On December 16, an Instagram photo ignited the powder: Jake Paul posted a photo with his watch, on his Instagram account with 18.4 million followers.
At first glance, the actor and boxer wears a Richard Mille RM055 called Bubba Watson in white ceramic.
But aficionados of the house immediately notice that this is a poor copy.
Supporting evidence.
If other personalities have suffered the same fate, the watch enthusiasts who hide behind #FakeWatchBuster certainly remain in the conditional.
They take care to specify under each post that it is not a question of inciting hatred, but rather of defending the watchmaking culture which is dear to them.
Double-dealing
Because the hashtag brings together a community of enthusiasts, driven by knowledge of the references, manufactures, movements and history of these style icons. If many are themselves great collectors, some like Watchanish no longer hesitate to make their voices heard against the speculative surge which is doubling or even tripling the price of many Richard Mille, Nautilus and other Royal Oaks. Recently, the price reached at auction at Phillips for the Nautilus, imagined by four hands by Patek Phillipe and Tiffany & Co, provided further proof of the trend. No less than 6.5 million dollars for this only watch auction house which will have achieved its best historic figure in 2021 alone.
Faced with these now inaccessible trophies, in-store waiting lists which sometimes amount to seven or ten years and an ever greater desirability for ultra-luxury products called "safe values", the rise in counterfeits now seems inexorable.
And it is not the increase in selling prices announced by Rolex at the start of the year that will contradict the movement.
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