A fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1G is a counterfeit watch styled to look like a white gold Nautilus, and the reference number itself is the first red flag. Patek Philippe's public catalog has never listed a standard 5711/1G. Steel 5711 models carry the /1A suffix, platinum versions use /1P, and the white gold Nautilus that matches this look is the 5811/1G-001.
Does Patek Philippe make a 5711/1G?
Patek Philippe codes case metal into the reference suffix. The letter A means stainless steel, P means platinum, and G means white gold.
The Nautilus 5711 shipped in steel and platinum: the 5711/1A-010 with a blue dial, the 5711/1A-014 in olive green, and the 5711/1P-001 in platinum for the model's 40th anniversary in 2016.
No white gold 5711 sits in the standard lineup. When the 5711 was retired in 2021, the white gold slot went to the 5811/1G-001, a 41mm watch with a blue dial and the 26-330 S C movement.
Where does the 5711/1G label come from?
Counterfeit listings borrow the G to sound pricier than they are. A white gold case feels like an upgrade to a buyer, and the number sits close enough to real references that most shoppers never check.
- 5711/1A: real reference, stainless steel, discontinued in 2021.
- 5711/1P: real reference, platinum, diamond markers on some pieces.
- 5811/1G-001: real reference, white gold, current production.
- 5711/1G: no matching catalog entry. Treat it as a seller's invention.
How are Nautilus replicas graded?
Sellers sort fakes into tiers, and the tier decides what sits inside the case. Price and finish move together.
- Budget: quartz or basic automatic movement, printed dial, hollow bracelet, often $50 to $150.
- Mid tier: Japanese automatic movement such as Miyota, better dial texture, $200 to $600.
- Top tier (super clone or 1:1): cloned Patek-style movement, solid case, closer bracelet taper, $700 to $2,500 and up.
Even the top tier stops short of the real watch. Case metal is steel with plating in most fakes, and the movement is a copy, not a Patek caliber.
How to spot a fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711
Real Nautilus watches are finished to a standard that machines copy but few replicas repeat. Work through these points in order.
- Weight. A white gold or platinum Nautilus feels heavy for its size. A plated steel fake feels light in the hand.
- Dial. Genuine blue dials shift shade across the horizontal grooves. Flat color points to a fake.
- Date window. The aperture edge should be sharp and framed. Rounded corners or a crooked date number point to a copy.
- Bracelet. Links taper toward the clasp, and edges are brushed in one direction. Replicas show wavy finishing or loose pins.
- Caseback. Engraving is crisp and shallow on real watches. Laser-cut fakes look deeper and softer.
- Thickness. A 5711 measures about 8.3mm thick. Fakes with a generic movement often run 10mm or more.
- Movement. Ask for a photo with the back open. Patek calibers carry Geneva stripes, sharp bevels, and a free-sprung balance. Copies show stamped plates and rough screws.
What does a fake 5711 cost?
Prices track the tier, not the look. Listings for a fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1G often fall between $400 and $1,500, and the same case from another seller can appear at $120.
Pay more and you get a closer dial and a smoother bracelet. You do not get a Patek movement, a Patek warranty, or a watch that an authorized service center will touch.
What are the risks of buying one?
- Legal: importing counterfeit goods into the US is illegal. Customs can seize the watch, and civil penalties can follow for large or repeat shipments.
- Resale: there is no market. Dealers will not buy it, and auction houses reject it.
- Service: Patek Philippe will not service a counterfeit. Independent watchmakers can refuse the work or struggle to source parts for a cloned movement.
- Water resistance: claimed ratings on fakes are marketing. Gaskets are often missing or dry, so a swim can flood the case.
- Scams inside scams: some sellers take payment and ship nothing. Others ship a lower tier than the photos show.
FAQ
Can a jeweler tell a fake Nautilus from a real one?
Yes, and it takes seconds for anyone who handles the brand. Weight, bracelet finish, dial depth, and movement decoration give it away. A trained eye does not need to open the case.
Do super clones use real Patek Philippe movements?
No. They use cloned or modified movements from other makers, sometimes decorated to look like a Patek caliber. No genuine Patek movement leaves the factory for a counterfeit case.
Is the 5711/1G a rare watch worth hunting for?
Not as a catalog model, because it does not appear in the catalog. If a seller claims a rare white gold 5711, ask for Patek paperwork and an extract from the archives, then verify the reference number with Patek itself.
What replaced the 5711?
The 5811/1G-001 took its place in 2022. It is larger at 41mm, made in white gold, and uses the 26-330 S C movement with a hacking seconds function.