Hello everyone, I’m new to the game but always had a love for watches. I’m currently looking at an Patek Philippe AQUANAUT JUMBO 5167A DLC ZF 1:1 BEST EDITION BLACK DIAL ON BLACK RUBBER STRAP 324CS from trustytime. Can anyone tell me the best version of this rep or if this is the best version?
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AQUANAUT JUMBO 5167A DLC ZF 1:1 BEST EDITION BLACK DIAL ON BLACK RUBBER STRAP 324CS
- Thread starter WarDog24
- Start date
Hi - If you check the threads here there is quite a debate about this!
I advise you to search for 'Aquanaut 3K ZF' and you will find many inputs reviews and photos. Here is an overview:
The ZF is a great replica, and there has been a lot of recent noise about the new 3KF Factory which is producing a lovely model using a 'cloned' 324 mechanism which gives slightly greater authenticity, both in thickness and in rotary look (from rear). Which is best? I cannot decide!
ZF - Positives
- Tried and trusted Miyota mechanism
- Engraved rear case
- Better strap and clasp
- Better date window
- Evenness in lume colour and consistency
- Good case and bezel dimensions
ZF - Negatives
- Mechanism is not a replica to view from rear (cogs, wheels etc)
- Dial 'burst' a little shiny vs Gen
- Minolta is slightly noisy
3K - Positives
- Replica mechanism
- Good thickness (~8.5 vs ~8.8)
- Nice dial
3K - Negatives
- Mechanism untested, some reviews of complete breakdown
- Some reports of poor date position and size
- Strap apparently horrible
- Many comments of bezel thickness being too slightly large (may have been resolved, IMO unlikely)
- Rubber Strap version has gold insignia on rear (many reports of this having been resolved)
- Printed rear Patek Phillipe etc is not that impressive
You must also weight your preference, and some have picked and matched for an ideal solution. For me it may not even exist: (for example, engraving is clearly a physical intervention in the working mechanism and may have implications, so talk of 3K improving this may not even be ideal).
Overall, I would say the following:
- both look great and are not able to spot as reps unless examined closely
- both will break eventually
- clearly both are relatively cheap at $500, when the original is ~$40,000 (depending on where you get it)
- I had a Gen Patek Aqua and it was breaking all the time
I advise you to search for 'Aquanaut 3K ZF' and you will find many inputs reviews and photos. Here is an overview:
The ZF is a great replica, and there has been a lot of recent noise about the new 3KF Factory which is producing a lovely model using a 'cloned' 324 mechanism which gives slightly greater authenticity, both in thickness and in rotary look (from rear). Which is best? I cannot decide!
ZF - Positives
- Tried and trusted Miyota mechanism
- Engraved rear case
- Better strap and clasp
- Better date window
- Evenness in lume colour and consistency
- Good case and bezel dimensions
ZF - Negatives
- Mechanism is not a replica to view from rear (cogs, wheels etc)
- Dial 'burst' a little shiny vs Gen
- Minolta is slightly noisy
3K - Positives
- Replica mechanism
- Good thickness (~8.5 vs ~8.8)
- Nice dial
3K - Negatives
- Mechanism untested, some reviews of complete breakdown
- Some reports of poor date position and size
- Strap apparently horrible
- Many comments of bezel thickness being too slightly large (may have been resolved, IMO unlikely)
- Rubber Strap version has gold insignia on rear (many reports of this having been resolved)
- Printed rear Patek Phillipe etc is not that impressive
You must also weight your preference, and some have picked and matched for an ideal solution. For me it may not even exist: (for example, engraving is clearly a physical intervention in the working mechanism and may have implications, so talk of 3K improving this may not even be ideal).
Overall, I would say the following:
- both look great and are not able to spot as reps unless examined closely
- both will break eventually
- clearly both are relatively cheap at $500, when the original is ~$40,000 (depending on where you get it)
- I had a Gen Patek Aqua and it was breaking all the time
I love the 3K but I believe that ZF is the only factory making the black on black aquanaut based on the custom watch company venom
So here is my new ZF, plus brown 3K strap, just arrived from Andrew at Trusty. Its very impressive!. First i should say that I owned an Aqua original so have some experience. The dial is does not excessive at all, spot on. I also put added the 3K brown - as the colour of the brown ZF is just way off. Some have spoken so badly about the quality of the 3K rubber straps, but to me its just fine, and no noticeable difference with the black ZF which the watch came with. Please check these photos (By the way, I really recommend Andrew. I did a shipment via London and all perfectly smooth, here in around 14 days, no problems, plus great pictures and tracking info along the way).
So here is my new ZF, plus brown 3K strap, just arrived from Andrew at Trusty. Its very impressive!. First i should say that I owned an Aqua original so have some experience. The dial is does not excessive at all, spot on. I also put added the 3K brown - as the colour of the brown ZF is just way off. Some have spoken so badly about the quality of the 3K rubber straps, but to me its just fine, and no noticeable difference with the black ZF which the watch came with. Please check these photos (By the way, I really recommend Andrew. I did a shipment via London and all perfectly smooth, here in around 14 days, no problems, plus great pictures and tracking info along the way).
http://m.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTAyN...==&sharekey=93813e83695ddab4a8a4df4bdb2cf5b83 长按复制此口令 ＄3is5cIreJIQ＄，打开【优酷APP】就可以看了~！
Hope this copied link from Youku works, DLC (diamond like carbon) version looks really nice.
A: Is the red seconds hand gen like?
Hope this copied link from Youku works, DLC (diamond like carbon) version looks really nice.
A: Is the red seconds hand gen like?
The gen Patek 324 movement has a unidirectional winding mechanism with a similar free spinning rotor sound as the 9015. That noise everyone's trying to get rid of is actually gen-like. Enjoy your reps, gentlemen!
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Pulled the trigger on the (red) black venom Aquanaut. Approved qc pic:
PAMorROLEX
Active Member
Looks really cool.. This one do not have the lume colour mismatch unlike the 3KF but does have a same flaw on the Seconds hand (Different colour at the pinion).. DLC solves all the flaws regarding the brushing quality, wish ZF and PPF could come up with real Rubies instead of plastic beads to imitate the jewels, which are a dead give away..
Pulled the trigger on the (red) black venom Aquanaut. Approved qc pic:
Never realized the rubies are in fact plastic beads. How can you see the difference? I guess there is always something to improve ha
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Interesting recap.. do you know if we can expect new releases for this model this year? Is any factory working for reducing or removing the weakenesses from their model?
Inviato dal mio iPhone utilizzando Tapatalk
Max Cady
Aquaracer
Pulled the trigger on the (red) black venom Aquanaut. Approved qc pic:
How do you like it after several months?
I'm torn between this one and the metal one (but definitely need those red markers and second hand)!
It’s part of my rotation since the start. Love the dial, light weight case and thinness. Rubber strap is very comfortable.
The movement runs a bit slow but not annoyingly so, I could always send it to a watch smith.
The metal version is more flashy imo vs dlc version, also something to take into account
Max Cady
Aquaracer
Thank you very much, that helps me a lot!
I think the metal version is also very nice, but i'm looking for a nice low profile everyday watch and i think this is the perfect one!
Max Cady
Aquaracer
No problem, good luck !
Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk
Thx mate - its really a nice one!
Fit the strap around your wrist, measure and use (count) the rubber elevations on the back of the strap as a marker on both sides, make it a bit wider than is necessary, mark it with a pencil, measure it again to be sure and cut it with a sharp knife. Glgl