A fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 7118/1200R copies the 35.2 mm rose gold ladies' Nautilus, and the strongest single tell is the movement. The genuine watch carries Patek's 324 S C caliber beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), while nearly every replica runs a modified Asian automatic at 28,800 vph (4 Hz). Case thickness, total weight, diamond quality, and bracelet finishing separate a convincing replica from an obvious one.
What is the Patek Philippe Nautilus 7118/1200R?
The 7118/1200R is a self-winding rose gold Nautilus with a diamond-set dial, positioned as the smaller, jewel-focused sibling of the 5711. It measures 35.2 mm across and roughly 8.6 mm thick, sized for wrists that the 40 mm men's Nautilus overwhelms.
- Movement: caliber 324 S C, 45-hour power reserve, Patek Philippe Seal
- Case: 18k rose gold, rounded octagon bezel, sapphire crystal front and back
- Dial: silvery opaline finish with 12 diamond hour markers in top Wesselton quality
- Bracelet: integrated rose gold links with a fold-over clasp
Retail pricing sits in the tens of thousands of dollars, and secondary-market values for the reference run above that.
How do you spot a fake Patek Philippe Nautilus 7118/1200R?
Inspection order matters. Work from the movement outward, because replica cases keep improving while replica mechanics lag behind.
Movement and caseback
Listen to the beat or check it with a timing app. A genuine 324 S C ticks six times per second; most replicas tick eight. Replica movements also show unfinished bridges, engraved markings in place of Geneva stripes, and rotor lettering that sits too shallow or too large.
Case thickness and weight
Genuine 7118/1200R cases measure about 8.6 mm thick, so a case that reads 9.5 to 10 mm at the calipers is a replica. Weight tells the same story: solid rose gold is dense, and plated steel feels light and balances differently on the wrist.
Diamonds and dial printing
Patek sets top Wesselton diamonds with even color and crisp facet edges. Replicas use cubic zirconia or moissanite, which throw harder fire under store lighting, and replica dial text often prints thick or drifts out of alignment at the Patek Philippe signature.
Bracelet and clasp
Check the link edges and the clasp stamping. Genuine bracelets carry mirrored, hand-polished bevels and a clasp that shuts with a firm, quiet click. Replica clasps feel loose, and hallmark stamping on the inner links is shallow.
What does "first copy" mean for this reference?
In the replica trade, "first copy" or "super clone" describes the top tier of counterfeit, built with a cloned movement and closer case dimensions. It remains a counterfeit, not a factory second and not an authorized re-edition, and the internal finishing never matches a Patek Philippe Seal standard.
How much does a replica 7118/1200R cost?
- Entry tier: $50 to $120, quartz or basic automatic, plated finish
- Mid tier: $150 to $350, closer case shape, cubic zirconia stones
- Top tier: $400 to $900, cloned automatic caliber, moissanite or lab stones, closer weight
Is buying a fake Nautilus legal?
In the United States, importing and selling counterfeit goods is illegal, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments. Personal use carries less exposure than resale, but passing a replica off as genuine is fraud in every U.S. jurisdiction.