A first-copy Patek Philippe Nautilus 6790 is a counterfeit watch built to look like a Nautilus reference, sold on replica sites under seller terms such as "first copy" or "1:1." Expect $150 to $900 depending on the movement and the finish. The watch is not produced by Patek Philippe, carries no brand warranty, and no authorized service center will work on it. If the 6790 reference does not appear in Patek Philippe's own catalogue, the number may be a seller invention.
What "first copy" means
Replica sellers sort stock into tiers, and "first copy" sits at the top of most of their price lists. The label is marketing, not a standard. Two sellers can both advertise a "first copy Nautilus 6790" and ship watches from different factories with different case thickness, dial printing, and bracelet finishing. Ask what movement is inside and how the case is finished before you compare prices. A seller who will not answer is selling a lower tier under a higher name.
Prerequisites
- Genuine reference data: case diameter, case thickness, lug shape, dial layout, and movement type.
- A fixed budget with a ceiling you will not cross.
- Knowledge of US import rules for counterfeit goods.
- A written return and refund policy from the seller.
How to evaluate one before you pay
- Confirm the reference exists in Patek Philippe's catalogue or an auction archive. If it does not, stop.
- Ask the seller for the case diameter and thickness in millimeters, then compare both numbers to the genuine reference.
- Request close-up photos of the dial at an angle, and look for sharp printing, aligned markers, and a date wheel centered in its window.
- Request photos of the bracelet and clasp, then check that link ends taper and that the engraving is crisp rather than stamped and shallow.
- Ask which movement is installed and request a photo with the caseback removed. A decorated rotor does not prove a good movement.
- Ask for the watch on a scale. A stainless Nautilus replica that weighs far under the genuine figure usually has a hollow case.
- Test the crown, the winding, and the date flip at midnight once the watch arrives.
- Pay with a method that allows a chargeback, and keep the return window in writing.
Cost tiers
- $100 to $250: quartz movement, plated case, light weight, obvious tells up close.
- $250 to $500: automatic movement, solid case, decent dial, average bracelet.
- $500 to $900: high-grade automatic, closer case profile, better finishing, still not genuine.
Legal and ownership reality in the US
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and to sell. US Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy a shipment, and a seizure notice is a real outcome rather than a scare tactic. Sellers rarely refund a seized order. Resale is another dead end: no auction house, dealer, or pawn shop will take a counterfeit, and online marketplaces remove those listings. The watch also has no service network, so a broken movement means a hunt for a generic repair shop that will touch it.
Care once you own one
Keep the watch dry unless the seller states a water resistance rating you can verify. Rinse the bracelet with a soft brush and warm water, avoid chemicals, and store it away from magnets. Expect the movement to need attention within a few years. Budget for that or accept the loss.