Seiko Electra watch

[stockman]

Don’t know what this really is. Has a “21” on the dial. It is a wind-up type watch. Which is strange for a watch that has Electra on the dial. Harold

[zzyzzogeton]

Can't help you personally, but... If you don't get your answer here, you might try giving Bob Swanson at The Emporium Antiques store in Pine Mountain GA a call. 706-663-7721

Bob collects watches and posts up his "watch of the day" on his personal FB page. He has a large eclectic collection and seems knowledgeable, especially since he buys and sells them all the time.

I've known Bob since the 70s - we were in the FTAB together, although he was a couple of years behind me. He ended up joining the Army/Army Nat'l Guard and stayed with it for XX years before retiring a couple of years ago and opening the antique store with his wife.

[dsutton24]

The Seiko Electra is a notorious fake. Well, it's a real watch, but not made by Seiko. I'd bet that if you turn it over you'll find it has a press-on back. Some backs go so far as to have fake wrench notches in them. It'd take 21 of them to add up to 21 jewels. If it runs it's worth $20 as a novelty.

Look up WatchUSeek. There's a big Seiko sub forum there, and they're a freindly bunch.

[stockman]

Thanks dsutton, that’s about what I thought. Found it in a junk store. Can’t imagine paying more than five bucks.

[Mumbleypeg]

There is an entire industry in China producing fakes, among them counterfeits of famous name luxury watches. In some Asian countries selling them is either not illegal, authorities “look the other way”, or there is a thriving black market for counterfeit goods, most of which originate in China where there are no copyright or patent protection laws.

Want a fake Rolex, Tag Heuer, Omega, Patek Philippe, etc? You can get one for anywhere from $25 to $100 depending on the “quality” of the fake. For example a “Rolex”cosmetic fake can be bought for $25. It will be flimsy, light weight and readily obvious that it’s fake if you handle it, but at a glance on someone’s wrist it looks good. One that is heavy like a gold Rolex, and will fool anyone but a jeweler, will cost $100 and up. Either way it probably won’t run more than a few days or weeks, and the “gold” color will wear off like a piece of costume jewelry. Want a fake Gucci or Coach handbag for $20-$30? How about a DVD of a first-run Hollywood movie, still being shown in theaters or not even released yet, for $2 or $3. And so on. At least those selling such goods make no pretense that they’re originals, if you ask.

How do I know this, you ask! I’ve personally been to the “Chinese Market” in several Asian cities, or in places where selling of counterfeits is illegal I have friends and colleagues there who “know a guy” who will bring the goods to you. (Sorta like the guy in the subway wearing a coat lined with watches. Those guys really exist! Only they bring the fake goods in a briefcase).

Don’t ask if I ever bought anything like that myself. When I see the posts here asking about counterfeit tactical knives being sold at low prices by various on-line sellers, I just shake my head.

Ken

[Unk]

Ken,

My first trip to Shanghai back in 2009 we were shown several cases of counterfeit watches in the Technology mall - the guys name was "James Bond". True story - I still have his card around here somewhere. He was selling Rolex, Tag, etc. for $25. Also don't ask me if I might have possibly purchased some. And if I had purchased some, wouldn't it be amazing if they all still worked!

The last couple of times I was over there in 2018 and 2019 (just before I retired) they had significantly clamped down on that sort of business. It was nowhere to be seen. I'm sure it was still going on, just not as easy to find.

[eveled]

Fakes are ruining almost every hobby now. It is really sad. Im afraid to buy anything. Lol.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Kind of incredible to me that there are people that buy things that they know are fake.