3K Aquanaut review

[160million]

I don't think they are.

you dont think they are off?! but that´s exactly what you said in your post above: "Lastly, and a pretty big observation, the case proportions from 3K seem to be off.. The bezel in particular when compared side by side to KMF is much larger. I also went to an AD that has gen and had a look at the real thing, which confirmed my observation that the 3K somehow messed up on this detail - the genuine Aquanaut bezel does not appear to be as wide as their version"

 

[_DC_]

you dont think they are off?! but that´s exactly what you said in your post above: "Lastly, and a pretty big observation, the case proportions from 3K seem to be off.. The bezel in particular when compared side by side to KMF is much larger. I also went to an AD that has gen and had a look at the real thing, which confirmed my observation that the 3K somehow messed up on this detail - the genuine Aquanaut bezel does not appear to be as wide as their version"

Check your quote mate, it wasn’t Supergoose who said that!!!

DC

 

[THXuk]

A lot of the rubbers look identical in photo's, but the feel, flexibility, smell (if that matters) of the OEM part has always been better then the reps. The biggest difference I found was when I swapped out my Breitling rubbers for OEM, I could not believe how much better they were, and they are not expensive. The same experience was when I bought the Chopard gran turismo trip with the vanilla impregnation.

I have decided to list shortly my used strap on here, Ive decided to go for the Nautlilus ;-)

 

[timnic54]

Do you mean the markings on the back of the lugs?

Here on the Gen watch. Scroll through the images.

https://www.patek.com/en/collection/...1#&gid=1&pid=4

Of course I have seen that. Patek do not put gold markings on SS watches. Their website is in tort, through incompetence or something.

 

[160million]

Check your quote mate, it wasn’t Supergoose who said that!!!

DC

damn just realized my mistake, sorry.
and sorry to Supergoose !

 

[Supergoose]

Patek is not a name that I would associate with the word 'incompetence'

 

[timnic54]

Patek is not a name that I would associate with the word 'incompetence'

Nonetheless SS watches made by major legitimate manufacturers do not break the law by having gold hall marks printed on them. That would be a serious legal contravention.
Leaving the markings on a photoshoped website image referring to a SS watch is simple incompetence, which they are clearly bang to rights guilty of.
Admittedly copying those marks onto a Rep of a SS watch is also incompetent , though slightly more forgivable .

 

[bb83]

would a 3kf dial fit a ZF? and are they available?

 

[Mark1937]

do not understand you. Now has this 3KF become completely different from gen? but wasn't it beautiful?

 

[timnic54]

do not understand you. Now has this 3KF become completely different from gen? but wasn't it beautiful?

It is IMO the best Rep of an Aquanaut by some considerable margin, and i have owned 2 Gens. But you know what opinions are like and everyone has one. You have to make your own mind up on it

 

[JB0938]

It is IMO the best Rep of an Aquanaut by some considerable margin, and i have owned 2 Gens. But you know what opinions are like and everyone has one. You have to make your own mind up on it

timnic54 how has the movement been holding up for you? atozzotas noted the watch has been having significant movement issues.

 

[timnic54]

timnic54 how has the movement been holding up for you? atozzotas noted the watch has been having significant movement issues.

In total I have bought 3 3K aquanauts and 2 3K Nautilus, I am yet to receive the 2nd Nautilus. The other 4 watches are running perfectly well. I suspect some potential weakness in the keyless (just a hunch ) Seems to settle uncomfortably in the return from date position to winding position. But no issue as yet. The remote second hand can judder a bit in some positions, but so does the Gen.
Overall it is clean well finished and promises to be serviceable.

 

[Riverwind85]

[mention]timnic54 [/mention] I bought the same quantity of watches, why did you buy si many?
I will have 1 aquanaut with gen dial &hands
1 for a franken 3800 nautilus
2 franken 5711
1 for spares

 

[timnic54]

[mention]timnic54[mention] I bought the same quantity of watches, why did you buy si many?
I will have 1 aquanaut with gen dial &hands
1 for a franken 3800 nautilus
2 franken 5711
1 for spares

I bought 1 Aquanaut for myself and two for friends who are very happy with them. Then I bought white dial and blue dial Nautilus, because i am certifiably insane and wanted both

 

[JB0938]

In total I have bought 3 3K aquanauts and 2 3K Nautilus, I am yet to receive the 2nd Nautilus. The other 4 watches are running perfectly well. I suspect some potential weakness in the keyless (just a hunch ) Seems to settle uncomfortably in the return from date position to winding position. But no issue as yet. The remote second hand can judder a bit in some positions, but so does the Gen.
Overall it is clean well finished and promises to be serviceable.

Got it, thank youfor the fast response! Have the QC's been satisfactory and which models have you been purchasing (the SS bracelet or the rubber)? Has the gold imprinting problem on the non-SS been solved? Or I may just order the SS model with a spare ZF strap which seems to be the way to go...

 

[timnic54]

Got it, thank youfor the fast response! Have the QC's been satisfactory and which models have you been purchasing (the SS bracelet or the rubber)? Has the gold imprinting problem on the non-SS been solved? Or I may just order the SS model with a spare ZF strap which seems to be the way to go...

Some say they have received SS versions on rubber without the Gold marks, but for the sake of the price of a rubber strap i wouldn't risk it. All QC were fine no rejections.

 

[Mark1937]

It is IMO the best Rep of an Aquanaut by some considerable margin, and i have owned 2 Gens. But you know what opinions are like and everyone has one. You have to make your own mind up on it

I just ordered ))

 

[SKnight]

In total I have bought 3 3K aquanauts and 2 3K Nautilus, I am yet to receive the 2nd Nautilus. The other 4 watches are running perfectly well. I suspect some potential weakness in the keyless (just a hunch ) Seems to settle uncomfortably in the return from date position to winding position. But no issue as yet. The remote second hand can judder a bit in some positions, but so does the Gen.
Overall it is clean well finished and promises to be serviceable.

Hey mate, can I ask you why you've bought multiple versions of each model?
Is one to rock and the other to stock??

Apologies seems you've already answered that.
​​​​​

 

[Jamie76]

timnic54 thanks for putting the time and effort into writing the review. It is appreciated and helps people like myself make informed decisions as they read your review and the comments that follow. I received mine earlier in the week and am very happy. It feels the perfect size/weight for a sports watch that also looks equally impressive with a suit (if that day ever comes again ).

 

[esquire_knight]

timnic54 Thank you for your detailed and invaluable reviews, it has always been a pleasure reading your reviews and comments which has helped me in my selection of NWBIG watches. I have just placed an order with my TD for this baby. You did mention in your first post "non bracelet SS models have gold markings in the lug backs" could you pls post a pic of the gold markings for newbies like me to understand so during the QC process it would make things a lot easier.

2.) in regards to the strap, you did mention that the build quality was satisfactory. Do you recommend an OEM / Gen strap swap for OCD freaks like me ? i jumped on ebay and found several OEMs and gen strap but I am not too sure which would be the best to go for and also the price variation is huge, any recommendations what to look out for ? (links of straps attacked , hope its allowed to reference links here)


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-...419548?hash=item469e0ddd9c:g:8TYAAOSwictdjT7p

https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPATIBLE...178883?hash=item2ad33651c3:g:RcMAAOSwF3ldZXGm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-Pa...908649?hash=item1f0c279c29:g:po4AAOSwt9BeWoeR

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Patek-...123082&hash=item3d9efb6f92:g:OJYAAOSw0i9eZQGe

3.) You did mention that your getting a Blue 3k Nautilus, i am so close to pulling the trigger on it. From your experience how does the blue compare to the gen , is white still a safer bet ? have you got it already if you do pls post some pics and comments.

Thank you !