Short answer
A fake Patek Philippe 5167A is a counterfeit copy of the Aquanaut ref. 5167A-001, a steel sports watch Patek Philippe released in 2007. Sellers market these copies as "1:1" or "super clone" watches. No copy carries a Patek Philippe movement. Patek Philippe does not sell, register, or service them.
The real 5167A
- Case: stainless steel, 40 mm, water resistance rated to 120 m
- Movement: calibre 324 S C, automatic, 45-hour power reserve, 21,600 vibrations per hour
- Dial: black with an embossed grid pattern
- Strap: black composite "Tropical" strap with a fold-over clasp
- Crystal and caseback: sapphire
- US retail price passed $20,000 in the early 2020s. Secondhand prices ran above retail.
What "1:1" and "super clone" mean
Both terms come from sellers. There is no grading body, no standard, and no factory list. Two sellers can use the same phrase for watches built to different tolerances. Copy makers buy third-party movements. These include Seiko and Miyota calibres, ETA clones, and Chinese-made copies of the 324 S C. Cases, dials, and hands come from separate workshops. Serial numbers, box labels, and papers are printed, not issued by Patek Philippe.
fake patek philippe 5167a watch
Differences from a genuine watch
- Movement finish: a real 324 S C shows Geneva stripes, beveled bridges, a 21K gold rotor, and the Patek Philippe Seal. Most copies show plated bridges and a steel rotor.
- Dial: the genuine grid is stamped into the dial plate. Copies use a printed pattern or a thin applique.
- Caseback: engravings on copies are shallow, and the fonts differ from the reference.
- Water resistance: copies state 120 m on the caseback. No copy is pressure tested to that rating.
Legal status in the US
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine for an individual. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit watches at the border, and the buyer loses the money paid. Selling copies also exposes a seller to a civil suit from Patek Philippe under the Lanham Act.
counterfeit patek philippe aquanaut 5167a
Ownership problems
Patek Philippe service centers refuse counterfeit watches. Independent watchmakers can work on third-party movements, but parts for cloned calibres are scarce. Auction houses and authorized dealers reject copies. Resale value is close to zero. A copy cannot be registered in the Patek Philippe archives.
Checks on a watch sold as genuine
- Match the case number and the movement number to the papers.
- Order an Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe. The document lists the reference and the production year.
- Compare caseback engravings with photos published by Patek Philippe.
- Have a watchmaker open the case and inspect the rotor and bridge finish.