What Is a Replica Patek Philippe 7118 Blue Dial?
The replica Patek Philippe 7118 blue dial is a counterfeit copy of the Nautilus 7118/1A-010, a 35.2 mm steel watch with a blue opaline dial. Copies sell for about $80 to $600 depending on the factory and the movement inside. None of them contain a Patek Philippe movement, and none of them come from Patek Philippe.
Patek Philippe has never sold a 7118 with a quartz caliber or a modified third-party movement. That one detail separates a replica from the real watch better than any side-by-side photo.
What Does the Genuine Patek Philippe 7118/1A-010 Look Like?
The genuine 7118/1A-010 is the smaller Nautilus, built for wrists that the 40 mm 5711 never fit. Patek Philippe added the reference to the collection in 2018, and it keeps the porthole case shape that Gérald Genta drew in 1976.
- Case: 35.2 mm stainless steel, 8.62 mm thick, water resistant to 60 m.
- Dial: Blue opaline with the embossed horizontal wave pattern, applied gold numerals, and a date window at 3 o'clock.
- Movement: Caliber 324 S C, self-winding, about 45 hours of power reserve, visible through a sapphire caseback.
- Bracelet: Integrated steel bracelet with satin-brushed outer links and polished center links.
Patek Philippe still lists the reference in its current collection. Used examples often trade above retail on the secondary market because supply stays short.
How Do Replicas of the 7118 Blue Dial Compare?
Replica quality tracks price, and the tiers are easy to spot once you know the markers.
Dial
Cheap copies print the wave pattern flat instead of embossing it. The blue shifts toward purple or gray under indoor light, and the applied numerals sit on glued posts that catch light in the wrong spots.
Case and Bracelet
Steel grade and finishing show up at the edges. Replica cases run thicker than 8.62 mm, and the bracelet links feel light because the alloy is not the 316L steel Patek Philippe uses.
Movement
Most copies hide a Chinese automatic or a quartz caliber behind a decorated rotor. The balance wheel and gear train never match caliber 324 S C, so a watchmaker with a loupe spots the difference in seconds.
Why Is the 7118 Blue Dial a Common Target for Replicas?
The 7118/1A-010 is a steel watch with a blue dial from a brand that makes about 60,000 to 70,000 watches a year. That mix drives waiting lists and resale prices, and counterfeiters follow demand.
- Steel case, so the raw material cost sits far below a gold or platinum reference.
- Simple time-and-date layout, with no tourbillon, minute repeater, or perpetual calendar to copy.
- Strong brand recognition, which gives a fake a story to sell.
Where Do Replica Patek Philippe 7118 Blue Dial Watches Come From?
Most copies ship from workshops in Guangdong province and reach buyers through private chat apps, forum sellers, and small websites. Sellers use nicknames for factories instead of brand names, and those nicknames change every few years.
There is no official lineup, no serial tracking, and no warranty. Two watches sold under the same nickname can come from different benches with different parts.
What Should You Check Before Buying a Replica 7118 Blue Dial?
Work down this list from most to least important.
- Case thickness. Measure it. Anything past 9 mm is not a match for an 8.62 mm case.
- Dial texture. Run a fingernail across the waves. Embossing has depth; printed lines do not.
- Date font. Replica date wheels use a generic font that crowds the window.
- Bracelet play. Real Nautilus links move with tight, even tolerance.
- Movement photos. Ask for a shot of the caseback with the rotor at rest.
Is It Legal to Buy a Replica Patek Philippe 7118 in the US?
US law aims at the people who make and sell counterfeits, not the person who wears one. Reselling a replica, or importing one for resale, is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 2320.
Customs and Border Protection can seize a counterfeit watch shipped from China and destroy it. You lose the watch and the money, and no seller refunds a seizure.
How Much Do Replica Patek Philippe 7118 Blue Dial Watches Cost?
- Under $100: quartz movement, printed dial, plated case.
- $150 to $350: automatic movement, better dial printing, case still too thick.
- $400 to $700: decorated clone movement, embossed dial, closest case dimensions.
Genuine 7118/1A-010 prices sit in the tens of thousands of dollars on the secondary market, so that gap is the whole reason the replica market exists.
FAQ
Does a replica 7118 blue dial use a real Patek Philippe movement?
No. Patek Philippe does not sell movements to outside buyers, so every replica runs a Chinese, Japanese, or Swiss clone.
Can a watchmaker tell a replica from a real 7118?
Yes, and the caseback is the fastest way to do it. Caliber 324 S C has a specific bridge layout and Geneva stripes that no clone matches.
Will a replica Patek Philippe 7118 hold its value?
No. Replica watches lose value the moment they ship, and no resale market pays near the purchase price.
Is a replica 7118 blue dial waterproof?
Treat it as splash resistant at best. Replica gaskets and crown seals do not match the 60 m rating of the genuine watch, and water damage voids any seller warranty.