First off, let’s get something straight. That Umlaut thingy in “Baümen”? Kinda screams “trying too hard,” doesn’t it? Like they’re desperately trying to sound all fancy and European. *eye roll*
Now, the real question: are they fake? Well, not *literally* fake in the sense of being a blatant knockoff of a Rolex or something. But are they worth the (sometimes) crazy prices they slap on ’em? That’s where things get… muddy.
I mean, you see people saying their grandad had one that was “supposedly” worth £830! Seriously? My gut says, nah. Look, they slap “diamonds” (probably tiny ones) and “mother of pearl” on a quartz movement, and suddenly it’s worth a small fortune? I’m not buying it.
Here’s the thing: positioning and marketing, man. It’s *all* about that. They probably market themselves as having a luxury feel, even if the actual watch is, like, decent at best. So, are you getting ripped off? Possibly. Depends on what you paid, I guess.
The guy with the $75 Krug Baumen? Probably not ripped off too bad. The Kobold customer dropping $5000? Ouch. Major ouch. (Though, to be fair, Kobold is supposed to be a much more serious brand, so it’s not a fair comparison really.)
I saw someone online mention that they’re “decent looking for the money paid.” That’s probably the most honest assessment I’ve seen. They LOOK nice-ish. They *seem* fancy. But don’t expect Patek Philippe quality for the price of a weekend getaway, ya know?
And that serial number thing? Every watch has one these days, so it’s not really a sign of authenticity.
Honestly, if you’re thinking about getting a Krug Baumen, do your research. Check out reviews (beyond the ones on their website, obviously). And most importantly, be realistic about what you’re getting. It’s probably a decent-looking, kinda-fancy quartz watch. Just don’t expect it to appreciate in value or anything. And definitely don’t pay an arm and a leg for it.