Short answer first: the watch in that search does not exist as a factory reference. Patek Philippe's white gold Aquanaut is the 5168G, while the 5167 line is cataloged in stainless steel (5167A) and rose gold (5167R). A listing that says "5167G white gold" describes a replica, and usually one built to imitate a model the brand never made. This guide compares the three things that search can lead you to, the genuine white gold Aquanaut, a pre-owned steel 5167A, and the replica listings themselves, on four criteria: whether the reference is real, whether the metal is what it claims to be, whether the watch can be bought and sold legally in the United States, and whether anyone will service it. It does not rank or link replica sellers.
Why the reference number is the first filter
Reference numbers are the least glamorous part of watch collecting and the most useful. Every factory reference appears in the brand's own catalog, in auction archives, and in the service paperwork of watches sold at retail. A combination that appears in none of those places, but appears constantly in marketplace ads, is a sign that the number was chosen to sound plausible rather than to describe a real watch.
Three checks take about two minutes. Does the reference show up in the manufacturer's catalog and in auction results from the major houses? Do search results include owner threads, service records and dealer inventory, or only marketplace ads using the same stock photos? Does the seller name the reference consistently, or does the same watch appear as 5167G, 5168G and "Aquanaut white gold" in different places?
Case metal, honestly described
Genuine white gold in this segment is an 18k gold alloy, frequently rhodium plated to reach a cool grey tone. Gold is dense, and a solid gold case has a heft that a steel case of identical dimensions does not. That weight difference is the simplest physical tell, and it is the one sellers cannot photograph away.
Replica cases at this size are almost never solid 18k gold. The common construction is stainless steel with plating or a coating, and plating wears through at the lugs, crown and caseback edges with regular wear. Once the base metal shows, the watch cannot be refinished back to its original appearance, because there is no gold underneath to polish.
Legal position in the United States
Counterfeit watches infringe registered trademarks, and selling them is illegal in the US. Import is where the risk becomes concrete. US Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches and jewelry at the border, and a seized shipment is typically destroyed with no refund to the buyer. Buying carries less exposure than selling, but a buyer holding a counterfeit has no recourse if the item never arrives, arrives damaged, or is stopped in transit. Payment platforms and marketplaces remove these listings on a rolling basis, which is why the same sellers rotate domains and storefront names.
Service, parts and resale
A genuine Aquanaut can be serviced by the brand or by a trained independent watchmaker, and parts availability follows the reference. A replica cannot be serviced by the brand, is not accepted by it, and independent watchmakers often decline because the movement is an unrelated design with no parts supply chain behind it. Resale follows the same logic. Genuine references trade in a documented market with recorded prices, and replicas do not, which means the money spent is not recoverable in any structured way.
The three options, side by side
Genuine white gold Aquanaut (5168G)
This is the watch the search is reaching for. It is a larger white gold Aquanaut with the same integrated bracelet design language and a dial pattern that matches the case metal.
Pros
- Real reference with documented production and auction records
- Solid gold case with genuine service support
- Holds value in a tracked secondary market
Cons
- Expensive entry point, and allocation at retail is not guaranteed
- Gold cases show scratches and dings more visibly than steel
Best for collectors who want the white gold look and intend to keep the watch long term.
Pre-owned steel Aquanaut 5167A
The 5167A delivers the same silhouette and bracelet feel in stainless steel, which is why it is the reference most buyers actually end up with.
Pros
- Lower cost than gold, with the same recognizable design
- Steel resists daily wear better and is easier to refinish
- Deep supply of pre-owned examples and full service support
Cons
- Not white gold, so it will not satisfy a metal-specific preference
- Pre-owned pricing still runs well above retail
Best for buyers who want the design, plan to wear it daily, and care more about durability than case metal.
Replica listings labeled "5167G white gold"
These ads describe a model that does not exist in the catalog, which makes verification impossible from the start.
Pros
- Lowest upfront cost of the three
- Photographs closely resemble the real design at a glance
Cons
- The reference is not real, so nothing about the listing can be verified
- Case metal is plated steel, not gold, and plating wears through
- No brand service, limited independent service, effectively no resale market
- Import seizures and marketplace removals are routine
Best for no one who expects to keep, service or resell the watch. It is a costume piece with a short usable life.
Which one fits your use case
If the goal is a white gold Aquanaut on the wrist, the honest path is the 5168G, new or pre-owned, and patience with the secondary market. If the goal is the Aquanaut look for daily wear at a lower cost, the steel 5167A is the sensible target. If the goal is simply to see whether the shape suits your wrist before committing, buy a legitimate homage-style watch from an established brand instead, since that purchase keeps its value and can be serviced. What none of these paths requires is a reference number that the manufacturer never issued.