Bokey TimeHello everyone, this is Bokey Watch Industry. Recently, due to the popularity of Blaken, there are increasingly more black-plated watches in the industry. The Patek Philippe Aquanaut series is also one of the most popular and iconic collections from Patek Philippe, making a huge splash when it was first released in 1997. The initial inspiration for this series of watches came from the Nautilus series. The rounded octagonal case broke through traditional thinking, presenting the aesthetic appeal of wristwatches from a different perspective. Due to its unique modern-style octagonal bezel structure and the curved grid pattern on the dial, it is playfully nicknamed the “Aquanaut” by watch enthusiasts. Today, we will review a blackened watch as well – the rare ZF Factory Black Venom Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch, model 5167A-001.
“Modified watches” have always been the rebels of luxury! Black plating transforms the original steel-colored case entirely into black. The modified Patek Philippe Aquanaut gains an air of mystery, appearing more profound and charming, while also significantly reducing the chance of encountering someone with the same watch! So, how is this “Black Aquanaut” modified? Simply put, it undergoes DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) black plating! The overall black plating process achieves a pure black effect, similar to applying a black film to a car. This all-black style is indeed irresistible and incredibly cool for men.
The watch measures 40mm in diameter and 8.6mm in thickness, featuring a rare ultra-thin case paired with a comfortable rubber strap structure. This Patek Philippe Aquanaut can be worn for both formal business occasions and sports leisure activities, perfectly adapting to multiple styles. The entire case is dominated by a mysterious and steady black color. As the uniform stainless steel material has caused aesthetic fatigue, the appearance of the “Black Aquanaut” is truly eye-catching!
The watch mirror is made of sapphire glass, and the watch mirror is tightly wrapped by the ring, which gives people a strong and stable feeling visually. The iconic octagonal bezel design, the ring has been treated by the original wire drawing process despite the DCL coating, and the corners are still polished, round and smooth, and the whole surface is full of layers.
The dial features a classic black and white color scheme. The octagonal dial, paired with simple and fresh Arabic numerals, gives it an extremely elegant appearance. The dial is engraved with clear latitude and longitude lines, resembling Aquanaut texture, which looks much like a hand grenade — hence the nickname “Aquanaut,” mysterious and unique. The sword-shaped hour and minute hands are filled with the same luminous material as the genuine model, ensuring easy time reading at night. The brand name at the 12 o’clock position adds to its grandeur, while a date window at the 3 o’clock position features more delicate chamfer details and clear numerals. Through actual product photos, we can observe that the entire dial has a strong three-dimensional effect.
The case is still made of stainless steel, but with a diamond carbon (DCL) coating on it. DCL is a promising molecular coating that originated in the military field and has since been successfully applied in other fields. It is not fully reversible like PVD, and does not produce any more magnetic residues. A dense dark black, mixed with leather to form an elegant contrast. Therefore, it also makes the case extremely hard and fearless of wear and tear. The thickness of the ZF grenade 8.6mm is 0.4mm different from the original, which can be said to be a very small difference, which is actually invisible to the naked eye. The slim body allows it to be easily hidden in the shirt cuff, which is also a big part of it as a formal watch.
The bottom-penetrating design and the bottom cover are also made of sapphire mirror, which allows you to appreciate the operation of the movement at a glance. The movement is still the familiar Meiyoda 9015 modified PP self-produced Cal.324 SC movement. First, the swing arm next to the balance wheel is corrected, and the position fits. Secondly, the gem bearings on it are bright and natural, so that the back transparent model is not worried.
The strap is made of white rubber strap, which can also be matched with black tape, and the black to the bottom will be more mysterious. The tape is wear-resistant and soft, making it very comfortable to wear. The double folding clasp is also coated with DLC diamond carbon, which adds a touch of common charm to the whole watch through the polishing process.
It feels like this year, all types of watches are going black. However, black-plated watches do give off a distinctive vibe, appearing more profound and charming while also avoiding the possibility of encountering someone with the same watch. There aren’t too many limitations when it comes to watch modifications – it’s not just the “Black Aquanaut”; you can find all kinds of black watches. You can even DIY them according to your own preferences, which will make you stand out from the crowd.
