So, Phuket… I haven’t personally bought fakes there, but from what I’m gathering from the internet whispers and stuff, Patong’s the place to be if you’re on the hunt. You see those street vendors? Yeah, those guys might have something. BUT – and this is a HUGE but – quality can be, uh, *questionable*. You might get something that looks the part for a week, then falls apart faster than a cheap suit in a monsoon. Read that Phuket FAKE Market Shopping post, someone asked the same question.
The thing is, asking “did they last & keep time???” is the million-dollar question, right? It’s a total gamble. Some folks get lucky, some end up with a wrist-worn paperweight. It’s really a crapshoot.
Now, if you’re after something a little less… *street*, and closer to something that actually resembles a decent replica… well, Bangkok might be a better bet, even though you asked about Phuket. I know, I know, kinda dodging the bullet there, but hear me out. Some people swear by MBK in Bangkok for higher-grade copies. But even then, it’s like a secret handshake kinda thing. You gotta find the shopkeeper who’s willing to play ball, you know? Not everyone’s gonna be upfront about their “special stock.”
And here’s my two cents (okay, maybe five cents): if you’re *really* serious about getting a convincing fake, like, something that’ll fool your buddies… head over to r/RepTime. Those guys are the gurus. They’ll steer you towards the good stuff, maybe even some reliable shops in Thailand that ship. They know their stuff, trust me. I once bought a fake Panerai, all thanks to their advice. Still ticking, believe it or not!
Honestly, I’d personally be a little wary buying off the street in Patong, unless I was REALLY good at spotting a lemon. Unless you want to feel like you totally got scammed, I would go to the guys on r/RepTime first, if you want anything that looks better than something found in a gumball machine.
Just remember, bargaining is KEY. Don’t take the first price they throw at you. Haggle, haggle, haggle! It’s part of the fun, right?
