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Avoiding Counterfeit Watches
Updated 4 Sep 08 by Editor, RussianWatchGuide.com
Generally speaking, replica or counterfeit watches have not been a large problem for makers or buyers of Russian watches. The reason why is that most Russian watches are not very expensive, nor are they as popular as high-profile brands like Rolex or Breitling.
However, counterfeit Russian watches do exist and Russian watch maker Poljot in particular views it as major concern. In fact, their website addresses the problem of replica watches directly.
"Counterfeit products are one massive problem for all watch manufacturers around the globe and Poljot is no exception," says the Poljot website.
Poljot says that over 70% of all after sales customer inquiries they get are related to replicas of genuine Poljot models, watches branded as Poljot that were never designed by Poljot (for example, Poljot Kursk), and watches made by other companies that use Poljot as a buzz word in their name (for example, Poljot International).
Volmax also confirms that fake watches are a problem. "Our products falsification become more and more frequent, as well as illegal use of brand names Aviator, Buran, Sturmanskie," says Volmax.
Moscow Classic also indicates on their website that they have a problem with forged versions of their watches.
So what's wrong with owning a replica watch? To begin with, even if the watch looks good, the internal mechanical movement will not be of the same quality.
Secondly, company warranties do not cover replica or counterfeit watches.
And thirdly, there is an ethical question buyers must ask themselves with regards to buying and owning a "knock-off" watch.
Of course, the best way to avoid buying a fake watch is to purchase from an official retailer.
No genuine Raketa watches are made in China. Raketa watches are all made at the Petrodvoretz factory in St. Petersburg. There have been counterfeiters operating out of China for many years, and in the last few, they've started making fake Russian watches. I've seen fake Aviator and Vostok watches, too. Also avoid "Slava" watches from China that try to imitate Cyrillic writing by putting "CJIABA" on the dial.
John - Tuesday, 4 January 2011, 07:01 GMT RAKETA factory make the watches in CHINA and they write on the box MADE IN USSR :)))
100% fake!!!
Peter - Monday, 9 August 2010, 10:44 GMT Many Raketa watches are fake. actually more than 50% of the ones sold on Internet. SO before buying it is advised to send an email with the link to Raketa, they will answer fast telling you is you are about to buy a fake or a real)))
Raketa - Saturday, 20 February 2010, 02:15 GMT Well, yes it might be a problem for the manufacturers of the watches. But hey, we all want to wear a nice bling on our wrist, but unfortunatelly not many of us can afford such luxury, hence, peolpe seek for a replica, that looks pretty much like the real deal.
So in the end, well, manufacturers should think of a line of products that average class people can afford. With knock off jewls like zirconium or such, but with a decent mechanism inside,then there will be no need for replicas.
Anonymous - Wednesday, 3 February 2010, 20:15 GMT It is a formidable quwstion why to buy or never buy a replica. However, we have to face the other side of the matter: do producers make it worthwhile that we pay mountains of moaney while replicas increase their standards daily? Also: what about rumours that expensive brands sell unnumbered pieces on the side without warranty?
bozzo - Sunday, 29 March 2009, 02:46 GMT I also read a note somewhere from the Chayka brand and they also say that knock-off watches are a problem for them.
Orest - Tuesday, 25 November 2008, 21:29 GMT
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