The Art of Copying

Like the Japanese in the early years of the last century, the Chinese today have perfected the art of copying.  The originals of the items copied are often upmarket objects of high value.  I was shown a Montblanc men’s watch with the signature transparent back that allows the intricate movement to be seen.  It would take an expert to tell the fake from the real thing.

The same is true of high-fashion clothing with famous names like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and others.  As also with fountain pens, electronic gadgets, and a myriad of brand-name products that originally came from Western Europe and North America.  

But nowadays many (and perhaps one might even say, most) of the manufactures with familiar brand names from Western Europe and North America are in fact made in China.  I just bought a set of KEF loudspeakers to replace the ones of the same brand I bought years ago that had been made in England.  The new KEFs are made in China.  Do they sound genuine?  Do the people at KEF exercise quality control to ensure that the Chinese-made speakers are as true to their specs as the old British-made ones?
Can one even tell the difference from the sound they produce?  Yes, yes, and no.  At least, that's what I think.

So why would someone buy a genuine Cartier fountain pen or Rolex watch (if indeed one can be assured of its genuineness by a gilt certificate of authenticity) at about fifty or sixty times the price of a well-made fake?  Might it be just for snob value?