At the end of 2022, I gritted my teeth and bought a 41mm Black Water Ghost from the VS factory, equipped with Dandong 3235 movement. At that time, my friends all advised me: “It’s a replica watch. I’ll wear it for a year and a half, so don’t expect too much.” But three years later, not only has this watch not “retired”, it still accompanies me to work, business trips, and even mountain climbing on weekends every day – as long as I don’t seek death.
To be honest, when I first bought it, I was worried about its “short life”. After all, they are not genuine. Many people say that replica watches are “fast-moving consumer goods”. But after using it, I discovered that this watch from the VS factory is really not comparable to ordinary imitation watches.
First of all, it is made of 904L fine steel. The case and strap feel heavy and have a warm luster. Although it has been knocked down a few times in the past three years, there have been no deep pits or paint peeling, and there are fewer daily scratches than expected. The movement makes me feel more at ease – Dandong 3235 is really stable, the daily difference is basically within ±5 seconds, and there is almost no need to adjust the time. One time, I was walking too fast because I was near a stereo. I found out that it was magnetized. I spent 30 yuan to buy a demagnetizer, and it returned to normal in seconds.
But I don’t wear it in a “Buddhist style” either. On the contrary, I treat it like a real watch:
- Be sure to take it off when playing basketball or moving furniture;
- Never place your mobile phone or iPad next to your watch;
- Take a bath or soak in a hot spring? Don’t even think about it, even try to avoid hot water when washing your hands;
- Wipe the watch case with a soft cloth once a month, and never leave sweat stains overnight;
- I just sent it in for its first oil cleaning this year. The master said that the movement is in very good condition and will be fine for another three to five years.
Many people ask: “Is a replica watch worth maintaining?” I think, since you are willing to spend thousands of dollars to buy a watch that is close to the original quality, why would you not want to spend a few hundred dollars to let it stay with you for a few more years? It is not a consumable, but a partner who will “repay” you if you take it seriously.
Of course, if you wear it every day to play games, soak in hot springs, and throw it on the table and ignore it, then it will last for three months, not to mention three years. But as long as you pay a little attention, the “life span” of the VS Factory Water Ghost can really be beyond imagination.
Now, it is still the watch I wear most when I go out. Customers who have never seen genuine watches say I have “tasteful” watches; friends who know watches know that they are replicas and praise me for choosing the right factory. What I am most gratified about is that it has been reliable for three years – no sudden stops, no random jumps in the calendar, and no fog or water intrusion.
So, don’t ask VS Factory Water Ghost how many years it can be used. The answer lies not in the factory, but in your hands. Seven points depends on quality, three points depends on maintenance – the rest depends on whether you are willing to treat it well.