Almost every replica watch sold online starts in China. The cheap market fake and the $1,500 super clone come from the same country, often from the same province, and they have very little else in common. This guide explains where Chinese super clone watches come from, which factory is known for which model, how the quality grades differ, and what to check before you order.
What Are Chinese Super Clone Watches?
Chinese super clone watches are the top grade of replica watch made in China. A super clone copies the genuine model part by part: the case dimensions, the dial printing, the bracelet and a clone movement built to match the layout of the original calibre. Lower grades copy only the look.
The name matters because “Chinese replica watches” covers everything. A $60 marketplace watch and a factory super clone are both Chinese replica watches. Only one of them has a movement designed around the genuine calibre.
Why Are Replica Watches Made in China?
Replica watch manufacturing sits mainly in China because the whole supply chain is there. Case makers, dial printers, bracelet workshops and movement suppliers work close to each other, so a factory can copy a new reference quickly and at low cost.
Most reports place the industry in Guangdong province, around Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Treat exact locations with caution. The factories do not publish addresses, and most of what circulates online comes from dealers. If a website claims to be the “official” site of a factory in China, that claim is usually marketing. The factories sell through dealers.
Chinese Replica Watch Grades Explained
Not every watch that ships from China is a super clone. Sellers use loose labels, so it helps to know what each one usually means.
| Grade | What you get | Movement | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market replica | Correct look from a distance, wrong weight and proportions | Basic Chinese automatic or quartz | Someone who wants the style only |
| AAA replica | Better finishing, closer dial and bracelet | Asian automatic, not a clone of the original | Budget buyer |
| Super clone | Part-for-part copy of case, dial and bracelet | Clone calibre matched to the original layout | Buyer who wants the closest build |
“AAA” is a sales label, not a standard. Two sellers can use it for very different watches. We explain the term in detail in our guide to AAA quality replica watches.
At United Luxury the top two grades are priced between $700 and $1,700. A “super clone” offered far below that range is rarely one.
The Main Chinese Super Clone Factories
A handful of factory names appear again and again. Each one built its reputation on particular brands and models.
| Factory | Best known for | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Factory | Rolex Submariner and GMT-Master II | Clean Factory guide |
| VS Factory (VSF) | Rolex and Omega, VS3235 movement | VSF guide |
| PPF Factory | Patek Philippe | PPF guide |
| ZF Factory | Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille | ZF guide |
| JF Factory | Audemars Piguet | JF guide |
| CBD Factory | Rolex Day-Date 40 at close to original weight | CBD guide |
| Noob Factory | Older Rolex clones | Noob guide |
Two points are worth knowing before you compare them.
Factories change. Noob was once the reference name for Rolex clones. It stopped production after raids on Chinese replica factories, and the watches sold under that name today are not from the original operation. CBD, by contrast, only came to the attention of Western buyers in early 2025.
No factory is best at everything. Clean is the usual choice for a Submariner. PPF is the usual choice for a Nautilus. A seller who says one factory makes the best version of every watch is simplifying.
What Is Inside a Chinese Super Clone?
The movement is what separates a super clone from a good-looking replica. A clone movement is a Chinese-made calibre built to copy the architecture of the genuine one, so the hands, date change and winding behave the same way.
Some examples from the current Rolex clones:
- VS3235 (VS Factory): copies the Rolex 3235, including its 70-hour power reserve.
- SA3235 (Clean Factory): a clone of the same Rolex calibre, used in Clean’s date models.
- Shanghai 3255 clone (CBD Factory): used in the Day-Date 40, built on a modern Chinese automatic base running at 28,800 vph.
A clone movement is still a Chinese movement. It needs servicing like any mechanical watch, and accuracy depends on regulation. Around ±5 to 10 seconds a day is a realistic expectation for a well-regulated example. Any competent watchmaker can clean and lubricate these calibres.
The case and bracelet use 904L steel on the better Rolex clones, with a sapphire crystal. Water resistance varies by model and by how the individual watch was assembled, so ask before you swim with one.
Chinese Super Clone Rolex: Which Factory for Which Model?
Rolex is the most copied brand, so the factories compete hardest here.
- Submariner and GMT-Master II: Clean Factory is the common first choice, including the “Pepsi” and “Batman” bezels.
- Datejust, Day-Date and Daytona: VS Factory builds current versions of all three around its own clone movements.
- Day-Date 40 in gold tone: CBD Factory focuses on matching the weight of the genuine watch, at over 200 grams.
You can browse each model in our Rolex super clone collection. For other brands, see Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Richard Mille.
Buying Replica Watches From China: Direct or Through a Dealer?
You cannot walk into Clean or VS Factory and buy one watch. In practice there are two routes.
Marketplaces and anonymous sellers. Prices look low. You usually get no quality check, no say over which batch you receive and no help if the parcel is stopped.
An established dealer. The dealer orders from the factory, inspects the watch and handles shipping and after-sales. This is what we do at United Luxury. Here is what that covers on our side:
- Pictures and videos of the watch on request, by email or WhatsApp.
- A 2-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.
- Returns within 14 days and exchanges within 30 days for unworn watches.
- A replacement watch if a parcel is held at customs.
Whichever seller you choose, compare them on these four points rather than on price alone. Our list of the best super clone watch websites goes through the main options.
Shipping From China: Time, Customs and Duties
Most buyers ask the same three questions about super clone watches from China.
How long does it take? We prepare an order in 1 to 2 business days. Delivery by express courier (DHL, EMS or UPS) then takes about 5 to 10 business days, depending on the destination and customs clearance. Peak seasons can add time.
What does shipping cost? Shipping is $30. Orders over $2,000 ship free to many countries.
What about customs and import duties? VAT and import duties are included in our watch prices. If customs holds a package, we send a new watch. This is rare. Every order ships with a tracking number.
Full details are in our shipping policy.
Are Chinese Replica Watches Legal to Buy?
It depends on where you live. Many countries treat buying a replica watch for personal use differently from selling one, and the rules are not the same everywhere. Selling a replica, or presenting one as genuine, is illegal in most places.
Check your local law before you order. We look at the question in more detail in Are replica watches legal?
How to Avoid Bad Sellers of Chinese Clone Watches
A short checklist catches most problems before you pay.
- Ask which factory made the watch. A seller who cannot name it is probably selling a lower grade.
- Ask for pictures or video of the actual watch, not catalogue images.
- Check the price against the grade. A super clone at a market-replica price is a market replica.
- Read the warranty and return terms before ordering, and look for a real contact channel.
- Be wary of “official factory website” claims. The factories sell through dealers.
- Look at reviews outside the seller’s own site. Ours are on Trustpilot and Google, and we list them on our customer reviews page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all super clone watches made in China?
Nearly all of them are. The case, dial, bracelet and clone movement suppliers are concentrated in China, and no other country has a comparable supply chain for replica watches.
What is the difference between a Chinese replica watch and a super clone?
“Chinese replica watch” describes any copy made in China, from cheap market fakes upwards. A super clone is the top grade: a part-for-part copy with a clone movement built to match the genuine calibre.
Which Chinese factory makes the best super clone Rolex?
It depends on the model. Clean Factory is the usual pick for the Submariner and GMT-Master II. VS Factory is strong on the Datejust, Day-Date and Daytona. CBD Factory focuses on the Day-Date 40.
How long do Chinese super clone watches last?
With normal care and periodic servicing, a super clone can run for many years. The clone movements can be opened, cleaned and regulated by a watchmaker like any other automatic calibre.
Can I order a super clone watch directly from a factory in China?
Not as a single-watch customer. The factories supply dealers, and the “official factory” websites you find online are run by resellers. Buying through a dealer also gives you inspection, warranty and after-sales support.
Are VS Factory and PPF Factory based in China?
Yes. Both are Chinese factories, as are Clean, ZF, JF and CBD. None of them publishes a verified address.
Ready to compare models? Start with our Rolex and Patek Philippe collections, or contact our consultants for pictures of a specific watch.
