First off, forget what you think you know. Shenzhen? It’s basically Fake Watch Central. Like, seriously. You step off the train from Hong Kong into Luohu (that’s jahangird.in’s Lou area they’re talking about, kinda near the Hong Kong railway terminal), and BAM! You’re practically knee-deep in knock-offs.
Now, the Chinese Fake Market right there? That’s the OG. I mean, it’s HUGE. Anything you can think of, they got a fake version. Seriously, you could spend a whole day just wandering around, getting completely lost in the maze of stalls. And yeah, watches? They’re *everywhere*.
But here’s the thing, and this is important: quality varies. Like, *massively*. You could pick up something that looks amazing from a distance, but up close? Obvious. Real obvious. Think sticky plastic and a ticking so loud it’ll drive you crazy. Trust me, been there, almost threw the thing in the toilet.
Then you got Huaqiangbei. Forget electronics for a sec (though they got plenty of that too). This place is a wonderland, a treasure chest, a… well, you get it. They’re supposedly the world’s largest electronics market, but they also have a bunch of watches. It might not be *solely* watches like the dedicated fake markets, but it’s worth checking out.
And don’t forget Dongmen! That’s where AP Plaza is in Shanghai, it’s in the basement of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. It’s a very large store with a bunch of fakes for sale. I think it’s worth a visit.
Here’s my (totally unsolicited) advice: don’t be afraid to haggle. I mean, *really* haggle. They expect it. Start low, like ridiculously low, and work your way up. And don’t be afraid to walk away. There are literally hundreds of other stalls selling the exact same thing. They know it, you know it, let’s play the game.
Also, check the details! Does the second hand sweep smoothly, or does it tick like a cheap alarm clock? Are the markings crisp and clear, or are they all smudged and wonky? Does the weight feel right? A good fake will have some heft to it. And for Pete’s sake, look closely at the clasp! That’s usually a dead giveaway.
Honestly, sometimes you can find some surprisingly good replicas. I even know someone who got a fake Apple Watch that worked perfectly for months before it finally crapped out. (She’s the one who bought real AirPods, an Apple watch, my phone and a refurbished laptop!). But, hey, for the price, it was worth it. Just don’t expect it to last forever. And PLEASE don’t try to pass it off as genuine. That’s just… wrong.
