Bokey TimeHello everyone, this is Bokey Watch Industry. Today, we’re going to discuss a review of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut blue dial replica watch launched by 3K Factory. When it comes to the Aquanaut series, the MP Factory was producing replicas of these watches in the replica market four or five years ago. However, compared to current versions, the MP Aquanaut is practically obsolete. In recent years, thanks to the increasingly improved supply chain and continuous technological upgrades in the replica watch market, the PF Factory and ZF Factory have successively launched their own versions of the Aquanaut. However, both factories use a modified 324 movement based on the Japanese Miyota 9015 movement, which still has certain discrepancies compared to the genuine movement—what watch enthusiasts often call “obviously fake at first glance.” Now, the 3K Factory’s blue dial Aquanaut 5168G is equipped with a 324 integrated movement that mimics the structure of the genuine product. Next, let’s explore whether the craftsmanship and authenticity of this 3K Aquanaut can surpass other versions on the market.
As always, let’s first take a look at the genuine product specifications:
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Series 5168G-001 Watch. Price: 341,200
The blue dial of the 3K Factory Aquanaut uses the same deep blue tone as the genuine product, with the dial color matching the authentic effect: it presents a light-to-dark gradient from the inside out under light. The surface’s checkered embossed pattern creates the closest background for the three-dimensional Arabic hour markers.
The 3K factory Grenade 5168G watch has a sapphire glass mirror surface and is coated with a colorless coating to enhance the degree of transparency. The fit between the glass and the watch case is very high, and the I-ring seam at the edge is very perfect. Unlike the low version, it will make low-level mistakes such as “obviously fake” with exposed white.
The bezel is crafted with vertical brushed polishing technology, which is very delicate and full of texture.
The English letters of the “PATEK PHILIPPE GENEVE” brand below 12 o’clock will be slightly thinner than the genuine ones.
The scales and hands are filled with luminous powder. The design is synchronized with the genuine product. The luminous filler of the hands will be the same color as the scales, which is more in line with the genuine version than the gray dial grenade.
The date window at 3 o’clock is perfectly aligned horizontally with no misplacement or obstruction. However, the font is slightly thinner compared to the genuine watch. Personally, I believe a bolder font like ZF Factory’s Aquanaut version would match the authentic piece more closely.
Then look at the size and thickness of the wristwatch. This time, the 3K factory’s Aquanaut has achieved the ultimate thickness, synchronizing with the genuine product at 8.1mm. It is also the only replica version of Aquanaut on the market with the same thickness of 8.3mm as the genuine product.
The side case is polished extremely smoothly, and the edges and corners of the side guards on both sides are polished very gently.
The middle screw-in crown is exquisitely crafted. When the crown is unscrewed, the time can be easily adjusted. Pulling it out to the first position winds the movement, the second position adjusts the date, and the third position adjusts the hour and minute hands. After adjusting the time, simply screw the crown back in tightly to achieve water and dust resistance.
It should be noted that, like the genuine product, the time adjustment of the 3K Factory Aquanaut does not stop the seconds, which is also consistent with the original. However, some obsessive-compulsive customers may find the lack of a seconds-stop function somewhat useless. They may feel it inconvenient for precise time synchronization. That said, the genuine 324 movement was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to combat the quartz crisis. Movements from that era generally did not feature a seconds-stop mechanism, so this design is understandable in context.
One point to be mentioned here is that the 3K factory’s Grenade watch adjusts time without stopping seconds just like the genuine product. This is also in line with the genuine product. However, some customers with obsessive-compulsive disorder will find this non-stop-second feature a bit useless as it cannot be used for second synchronization. Then again, the genuine 324 movement was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to counter the quartz crisis. Back then, movements basically did not have a second-stop device configured, so it is understandable.
The see-through case back allows a full view of the movement. The case back also uses sapphire glass and is brushed twice. The positions of the six sets of teeth on the front are also the same as those of the genuine product. No negligence is allowed.
In terms of the movement, it is equipped with a Cal.324 movement self-produced by Factory 3K. This movement is infinitely close to the genuine product in terms of structure and use feel, including that the gears will rotate along when winding. In terms of repair, the failure rate of this self-produced 324 movement is very low. According to my personal sales situation, it is roughly one or two out of every 100 that need repair.
The engraving on the movement is made by precision engraving, which is clear and not worn. The texture is made to the extreme. However, if compared with the genuine 324 movement, the polishing will definitely be a bit worse.
The automatic rotor bearing is upgraded to a Swiss ultra-precision bearing to achieve 100% noise reduction. The noise is much lower than that of the first version before. The automatic rotor plate of Factory 3K is electroplated for coloring, while the genuine product is made of 18K gold. Just mention this briefly. It is not made of real gold as some unscrupulous merchants boast. After all, the cost price is there, and there is no need for comparison.
The watch strap is a midnight blue rubber strap, which is more comfortable to wear.
The strap interface perfectly fits the case.
The buckle is a very elegant double-folding buckle. The whole is polished with a shiny luster. The Calatrava cross star engraving pattern is also the same depth as the genuine product. The font is clear, the edges are smooth and have a texture.
The logo is also perfectly docked when closed, without offset or misalignment.
Wrist shot :Bokey wrist circumference: 15.5cm
Summary: As a popular bestseller from Patek Philippe, the Aquanaut has always been highly favored by watch enthusiasts, offering a more stylish and sporty aesthetic compared to the Nautilus. The 3K Factory Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G watch can be said to elevate this model to a new level. In particular, the movement replication achieves over 90% accuracy, truly ensuring that it looks authentic without any embarrassing flaws. The case is also modeled after the genuine product with superior craftsmanship, and the dimensions are the only ones that perfectly match the original. This allows watch enthusiasts to wear it with confidence, making it well worth purchasing and trying out.
