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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Genuine Fake Watches


Mrs. Chatterbox and I saw signs like this often while traveling in Turkey. Sorry about the blurry quality of this photograph, but the bus wouldn’t slow down and I didn’t want to miss the shot.


I’ve been wanting to share this image because it makes me chuckle, and I think everyone can use a good laugh. But more important, signs like these prompt an interesting ethical question: the watches are undoubtedly fake—yet genuinely so—but is this false advertising? What do you think?

38 comments:

  1. Love it! Saw this pop up on Blogger today and it immediately made me chuckle. Thanks for the Sunday laugh and no, definitely not false advertising--they are genuinely fake!

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  2. Excellent Stephen, they certainly didn´t make a misleading statement in their title. Love it!

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  3. Have to admit- truthful advertising, at least! Caveat emptor-

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  4. Nope, exactly as advertised.

    Many years ago in a very small suburban town I had a house called for a building inspection. The inspector came out, checked things out and gave me a "green tag", then asked if I wanted to buy a Rolex watch. He admitted right up front it wasn't real, but that it was a 17 jewel Swiss-made watch, and was only $150. I told him no thanks, I didn't need a watch, and that's all that was ever said. Later I wondered if he was trying to solicit a bribe. If so it didn't work.

    S

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  5. Glad you didn't miss the shot. I like the idea of getting the picture through the bus window while the bus was moving.

    Genuinely FAKE sound like truth in advertising to me.

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  7. That does make me smile! The sign clearly states that they're fake, so it seems honest to me.

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  8. Looks like we have a conundrum in our hands. Genuine watches, yet also fake. Good way to avoid customers screaming at them, I suppose.

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  9. They are being truly honest that you aren't getting the real deal. And, it is funny enough that people buy, probably, so they stay in business. A win for everyone, no one can feel cheated on either side of the equation.

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  10. I'd say it's falsely genuine advertising.

    I don't know about Turkey, but in China a lot of the knock-offs are made in the same factories as the genuine article, and by the same workers using the same materials. The only thing that's different is the total lack of quality control. If you know what you are looking for you can get some breath taking deals shopping the fake markets.

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  11. That sign awesome! They are real fake watches, as opposed to fake fake watches, which would make them...genuine watches?

    So funny :)

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  12. I've been looking for a Rolodex watch, is this place on the internet?

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  13. LOL at Joe - I think I'd like a Rolodex watch too! Now THAT would be genuinely fake :)

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  14. They are upfront on what they are selling. So on that point alone, no foul. The market is full of knock-offs and found in most countries. Knock-offs are illegal in most 1st. world countries. Not so much in the others.

    Too bad the driver didn't stop the bus for a quickie... shopping spree or look see.

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  15. Well for the fake they are genuine. Bwahahahahahaha. I would have captured this sign too.

    Have a terrific day. :)

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  16. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.

    My uncle had a "genuine fake Rolex." He used to say that, if it were the real thing, it would be worth over $20,000. He was very proud of that. I wonder if it's a genuine fake when you simply admit it's fake.

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  17. We need more truth in advertising!

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  18. It's good they're being so honest. I'd demand a certificate of authenticity that it's a genuine fake and not a fake fake.

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  19. Your question is better than a Zen koan. In fact it may be. And it is a great chuckle indeed.

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  20. Too funny! Some signs are just deserving to be captured through dirty windshields of moving vehicles! Glad you managed to get it.

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  21. I used to work at an insurance salvage store. I got a beautiful fake watch there. I don't remember the brand, but it was a dainty oval golden thing, with a black face, and fake diamonds for the numbers. I must say, it was quite breathtaking. A tasteful complement to my Walmart wardrobe.

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  22. made me laugh too. there is a shop in bali with the same sign. i forgot to take a pic. yes, the watches are indeed genuine fakes.

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  23. I think that it's someone with limited English skills. I don't think this was a trick.

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  24. G'day CC. Terrific advertising. At least they are being honest.Take care. Liz...

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  25. Better than the fake genuine watches which advertise themselves as being so much better than they are. "you could dive the depths of Atlantis and make out with a shoal of mermaids". I could barely make the bottom of the pool before it stopped working.

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  26. LOL Not even ashamed to say so either :)

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  27. Ha! At least they are are honest about it. If you go to Chinatown in NYC (as I did many a time) they will swear up and down that the watches are real...as the open their jacket to show them to you, but not when any police are around.

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  28. sounds like someone's lawyers did their vetting properly ... these are like the 100% natural acrylic sweaters I saw a while back

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  29. wasn't that one of PT Barnum's tricks - to advertise something as a genuine fake knowing people would be intrigued?

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  30. I guess honesty is the best policy? But if they are fake watches do they even tell the right time?

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  31. oh and then there are the genuine fake leather wallets one can buy.....

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  32. Strange place Turkey. A couple of years ago in a restaurant I asked for wine and the waiter said he would bring me the wine-list. Two minutes later he returned with a bottle in each hand and proudly announced he had a red-wine and a white- wine!

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  33. Either that was the most honest advertising I've seen or the vendors didn't understand English...

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  34. Maybe Fake is the brand name. ;) Kind of like Fluke Transport's slogan.. "If it gets there on time, it's a Fluke."

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  35. LOL! I think the store owner meant that his products are totally or purely fake, so no genuine or real ones in the store. I also think the same thing with Anne. Great that you took a photo of the store though.

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