't tell the difference between them and a real one. When you start getting up to ones at 1-2000$ then only a good watch maker will be able to spot the difference. Some people just refuse to pay $10000-50000 for a Rolex that cost a few thousand to make .

 

I fail to believe that anyone would fork out $230 for a fake watch.

 

But he did so there you go.

4 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

While I used to wear my real Rolex GMT Master (aka Pepsi Cola) in Thailand for years, I decided to leave it at home once I found out the current value.  Purchased 1988 at the Anderson AFB (Guam)  on a layover to Subic Bay, RP.

 

 I have purchased 2 fake Rolex’s at Mr Jack’s.  Impressive quality.  

 

There is no Rolex GMT Master called Pepsi Cola, the blue-red bezel is called Pepsi.

 

You show again how lame you are, or is it just liar?

Only losers wear fake Rolex.

 

 

1 hour ago, Thailand J said:

I have just ordered a Casio on Lazada. I hope it's not fake.

I have one. Great watch. My Rolexes sit in a drawer in the USA. No need for one here

4 hours ago, ronster said:

I fail to believe a $230 copy fell apart so easily. I have owned copies that I have bought to see if I liked the original and people can't tell the difference between them and a real one. When you start getting up to ones at 1-2000$ then only a good watch maker will be able to spot the difference. Some people just refuse to pay $10000-50000 for a Rolex that cost a few thousand to make .

 

Rubbish. Perhaps anyone that doesn't own real watches can't tell the difference, but the comparison stops there. Because rolexes are generally speaking so simple and appearance they're the easiest to copy. You move on to other Swiss watches and it's far more difficult to pull off. I'm well aware of that most if not all parts are often made in China for many high end Swiss watch manufacturers. Nevertheless, a $500 copy watch looks like a $500 copy watch.

56 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

Only losers wear fake Rolex.

 

 

 

Fake anything.

 

Branded anything in which the brand is displayed

7 minutes ago, Nicco said:

 

Rubbish. Perhaps anyone that doesn't own real watches can't tell the difference, but the comparison stops there. Because rolexes are generally speaking so simple and appearance they're the easiest to copy. You move on to other Swiss watches and it's far more difficult to pull off. I'm well aware of that most if not all parts are often made in China for many high end Swiss watch manufacturers. Nevertheless, a $500 copy watch looks like a $500 copy watch.

Nonsense, go into one of the AAA clone shops in Hong Kong for instance and if someone gave you a real one and a copy I bet you wouldn't know which one was real .

19 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

 

 

Mr Jack’s.

 

 

tourist spot 

2 hours ago, NickyLouie said:

Only losers wear fake Rolex.

 

 

Correction; only losers wear Rolex. It's just an overpriced poser watch. I would never buy one, real or fake.

 

After I given both my Omegas (Seamaster in titanium and Constellation) as an early inheritance to my son, I only use Citizen. Have three of them. The most accurate watch, and solar powered. Never need to change the battery.

my solar powered Citizen.

I bought one years ago thinking I got a deal, but it fell apart in months. Ended up spending more fixing it than I would’ve buying something real but simpler.

Had a buddy buy a “Rolex” online and it totally fell apart after a week—funny at first, but then you see the difference in quality. On the flip side, checking out a submariner replica on The Best Replica Rolex Watches site gave me a real sense of how much effort goes into making even a replica look solid.

On 6/13/2025 at 8:20 AM, ronster said:

I fail to believe a $230 copy fell apart so easily. I have owned copies that I have bought to see if I liked the original and people can't tell the difference between them and a real one.

 

I recall I bought a copy Tag Heuer for 2000 baht at the smelly market in South Pattaya when I arrived first in Thailand.

I wore it 24/7 for 12 years, and if I one day hadn't forgotten to close the crown properly before swimming, I might be wearing it still today

I bought a fake Rolex Submariner in Pattaya from a trusted dealer and i'm still wearing it 15 years later cost 4500bht.

3 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

I bought a fake Rolex Submariner in Pattaya from a trusted dealer and i'm still wearing it 15 years later cost 4500bht.

Have just come into possession of one recently and first shop I took it too several staff said was 95% real after they examined it , weighed it etc . 4th person looked at it under microscope, opened the back up and said they weren't sure but thought 50/50.

So it's now heading to bkk to a shop that services Rolex and other high end watches to be verified if real or high end copy .

Hopefully it's real 🙄 🙏

45 minutes ago, ronster said:

Have just come into possession of one recently and first shop I took it too several staff said was 95% real after they examined it , weighed it etc . 4th person looked at it under microscope, opened the back up and said they weren't sure but thought 50/50.

So it's now heading to bkk to a shop that services Rolex and other high end watches to be verified if real or high end copy .

Hopefully it's real 🙄 🙏

 

Hope you're prepared for the cost of any service required from the Rolex BKK shop, i had a real Rolex back in 1995 and had it serviced 5 years later at a cost of £150, god knows what it would cost today !!! I appreciate your only getting it verified as real/high end copy/fake but these Rolex shops are known for being expensive just like the watches they sell.

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Pumpuynarak said:

 

Hope you're prepared for the cost of any service required from the Rolex BKK shop, i had a real Rolex back in 1995 and had it serviced 5 years later at a cost of £150, god knows what it would cost today !!! I appreciate your only getting it verified as real/high end copy/fake but these Rolex shops are known for being expensive just like the watches they sell.

 

 

I just had a 42 yo Rolex Submariner serviced at the Rolex Service Center in Bangkok. It had stopped running and needed a complete overhaul.

 

Total cost was 72,000 Baht (about $2200 USD). And that was after declining to have a new bracelet put on. A rough price for a complete overhaul at an official Rolex Service Center is about $1500 USD. My price was higher due to the age of the watch. The older the watch the more expensive the service. 

 

This was a watch that I bought brand new for $460 USD in 1982.