A fake 1735 Grande Complication is a replica of the Patek Philippe Ref. 1735, the 1989 platinum wristwatch that packed a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, and tourbillon into a single case. Only about 14 genuine examples were made and they trade for seven figures, so almost every "1735" offered online is a replica or a mislabeled watch. A replica can still be well built, but it is a decorative tribute to the original, not a functional equal.

What is the Patek Philippe Ref. 1735?

The Ref. 1735 was released for Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary and is widely described as the most complicated wristwatch of its era. It combined four classic high complications in a case small enough to wear, which had not been done before at that level. Each piece was finished by hand, and the run was limited to roughly 14 watches.

How many 1735 Grande Complication watches were made?

Patek Philippe produced around 14 examples, mostly in platinum, starting in 1989. That number explains why genuine pieces surface at auction only rarely and why prices are quoted in millions of dollars. Supply is fixed, and collectors treat the reference as a trophy rather than a daily watch.

Why are there so many fake 1735 Grande Complication listings?

The reference number carries instant prestige, and a dial covered in subdials photographs like a six-figure watch. Sellers attach the 1735 name to generic perpetual-calendar-style cases that have no repeater, no tourbillon, and no split-seconds chronograph. The label is marketing, not a description of what the watch does.

How can you tell a fake 1735 Grande Complication from a genuine one?

Genuine and replica diverge on function, finishing, and paperwork. Start by operating the watch, then work outward to the case and the movement.

Do the complications actually work?

On a genuine 1735, the slide on the left case band triggers a chime that sounds hours, quarters, and minutes. The chronograph splits on command, and the perpetual calendar advances correctly through leap years without adjustment. If the pushers do nothing, or the moon phase is a printed disc that never moves, you are holding a decorative replica.

Is the case finishing consistent?

Hand-finished platinum shows crisp, even bevels, sharply defined lugs, and a dense weight for its size. Inexpensive fakes show rounded edges, uneven polishing between the lugs, and a case that feels light in the hand. Look at macro photos of the lugs and case band before you trust a listing.

What is behind the caseback?

Authentic high-complication movements are finished with Geneva stripes, polished screws, and clean engraving. Many fakes use a display back to show off a stock automatic movement with a rotor, which does not belong in a 1735. A quick movement identification settles most authenticity questions in seconds.

Does the price make sense?

Genuine examples sell at auction for millions. Replicas run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand for a high-end super clone build with real finishing. A "genuine" 1735 offered for $5,000 is a contradiction, and a "1:1" replica with dead complications is overpriced at any figure.

What should you check before buying a 1735 replica?

• Which functions actually operate: repeater, chronograph, calendar, and moon phase.
• Movement type, and whether a local watchmaker can service it.
• Case metal, weight, and finishing shown in real photos, not catalog renders.
• Seller terms: returns, honest labeling as a replica, and after-sales support.

Is owning a fake 1735 Grande Complication illegal?

Possession of a replica is generally not a crime in the United States, but selling a counterfeit as a genuine watch is fraud. Imported counterfeit goods can also be seized at the border by customs authorities. Buying from a seller who clearly labels the watch as a replica keeps a decorative purchase simple and low risk.

Do fake 1735 Grande Complications hold value?

No. Replicas are consumer goods, and resale usually returns a fraction of the original price. Genuine 1735 watches appreciate because of extreme scarcity, documented provenance, and auction demand that replicas never touch.

The short version: treat any 1735 you see as a replica until proven otherwise, judge it by the functions that truly work and the quality of its finishing, and pay accordingly.