3K Aquanaut review

[pieuvre]

I'm sorry, dumb question here. I see you people waiting for "timnic54's review of the 3KF [to] get posted".
But isn't that the first post of this tread?

 

[BIONONE]

Can't express how i enjoy this level of examination Blaithin as i also got a weakness for details that are often overlooked...

I have also noticed the difference of chamfering on the 3KF 5711 which is obviously repped from a early pre2018 get reference as it also got the geneva seal on its movement and of course the wider chamfered lugs - don't want to get too deep into the nautilus topic but i am looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[Blaithin]

I'm sorry, dumb question here. I see you people waiting for "timnic54's review of the 3KF [to] get posted".
But isn't that the first post of this tread?

It's for the 3KF Nautilus he ordered. Must've forgotten to type that. Sorry for the confusion

 

[Blaithin]

Can't express how i enjoy this level of examination Blaithin as i also got a weakness for details that are often overlooked...

I have also noticed the difference of chamfering on the 3KF 5711 which is obviously repped from a early pre2018 get reference as it also got the geneva seal on its movement and of course the wider chamfered lugs - don't want to get too deep into the nautilus topic but i am looking forward to your thoughts.

I agree the fun and appreciation of gens and reps comes into play when you fuss about the tiniest of details. I also agree that we shouldn't derail an Aquanaut thread into a Nautilus discussion.

 

[pieuvre]

It's for the 3KF Nautilus he ordered. Must've forgotten to type that. Sorry for the confusion

Got it now, I should have guessed... Thanks anyway!

 

[wNe]

Fleurier has been very ambitious with its watch arm, and I love that about them. Have never gotten a chance to pick up a Parmigiani before, but I'm loving the look of the Kalpagraph, and Hemisphere. I think they're great choices. Strong, bold, and have their own personality (not to mention their movements are rock solid because Vaucher Fleurier).

I look forward to your review of the 3KF Nautilus even though I've actually already bought a PPF V3 because I prefer the subdued blue-grey with the really good ootb date. The bezel is fat. The bracelet has some sharp edges, but they won't bother you in normal use unless you're shaking the watch. Since sanding them out, the PPF has been pretty close in feel to my gen. The crown winding, and setting is sturdy on the Miyota 9015, but obviously nowhere near the smoothness of gen (small concession). Not sure about the superclone 324sc (I've heard it can feel a bit flimsy).

Thanks for your comments, really nice too see any comments on a comparison between gen vs rep.

But one thing.. did you saw/feel the PF 5711? As I heard it’s the best case / bracelet for a rep nautilus and I thought it would be the best to make a comparison between rep & gen

[mention]BIONONE [/mention] don’t forget the PM Bro

 

[srhoque]

Thanks for your comments, really nice too see any comments on a comparison between gen vs rep.

But one thing.. did you saw/feel the PF 5711? As I heard it’s the best case / bracelet for a rep nautilus and I thought it would be the best to make a comparison between rep & gen

[mention]BIONONE [/mention] don’t forget the PM Bro

Not to get too off topic...but if we do a rep vs gen comparison, its only fair that the gen white is compared to a Hybrid PF/PPF (PF Case/Bracelet + PPF Dial/Hands)

 

[Blaithin]

Not to get too off topic...but if we do a rep vs gen comparison, its only fair that the gen white is compared to a Hybrid PF/PPF (PF Case/Bracelet + PPF Dial/Hands)

This will be my last post derailing the topic.

I can't comment on the gen white dial because I've never been interested in it, and as such have never owned one long enough to break it down. As for the blue dial, I can share some other knowledge about it.

So with the blue dial, you have Leeway because Patek likes to follow a general colour hue for a period, and it will have variations because they deliberately do not want full consistency in colour for the unique-ish factor. In addition, the blue dial is so dynamic that any real life comparison would be markedly difficult simply because consistency of lighting is absolutely paramount, and even then this is already a problematic comparison because you had to vacuum every other trait of the blue dial to get one of its multitude of blues under a specific lighting. Who is to say that another gen variant of the same major blue-grey hue would not be slightly different as well, or react differently due to an altered composition.

The real issue is ideological. To me, the question of closing into gen is a question of logic, knowledge, and PASSABILITY rather than an absolute adherence to an elusive perfection. If you want me to be very pedantic, the PPF Dial has flaws that become obvious alongside gen. The Font of the "Patek Philippe Geneve" is noticeably thinner or less bold. Minute pips are actually smaller than gen (may require a loup to notice). The hour markers lack a roundedness to their corners (like Rolex sub reps but significantly less noticeable due to the shape of the markers). A blue pf/PPF hybrid is also "fantasy" watch because pre-2018 case (see lug chamfering discussion above) and post-2018 dial.

I think with this exercise, I have at least put out a point where you never even got closer to the gen by doing the hybrid. You pushed the gen-Ness further away by making a fun fantasy watch which would be collectible if a gen did pop up with such traits.
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[tmp2018]

summary

gold hallmarks on ss rubber version: already fixed in new batches by 3KF
rubberstraps: okayish quality, can be changed with gen straps
clone movement: not engraved like gen, but overall an excellent/clean clone
overall: very genlike, dial has even a genlike sunburst

so the biggest problem is, i need that watch.^^ edit: now the biggest problem is, that my TD only has the old batch with the hallmarks :/ (options: wait / get the ss braclet version with extra rubber straps)

thanks for the great review & great posts guys

 

[Big_Smoke]

summary

gold hallmarks on ss rubber version: already fixed in new batches by 3KF
rubberstraps: okayish quality, can be changed with gen straps
clone movement: not engraved like gen, but overall an excellent/clean clone
overall: very genlike, dial has even a genlike sunburst

so the biggest problem is, i need that watch.^^ edit: now the biggest problem is, that my TD only has the old batch with the hallmarks :/ (options: wait / get the ss braclet version with extra rubber straps)

thanks for the great review & great posts guys

Thanks for this. In my opinion, if they engrave the movement, I think their sales might skyrocket significantly.. Do factories gather feedback from forums like this one you think?

 

[tmp2018]

Thanks for this. In my opinion, if they engrave the movement, I think their sales might skyrocket significantly.. Do factories gather feedback from forums like this one you think?

imho its more the TDs giving feedback to factories, but never forget that most of the factories and TDs are very very happy to sell you a (f.e.) 5167 this year, but also a better one in 2021 and an even better one in 2022 and so on...

so even when they engrave the movement, there might be other/new flaws in the updated version...

regarding this movement my opion is like timenic, i dont care about those engravings, but i dont want these false hallmarks on the backside of a SS watch (even when no one will ever notice)

 

[srhoque]

imho its more the TDs giving feedback to factories, but never forget that most of the factories and TDs are very very happy to sell you a (f.e.) 5167 this year, but also a better one in 2021 and an even better one in 2022 and so on...

so even when they engrave the movement, there might be other/new flaws in the updated version...

regarding this movement my opion is like timenic, i dont care about those engravings, but i dont want these false hallmarks on the backside of a SS watch (even when no one will ever notice)

+1. Factories really don't care about this forum feedback. They will do what makes commercial sense to them and will introduce improvements/updates when it suits them. Given that 3KF needs to recoup the development costs of this new clone, I think they will stay the course and maybe engrave if/when sales slow down (but I maybe wrong, I hope I am). It will be a lot like Noob's strategy with 4130...first overwhelm the market with a game changing movement, let people buy it for the movement and then introduce incremental updates and make people buy it again

We also have to keep in mind - This forum is a very very miniscule proportion of the market that rep factories serve. Their main target is mainland China which I don't think cares if movement is engraved or not. They are just more than happy to get a aquanaut for a fraction of the price.

 

[nobigdeal2010]

Received my 3k aquanaut today. I'm not an expert, just my thoughts and observations..

Right out of the box, the bezel has a significant amount of scratches on the polished bevel. It is also slightly rotated counter-clockwise. It's not easy to notice head on but if you look at the 9 o'clock side of the mid case and compare those edges with the edges of the bezel, you can see that they are off. Be sure to QC this carefully. I will send it to a watch smith to be reassembled. I find the strap quality below ZF but definitely wearable. I ordered a spare ZF strap to swap it with. I like the finish of the 3k clasp more than ZF. I always thought the polishing on the ZF clasp looked cheap. This clasp is slightly better IMO. The seconds hand on my watch is slightly bent. The date wheel doesn't bug me. It's well centered and fills the window enough in real life. The rotor noise is what I would call significant. Comparable to a fresh Miyota. The movement printing isn't the greatest to look at but the movement itself is impressive. I also find the movement to have a lot of finger prints on it. The dial is beautiful. I have not held a gen in my hand so I cannot speak to that but it looks much higher quality than the ZF dial IMO. I always thought the ZF sunburst instantly cheapened the watch. The 3k sunburst is well refined and they seem to have hit all the colors with the dial.

Over all, pretty happy with it. Will be happier with a ZF strap, bezel fixed, hand fixed and potentially a quieter rotor.

 

[Rainbowkin]

Received my 3k aquanaut today. I'm not an expert, just my thoughts and observations..

Hi I have put funds down a for 3k aquanaut as well and been waiting on the qc pictures. Could you please be more specific on how to tell from your picture if the bezel is off? Thanks

 

[flextime]

I ordered one of the rubber ones from Andrew @ trusty time and it doesn't have the gold engravings. Seems like the factory is correcting the issue.

I tried ordering a rubber without engravings from Andrew. After a lot of back and forth, initially thinking I’d get one. It was a no go. I would’ve ordered the bracelet plus an extra rubber if he told me it was a definite “no” from the get go. But I didn’t want to wait any longer, so just GL the one with engravings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[timnic54]

I tried ordering a rubber without engravings from Andrew. After a lot of back and forth, initially thinking I’d get one. It was a no go. I would’ve ordered the bracelet plus an extra rubber if he told me it was a definite “no” from the get go. But I didn’t want to wait any longer, so just GL the one with engravings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think the only sure way not to get the crazy AU 750 engravings is to order the bracelet model and a separate rubber Band

 

[Mark1937]

I am waiting my QC on rubber. I will post caseback

 

[Hero4774]

You mentioned that the SS bracelet is different than the ones listed that come with the rubber strap.
the rubber strap ones being sold have gold markings on the back?
so if you buy a rubber strap 5167 from the site it is lesser quality than the bracelet ??
thanks

 

[timnic54]

You mentioned that the SS bracelet is different than the ones listed that come with the rubber strap.
the rubber strap ones being sold have gold markings on the back?
so if you buy a rubber strap 5167 from the site it is lesser quality than the bracelet ??
thanks

It will be the same watch but the rubber strap model will have gold markings on the lug back and the bracelet model won't.

 

[Blaithin]

Received my 3k aquanaut today. I'm not an expert, just my thoughts and observations..

Right out of the box, the bezel has a significant amount of scratches on the polished bevel. It is also slightly rotated counter-clockwise. It's not easy to notice head on but if you look at the 9 o'clock side of the mid case and compare those edges with the edges of the bezel, you can see that they are off. Be sure to QC this carefully. I will send it to a watch smith to be reassembled. I find the strap quality below ZF but definitely wearable. I ordered a spare ZF strap to swap it with. I like the finish of the 3k clasp more than ZF. I always thought the polishing on the ZF clasp looked cheap. This clasp is slightly better IMO. The seconds hand on my watch is slightly bent. The date wheel doesn't bug me. It's well centered and fills the window enough in real life. The rotor noise is what I would call significant. Comparable to a fresh Miyota. The movement printing isn't the greatest to look at but the movement itself is impressive. I also find the movement to have a lot of finger prints on it. The dial is beautiful. I have not held a gen in my hand so I cannot speak to that but it looks much higher quality than the ZF dial IMO. I always thought the ZF sunburst instantly cheapened the watch. The 3k sunburst is well refined and they seem to have hit all the colors with the dial.

Over all, pretty happy with it. Will be happier with a ZF strap, bezel fixed, hand fixed and potentially a quieter rotor.

Forgot to mention that the gen rotor is noisy (luxurious noise, but noisy). There are youtube vids and anecdotes from my fellow gen 5711 and 5167 owners who also say it's noisy. Depending on how you want to hear it...when it's in the winding direction (counter clockwise, and the PPF V3 9015 miyota is a little bit quieter in its winding direction) or free spinning it's making expensive noise. Some really like it...others don't. So depending on how you look at it you can either silence the rotor and be less like gen because the rotor will be quiet (dunno what 3KF sounds like though. Miyota doesn't sound quite right though) or leave it be.

It honestly surprises me how people just assume a ball bearing rotor isn't going to be noisy just because it's Patek...just google 5711 rotor noise or Nautilus rotor noise or Aquanaut rotor noise...and watch the complaints from the rolex forums...watchuseek...time zone...tz-uk and other gen forums just flood your google search page.