A fake Patek Philippe 7118 blue dial is a counterfeit version of the 7118/1A-001, a 35.2 mm steel Nautilus with an opaline blue dial and caliber 324 S C inside. Because the genuine reference trades well above its retail list, replica factories sell "super clone" 7118s from about $80 to $900, and the blue dial is one of the hardest parts of the watch to copy well. The tells usually sit in the dial texture, the date font, the bracelet taper, and the movement finishing.
What Is the Patek Philippe 7118 Blue Dial?
The 7118/1A-001 is the smaller Nautilus, aimed at wrists the 41 mm 5711 never fit. It pairs a rounded octagonal steel case with an integrated bracelet and a blue dial that carries a fine horizontal embossed pattern.
- Case: stainless steel, 35.2 mm across, water resistant to 60 m
- Dial: opaline blue with embossed horizontal texture and applied gold markers
- Movement: caliber 324 S C, automatic, roughly 45 hours of power reserve
- Bracelet: integrated steel links with a patented fold-over clasp
Why Is the 7118 Blue Dial So Widely Faked?
The genuine watch sells for multiples of its original list price, so the spread between real and fake is enormous. The blue dial is also the single most photographed part of the watch, which makes it the easiest selling point for a replica listing.
Buyers who cannot afford or find the real thing often search for the replica by reference, and factories respond by marketing the blue dial as their flagship colorway.
How to Spot a Fake Patek Philippe 7118 Blue Dial
- Dial texture. The embossed horizontal lines on a genuine dial catch light in a smooth gradient. Cheap replicas show a printed or stickered pattern that looks flat at an angle.
- Date window and font. The date sits at 3 o'clock in a cleanly cut aperture. Replicas often use a thicker font, a misaligned window, or a cyclops-free crystal that distorts the numeral.
- Bracelet taper and clasp. Genuine links taper gradually and the clasp closes with a solid, quiet snap. Fake bracelets feel loose at the end links and rattle when shaken.
- Movement finishing. A display back should show Geneva stripes, polished bevels, and engraved markings. Replica movements show machine swirls, unfinished screws, and generic rotor engraving.
- Weight and balance. The real steel case and bracelet feel dense and balanced on the wrist. Most replicas run noticeably lighter because the case is cast from cheaper alloy.
- Serial and paperwork. Patek engraves matching numbers on the case and movement. Fakes frequently reuse a single serial across batches, and the certificate does not survive a records check.
What Does the Replica 7118 Blue Dial Normally Get Wrong?
The two consistent failures are dial color and bracelet fit. Replica blue tends to read purple or teal under indoor light, while the genuine opaline blue stays gray-blue. End links also sit proud of the case instead of flowing into it.
How Much Do Fake Patek 7118 Blue Dial Watches Cost?
Budget replicas run $80 to $200 and use plated alloy cases with quartz or low-grade automatic movements. Mid-tier copies run $250 to $450 with better dial printing but still wrong proportions.
So-called super clones sell for $600 to $900 and copy the case dimensions closely, yet they still use a cloned movement rather than a Patek caliber. Any seller who claims a new 7118 with box and papers for under $1,000 is selling a counterfeit.
Is It Legal to Buy a Fake Patek Philippe 7118 in the US?
Trademark counterfeiting is illegal in the United States, and customs officers seize fake watches at the border. Buyers can lose the money and the watch, and reselling a counterfeit exposes them to civil liability.
Fake Patek Philippe 7118 Blue Dial FAQ
Can a watchmaker tell a fake 7118 blue dial from the real one?
Yes. A trained watchmaker opens the case and checks the movement architecture, the engraving, and the finishing within seconds. The dial texture and crown profile confirm it.
Do replica 7118s use real gold?
No. The 7118/1A-001 is a steel watch, and replicas use stainless steel or plated base metal. Markers and hands on fakes are gold plated rather than solid gold.
Why do sellers call a fake 7118 "Swiss made"?
The label is a marketing term copied from the genuine dial. A replica assembled overseas, even with a few Swiss parts, does not meet Swiss labeling rules for watches.