A fake Blancpain 5200-0113-52A is a replica of the Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback, a 43 mm Swiss watch with a flyback chronograph and two sub-dials. No replica matches the genuine caliber, case finishing, or paperwork, though top-tier copies get close on the outside. The reference number itself is the first thing to check, because sellers use the 5200 prefix on watches that never matched it.
What Is the Blancpain 5200-0113-52A?
The 5200 prefix belongs to the Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback family. That watch pairs a case in the 43 mm range with a flyback chronograph, a date window, and a sapphire bezel. The second half of the reference, 0113-52A, points to one exact case material, dial color, and strap combination from the catalog.
Blancpain swaps those suffix codes without redesigning the watch, so 5200-0113-52A shares its case and movement with other 5200 references. Listings often borrow the number from a different configuration. Match the full code against Blancpain's own catalog before you compare anything else.
What Does "First Copy" Mean for This Reference?
"First copy" is trade language for a replica built to sit at the top of the copy market. Sellers use the term to separate a $500 watch from a $60 one.
- Cheap tier: printed dials, quartz or basic automatic movement, wrong pusher spacing.
- Mid tier: automatic chronograph movement, closer case shape, softer finishing.
- Top tier ("first copy"): clone-adjacent movement, sapphire crystal, near-correct dimensions and dial text.
Even the best tier stays a copy. It carries no Blancpain warranty, no factory service network, and no resale market worth counting on.
How Do You Tell a Fake Blancpain 5200-0113-52A From the Real One?
Start at the case back and work forward. That is where replicas fail first.
Check the case back and engravings
Genuine Blancpain engraving is cut into the metal with sharp, even edges. Copies use laser etch or stamping, which looks shallow under a loupe. Serial and reference numbers on fakes repeat across batches, so search the exact number you see.
Check the movement through the display back
The genuine watch runs an in-house Blancpain caliber with a flyback chronograph. Most replicas use a Seagull ST19, a Valjoux-style clone, or a Chinese automatic chronograph module. A column wheel is the giveaway: it shows as a round, toothed part under the chronograph bridge instead of a flat cam lever.
Check dial text and date window
Look at the logo, the model name, and the depth rating. Fakes show uneven spacing, thicker strokes, or the wrong font weight. The date window should sit under clean sapphire with centered numerals and a font that matches the catalog photo.
Check the pushers, crown, and bezel
A flyback chronograph needs crisp pusher action and a screw-down crown. Copies show mushy pushers, a crown that will not seat, or a bezel that turns both ways when it should not. Genuine bezel action clicks with no play.
Check weight and materials
Titanium and ceramic versions feel different from steel. A titanium-cased fake ships in steel, so it feels heavier than the real watch. Weight alone proves nothing on a strap, so pair it with the other checks.
Check the lume and crystal
Genuine lume glows even and bright after a few seconds under a lamp. Cheap copies glow patchy or not at all. Sapphire stays scratch-free and shows a colorless edge under light, while mineral glass scratches with a coin.
Which Movement Sits Inside a Replica 5200 Chronograph?
Most replica 5200 chronographs use one of three movements. Knowing which one you are looking at tells you what to expect for winding, thickness, and reliability.
- Seagull ST19: manual wind, column wheel, smooth pusher feel, no automatic winding.
- Asian 7750 clone: automatic, cam-actuated, common in mid-tier copies, thicker than the original.
- Quartz: no sweeping seconds, chronograph resets with a snap. Found in the cheapest listings.
None of these match the service intervals or accuracy of a Blancpain in-house caliber.
What Do Fake Blancpain 5200-0113-52A Watches Cost?
Replica prices move with tier, seller, and movement. Most listings land in three bands.
- $50 to $120: quartz or basic automatic, mineral glass, printed dial.
- $150 to $350: automatic chronograph, sapphire, better case work.
- $400 to $900: top tier with closer dimensions and a decorated movement.
A price far below the tier you expect is a warning, not a bargain. The same goes for a seller who posts stock photos instead of pictures of the watch in hand.
Red Flags in Listings and Photos
- Photos pulled from Blancpain's site or from other sellers.
- No pictures of the case back, movement, or crown.
- Reference numbers that do not match the dial or case in the photo.
- Claims of "1:1" or "identical to genuine" with no detail behind them.
- Payment methods with no refund path.
Ask for a timestamped photo of the case back. Sellers who cannot send one seldom have the watch at all.
FAQ
Is a fake Blancpain 5200-0113-52A waterproof?
Treat it as splash-resistant at best. Gaskets on copies are not tested to the depth rating printed on the dial. Do not swim or dive with one.
Can a jeweler tell a replica 5200 from the real one?
Yes, and fast. A watchmaker who opens the case sees the movement in seconds. Case back engraving and dial printing settle the outside just as quick.
Do fake 5200-0113-52A watches hold value?
No. Replicas lose value the moment they ship, and no dealer or auction house takes one on consignment. The genuine reference holds value through scarcity, in-house movement, and brand service.
How do I verify the real reference number?
Check Blancpain's official catalog or an authorized dealer. Match case material, dial color, and strap code to the full reference. If a listing shows a 5200 number on a dial that does not match, the number is wrong.
The Short Version
Verify the reference, inspect the case back, and identify the movement. Those three steps answer the fake-or-real question for the 5200-0113-52A in most cases. A replica can copy the silhouette, but not the caliber, the finishing, or the paperwork.