Jen

My young teen son has a friend who just obtained a fake Rolex watch from his grandparents. Supposedly it came from a street vendor in NYC. I'll be in NYC next weekend and thought this would make a great Christmas gift. Does anyone know where I can pick up such a watch and what would be the ballpark price to pay? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Ted

Canal Street, south side, between Mulberry and Broadway. Numerous vendors. Don't pay over $20.

A

I paid $10 for one near Rockefeller Center. There are sellers all over.

xx

Times Square at night has street vendors galore. My 12 year old son had a great time bargaining with the vendors--the 'going rate' is between $10-15. It's been 3 months and it's still working--amazing!!

KenCT

Years ago I bought a fake Cartier that lasted several years. Others have quit before I got home. You might want to buy a couple, just in case.

thereuare

Rock Center area is now "the" place to obtain one of these watches, as well as the northern numbers of Times Square (~48th and B'way). One should be obtained for $10, NEVER more than $15.

m

Bloomingdales- East Side/60's & Lexington, they are on the sidewalk-also Kate Spade/Prada bags for $20.

Jen

Wow! Thanks for the replys. I was very hesitant to ask the question. Guess it wasn't as dumb as I thought it to be. I'll make someone very happy.

Al

I bought a Rolex knock-off in Italy about five years ago, and it still keeps great time. I recently had the bracelet repaired, and the guy that replaced a link said it was the best knock off he ever saw. It's hard to distinguish from the real. I'm very happy with the watch, and for $15 I got a bargain. IS ROLEX SPELLED WITH TWO L's?

jill

Right on! I love the street vendors. I buy the fake sunglasses because I always lose them. I buy the fake watches because they're cheap, have style others pay thousands for and are disposable. The cheap gloves, hats and umbrellas are valuable when you get caught in an unexpected weather situation. And the vendors are always convenient! Great shopping...

Owen O'Neill

The president of the small company I work for wears a Rolex - his assistant tells me that he's sent in twice in the past 15 years for repairs - very pricey both times. I think the watch is stylish - looks kinda cool and I'd wear one that looks like but $10 sounds a lot better than $2000-$5000. Easy enough to buy another when it stops running. Slightly off topic... has anyone spotetd the guy selling North Face bags in the past few days? It's either closeout gear or incredibly well made knock offs- $20 for any bag. I bought a messenger bag and a fanny pack but went back the next day for a day pack and he's gone. He was at the corner of Wall Street and Broadway by the 4,5,6 stop but I assume he's moving around.

KenCT

I'll go with those who say "lighten up." I probably could afford two grand for a watch if I really wanted it, but I have other priorites - this is a travel board, remember?

To me, it's not "designer" vs "crap." It's the reality that I tend to lose things that are not attached, ie. gloves, scarves, umbrellas, and, yes, watches. I'd probably be distressed if I left a Rolex on a wash stand, but with a knock off, it's not a problem.

tcc

Hey Owen-

I bought two messenger bags from a Manhattan Portage guy, don't know if it's the same guy you're talking about but these are great bags. This guy is at the corner of 48th & Park about once a week. Just FYI if you're looking for sturdy, nice looking messenger bags for $20. Ok back to travel talk...

Jen

I'm the original poster. I also say "lighten up". This watch is for fun, for a kick. I, too, could pay much more for a watch but this is for my young teen son who can loose a watch in a heartbeat. Now I'm excited to see what else I can pick up from the vendors. Actually, I never thought they'd be everywhere on the streets. Leaving from SFO to BOS & NYC this week. Hope to see just a bit of snow. Possible?

Ted

Remember that not all fakes are created equally. I've been purchasing fake sunglasses and watches in NYC for 20 years, and, in general, the quality tends to be higher from Canal Street vendors than from "briefcase" guys in midtown or Times Square. I even returned a broken pair of fake Ray Bans to a Canal Street vendor for a new pair (about 3 weeks after purchase)!

true

Anyone who thinks that paying more for a watch gets you better quality is dreaming.

A $3000 Rollie keeps time about the same way a $30 drugstore watch does. You're paying extra for (a) the gold and (b) the name.

I see no problem with someone buying a fake Rollie or Tag because they like the look. Besides, the last time I looked, how you spent your money was your own business.

jewelry

true story hit the nail on the head. I used to work for a jeweler who sold Rolex watches, and I knew that whenever we sold another one, the customer would inevitably return with a complaint about the watch movement. I spent an inordinate amount of time packaging newly sold Rolex watches, taking them to the post office to register and insure them, then sending them to Rolex for repair (on Union Street in San Francisco). If I recall correctly, the warranty was only valid for one year, and only for certain problems. Many, many customers were furious at having spent thousands for a watch the previous year, only to be told that it would now cost hundreds to repair it.

I asked our in-house watch repairman why so many people continued to purchase a watch that continually failed to perform. He stated that although Rolex once had a good watch movement, the quality began to decline many years ago, and people were in fact now paying for the 18k gold and the name.

If any employee arrived late in our store, the standard joke was that he/she was on "Rolex time," since the watch could be counted on to be chronically five minutes slow. As my store manager once said when a customer repeatedly complained about her new Rolex, "It's not going to change your life." Good thing she said it behind the customer's back.