I haven't, I have only seen an SBGX261 quartz replica. Although, it would be fascinating to see how much a would-be counterfeiter would be able to sell a replica for and still make a profit. The same goes for GS too.

Does anyone know the cost for GS to manufacture a Spring Drive movement?

 

The awesome thing with Grand Seikos are that for pretty much every model it is almost impossible to replicate. Especially for Spring Drive, there’s so much technical aspects to the watch it will not be cost effective to create the replica.

 

The awesome thing with Grand Seikos are that for pretty much every model it is almost impossible to replicate. Especially for Spring Drive, there's so much technical aspects to the watch it will not be cost effective to create the replica.

Agree with Mbappe - not only would a replica GS SD need to have the right level of finishing, it'd have to have a bona-fide SD movement with the hallmark smooth sweeping second hand. That requires unconventional components - a glide wheel, tri-synchro regulator and controller chip. Things a watch counterfeiter won't know how to do easily.
Until GS becomes as coveted as Rolex/Patek, I feel there won't be enough money to be made to justify the effort.
I'd expect to see replica GSs in quartz and low-beat (28.8) automatics before SD, there's less technology for the counterfeiter to perfect.
Of course I hope that Seiko's legal department is keeping an eye out for this.

 

The only thing one might see is an older or less expensive SD movement, like a 5R65, used in an LE or more coveted model.

Given the number of SDs that are sold, the complexity of the movement, and the detail that goes into SD cases, dials, etc., as has been stated, I think that you are not likely to see this, much less a counterfeit SD movement or model.

 

Never seen one. The first thing people look for on a SD is the gliding second hand and there aren’t many (any) cheapo movements that imitate it.

 

Bulova precisionist? Maybe?

 

It would be nice to see some other examples, replicas or not.

 

One good thing about spring drive is that it’s very hard to fake.

 

It’s honestly one of the things that most attracts me to the brand. Lot less concern about counterfeits

 

This site says they're using genuine spring drive movements in their replicas! Lol
Link Removed

 

@mrcig I would probably delete that link. I'm fairly sure discussion of replicas is okay to a point - but sharing vendors of replicas may be frowned upon by the powers that be.

 

I'm surprised this thread has made it this far and not yet been locked based on this rule:

9 . No discussions or pictures of replica watches, or links to replica watch sites unless previously approved by a Moderator or site Administrators. In general, any posts that involve the discussion, encouragement, or solicitation of any kind of illegal activities, whether watch-related or not, is strictly prohibited.

 

Thank you, I removed the link.

 

I've not seen a decent GS fake yet. I've seen a couple of laughable ones. I guess anything is popular but like the above poster said, until they are Rolex and there's enough money in it, it's not worth it.

 

So our clue that Grand Seiko has achieved their sales and reputation goals is when the shops in Asia start making GS "replicas" alongside their Rolex copies?

 

There are fakes, and ways to make fakes, but they obviously fall short of GS - they are not even close.

Rimalti makes homage GS watches. From what I've seen they are better than typical Ali-X stuff, but not close to GS.
There are quartz watch movements with gliding seconds hands if you need that.

Most of the GS fakes or homages don't really try hard, because no matter what you do, you can't really come close.

 

It's banned if it is illegal.

Replicating a lever escapement or spring drive (or even an ETA2824 (patent expired)) isn’t defacto illegal.