is the timelife chair by the Eames heavily knocked-off?... it's original!  

metal castors make me think it's possibly genuine,
missing shaft at the underside would suggest this is herman miller, not Vitra or repro?
the combination with the cheap desk and setting made me doubt...

Looks legit.
I've never seen the pre-OSHA four-point base version knocked off. Very likely to be found for cheap or at a garage sale as "comfy office chair" as it's not as well known.

I've got a response from the seller.
Can only buy the lot..Hope to talk it dawn a little, go over and take a peek.

!
Good luck to you, bj. That is a great chair.
Best,
Mark

Thanks Mark!
Went by this evening and it is the real deal.
I had to buy the lot (computer, ugly table, ..) for them to let go the chair. I paid around 200$ for everything, including the chair.
Originally it was covered in a rough brown fabric, but the owner had it recovered and didn't stay true to the original: see picture of the back.
It's not authentic, but it's not to bad and it will do until our renovation (just bought a home) is over, then I'll think about reupholstering.

!
Greets, bj,
A killer chair for that kind of $$$, but those tacks on the backside....oh my god...I've never.....oh my. But it's all good. I think that I might even like 'em. I need to have a puff.
Can they be removed?
WWRED? (what would ray eames do?)
Blessings,
Aunt Mark
ps I blame Ray.

I think they can be removed,
but there will be puncture marks, I assume.
I'll just leave it for now, until I have more time
and the space to put this down.

@ Mark
ps. I blame Ray. Clearly now an original GhostRay chair

or
an original "Time Life Tack-A-Back-Attack Chair".
And I like it.
Best,
Aunt Mark and the ghost of Ray.

Well it is what it is.
I'll just have to tack the upholstery of my other furniture too, now... sigh