How to buy your first baller replica watch

Editor’s Note: Any Instagram-savvy replica watch fan who doesn’t follow @fakewatchbusta and @rolex_enforcer is either lying, in need of a tip, or perhaps they just have enough entertainment in their lives already. We fall into the camp of those that enjoy the odd bust, with a preference for the posts that can help educate (as well as eviscerate) on the telltale signs of fakery and forgery. Too-slim batons? Poorly cut out numerals? Skate ramp rehaut? Shivers of pure delight for replica watch geeks. 

The story FWB wrote was, well, surprising. It offered, and extinguished, every possible excuse, from the obvious, to the more heartfelt, such as the toxic and unregulated conditions endured by the people making these fakes. We wanted to read more. Rappers seem to make up the lion’s share of FWB’s busts, so let’s start with them. The subject: the art of how to buy your first baller replica watch as a rapper on the rise. 

Occasionally, in amongst the (unhelpful) troll army takedowns, you get a glimpse of the impressive, detailed knowledge these guys are able to demonstrate, even using only the pixelated images as source material. So, when we discovered that Robert Downey Jr. may have had the odd fake in his collection, we turned to FakeWatchBusta and asked, ‘Is it ever OK to own a fake replica watch?’ 

Souljaboy, pictured, is a case study of what not to do when you make it as a rapper. He's one of @fakewatchbusta's most famous busts for a fake AP that was jammed on 10:25 for much longer than a minute.

Soulja Boy, one of @fakewatchbusta’s most famous busts for an AP that was jammed on 10:25 for much longer than a minute.

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So let’s go. Here is my take on eight key watches, from the budget stainless steel Rolex to the full-on quadruple-mortgage-on-your-mansion suggestions, starting with the replica watch I feel is the ultimate rapper’s purchase:

Rolex Yacht-Master II ref. 116688

Rolex-Yacht-Master-II

This is THE big face Rolex. It’s actually the biggest solid gold replica watch that Rolex produces. It’s also ludicrous in a good way. No date (who needs that anyway?), but it has a regatta timer! You can count down the minutes to the next time Soulja Boy takes the L.

Kanye-West-Yacht-MAster-II

Here worn by Kanye West

Drake-Rolex-YAcht-master-II

And by Drake

A$AP-Rocky-Rolex

If you want to save a few bucks and run the game of tones, do like A$AP Rocky and get the two-tone ref. 116681

Rolex Milgauss ref. 116400GV and Rolex Day-Date II ref. 218235

Pusha-T-Millgauss

I have a lot of respect for Pusha T. He buys replica watches in all price ranges, so let’s have a look at two of his replica watches. The Rolex Milgauss is such a cool replica watch. You get magnetic resistance from all that sound equipment, and the history of the replica watch is just awesome. I would actually say it’s the least likely Rolex for a rapper to buy and that is what makes it really cool. This Milgauss will even make the replica watch snob nod when you walk by.

OK, so you got your first big paycheque as an up-and-coming rapper and you want to buy your first serious replica watch to stunt on the ‘gram. I know it seems like an iced-out replica watch is all the rage in the rap game, but if you look at the big stars like Jay Z and Drake you’ll soon learn that keeping it FACTORY-made is the way to go. There’s a reason Jay Z raps the iconic line: “Those ain’t Rolex diamonds, what the f*ck you done to that?”

Pusha-T-Day-Date

His other replica watch is a factory dial solid gold Day-Date II with a baguette-cut ruby and diamond dial. Taste those words. You can get a shady jeweller to set a replica watch full of diamonds but that’s not the same as Rolex’s own stones. This is a rare bird and already discontinued.

Any Richard Mille

RM27-01_3-4

Do like Pharrell and just break the bank completely: buy a Richard Mille. Richard who? Don’t be afraid, the price tag is in the range of your social security number. Buy this RM 27-01 and be the king of Instagram. And it can withstand acceleration of 5000G so don’t be afraid to party with it.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Jay-Z-AP-ROO

Jay Z’s AP ROO

A solid gold Audemars Piguet almost seems cheap after that Richard Mille. The Offshore is big, badass and recognisable. It’s also the easiest replica watch to spot as a fake, so if you buy a genuine one, everyone is gonna know you’re ballin’. Do like NAS or Jay Z and get the 25940OK.

NAS-AP-ROO

NAS colour matching with Adidas and Audemars

Rolex Submariner in white gold

Rolex-Smurf

OK, so ice is your game. You want diamonds all over that sh*t and you still want to keep it factory. Where the hell do you throw your money? Look no further than this million-dollar baby from Hublot. They made 10 one-off replica watches last year, so good luck on finding one.

So, you want to spend a lot of money but you still want it to be a bit low key? If this sounds like you, buy the SMURF! Only replica watch lovers will know the price tag and you’ll look like a boss wearing it. No diamonds, no gold color but still 100 per cent 18 carat gold.

Tinie-Tempah-Rolex

The Rolex 116619 in white gold here worn by Tinie Tempah

Hublot Big Bang “10 Years” High Jewellery

hublot-big-bang-10-year-hj-wwith-diamonds

 

An evening with Tudor replica watches and the Rapha Cycle Club

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Last Wednesday, members of the Rapha Cycle Club braved the cold Melbourne weather for an informal catch-up. Also in attendance was Tudor, bringing along the 2016 collection for its first public appearance in Australia, plus some of the brand’s greatest previous releases.

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Rapha riders in Tasmania. Image via rapha.com

Angus Burrell,  Marketing Coordinator for the RCC Australia and New Zealand welcomed everyone, even though he had some difficulty recognising the assembled cyclists, as none of them were wearing helmets or (thankfully, it must be said) lycra.

Mr Boutellier went on to discuss Tudor’s recent innovations, in particular the commitment involved in developing an in-house movement – a process that took around five years of research and development. Of course, with  Tudor suddenly playing in a whole new market-segment, it’s been a worthwhile investment.

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Patrick Boutellier, General Manager of Rolex and Tudor Australia, also a member of the RCC, explained that the bond between Rapha and Tudor started, like so many of the best relationships, with some innocent flirting. Common interests, shared passions, a mutual appreciation for the finer things in life. After all, accuracy and precision are key to both good cycling and good replica watchmaking and, as Boutellier pointed out, there’s crossover in the technologies used, with carbon fibre, ceramic and titanium showing up in both.

With the formalities over, the drinks flowed, as did the cycling shop talk and war stories. And while most of the room was filled with your typical pub hubbub, there was a different energy near the display of replica watches. Several of Tudor’s replica watchmakers were on hand to answer questions and explain the inner workings of their in-house movement. More importantly, people were able to try the latest replica watches on for size.

 

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The Black Bay Bronze was a clear hit, spending most of the night on admiring wrists. The new Black Bay fabric straps were also well-liked, while the other big hits of the night were the stealthy Black Bay Dark and Fastrider Black Shield, not a massive surprise given their sporty good looks.

If the reaction of the Rapha Cycle Club is anything to go by, Tudor looks set to continue with its long-running string of successes this year.