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Sticking to fake: counterfeit trade on rise in Russia
Published: 27 August, 2010, 06:09
Edited: 28 August, 2010, 04:40
Society in Russia splits over those who are chasing high couture brands and those who enjoy the fakes. While government tightens control over property and intellectual rights, demand for counterfeit goods is on the rise.
No one will know it at the glance, so fake is the way forward. Why spend a fortune when you can buy the name for a peny?
The manufacturing of counterfeit goods ( much, but not all, of it by companies in China ), is getting so good it is difficult even for an expert to tell the difference just by appearance. In the case of Rolex, they are even producing a movement that looks like the Rolex movement, in the higher end counterfeits. There is a wide variety in the quality of counterfeits, most of them cheaply made, but the best ones are actually very good watches. The Chinese have copied the ETA 2836 automatic movement so closely that the parts are interchangeable. In particular, Rolex is so proactive in hunting down and destroying counterfeits, that have undercover agents scouring the markets.
I understand Denis's point about it being stupid to waste money. However, understand this, there are people who buy things not because it is expensive or want to show off. There are people who love things.... As with the Rolex, some people admire craftsmanship and the art of a mechanical watch. They save their money to buy the best in their eyes, be it, a Rolex. For them it isn't stupid, but happiness by owning a work of art. I think someone in this group would be devastated to know they have a counterfeit. I know it is easy to think these ways in Moscow where many just buy most expensive to look good, but we can't judge all people. I think counterfeits should be made obvious, sold for less and not meant to fool. The real products having their place and proper price. The main problem is the criminal deception of people and so is price matching a real product with a counterfeit. Don't even get started on counterfeit pharmaceuticals and food. Then one gets into the horrific side of humanity. Those aspects need to be destroyed with good effort.