What a Fake Nautilus 5711 Is
A fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 is a watch made to look like the genuine reference 5711. The genuine watch has a steel case, an integrated bracelet, and a blue or green dial. Patek Philippe discontinued the 5711 in 2022. The retail price for a steel 5711 was about $35,000. Secondary market prices reached $200,000 or more. Fake versions cost $30 to $1,200. They are not made by Patek Philippe.
Replica Tiers
Sellers divide fakes into tiers. A low-end fake costs $30 to $100. It uses a quartz movement, a stamped dial, and a hollow bracelet. A mid-tier fake costs $150 to $400. It may use a Chinese automatic movement and a better case finish. A high-end fake costs $500 to $1,200. It copies the case dimensions, dial print, and bracelet links. Some high-end fakes use a modified automatic movement. None match the Patek Philippe caliber 26-330 S C.
Identification Points
Check the case thickness. A genuine 5711 is 8.3 mm thick. Many fakes are 9.5 mm or more. Check the date window. The genuine date sits in a frame. Check the dial print. The words "Patek Philippe" use a specific font. Check the bracelet. The genuine center links are polished and the outer links are satin-brushed. Check the weight. A genuine steel 5711 weighs about 120 grams. A fake often weighs less. Check the movement. A genuine watch has a gold rotor and Geneva stripes. A fake may have a plain rotor or no decoration.
Legal Status in the US
US law prohibits the import of counterfeit goods. 19 U.S.C. § 1526 allows US Customs and Border Protection to seize and destroy fake watches. 18 U.S.C. § 2320 makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a federal crime. Penalties include fines and prison time. Selling a fake watch as genuine is trademark infringement. Patek Philippe holds trademarks on its name and logo.
Risks
A fake watch has no manufacturer warranty. Patek Philippe will not service or repair it. Resale value is near zero. A fake watch may stop working within months. Some sellers take payment and ship nothing. Buyers who import a fake watch may receive a customs notice. The watch may be destroyed.