A replica Patek Philippe 720 is a third-party copy of that reference, built and sold at a fraction of the original price. The strongest 1:1 versions match case diameter, case thickness, dial layout and hand shape. What they rarely match is the movement: most replicas run a generic automatic or quartz caliber instead of Patek Philippe's in-house movement. Judge the watch on case geometry and dial finishing first, and treat the movement as a separate question.
Before you start
- Find the genuine reference specs: case diameter, thickness, lug width, crystal profile and strap or bracelet type.
- Set a budget band. Replica quality tracks price, and the tiers are not interchangeable.
- Ask the seller for in-hand photos of the exact unit, not catalog renders.
How to evaluate a replica Patek Philippe 720
- Compare the case diameter against the genuine figure. A 1 mm gap shows on the wrist.
- Measure case thickness. Thin dress cases are the hardest to copy, and an oversized case is the most common tell.
- Check the crystal profile. It should follow the bezel curve, with no flat top on a reference that uses a domed sapphire.
- Inspect dial printing under magnification. Look for sharp, evenly spaced text and a clean signature.
- Check applied markers and hands. They should sit level, carry polished bevels and show no glue residue.
- Look at the date or complication aperture. Off-center windows are a rejection reason.
- Examine the bracelet or strap end links. They should meet the lugs with no gap and no rattle.
- Operate the clasp and crown. Winding should feel smooth, with no grinding and no backlash.
- Confirm the movement type with the seller in writing. Automatic, hand-wound and quartz versions of the same reference sell at very different prices.
- Request a timegrapher reading for any mechanical build. Rate, amplitude and beat error tell you more than photos.
- Question water resistance claims. Treat any rating as unverified unless the seller shows the caseback gasket.
- Pay with a method that carries buyer protection, and confirm the return window before the item ships.
Red flags
Walk away from sellers who refuse photos of the actual unit, who quote dimensions without units, or who claim a replica uses a genuine Patek Philippe movement. Refusal to name the movement family is a second warning sign. So is a price far below the rest of the market for a stated 1:1 grade.
Price tiers
Entry copies use plated cases, mineral glass and quartz movements. Mid-tier builds add sapphire, a decorated automatic and a closer case profile. Top-tier 1:1 builds copy case geometry and dial details with the most care, and they cost the most. If the reference number matters to you, spend at the top tier or skip the purchase.